William Tracy (JP)
Encyclopedia
William Tracy was an English justice of the peace
and prominent early Lutheran convert. After his death both his will and his remains became caught up in the struggle around the Protestant Reformation
in England.
and Henry VIII, and was made sheriff
in 1513. He adopted Martin Luther
's religious views, and shortly before his death in 1530 he made a will in which he expressed his belief in justification by faith, and refused to make any bequests to the clergy. Objection was taken to the will as an heretical document when it came to be proved in the ecclesiastical courts, and eventually it was brought before convocation. After prolonged discussions, the will was pronounced heretical on 27 February 1532 by Archbishop William Warham
. Tracy was declared unworthy of Christian burial
, and Warham directed Dr. Thomas Parker, vicar-general of the bishop of Worcester, to exhume Tracy's body. Parker exceeded his instructions, and had Tracy's remains burnt at the stake.
, the younger son who, with his mother, was executor to the will, induced Thomas Cromwell to take the matter up, and Parker had eventually to pay a fine. Tracy's will became a sort of sacred text to the reformers; possessing copies of it was frequently made a charge against them. In 1535 was published The Testament of Master Wylliam Tracie, esquier, expounded both by William Tindall’ (i.e. William Tyndale
, who knew Tracy well) ‘and Jhō Frith (i.e. John Frith
); other editions appeared in 1546, 1548 and 1550. Hugh Latimer
, John Bale
, and James Pilkington all used the incident in polemic fashion against the Catholic clergy.
estates, and was great-grandfather of Sir John Tracy, in 1642–3 created Baron and Viscount Tracy of Rathcoole in the peerage of Ireland. Robert Tracy, the judge, was younger son of the first viscount. The peerage became extinct on the death of Henry Leigh Tracy, eighth viscount, on 29 April 1797.
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
and prominent early Lutheran convert. After his death both his will and his remains became caught up in the struggle around the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
in England.
Life
He was a justice in the reigns of Henry VIIHenry VII of England
Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
and Henry VIII, and was made sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
in 1513. He adopted Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
's religious views, and shortly before his death in 1530 he made a will in which he expressed his belief in justification by faith, and refused to make any bequests to the clergy. Objection was taken to the will as an heretical document when it came to be proved in the ecclesiastical courts, and eventually it was brought before convocation. After prolonged discussions, the will was pronounced heretical on 27 February 1532 by Archbishop William Warham
William Warham
William Warham , Archbishop of Canterbury, belonged to a Hampshire family, and was educated at Winchester and New College, Oxford, afterwards practising and teaching law both in London and Oxford....
. Tracy was declared unworthy of Christian burial
Christian burial
A Christian burial is the burial of a deceased person with specifically Christian ecclesiastical rites; typically, in consecrated ground. Until recent times Christians generally objected to cremation, and practised inhumation almost exclusively, but this opposition has weakened, and now vanished...
, and Warham directed Dr. Thomas Parker, vicar-general of the bishop of Worcester, to exhume Tracy's body. Parker exceeded his instructions, and had Tracy's remains burnt at the stake.
Aftermath
Richard TracyRichard Tracy
-Life:He was the younger son of William Tracy, a noted Lutheran convert, graduated B.A. at Oxford on 27 June 1515, and was admitted student of the Inner Temple in 1519. In 1529 he was elected to the ‘reformation’ parliament as member for Wotton Basset, Wiltshire...
, the younger son who, with his mother, was executor to the will, induced Thomas Cromwell to take the matter up, and Parker had eventually to pay a fine. Tracy's will became a sort of sacred text to the reformers; possessing copies of it was frequently made a charge against them. In 1535 was published The Testament of Master Wylliam Tracie, esquier, expounded both by William Tindall’ (i.e. William Tyndale
William Tyndale
William Tyndale was an English scholar and translator who became a leading figure in Protestant reformism towards the end of his life. He was influenced by the work of Desiderius Erasmus, who made the Greek New Testament available in Europe, and by Martin Luther...
, who knew Tracy well) ‘and Jhō Frith (i.e. John Frith
John Frith
John Frith was an English Protestant priest, writer, and martyr.Frith was an important contributor to the Christian debate on persecution and toleration in favour of the principle of religious toleration...
); other editions appeared in 1546, 1548 and 1550. 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...
, John Bale
John Bale
John Bale was an English churchman, historian and controversialist, and Bishop of Ossory. He wrote the oldest known historical verse drama in English , and developed and published a very extensive list of the works of British authors down to his own time, just as the monastic libraries were being...
, and James Pilkington all used the incident in polemic fashion against the Catholic clergy.
Family
By his wife Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Throckmorton, William Tracy had issue two sons, William and Richard. William, the elder, inherited the ToddingtonToddington
Toddington could be*Toddington, Bedfordshire*Toddington, Gloucestershire*Toddington, West Sussex...
estates, and was great-grandfather of Sir John Tracy, in 1642–3 created Baron and Viscount Tracy of Rathcoole in the peerage of Ireland. Robert Tracy, the judge, was younger son of the first viscount. The peerage became extinct on the death of Henry Leigh Tracy, eighth viscount, on 29 April 1797.