Hugh Latimer Biography

Born at Thurcaston in Leicestershire.

Is ordained priest after Cambridge study.

Is influenced by reform-minded Cambridge scholars.

Thomas Bilney helps turn Latimer toward evangelical reform.

Begins preaching against abuses in late medieval religion.

His reform preaching attracts attention and opposition.

Gains favour among supporters of evangelical reform.

Preaches before Henry VIII and gains royal notice.

Attacks clerical corruption in sermons.

Associates with reformers around Anne Boleyn's court.

Supports the royal supremacy over the English church.

Appointed Bishop of Worcester.

Is consecrated Bishop of Worcester.

Begins reforming preaching and clerical discipline in Worcester.

Defends royal religious policy during northern rebellion.

Supports evangelical elements in Henrician reform.

Supports doctrinal reform during Henry VIII's reign.

Opposes religious images and pilgrim practices.

Opposes conservative doctrine in the Act of Six Articles.

Resigns after opposing the Act of Six Articles.

Resigns his bishopric rather than accept the Six Articles.

Lives under suspicion after resigning from Worcester.

Reform preaching is restricted under conservative policy.

Is watched because of his evangelical opinions.

Maintains links with reform-minded clergy and courtiers.

Arrested and sent to the Tower for opposing the Six Articles.

Is imprisoned during Henry VIII's final conservative reaction.

Returns to public preaching under Edward VI.

Is released after Edward VI comes to the throne.

Preaches forceful reform sermons before the royal court.

Preaches against negligent clergy and social injustice.

Urges moral reform during Edward VI's reign.

Defends reform during opposition to the English Prayer Book.

Declines restoration to episcopal office despite Edwardian favour.

Supports continuing Protestant reform in England.

Welcomes further reform in the Edwardian prayer book settlement.

Edward VI's death exposes reformers to danger.

Mary's accession threatens Protestant reformers.

Is summoned after Mary begins reversing Edwardian religion.

Is imprisoned with other Protestant leaders.

Is arrested under Mary's Catholic restoration.

Is sent to Oxford for disputation with Cranmer and Ridley.

Faces formal disputation over Protestant doctrine.

Rejects Catholic teaching on the mass.

Is condemned after the Oxford disputations.

Is held in Oxford prison while proceedings continue.

Faces renewed examination before execution.

Is prepared for execution after refusing to recant.

Is burned at the stake for Protestant beliefs.

Encourages Ridley with the famous candle speech.

Death of Hugh Latimer, burned at Oxford.

Dies during the Marian persecution of Protestants.

Latimer is burned with Nicholas Ridley at Oxford.

Burned at the stake with Nicholas Ridley.

Executed for refusing to recant Protestant doctrine.

His death becomes central to Protestant martyrology.

Dies with Nicholas Ridley as one of the Oxford Martyrs.

Foxe's book preserves Latimer as a Protestant martyr.

Protestants remember Latimer as an Edwardian reform preacher.

Latimer's Oxford death remains a symbol of Protestant witness.

Oxford commemorates Latimer, Ridley and Cranmer with the Martyrs Memorial.

Victorians present Latimer as a model Protestant preacher.

Protestant commemorations mark four hundred years since Latimer's execution.