John Tewkesbury facts for kids
John Tewkesbury was a leather merchant from London who lived a long time ago. He was a Protestant reformer, which means he wanted to change some things about the church. Because of his beliefs, he was found guilty of heresy (believing something different from the official church). He was executed in London on December 20, 1531.
Contents
Becoming a Protestant
John Tewkesbury became interested in new religious ideas. In 1512, he found a handwritten copy of the Bible. Later, he bought an English version of the New Testament. This book was translated by William Tyndale. Reading Tyndale's books helped John Tewkesbury become a Protestant. He was known as a smart and influential person in London. He knew a lot about the Bible.
Questioned by Church Leaders
First Arrest and Trial
On April 21, 1529, John Tewkesbury was arrested. He was brought before Cuthbert Tunstall, who was the Bishop of London. Other church leaders were also there. They questioned him about his beliefs. Tewkesbury was very good at explaining his ideas using the Bible. The bishops were surprised by how well he argued. They decided they needed to question him more.
Later that month, Tewkesbury was questioned again. This time, more bishops were present. They asked him about a book he had sold called The Wicked Mammon. They questioned him about many parts of the book. Tewkesbury told them, "I think it is good enough." He also asked them to fix any mistakes in the book themselves. The church leaders thought it was dangerous for regular people to read and think for themselves.
His Punishment
On May 8, he was given a punishment. He had to carry a bundle of sticks at St. Paul's Cathedral on a Sunday. He also had to carry sticks in other places that week. He even had to wear sticks sewn onto his sleeves. He was then sent to a monastery (a religious building) and had to stay there. After being held, he said he would give up his new beliefs. Then he was released.
Questioned by Sir Thomas More
Being Betrayed
Later, in 1531, Sir Thomas More became the High Chancellor of England. He worked with the new Bishop of London, John Stokesley. Sir Thomas More arrested a Protestant book seller named George Constantine. Constantine was accused of heresy. Before he escaped, Constantine told them the names of other reformers. John Tewkesbury was one of the names he gave.
After Constantine's betrayal, Tewkesbury was arrested right away. He was held at Sir Thomas More's house in Chelsea.
His Confession
Some stories from that time claim that Sir Thomas More tortured Tewkesbury. They said he was tied up and whipped. They also claimed his head was squeezed with ropes. However, Sir Thomas More himself said these stories were not true. He admitted that he did keep people accused of heresy at his house. But he strongly denied that he tortured or whipped anyone.
Tewkesbury was then moved to the Tower of London. There, he admitted that he had read more forbidden books. These included The Obedience of a Christian Man and The Wicked Mammon. He had read them even after saying he would give up his beliefs two years earlier. He also confessed to taking the embroidered sticks off his sleeves.
His Execution
The decision against John Tewkesbury was announced on December 16, 1531. This happened at Sir Thomas More's house. The Bishop of London, John Stokesley, read the sentence. After this, the sheriffs of London took Tewkesbury away. On December 20, 1531, John Tewkesbury was burned at the stake. This happened in West Smithfield, London, across from a church.
The Great Bible
In 1538, King Henry VIII made an important decision. He allowed an English version of the Bible to be printed. This was called the Great Bible. He wanted it to be read aloud in all Church of England services. Myles Coverdale prepared this Bible. It included some of William Tyndale's translations that the bishops approved of. The first 2,500 copies of the Great Bible were printed in April 1539. They sold out very quickly.
Modern Culture
In 2013, a play called Fire on Earth was performed in Boston. It was a historical drama about this time period. The character of John Tewkesbury in the play is a mix of different martyrs (people who died for their beliefs). These included Richard Bayfield and Thomas Hitton.
See also
- English Reformation
- James Bainham
- Richard Bayfield
- Thomas Bilney
- John Fisher
- Thomas Hitton
- Thomas More
- William Tyndale
