Birth of John Fisher
Birth of John Fisher
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
John Fisher Biography and Timeline
Follow John Fisher through 36 dated historical records for England.
John Fisher, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
36Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1469–1935Years on this page
1469
1484
Education
Studies at the University of Cambridge from 1484, where at Michaelhouse, Cambridge, he comes under the influence of William Melton, a pastorally-minded theologian open to the new current of reform in studies arising from the Renaissance
1494
Vicar
Appointed Vicar of Northallerton
1497
Chaplain
Appointed Chaplain and confessor to Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and Derby, mother of King Henry VII
1501
Cambridge University
Under Fishers guidance, Lady Margaret founds St. Johns and Christs Colleges, and also the two "Lady Margaret" professorships of divinity at Oxford and Cambridge. Elected Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University
Oxford University
Under Fishers guidance, Lady Margaret founds St. Johns and Christs Colleges, and also the two "Lady Margaret" professorships of divinity at Oxford and Cambridge
1504
Bishop
Rochester is the poorest diocese in England and is seen as a first step on an ecclesiastical career, but Fisher stayed there, presumably by his own choice, for the remaining 31 years of his life. By Papal Bull Fisher is appointed Bishop of Rochester at the personal insistence of Henry VII
Papal Bull
By Papal Bull Fisher is appointed Bishop of Rochester at the personal insistence of Henry VII
Cambridge University
Elected Chancellor of Cambridge University, and re-elected annually for ten years and then appointed for life
Tutor
Tutor to Prince Henry, afterwards Henry VIII
1505
Cambridge University
Appointed President of Queens College
1509
Burial
King Henry VII and the Lady Margaret die, Fisher is appointed to preach the funeral oration on both occasions
1521
Assertio Septem Sacramentorum
Possible author of the royal treatise against Luther, published 1521, entitled Assertio septem sacramentorum which wins the title Fidei Defensor for Henry VIII
Defender of the Faith
Possible author of the royal treatise against Luther, published 1521, entitled Assertio septem sacramentorum which wins the title Fidei Defensor for Henry VIII
1529
Marriage
Startles his hearers by the directness of his language and most of all by declaring that, like St. John the Baptist, he was ready to die on behalf of the indissolubility of marriage. Appears at the divorce tribunal on Catherines behalf, she refuses to attend
Long Parliament
The "Long Parliament" of Henrys reign begins its series of encroachments on the Church, Fisher, as a member of the upper house, warns Parliament that such acts could only end in the utter destruction of the Church in England
1534
Arrest of John Fisher
Sent to the Tower for refusing to take the oath of succession
Oath of Succession
Sent to the Tower for refusing to take the oath of succession. Like Thomas More, Fisher takes the line that since the statute condemns only those speaking maliciously against the King's new title, there is safety in silence
Arrest of John Fisher
Falls into a trap laid for him by Richard Rich, who perjures himself to obtain Thomas Mores conviction.
Arrest of John Fisher
Fisher was taken in by Richard Rich and says that he is convinced "that the King was not, nor could be, by the Law of God, Supreme Head in earth of the Church of England".
Arrest of John Fisher
Rich tells Fisher that for his own consciences sake the King wished to know, in strict secrecy, Fishers real opinion.
Oath of Succession
Falls into a trap laid for him by Richard Rich, who perjures himself to obtain Thomas Mores conviction.
Oath of Succession
Fisher was taken in by Richard Rich and says that he is convinced "that the King was not, nor could be, by the Law of God, Supreme Head in earth of the Church of England".
Oath of Succession
Rich tells Fisher that for his own consciences sake the King wished to know, in strict secrecy, Fishers real opinion.
Arrest of John Fisher
The See of Rochester is declared vacant
Oath of Succession
Put on trial in Westminster Hall before a court of seventeen, including Thomas Cromwell, Anne Boleyns father, and ten justices, the only testimony is that of Richard Rich, Fisher is condemned to death
Trial
Put on trial in Westminster Hall before a court of seventeen, including Thomas Cromwell, Anne Boleyns father, and ten justices, the only testimony is that of Richard Rich, Fisher is condemned to death
1535
Cardinal
Paul III creates Fisher Cardinal-Priest of S. Vitalis, in the hope of inducing Henry to ease Fishers treatment, the effect is precisely the reverse
Oath of Succession
A special commission for Fishers trial is issued, he is arraigned in Westminster Hall on a charge of treason, in that he denied the king to be supreme head of the Church
Treason
Found guilty of treason & sentenced to death
Treason
A special commission for Fishers trial is issued, he is arraigned in Westminster Hall on a charge of treason, in that he denied the king to be supreme head of the Church
Trial
Found guilty of treason & sentenced to death
Trial
Deprived of his position of Bishop of Rochester by the Act of Attainder, treated as a commoner, and tried by jury, found guilty, and condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn. A special commission for Fishers trial is issued, he is arraigned in Westminster Hall on a charge of treason, in that he denied the king to be supreme head of the Church
Death of John Fisher
Death of John Fisher, executed
Execution
Executed for refusing to acknowledge the King as Head of the Church. Deprived of his position of Bishop of Rochester by the Act of Attainder, treated as a commoner, and tried by jury, found guilty, and condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn
1935
Canonization
Canonized in by Pope Pius XI along with Thomas More, after the presentation of a petition by the English Catholics
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.