Martha Hatfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martha Hatfield
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| Nationality | English |
| Years active | 1652 |
| Known for | Religious prophet |
Martha Hatfield was an English girl born in 1640. She became known as a religious prophet. People even called her "The Wise Virgin." She lived during a time when many people were very religious.
Contents
Who Was Martha Hatfield?
Martha Hatfield was born in a place called Leighton, North Yorkshire, England. This was in the 1600s. Her father was Anthony Hatfield, and her mother was Faith. Her family was well-known in Yorkshire.
A Strange Illness
In April 1652, Martha became very ill. She had a condition that made her unable to move. She also could not see, hear, or speak. This strange illness lasted for seventeen days.
Her Prophetic Recovery
When Martha recovered, something amazing happened. She started talking a lot about religious topics. She also began quoting parts of the Bible. People believed she was sharing messages from God.
Two men, John and Peter Rodes, wrote down everything she said. Another man named John Cromwell also recorded her words.
A Second Silence
On September 8, 1652, Martha became unable to speak again. She stayed quiet until December 7, 1652. This time, when she recovered, she did not have any more prophetic moments.
The Book About Martha
In 1653, Martha's uncle, James Fisher, wrote a book about her. He was a very important religious leader in Sheffield, England. His book was called The Wise Virgin. It told the story of Martha and her special messages. The book became very popular and was printed many times.
