He was born the son of a farmer around the year 1470. Around 14 years of age he attended Christ's College, Cambridge, where he was known as a good student. After receiving his degrees and being ordained, he was known as a very zealous Roman Catholic. At first he opposed the Lutheran opinion of his day, but after meeting a clergyman by the name of Thomas Bilney, his opinions changed.
He was elected a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge in 1510 and became university preacher in 1522. He then became noted for his reformist teachings, which caught the eye of the authorities. During King Henry VIII's reign he was twice imprisoned in the Tower of London (1539 and 1546) and, under Queen Mary I, was tried at Oxford, England where he was jailed. He was burned for his teachings and beliefs outside Balliol College, Oxford in 1555.
Nicholas Ridley was burned with him, and Latimer is quoted as having said to him:
Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.
The Latimer room in Clare College is named after Hugh Latimer.
See also
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:
This entry includes public domain text originally from the 1890 Pronouncing Edition of the Holy Bible (Biographical Sketches of the Translators and Reformers and other eminent biblical scholars).
Latimer himself also, in mentioning his conversion from Romanism about 1523, says that it took place after he was thirty years of age.
Latimer, on seeing him enter the church, boldly changed his theme to a portrayal of Christ as the pattern priest and bishop.
It was, however, the preaching of Latimer more than the edicts of Henry that established the principles of the Reformation in the minds and hearts of the people; and from his preaching the movement received its chief colour and complexion.
Latimer bade adieu to the splendor of the palace and the vanity of the court, and entered immediately oh the duties of his parish; and wherever he observed the pastoral duties neglected, thither he extended his labors on all sides, having for that particular purpose procured a general license from the university of Cambridge.
Latimer received their compliments with a smile, having been apprized of the whole affair; and knowing that the reverend gentlemen, who thus pretended to lament the effects of the bishop's order, were the selfsame individuals who had called it forth, by letters addressed to him for that precise purpose.
Latimer was a true bishop, for he not only labored for the salvation of his flock, watching over their faith and morals, but also over their temporal welfare and happiness; particularly he watched over the rights of the poor, that they might not be wronged by their rich and overbearing neighbors.
Feeds |
Contact