Thomas Marshall (Abbot of Colchester) facts for kids

Thomas Marshall, also known as John Beche, was an important religious leader in England during the 1500s. He was the last Abbot of Colchester Abbey, a large and powerful monastery. He lived at a time when big changes were happening in England, especially with the King and the Church. John Beche is remembered for standing up for his beliefs during these challenging times.

Who Was John Beche?

Early Life and Education

John Beche was born Thomas Marshall in Colchester, England. His family was well-known in the town. They were skilled pewtersmiths, meaning they made things from pewter, a type of metal.

Thomas went to Oxford University, a famous school. He studied there and earned a special degree in religion in 1515. This showed he was a very learned person.

Becoming an Abbot

After his studies, Thomas Marshall became a leader in the Church. He first served as the Abbot of St. Werburgh's in Chester. An abbot is the head of a monastery, a place where monks live and pray.

Later, on June 10, 1530, he became the Abbot of St. John the Baptist's in Colchester. This was a very important position. As an abbot, he was in charge of the monks and the large lands belonging to the abbey.

Challenges for the Church

The King's New Rules

In 1534, big changes began in England. King Henry VIII wanted to be the head of the Church in England, not the Pope in Rome. He passed a law called the Act of Supremacy. This law said that the King, not the Pope, was the highest authority in the English Church.

On July 7, 1534, Abbot Beche and the monks at Colchester Abbey signed this new law. Many religious leaders hoped these changes would only be temporary. They thought they could still follow their faith while also obeying the King.

Standing Up for Beliefs

Abbot Beche did not agree with all of King Henry VIII's new rules. He was a friend and admirer of other important figures like Thomas More and John Fisher. These men also disagreed with the King's changes and faced serious consequences.

When these friends were punished for their beliefs, Abbot Beche spoke about his respect for them. People reported what he said to the King's officials. This made him a target.

Arrest and Trial

In November 1538, King Henry VIII sent people to take control of the monasteries. Abbot Beche refused to let them take his abbey. He believed the King did not have the right to close it.

Because of this, he was arrested and sent to the Tower of London. This was a famous prison. Even though he was later released, he was soon arrested again and brought back to Colchester.

During his trial, witnesses said that Abbot Beche believed God would be upset about the closing of the monasteries. They also said he felt that Fisher and More were good men who should not have been punished. He also believed the King broke away from the Catholic Church because he wanted to marry Anne Boleyn.

Abbot Beche denied these charges at first. But during his trial in November 1539, he stopped arguing against them. He was found guilty and faced punishment. He was executed on December 1, 1539, near his abbey in Greenstead. A special cross he wore was saved by a family and is now kept at Buckfast Abbey.

Remembering John Beche

Becoming a Blessed Saint

Many years later, in 1895, Pope Leo XIII honored Abbot John Beche. He was declared "Blessed," which is a step towards becoming a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.

His feast day, a day to remember him, is celebrated on December 1st in the diocese of Brentwood. He is remembered for his courage and faith during a very difficult time in history.

See also

• Hugh Faringdon, last Abbot of Reading Abbey
• Richard Whiting, last Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey
• Dissolution of the Monasteries