When did Simon Fish die of the bubonic plague?
Simon Fish died of the bubonic plague in 1531 before he could stand trial for heresy. He was arrested in London on charges of heresy but was stricken with the disease before the trial could take place.
Common questions about Simon Fish
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the title of the pamphlet written by Simon Fish?
Simon Fish wrote the vehemently anti-clerical pamphlet titled Supplication for the Beggars. The Roman Catholic Church condemned this pamphlet as heretical on the 24th of May 1530.
Where was the pamphlet Supplication for the Beggars written by Simon Fish?
Simon Fish wrote the pamphlet Supplication for the Beggars during his second exile in Antwerp. This city served as a haven for Protestant refugees and the pamphlet was smuggled into England from there.
What specific theological arguments did Simon Fish make against the Roman Catholic Church?
Simon Fish contested the existence of purgatory and the sale of indulgences in his pamphlet. He argued that there is no mention of purgatory in holy scripture and that the sale of indulgences was a ruse to fill the clergy's coffers.
Who was Richard Hunne and why did Simon Fish cite his case?
Richard Hunne was a wealthy Londoner who died in the Bishop of London's prison in 1514 after refusing to pay a burial fee. Simon Fish cited this case to argue that the clergy used the charge of heresy to persecute those who challenged their authority.
How did Simon Fish's widow James Bainham die?
Simon Fish's widow married the vocal reformer James Bainham after Fish's death. James Bainham was burned at the stake as a heretic in April 1532.