Richard Argentine facts for kids

Richard Argentine, also known as Sexten, was an English doctor and religious leader. He lived a long time ago, dying in 1568.

He first arrived in Ipswich in a simple serving-man's outfit. Later, he became a teacher and then the headmaster of Ipswich School. While there, he also worked as a doctor. He even gave talks about religion. In 1541, he earned his medical degree (M.D.) from the University of Cambridge.

Richard Argentine: Early Life and Beliefs

Becoming a Protestant Supporter

When Edward VI became king of England, many people became excited about Protestantism. Richard Argentine was one of them. He helped bring the first printing press to Ipswich. He invited a printer named Anthony Scoloker to set it up in the town.

This was a big step for the history of printing in Ipswich. Printing presses helped spread new ideas quickly.

Books He Helped Publish

In 1548, Scoloker printed three books that Richard Argentine had worked on:

• Certeyne Preceptes: This book was a translation of ideas from Huldrych Zwingli. It talked about how young people should learn about Christianity.
• A ryght notable Sermon: This was a translation of a sermon by Martin Luther. It was dedicated to a nobleman named Thomas Wentworth.
• Sermons of the ryght famous and excellent clerke Master Bernardine Ochine: This book contained six sermons by Bernardino Ochino. Ochino was a religious leader who had recently found safety in England.

The six sermons in Ochino's book covered topics like:

• What God is.
• How to learn about God from nature.
• How philosophy helps with religious studies.
• How to use the Bible to understand God.
• Problems that happen when the Bible is misused.
• If human knowledge is needed to be a good religious scholar.

Richard Argentine: A Change of Heart

Switching to Catholic Beliefs

Richard Argentine's patron, Thomas Wentworth, died in 1551. His son, Thomas Wentworth, 2nd Baron Wentworth, took over. At first, the new Baron Wentworth supported Lady Jane Grey as queen. But he soon changed his mind. He decided to support Queen Mary.

Queen Mary was gathering her supporters at Framlingham Castle. She soon had a lot of local help. She was welcomed in Ipswich on her way to London. Richard Argentine was one of the many people who followed the 2nd Baron Wentworth. He became a strong supporter of the Catholic faith in the area.

Promoting Arabic Language Study

In 1555, Argentine became interested in the Arabic language. He gave talks at both Oxford and Cambridge universities. He argued that studying Arabic would help doctors learn more about medicine. A copy of his lecture is still kept in the Bodleian Library.

His Role as a Catholic Leader

After his wife passed away, Richard Argentine became a priest. He strongly supported Catholic ideas. He was known for being strict with Protestants. In 1556, he became the priest at both St Helen's and St Clement's churches in Ipswich. He also continued to be the headmaster at Ipswich School.

In 1557, he gained two more church positions. These were at St Mary's in Whitton and St Michael's in Brantham. He got the Brantham position with help from Robert Wingfield. Wingfield was a strong local Catholic. He had even hosted Queen Mary at his Ipswich home. Richard Argentine is mentioned in Foxe's Book of Martyrs. This book talks about his role in the persecution of Agnes Wardall in July 1556.

Richard Argentine: Back to Protestantism

Shortly before Queen Mary died in 1558, Richard Argentine moved to London. When Elizabeth I became queen, he changed his beliefs again. He became a Protestant once more. This allowed him to keep his church position in Ipswich.

In 1563 or 1564, he seemed to be living in Exeter. However, there is no proof that he was a church official there. He likely died in 1568. This is when his church position in Ipswich became empty.

Other Writings

Richard Argentine also wrote other books:

• De Præstigiis et Incantationibus Dæmonum et Necromanticorum, published in Bâle in 1568.
• Observations about Rome and the popes.