Robert Barnes
ROBERT BARNES
On his graduation from the University of Louvain, Robert Barnes was made prior and master of the Augustines at Cambridge. At that time little literature was taught at Cambridge, but Barnes introduced its study and produced many educated young men who were familiar with the works of Terence, Plautus, Cicero, and others. Once literature was established, Barnes began teaching Paul’s epistles, producing many good men for the church.
Through his reading, discussions, and preaching, Barnes became famous for his knowledge of scripture, always preaching against bishops and hypocrites, yet he continued to support the church’s idolatry until he was converted to Christ by Bilney.
Barnes preached his first sermon as a Protestant at St. Edward’s Church in Cambridge and was immediately accused of heresy. Brought before Cardinal Wolsey, his friends convinced Barnes to abjure, and he did public penance at St. Paul’s before being imprisoned for a year and a half. On his release from prison, Barnes was sent as a freed prisoner to the Austin friars in London, but they soon brought more charges on him, and he was forced to flee to Luther at Antwerp.
While in Antwerp, Barnes became friends with Luther, Melancthon, the Duke of Saxony, and the king of Denmark, who sent him with the Lubecks as an ambassador to Henry VIII. Sir Thomas More wanted to capture Barnes while he was in the country, but the king wouldn’t allow him to, since Cromwell, his friend and advisor, had become the protector of the Protestants. Barnes was allowed to dispute with the bishops and leave the county at will. He returned to Luther at Wittenberg to publish his books then went back to England at the beginning of Queen Anne Boleyn’s reign, becoming a well-respected preacher.
Once Stephen Gardiner arrived from France, trouble fell on the Protestants again. From then on, religion suffered, as did Queen Anne and Cromwell; and Barnes was imprisoned in the Tower of London, until he was burned on July 30, two days after Cromwell’s death. Two other Protestants were burned with him—Gerrand and Jerome—plus three Catholics—Powel, Featherstone, and Abel. Seeing both Protestant and Catholic being punished for their faith at the same time confused the whole nation, although it was the political result of a division of the king’s council, half of whom were Catholic, half Protestant.