Perceval Wiburn facts for kids

Perceval Wiburn (born around 1533, died around 1606) was an English church leader. He had to leave England during the reign of Queen Mary because of his Protestant beliefs. He was also known as a nonconformist and Puritan, meaning he didn't always agree with the official rules of the Church of England. He also strongly argued against Robert Parsons, a Jesuit priest.

Early Life and Education

Perceval Wiburn was born around 1533. When he was about 13 years old, in 1546, he started studying at St. John's College, Cambridge. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in 1551. The next year, in 1552, he became a fellow of his college. This meant he was a senior member of the college, often involved in teaching and research.

Leaving England and Returning

Wiburn held strong Protestant beliefs. When Queen Mary came to power, she was a Catholic and began to persecute Protestants. Because of this, Wiburn left England. Many Protestants who fled during this time were called "Marian exiles." In May 1557, he joined other English Protestants in Geneva, Switzerland.

When Queen Elizabeth became queen in 1558, Wiburn returned to England. He earned his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree that same year. He also became a junior dean and philosophy lecturer at St. John's College.

Church Roles and Challenges

In 1560, Perceval Wiburn became a deacon and then a priest. He quickly gained important positions in the church. He became a prebendary of Norwich in 1561 and a canon of Westminster in the same year. These roles meant he held a special position within a cathedral or church, often with a salary.

In 1563, Wiburn took part in a big meeting of church leaders called a convocation. He agreed to the updated rules of the church. However, in 1564, he became the vicar of St. Sepulchre's, Holborn, but he soon lost this position. He refused to sign certain church rules because he was a nonconformist. This meant he didn't fully agree with all the Church of England's practices.

Since he was married and had a family, he started working in farming to support them. Even though he was out of favor with some church leaders, they still allowed him to keep his other church positions and to preach in public.

Travels and Controversies

In 1566, Wiburn traveled to Switzerland. He visited important Protestant reformers like Theodore Beza in Geneva and Heinrich Bullinger in Zurich. He wanted to ask them for help and support for the Protestant cause in England.

Around this time, Wiburn wrote a description of the state of the Church of England. Some English church leaders suspected him of speaking badly about the church. Wiburn denied this and asked Bullinger to confirm that he had not.

In 1571, Wiburn was called before Archbishop Matthew Parker because of his nonconformist views. He was questioned again in 1573 about a document called the Admonition to the Parliament, which criticized the church. Wiburn said he didn't agree with everything in it, but he was still told not to preach for a while. Later, he was allowed to preach again and became a preacher in Rochester.

Debates and Later Life

In 1581, Perceval Wiburn was chosen as one of the learned church leaders to debate with Catholics. In the same year, he wrote a book to argue against Robert Parsons, a Jesuit priest. Parsons had written a book under a different name, and Wiburn's book was called "A Checke or Reproofe of M. Howlets vntimely shreeching in her Majesties eares."

In 1583, Archbishop John Whitgift again stopped Wiburn from preaching. He was not allowed to preach for at least five years.

Towards the end of his life, Wiburn preached in Battersea, near London. He broke his leg and needed help, so another preacher named Richard Sedgwick assisted him. Perceval Wiburn died around 1606, at an old age.