John Frith - Trial and Death

Trial and Death

Frith was tried before many examiners and bishops, and produced his own writings as evidence for his views that were deemed as heresy. He was sentenced to death by fire and offered a pardon if he answered positively to two questions: Do you believe in purgatory, and do you believe in transubstantiation? He replied that neither purgatory nor transubstantiation could be proven by Holy Scriptures, and thus was condemned as a heretic and was transferred to the secular arm for his execution on June 23, 1533. He was burned at the stake on July 4, 1533 at Smithfield, London for, he was told, his soul's salvation. (King Henry VIII was excommunicated one week later.)

Read more about this topic:  John Frith

Famous quotes containing the words trial and/or death:

    In government offices which are sensitive to the vehemence and passion of mass sentiment public men have no sure tenure. They are in effect perpetual office seekers, always on trial for their political lives, always required to court their restless constituents.
    Walter Lippmann (1889–1974)

    your antlers like seaweed,
    your face like a wolf’s death mask,
    your mouth a virgin, your nose a nipple,
    your legs muscled up like knitting balls,
    your neck mournful as an axe....
    Anne Sexton (1928–1974)