William Marshall (translator) facts for kids

William Marshall (who died around 1540) was an important English person during a time of big changes. He was a Protestant reformer, which means he wanted to change some things about the Christian church. He was also a printer and a translator, helping to spread new ideas through books.

Marshall worked as a clerk for Sir Richard Broke, who was a top judge in England. He also knew Sir Thomas More, another famous person of that time. Marshall supported King Henry VIII when the king wanted to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. By 1535, he was working as a trusted helper for Thomas Cromwell, a very powerful advisor to the king.

What Did William Marshall Do?

Becoming a Printer and Translator

Because Thomas Cromwell liked his work, Marshall got a special permission to print books. From about 1534, his main job was getting books ready for his printing press. He lived in Wood Street, London when he first started this work.

He began by translating important books. One was by Lorenzo Valla, which questioned a famous old document called the Donation of Constantine. Another was by a famous thinker named Erasmus, which Marshall published as Maner and Forme of Confession.

Publishing Important Books

Marshall borrowed money from Cromwell to publish a book called The Defence of Peace on July 27, 1535. This book was his translation of a 14th-century work called Defensor pacis by Marsilio of Padua. It was a very important book because it argued against the Pope having too much power over kings and governments. Robert Wyer printed this book.

In the same year, Marshall published Pyctures and Ymages. This was an English translation of a book by Martin Bucer that talked about religious images. Thomas Audeley, who was the Lord Chancellor, and Thomas Broke thought this book was too strong and might cause trouble. However, Cromwell allowed it to be published, and it caused a stir with its ideas about burning religious images.

Other Reformist Works

Marshall continued to publish books that supported the Protestant reforms. He published a translation by William Turner and an English prayer book. This prayer book was an early version of what would become the Bishops' Book and Thomas Cranmer's Litany, which are important religious texts. He also translated a book from Flemish about helping poor people.

However, his book Defensor pacis did not sell very well. By 1536, Marshall started having money problems. He also had a family issue when John Gostwick tried to get back a loan from Marshall's brother, Thomas. Cromwell did not want to help Marshall with these problems.

Later, around 1542, Marshall's An Abridgement of Sebastian Munster's Chronicle was published by Wyer. It is also thought that Marshall wrote Chrysten Bysshop and Counterfayte Bysshop. The exact year Marshall died is not known, but it was likely around 1540.

William Marshall's Family

William Marshall was married and had two sons. One son was named Richard, and some people think he might be the same Richard Marshall who became the dean of Christ Church, Oxford. His other son was named Thomas. Not much else is known about his marriage or if he had any other children.