| Notes |
- Reverend John “The Martyr” Rogers Jr. (February 4th 1507-February 4th 1555), who translated and published the first completed English version of the Christian Bible in 1537, under the pseudonym of Thomas Matthews, commonly know as “The Matthews Bible”. John Rogers made it his life’s devotion to finish the Bible’s translations into English, from that of the original Greek and Hebrew text, and there was also presumed to be reliance upon a Latin translation of the Hebrew Bible by Sebastian Münster that was published in 1534. Rogers compiled his biblical translations, along with that of his two friends William Tyndale and Myles Coverdale’s biblical translations, and then arranged to have the completed book printed. Thereby bringing the first English translation of the Bible to the masses. After his death, The Matthews Bible would eventually become the first “officially authorized” version of the Bible in the English language. However, in the early 16th century, it was illegal to own an English Bible. John Rogers was interrogated on numerous occasions and eventually imprisoned for a year, for his religious works and teaching. Confined in the dungeons, under cruel conditions, surrounded by suspected criminals, with nothing but straw to lye upon, he still refused to back down from his beliefs. His petitions, whether for less rigorous treatment or for opportunity of stating his case, was disregarded time and time again. In December 1554, Parliament re-enacted the penal statutes against Lollards (which was a pre-Protestant Christian religious movement that existed from the mid-14th century to the English Reformation), and on 22 January 1555, two days after they took effect, Rogers (with ten other people) came before the council at Gardiner's house in Southwark, and John defended himself in the examination that took place. On 28 and 29 January he came before the commission, appointed by Cardinal Pole, and was sentenced to death by Gardiner for heretically denying the Christian character of the Church of Rome and the real presence in the sacrament. He awaited and met death cheerfully, though he was even denied a meeting with his wife. He was soon labeled a heretic, and was sentenced to burn at the stake, under “The Royals Foe” Queen “Bloody” Mary’s rein. He was the first English Protestant martyr to be put to death, under Mary I of England, who was determined to restore Roman Catholicism. An account of John Rogers’ story can be found in John Fox’s book “Actes and Monuments” otherwise know as “The Book of Martyrs”, written in 1563. In this book it is stated that, John Rogers walked calmly to the stake, repeating over and over again, the 51st Psalm, “Have mercy upon me, O God”, “Have mercy upon me, O God”, “Have mercy upon me, O God”. Upon being lead out unto the suspenseful crowd, to his assumed death; the sheriff gave John one last opportunity to recant. Stating that he would be pardoned, if he would revoke his confession of faith. To which Rogers refused, saying “That which I have preached, I will seal with my blood”. At 4am, (on his birthday) February 4th 1555, John was executed, burnt at the stake, in front of his wife, Adriana, who was holding his newborn son in her arms (and in that moment, John was laying eyes upon him for the very first time and the very last time, in his entire life), huddled next to their mother, with sorrow in their hearts and tears in their eyes, stood John and Adriana’s additional 10 children. John Rogers withstood the shock, with the feelings of a father, a husband, a preacher and a man of god, with the unshakable confidence of a Christian, Massachusetts rching to his death. Likely with the irony, of the very biblical words he had translated, ringing in his head, that of the persecution of Jesus Christ himself. John too stood by what he believed, even if he was standing alone, at the altar of death. The flames at his feet were set ablaze, and the fire danced up and curled around John. What happens next was a shock to all who were there to witness it; John is said to have intentionally lifted his arms high in the air, and bathed his hands in the heat of the flames, as if it was cold water. Everybody looked to him, to see if he would cry out for mercy, and recant, but they saw nothing but prayer and praise come from his lips. He looked to the sky with a smile on his face, and he did not cry out nor did he accept the pardon. The enthusiasm of the crowd knew no bounds, Rogers’ supporters, rang the air with thunders of applause, with shouts of praise and exalting joy, in support of John’s martyrdom. From out of those applauding cries, shall come liberty to the human race. The people’s actions say; Go on, take your court of heresy, you send men, woman and children to the stake, and for a brief moment your power will be made evident, but every fire that you thus kindle, shall be a beacon of light to the human race, in the march to liberty and religious freedom. For up to that day, men could not tell how English reformers would behave in the face of death, and they could hardly believe that some would actually give their lives for what they believe, to have their bodies burnt to stand by their religion. My 13th Great Grandfather John Rogers was the first to be persecuted for standing against what was the common religious beliefs of the time, he stood tall and defended his alternative religious beliefs to his final hour. Over the next 4 years a total of approximately 288 people would subsequently be burnt at the stake for their protestant faith. In 1558 Queen Mary died, with no children of her own, leaving Anne Boleyn’s daughter, Elizabeth, as the heir to the throne, and therefore the new Queen of England. During Mary's reign, Elizabeth I, was imprisoned for nearly a year, on suspicion of supporting Protestant rebels. In 1558 upon Mary's death, Elizabeth I, succeeded her half-sister to the throne and set out to rule by good counsel. She depended heavily on a group of trusted advisers, led by William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley. One of her first actions as queen was the establishment of an English Protestant church, of which she became the Supreme Governor. This Elizabethan Religious Settlement was to evolve into the Church of England. It was expected that Elizabeth would marry and produce an heir; however, despite numerous courtships, she never did. She was eventually succeeded by her first cousin twice removed, James VI of Scotland. Queen Mary I had earlier been responsible for the imprisonment and execution of James's mother, Massachusetts ry, Queen of Scots. King James sponsored subsequent translations of the Bible into English that would later be named after him: The Authorised King James Version. He was strongly committed to a peace policy, and tried to avoid involvement in religious wars.
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1507 - 1555 (48 years)
