John Stockwood facts for kids
John Stockwood (died 1610) was an English clergyman, a powerful preacher, and a schoolmaster. He also translated many important religious books from other languages into English.
Contents
Life of John Stockwood
John Stockwood was born in Kent, England. He started studying at St John's College, Cambridge in 1564. He earned his first university degree (a Bachelor of Arts or B.A.) in Germany in 1567. Later, he received his master's degree (M.A.) from Oxford University in 1575.
Schoolmaster and Preacher
In 1571, Stockwood worked as a minister in Battle, Sussex. From 1578 to 1588, he was the headmaster of Tonbridge School in Kent. This school was run by the Skinners' Company from London. It is believed that Sir Robert Heath, a famous lawyer, was one of his students.
John Stockwood was known as a very strong and clear preacher. He became the vicar (a type of church leader) of Tonbridge. He was part of a special group of Puritans. Puritans were people who wanted to make the Church of England simpler. Stockwood and other Puritans often preached at Paul's Cross, a famous outdoor preaching spot in London. He believed that schools spent too much time on old classical writers.
Later Years and Death
At one point, John Stockwood faced great poverty. In 1594, he received some money from the town of Gravesend, Kent, thanks to Sir Robert Sidney.
He stopped being the headmaster of Tonbridge School by 1597. That year, his textbook called Progymnasma Scholasticum was published. In this book, he thanked Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex for helping him when he was poor. It is thought that he remained the vicar of Tonbridge until his death. John Stockwood was buried in Tonbridge on July 27, 1610.
Works and Translations
John Stockwood's main works were mostly translations of religious books by important European thinkers. He helped bring these ideas to English readers.
- Common Places of Christian Religion (1572, 1581): This was translated from the Latin writings of Henry Bullinger.
- The Treasure of Trueth (1576, 1581): He translated this from the Latin of Theodore Beza.
- A Shorte . . . Treatize of the Plague (1580): This book, also translated from Theodore Beza, gave advice about the plague.
- A Short Catechisme for House Houlders (1582, 1583): This was a simple guide for families, including prayers.
- Of the Duetie of a Faithful and Wise Magistrate (1583): This translation from Johannes Ewich discussed how leaders should protect their people from sickness like the plague.
- A verie profitable and necessarie discourse concerning the observation and keeping of the Sabbath day (1584): Translated from Zacharias Ursinus, this book was about observing the Sabbath.
- A Right Godly . . . discourse upon the book of Ester (1584): This was a translation of a commentary on the Book of Esther by John Brentius.
- A godlie and learned Commentarie upon the excellent book of Solomon, commonly called Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher (1585): Translated from Joannes Serranus (Jean de Serres).
- An exposition of the 51 Psalme (1586): This was a translation of Wolfgang Musculus's explanation of Psalm 51.
- A Bartholmew Fairing for parentes (1589): This book advised that children should not marry without their parents' permission.
- A plaine and easie laying open of the Meaning and Vnderstanding of the Rules of Construction in the English Accidence (1590, 1703): This was a grammar textbook for young students.
- A fruitfull Commentarie upon the twelve Small Prophets (1594): Translated from Lambert Danaeus.
- Progymnasma Scholasticum (1597): A textbook for schools, focusing on Greek poems.
- Disputatiuncularum grammaticalium libellus (1598, 1650): Another grammar book designed to sharpen young minds in schools.
