This city has got to be right up there for a place that has layers (stealing a thought from that great academic Shrek). On its basic layer you can quite happily explore without knowing any of its history or its famous occupants. The sights and sounds are captivating. I could take you on a walk through Oxford's streets and alleys without saying a word to you, and I think you'd be quite satisfied at the end of our ramble.
But on another layer are the names of those who have studied and worked and lived here. Every building seems to have a wonderful story to tell. This is like watching the Who's Who of British and world history come to life. Take this list for starters: C.S. Lewis, Samuel Johnson, Bill Clinton, Christopher Wren, Oscar Wilde, John Wyclif, Reverend Spooner, Lewis Carroll, William Gladstone, John Ruskin, Cecil Rhodes, John Betjeman, J.R.R. Tolkien, Sir Richard Burton, Charles I, Margaret Thatcher, John Wesley.... The list goes on and on, but this gives you a good taster.
Out of all of these there is one story that sticks out to me; that of the Oxford Martyrs.
The Martyr's Memorial, Oxford
This memorial commemorates the brutal deaths of three men: Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley.
Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) was Archbishop of Canterbury.
Hugh Latimer (1485-1555) was Bishop of Worcester
Nicholas Ridley (1500-1555 was Bishop of London.
There is a lot more to their stories than what I share here, but in a quick summary....
- King Henry VIII broke from Rome and the Church of England is founded. Cranmer, Ridley and Latimer all agreed with this reforming of the church.
- King Henry died leaving his son Edward to reign. Edward maintained the reformation, so no problems for our trio
- 1554 - King Edward died leaving his half-sister Mary to reign. BIG problems. Mary moved allegiance back to Catholicism and Rome rule. Mary arrested Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley.
- 1555 - After six months imprisonment in the Tower of London, all three were taken to Oxford for a pubic 'disputation' which was really a show trial.
16th October 1555 - Latimer and Ridley were taken to Broad Street in Oxford to be burnt at the stake. Due to his more prestigious position Archbishop Cranmer remained a prisoner waiting for word from Rome about his fate.
X marks the Spot. The place of the martyrs' deaths.
Today Broad street has a stone 'x' in the road to mark the spot of the stake where Ridley and Latimer were tied. Ridley turned to Latimer and said:
Be of good heart, brother, for God will assuage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen us to abide it. (Foxe, p. 304)As the fire was lit beneath them Latimer shared these words:
Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England as I trust never shall be put out. (Foxe, p. 307)
And that candle has never been put out. Ridley and Latimer and many others like them met horrific deaths, but in the grand scheme of things their example inspired and motivated generation after generation to speak out, to stand true, to follow their heart.
It would be wrong to think such intolerance was just a 'Catholic' thing or a 'Mary' thing. Protestants were just as guilty of condemning people and imprisoning or killing them, but Mary's was such a violent purging that it stuck out in British history.
This Oxford Martyr story does not end with the death of Latimer and Ridley. Cranmer's life was still under threat, but that story will have to wait for another day.
Follow in the footsteps of great men like these in our Oxfords Noble and Great Ones - tour 3 on www.obelisktours.co.uk
Sources
Parry, Malanie Ed. Chambers Biographical Dictionary. Edinburgh, 1997.
Foxe, John. Foxes' Book of Martyrs
Neilson, G. A. Twelve Reformation Heroes. Ambassador, Belfast,
Parry, Malanie Ed. Chambers Biographical Dictionary. Edinburgh, 1997.
Foxe, John. Foxes' Book of Martyrs
Neilson, G. A. Twelve Reformation Heroes. Ambassador, Belfast,
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