Thomas Gerrard facts for kids

Thomas Gerard (born around 1500, died 1540), also known as Gerrard, Garret, or Garrard, was an English religious reformer. He was executed in 1540 for his beliefs, along with William Jerome and Robert Barnes.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Gerard began his studies at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, in August 1517. He earned his first degree in June 1518 and a master's degree in March 1524. During his time at Oxford, he also studied at Christ Church, which was then called Cardinal College. He also attended Cambridge University, where he earned further degrees in divinity.

Spreading New Ideas

Gerard was one of the first English Protestants. He helped spread new religious ideas by distributing books by Martin Luther, a key figure in the Protestant Reformation. In 1525, a famous scholar named Erasmus even sent greetings to Gerard, calling him one of the "booksellers" who shared these new ideas.

In 1526, Gerard worked as a curate, helping his friend Robert Forman, who was a rector at All Hallows, Honey Lane in London. However, the historian John Foxe noted that Gerard was back in Oxford in 1527. There, he sold Latin books and copies of William Tyndale's English translation of the New Testament to students. He also shared these books in Cambridge.

Facing Challenges

Gerard faced many challenges because his religious views were different from the official church teachings of the time. Foxe wrote that Gerard planned to work in Dorset under a different name, but he changed his mind. In 1527, he was in Reading, selling many books to the prior there.

By Christmas, he was hiding in Oxford again. In February 1528, church officials captured him. He managed to escape with a friend's help but was caught again in Bedminster, near Bristol. He was taken to the county jail in Ilchester, Somerset.

After being questioned, Gerard was sent to London. He was questioned by important church leaders, including the Bishop of Lincoln. He was then forced to publicly state that he no longer held his reformist beliefs. The Bishop of Lincoln complained that Gerard was "subtle" and "untrue" because his answers changed. Foxe wrote a detailed account of these events.

Continuing His Work

Eventually, Gerard received a pardon from Thomas Wolsey, a powerful figure in the government. Wolsey even hired Gerard to copy documents. By 1535, Gerard had permission from the king to preach.

In July 1535, he preached at Jervaulx Abbey in Yorkshire. A monk who interrupted him was arrested, showing that Gerard had support from important people like Sir Francis Bigod. Gerard and his fellow reformer, William Jerome, both served as chaplains to Bigod at different times. Thomas Cranmer, a leading figure in the English Reformation, also tried to help Gerard get a church position in Calais, but it was not successful.

In June 1536, Gerard became a chaplain to the Bishop of Worcester. However, his old opponent, the Bishop of Lincoln, still complained about his preaching skills to Thomas Cromwell, another powerful government official.

Final Years and Execution

Thanks to Cranmer's influence with Cromwell, Thomas Gerard became the rector of All Hallows, Honey Lane, in June 1537. He also became a chaplain to Cranmer, who sent him to preach in Calais in August.

To please Cromwell, Edmund Bonner, another bishop, asked Gerard to preach at St. Paul's Cross in London in 1540. Gerard, along with Robert Barnes, spoke against a sermon by Stephen Gardiner. Because their sermons were seen as challenging official views, Gerard, Barnes, and William Jerome were ordered to publicly take back their statements.

Their public statements were not clear enough for the authorities. As a result, Gerard, Barnes, and Jerome were sent to the Tower of London. They were declared heretics, meaning their religious beliefs were considered wrong by the state. Their names were specifically excluded from the king's general pardon.

Two days after Cromwell's execution, on July 30, 1540, Thomas Gerard, Robert Barnes, and William Jerome were taken through the city to Smithfield. There, they were executed together for their religious views. At the time of his execution, Gerard stated his beliefs and asked for forgiveness for any strong or rash words he had used.