John Forest
Encyclopedia
John Forest was an English Franciscan Friar and martyr.
Born in the Oxford area, John Forest became a Franciscan
Friar
Minor of the Regular Observance in 1491. He went on to study theology
at the University of Oxford
, later becoming confessor to Queen Catherine of Aragon
, first wife to King Henry VIII
. From 1531 the Friars Minor had gained the enmity of the King by opposing his divorce and his movements toward Protestantism
.
On 8 April 1538 Forest was brought before Thomas Cranmer
, Archbishop of Canterbury, to renounce his rejection of King Henry's assumed title of Supreme Head of the Church of England. Bishop Hugh Latimer
read out the beliefs that Forest was required to reject: "That the Holy Catholic Church was the Church of Rome, that the Pope’s pardon is key to the remission of sins, and that a priest can forgive a penitent sinner, ..." After initially recanting, Forest was detained at Newgate Prison
together with several other Friars, who persuaded him to stand fast in his Roman Catholic beliefs.
In accordance with the custom of the time, Bishop Latimer was selected to preach a final sermon at the place of execution urging recantation, but in the end Forest was burnt to death at Smithfield, London
on 22 May 1538. Extra fuel for the pyre is said to have been provided by an enormous statue of St. Derfel
from the pilgrimage site of Llandderfel in north Wales, and of which it was supposed to have been prophesied, would "one day set a forest on fire."
Father Forest, together with fifty-three other English martyrs, was beatified
by Pope Leo XIII, on 9 December 1886.
Born in the Oxford area, John Forest became a Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Friar
Friar
A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders.-Friars and monks:...
Minor of the Regular Observance in 1491. He went on to study theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, later becoming confessor to Queen Catherine of Aragon
Catherine of Aragon
Catherine of Aragon , also known as Katherine or Katharine, was Queen consort of England as the first wife of King Henry VIII of England and Princess of Wales as the wife to Arthur, Prince of Wales...
, first wife to King Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
. From 1531 the Friars Minor had gained the enmity of the King by opposing his divorce and his movements toward Protestantism
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
.
On 8 April 1538 Forest was brought before Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer was a leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and, for a short time, Mary I. He helped build a favourable case for Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon which resulted in the separation of the English Church from...
, Archbishop of Canterbury, to renounce his rejection of King Henry's assumed title of Supreme Head of the Church of England. Bishop Hugh Latimer
Hugh Latimer
Hugh Latimer was a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, Bishop of Worcester before the Reformation, and later Church of England chaplain to King Edward VI. In 1555, under Queen Mary, he was burnt at the stake, becoming one of the three Oxford Martyrs of Anglicanism.-Life:Latimer was born into a...
read out the beliefs that Forest was required to reject: "That the Holy Catholic Church was the Church of Rome, that the Pope’s pardon is key to the remission of sins, and that a priest can forgive a penitent sinner, ..." After initially recanting, Forest was detained at Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison was a prison in London, at the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey just inside the City of London. It was originally located at the site of a gate in the Roman London Wall. The gate/prison was rebuilt in the 12th century, and demolished in 1777...
together with several other Friars, who persuaded him to stand fast in his Roman Catholic beliefs.
In accordance with the custom of the time, Bishop Latimer was selected to preach a final sermon at the place of execution urging recantation, but in the end Forest was burnt to death at Smithfield, London
Smithfield, London
Smithfield is an area of the City of London, in the ward of Farringdon Without. It is located in the north-west part of the City, and is mostly known for its centuries-old meat market, today the last surviving historical wholesale market in Central London...
on 22 May 1538. Extra fuel for the pyre is said to have been provided by an enormous statue of St. Derfel
Saint Derfel
Derfel, known as Derfel Gadarn was a 6th century British Christian monk, regarded as a saint. Local legend holds that he was a warrior of King Arthur.-Family:...
from the pilgrimage site of Llandderfel in north Wales, and of which it was supposed to have been prophesied, would "one day set a forest on fire."
Father Forest, together with fifty-three other English martyrs, was beatified
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
by Pope Leo XIII, on 9 December 1886.