Rowland Taylor

Rowland Taylor (October 6, 1510 - February 9, 1555) was a Protestant martyr of the Tudor period.

Taylor's trial and martyrdom

January 1555 was an ominous month for numerous Protestant clergy in England. Bloody Mary I would soon unleash her fury upon those who were deemed as opposing Roman Catholicism and her reforms. On January 22, 1555, Rowland Taylor (Vicar or Rector of Hadleigh), and several other clergy, including John Hooper, were examined by a commission of leading bishops and lawyers. Lord Chancellor presided at the hearings. Just two days prior, January 20th, Parliament revived the old statute of burning convicted heretics.

Related Topics:
1555 - Mary I - January 22 - Vicar - Hadleigh - John Hooper - Lord Chancellor

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One of the men, Crome, recanted and was thus pardoned. Barlow equivocated and was sent to the Tower of London, but not executed. Rowland Taylor, who was steadfastly deviant, was probably taken to Compter Prison in London after his examination by Stephen Gardiner. Taylor gave a strong defence for clerical marriage which put him at odds with the Roman Catholic Church.

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On January 29, 1555, Taylor was brought before Gardiner again at St. Mary Overy's. The next day he was excommunicated, unwilling to recant, and sentenced to death. He was degraded, that is, literally stripped of his garments in a humiliating manner, and was offered his last supper with his family.

Related Topics:
January 29 - 1555 - Excommunicated

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His reaction to his accusers revealed Taylor's belief that truth was on his side:

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The following quotes are taken from Foxe's Book of Martyrs - John Foxe. Acts and Monuments (1576 edition), . (hriOnline, Sheffield). Available from: http://www.hrionline.shef.ac.uk/foxe/.

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: "And although I know, that there is neither iustice nor truth to be looked for at my adversaries hands, but rather imprisonment and cruel death: yet know I my cause to be so good and righteous, and the truth so strong upon my side, that I will by God's grace go and appear before them and to their beards resist their false doings."

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