William Thqrpe
WILLIAM THQRPE
William Thorpe was a valiant warrior under the banner of Christ. He was examined before the archbishop of Canterbury in 1407, accused of traveling through England for over twenty years, preaching his reformed beliefs to the people.
The archbishop not only demanded that Thorpe deny his beliefs and return to the Catholic Church, but that he turn in anyone he found holding similar beliefs in the future. He was also forbidden to preach until the archbishop was sure he was truly converted.
“Sir,” Thorpe replied, “if I agree to this, I would have to be a spy for every bishop in England.” Thorpe refused to pledge unconditional submission to the church. “I will willingly obey God and His law,” he said, “and every member of the holy church that agrees with Christ.”
What happened to Thorpe after he was committed to prison isn’t known. There is no record of his being burned, so he may have died in prison or secretly escaped.
Poor Christians were being oppressed everywhere, but especially in England at this time, where the king supported the Catholic Church. The church was so strong there that no one could stand against it; whatever it decreed was obeyed by all men.