John Winram facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Winram or Wynram or Wynrame or Winraham
John Winram's tombstone
Personal details
Born	1492
Died	28 September 1582
Denomination	Christian
Alma mater	St. Andrews

John Winram (1492 - 1582) was an important Scottish priest and church leader in the 1500s. He played a big part in the Scottish Reformation, a time when Scotland changed its main church from Catholic to Protestant.

Winram was born in 1492. He studied at the University of St Andrews, getting several degrees, including a Doctorate. He became a canon (a type of priest) in the Augustinian monastery at St Andrews Cathedral Priory by 1527. He quickly rose to become the sub-prior, which meant he was basically in charge of the monastery. Later, in 1553, he became the Prior of St Serf's Inch at Lochleven.

Because of his important roles, he had a lot of influence on the church in Scotland. He believed in making changes to the church, but he didn't fully break away from the Catholic Church until the Scottish Reformation was well underway. After the Reformation, Winram helped organize the new Scottish Church. He continued to work hard as an administrator even into his 80s.

In 1562, Winram married Margaret Stewart. She had two sons from a previous marriage, Robert and Andrew. Robert had a severe disability, but Andrew was healthy. Winram and Andrew had a good relationship until Margaret died, which led to a disagreement about her will. This argument went through the courts and their relationship never got better. John Winram passed away on September 28, 1582, and was buried at St Leonard's College.

John Winram's Early Life and Career

John Winram was born around 1492. He came from the Winram family of Kirkness or Ratho in Fifeshire, Scotland. In 1513, he started studying at St. Leonard's College at the University of St Andrews. He earned his Bachelor's degree in 1515.

By 1528, he was living in the Augustinian monastery in St. Andrews. He became the third prior in 1534 and then the sub-prior in 1536. At that time, the main prior was Lord James Stewart, who was still a child. This meant Winram was effectively running the monastery.

His Role in Important Trials

Winram was involved in some very important events during the Reformation, including trials of people accused of heresy (beliefs that went against the church).

The Trial of George Wishart

In 1546, Winram preached the opening sermon at the trial of George Wishart. Wishart was a well-known reformer. Winram's sermon was about "Heresy," which he defined as "a false opinion defended with stubbornness, clearly going against the word of God." This definition was general enough that Wishart himself might have agreed with it.

It seems Wishart thought Winram was on his side. Before Wishart was executed, he asked for Winram to hear his confession. Winram then told Cardinal Beaton that Wishart said he was innocent and wanted to receive communion, but Beaton refused.

Working with John Knox

Winram also had a connection with John Knox, another very important figure in the Scottish Reformation. Winram was there when Knox preached his first sermon in 1547. After the sermon, Winram asked Knox to talk with a group of friars (religious brothers).

Winram argued with Knox, but not very strongly. He then let another friar, Arbuckle, continue the discussion. Knox believed he won the argument. After this, the friars decided that learned men, including Winram, should preach sermons to counter Knox's ideas. However, Knox said these sermons were "written so as not to offend anyone."

Helping the Scottish Reformation

Even though Winram was part of the old church system, he joined the reformers when it looked like their cause would succeed.

Shaping the New Church

In 1560, he was chosen to be a superintendent (a church leader) for Fife. He officially took on this role in 1561. Some people believe he helped write the first Scots Confession of faith, which was a key document for the new Scottish Church. However, it was actually Winram and William Maitland of Lethington who reviewed the confession. They softened some of the words and sentences that seemed too harsh.

Winram was present when the Scottish Parliament approved this confession. He spoke in support of it. After it was approved, he was part of a group asked to create the "Book of Discipline," which set out the rules and organization for the new church.

Later Life and Legacy

John Winram was known as a very learned scholar. Some people described him as "wonderfully learned" in both the Old and New Testaments. He was more of a scholar than someone who loved arguments. He didn't seem to be a big fan of the strict Calvinist ideas of some leading Scottish reformers. He probably joined the Reformation because it made practical sense at the time.

From 1562 to 1570, some church assemblies complained that Winram was not active enough in visiting churches and preaching. They also thought he was too involved in "worldly affairs."

Winram continued to hold important positions. He attended a meeting in 1572 where "tulchan" bishops were created (these were bishops who held the title but often didn't have much power, with their income going to nobles). Under this new system, Winram became the archdeacon of the diocese. He gave up his role as superintendent of Fife and became superintendent of Strathearn instead.

When John Knox refused to officially welcome the new archbishop of St. Andrews, Winram took on that duty after Knox's sermon. When the archbishop died in 1574, Winram again became the superintendent of Fife. In 1580, he gave the priory of Portmoak to St. Leonard's College.

John Winram died on September 28, 1582. He was married to Margaret Stewart in 1564.