A Private Statute made by the Clergy, without Consent or Knowledge of the Commons. 1382. On the face of it this `private` statute was a gross interference in the political processes and the authority of the House of Commons, seeming to convey authority for the execution of heretics. It was more likely meant to enable […]
The statute “Ex Officio ” or De Heretico Comburendo. “Regarding the heretic who is to be burnt”, That is to say, that no man within this realm, or other dominion, subject to the king’s majesty, presume to preach publicly or privily, without license first sought and obtained of the diocesan (curates in their own churches, […]
The Waldensians [ Sources: History of Protestantism, Rev J A Wylie (1889) his references including Histoire General des Eglises Evangeliques des Vallees de Piedmont, ou Vaudoises. Jean Leger (1669); Israel of the Alps, Alexis Muston (1854); History of the Vaudois Church, Antoine Monastier ( 1848). The Never Failing Light, Capt R M Stephens (1957). […]
ALEXANDER FORRESTER Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, H Scott (1915) vol 2 p 221 St Mungos 1631 Born 1611, son of Duncan F. and Margaret Ramsay; MA (St Andrews 1631); he had been “ane conformist in Ireland, preached three quarters of a year in Edinburgh, and been two years with the armie”; was proposed for the […]
An Act for the Attainder of divers Protestants in Ireland. Introduced in the Irish Parliament, Dublin 12 May 1689. Extracted from the Annals of Derry, Robert Simpson, Londonderry, Hempton,1847. Reprinted North West Books, Limavady ,1987. This act repealed the acts of settlement and all grants, patents and certificates as applied to the persons named. They […]
The impeachment and execution of Archbishop William Laud. The Bishops` Wars in Scotland were essentially skirmishes in form, and a means of gaining time for Charles to gather resources about him for a decisive battle. But his grand scheme depended on money which he simply did not have nor could he obtain from his dwindling […]
Henry VIII and his contribution to the Reformation. Following his marriage and coronation in June 1509 Henry spent a great deal of time and money in splendid entertainments and jousting tournaments in which he enjoyed participating, meeting with success on merit. But the joys of the new king were soon dimmed by a proposition from […]
The Protest at Speyer, Germany. John, Elector of Saxony, reads the Protest to the Diet at Speyers. There was but one piece of business to be transacted at the Diet of Speyer – the Council of the Holy Roman Empire under Charles V, when it convened in 1529. Very simply the Emperor wished to repeal […]
The European Reformers. John Calvin (1509-1564) Much has been said and written about Calvin, his works and the structured church that he created, that only a short note is given here – mainly about his formative years before he went Geneva. Born 10 July 1509 in Noyon, in Picardy he was a quiet man but […]
Outed Ministers, Curates, Conventicles. and the Blink. An important indicator of the support for the outed ministers was the absence of successors nominated by the patrons, but this had an unwanted side effect – the appointment of curates to fill the vacancies. The direct consequence of the outing of ministers was their illicit preaching in […]
Sir JOHN ERSKINE of Dun, Reformer ” second only to Knox” Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, H Scott (1915) rev 1917, 1920 vol 5 p 399 Dun, 1575 Born 1509, son of Sir John E., younger of Dun (descended from a branch of the Erskines of Erskine) who fell at Flodden along with his father, and Margaret, […]
Rev Samuel Rutherford. Born in 1600 in the Border village of Nisbet, Samuel Rutherford’s father was a fairly prosperous farmer who was able to give his three sons, Samuel, George and James, good educations. Samuel Rutherford was one of the great thinkers of the Reformation and the Covenanting movement. He was also a gifted orator […]
Abjuration Act 1662 , and the Abjuration Oath 25 Nov 1684. There was more than one Abjuration Act usually with an oath to be taken by the people. These were essentially about formally rejecting or disowning another statement. The Abjuration Act of 1662 was a formal rejection of the National Covenant of 1638 and the […]
Popes, continued. [For large images click on thumbnail ] 1009-1159 AD 1164-1316 AD 1316-1503 AD 1513-1730 AD 1740-1846 AD