Richard Greenham facts for kids

Richard Greenham (sometimes called Grenham) (around 1535–1594?) was an English church leader. He was known for his strong Puritan beliefs, especially about how people should observe the Sabbath (Sunday). His many speeches (sermons) and religious writings had a big impact on the Puritan movement in England.

Life of Richard Greenham

Richard Greenham was likely born around 1535. He started studying at the University of Cambridge later in life, joining Pembroke Hall in 1559. He earned his first degree in 1564 and became a Fellow (a senior member of the college) in 1567.

His Puritan Beliefs

Greenham was a Puritan, but he was quite moderate. Puritans wanted to "purify" the Church of England from practices they felt were too much like the Roman Catholic Church. He had some concerns about church clothes (vestments) and disliked church leaders who didn't live in their parishes (non-residence). However, he cared more about people truly living out their faith and getting along within the Church, rather than arguing about church rules.

He supported other Puritan leaders, like Thomas Cartwright. Greenham even signed letters asking for Cartwright to get his teaching job back at Cambridge.

Working in Dry Drayton

In 1570, Greenham became the rector (church leader) of Dry Drayton, a village in Cambridgeshire. He continued to preach in Cambridge. He often told young religious students not to argue too much about small things before they understood the basics of faith.

In his own parish, he preached very often, sometimes starting early in the morning before people began their daily work. He also spent Sunday evenings and Thursday mornings teaching people about their faith using a catechism (a set of questions and answers). He even taught some students who became important religious figures, like Henry Smith.

Helping His Community

Greenham was very kind and cared deeply for his community. During a time when food was expensive, he found a way to sell corn cheaply to poor families. He made sure no family bought too much so everyone could get some. He also lowered the price of his straw. He even got into trouble for refusing to let the market clerk cut down his measuring tool, which would have made the poor get less food.

He was so focused on his religious work that he wasn't very good with money. His wife sometimes had to borrow money just to pay the workers who helped with the harvest! He often turned down offers for better-paying church jobs. Even with all his efforts, he felt that his work didn't help many people in his own village. He once told his successor, "I perceive no good wrought by my ministry on any but one family."

Facing Challenges

Greenham was questioned by Richard Cox, the bishop of Ely, because he didn't always follow all the church rules (this was called nonconformity). The bishop asked him who was causing a split (schism) in the church: those who followed the rules or those who didn't. Greenham wisely replied that if everyone worked together, no one would be causing a split. But if they argued, the blame would be on whoever caused the division. After this, the bishop didn't bother him again.

When some critical pamphlets called the Marprelate tracts came out in 1589, Greenham preached against them. He believed they made sin seem funny, when it should be seen as something serious and bad.

Moving to London

Around 1591, after about 20 years in Dry Drayton, Greenham left his position. His friends wanted him to move to London. He then became a preacher at Christ Church, Newgate.

In 1592, his book Treatise of the Sabboth was published. This book was very important and influenced many people's practices regarding Sunday observance. It was one of the first Puritan books about keeping Sunday as a special day of rest and worship. His step-son, Nicholas Bownde, later wrote a similar book that borrowed ideas from Greenham's work.

Greenham was a very famous and respected Puritan minister during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. He was good friends with other important Puritan thinkers like Laurence Chaderton, Richard Rogers, and William Perkins. His many sermons and writings greatly helped the Puritan movement grow in England.

Death

Historians aren't completely sure when Richard Greenham died. Some say he died around 1591, when he was about 60 years old. Others believe he died during the bubonic plague (a serious disease) that spread in 1592. We know he visited John Penry in prison in April 1593. It seems he lived until at least 1594.

Works

Greenham's collected Workes (writings) were put together and edited by Henry Holland in 1599. They were reprinted several times, with the "fift and last" edition appearing in 1612. Another book, A Garden of Spiritual Flowers, was published in 1612 and reprinted many times until 1687. It's thought that Greenham himself didn't publish much, or leave much ready for printing.

His famous Treatise of the Sabboth was shared privately before it was published. Holland found three copies and edited the best one. It was originally a sermon or a series of sermons. Most of Greenham's other writings were also put together from his sermons and some of his conversations.

Family

Richard Greenham married the widow of Robert Bownde, a doctor. He did not have any children of his own. His step-daughter, Anne Bownde, was the first wife of another important Puritan, John Dod.