John Lambert

John Lambert as played by Ben Price

Executed by burning at Smithfield November 22, 1538 by order of King Henry VIII Character's backstory: born at Norwich as John Nicolson or Nicholson. Educated at Cambridge where he graduated BA and was admitted in 1521 a fellow of Queen's college on the nomination of Queen Katherine of Aragon. Acted for some years as "Mass Priest" but according to his own account changed his name to Lambert after some episcopal persecution compelled him to. He likewise removed himself to Antwerp where he became chaplain to the English factory forming friendship with Frith and Tyndale. Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk and other reactionaries accused him of Heresy in 1536. but reforming tendencies were still in the ascendant, and Lambert escaped . In 1538, however, the reaction had begun, and Lambert was its first victim. His death marks a turning point in the early process of the English Reformation and with this man's blood King Henry VIII etched his warning against doctrinal liberality. John Lambert had picked a theological dispute with a pastor in London. He didn’t buy into transubstantiation, the Catholic doctrine (still extant today) that the bread blessed on the altar became the literal body of Christ. Though the Church of England would ditch this belief soon thereafter, it came down hard on Lambert in a show trial attended by Thomas Cromwell and Thomas Cranmer. The king himself debated theology with the accused, though mostly he left it to his august councilors. A few months later, Henry induced Parliament to pass the <a class="external" href="http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/Documents/act_six_articles.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Act of the Six Articles</a>, essentially establishing this essentially Catholic doctrine as the basis for the Church of England and criminalizing dissent. Many historians see this as a product of the shifting balance between reformers and conservatives advising the crown. (Although Tudor historian G.W. Bernard disagrees) Lambert’s death is also sometimes interpreted in light of the international situation, as the Catholic powers of France and the Holy Roman Empire had made peace, potentially (along with Scotland) encircling England with Popish foes who might conceivably be less belligerent with a move towards traditional doctrine. John Foxe in his Book of Martyrs suggested that Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex who had condemned him asked his pardon before he was consigned to the flames. As for Lambert himself, he met an especially cruel version of the none-too-pleasant sentence of burning alive, allegedly being lifted by pikestaffs from the flame when his legs were burned off to prolong his suffering. He is said to have continued to call out the inspirational last words, “None but Christ! None but Christ!” *in the series he says "All for Christ, all for Christ"

At length [Lambert] was worn out with fatigue, having been kept five hours standing … Night coming on, the King being desirous to break up this pretended disputation, said to Lambert, “What sayest thou now, after all this pains taken with thee, and all the reasons and instructions of these learned men? Art thou not yet satisfied? Wilt thou live or die? What sayest thou? Thou has yet free choice.”“I yield and submit myself wholly unto the will of your Majesty.” Then said the King, “Commit thyself into the hands of God, and not unto mine.” Lambert replied, “I commend my soul unto the hands of God, but my body I wholly yield and submit unto your clemency.” Then said the King, “If you do commit yourself unto my judgment, you must die, for I will not be a Patron unto heretics.” And then turning to Lord Cromwell he said, “Cromwell, read the sentence of condemnation against him:” which was accordingly done. [Source: extract from which this is drawn is available <a class="external" href="http://books.google.com/books?id=0rYCAAAAQAAJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">free on Google books</a>] Click EasyEdit to update this page! (Don't see the EasyEdit button above? <a href="/#signin" target="_self">Sign in</a> or <a href="/accountnew" target="_self">Sign up</a>.)

CHARACTER CONNECTIONS Family members: Romance(s): Friends: John Frith William Tyndale Enemies:

UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTER QUOTES


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