Brief Biography
Latimer, Hugh
(1485-1555)
Born in Leicestershire and educated at Cambridge,
Latimer was at first antagonistic to the Reformation in England. He was
converted in his thinking under the influence of Thomas Bilney, one of the
leaders of a group of reformed theologians who met for discussion at the
well-known White Horse Tavern. Latimer quickly became one of the leading
spokesmen for the Reformation. Latimer was chaplain to King Henry VIII and, in
1535, was made Bishop of Worcester. However, his reformed views led to charges
of heresy, and he endured two brief imprisonments during times when Henry
reacted against reform.
Latimer is best known as a powerful preacher, and
he was a favouite preacher in the royal court under Edward VI. He placed great
emphasis on the reading of Scripture and is thought to be the author of the
homily "A Fruitful Exhortation to the Reading of Holy Scripture," in the First
Book of Homilies.
Arrested during the persecution of Reformers under Queen
Mary, Latimer, along with Nicholas Ridley, was burned at the stake, in Oxford,
on October 16, 1555. As the fires were lit, Latimer cried out to his companion,
"Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light
such a candle by God's grace in England as I trust shall never be put out!"
Useful
Links
http://www.anglicanlibrary.org/latimer/card/
Sermons from the Anglican Library.
http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/269.html
another biographical sketch, with prayer.
http://satucket.com/lectionary/Latimer_Ridley_Cranmer.htm
Lectionary entry for Latimer etc.
http://www.prca.org/books/portraits/latimer.htm
longer biography
http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?ArtKey=latimer
biog. from I. Paisley plus Protestant resources.
http://www.markers.com/ink/hlcanst.htm
Sermon (can read it here) plus more.
http://www.cyber-nation.com/victory/quotations/authors/quotes_latimer_bishophugh.html
- Quotes.
http://www.pretribulation.com/latimer.htm
Biography, quotes and more.