John Fisher
John Fisher entered the world around the 19th of October 1469 in Beverley, Yorkshire. His father Robert worked as a prosperous mercer who died in 1477 when John was eight years old. The widowed mother Agnes later married a man named White and bore four more children with him. Two of her sons from this second marriage became merchants while another son Richard became a priest. A daughter named Elizabeth joined the Dominican nunnery at Dartford in Kent. An early manuscript claimed John was the eldest son but historians lack confirmation on that point. Robert left bequests to poorhouses churches and priests in his will. He also gave ten shillings to a monastery at Hagnaby for Masses said for his soul.
Fisher enrolled at the University of Cambridge in 1482 at age twelve or thirteen. He studied at Michaelhouse where William Melton influenced his theological development. Fisher earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1487 before receiving a Master of Arts in 1491. That same year he received papal dispensation to become a priest despite being underage. On the 17th of December 1491 he was ordained into the priesthood and appointed Vicar of Northallerton. By 1501 he held a doctorate in sacred theology and became Vice-Chancellor of the university. He helped found St John's College and Christ's College under Lady Margaret Beaufort. From 1505 to 1508 he served as President of Queens' College. Fisher attracted scholars from across Europe to teach Latin Greek and Hebrew. He placed great weight upon pastoral commitment and popular preaching among endowed fellows.
Henry VIII attempted to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon while Fisher supported the Queen. He appeared before legates' court declaring readiness to die for indissoluble marriage like John the Baptist. Henry composed a Latin address to the legates in anger but kept Fisher's annotated copy. In November 1529 Fisher warned Parliament that encroaching acts would destroy the Church. Three bishops including Fisher appealed to the Holy See in 1530 and were arrested. They remained imprisoned only months until Convocation met in February 1531. The clergy paid 100,000 pounds to purchase royal pardon for recognizing Cardinal Wolsey's authority. A clause adding so far as God's law permits entered the oath through Fisher's efforts. On the 7th of May 1534 Richard Rich perjured himself to trap Fisher into speaking against the King. Fisher declared the
King was not Supreme Head of the Church of England and was imprisoned again.
Pope Paul III created Fisher Cardinal Priest of San Vitale in May 1535 hoping to ease treatment. Henry forbade the cardinal hat from entering England and threatened sending the head to Rome instead. A special commission issued trial orders on Thursday the 17th of June 1535 before seventeen judges. Thomas Cromwell and Anne Boleyn's father sat among the justices. Richard Rich provided the only testimony against Fisher who was found guilty of treason. He received a sentence of hanging drawing and quartering at Tyburn. Public outcry grew over parallels between Fisher and John the Baptist executed by Herod Antipas. The king commuted the sentence to beheading before the 23rd of June to avoid sympathy on the feast day. Fisher died on Tower Hill on the 22nd of June 1535 with calm dignified courage. His body
was stripped left naked until evening then thrown into a rough grave without prayer. A fortnight later it rested beside Sir Thomas More in St Peter ad Vincula chapel.
St John Fisher College exists at the University of Tasmania in Hobart while another school stands in Bracken Ridge Queensland. Sydney hosts a church named for him in Kurnell and another in Tarragindi Brisbane. Canada contains multiple schools including one in Scarborough and residence halls at Saint Michael's College. Forest Ontario and Pointe-Claire Quebec also bear his name in educational institutions. Newcastle-under-Lyme Harrogate Peterborough Wigan Chatham Dewsbury and Colne all have Catholic high schools dedicated to him. London features parishes in Kidbrooke Merton Harrow Shepperton Rochester Scarthoe Southend and Cambourne. Reading houses the FSSP headquarters within St John Fisher House. Rotherhithe saw two football teams named after him from 1908 through 2009. New York State established the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester under his patronage in 1961. Michigan Connecticut Illinois Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Texas
and Bridgeport host additional parishes or universities bearing his name.
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Common questions
When and where was John Fisher born?
John Fisher entered the world around the 19th of October 1469 in Beverley, Yorkshire. His father Robert worked as a prosperous mercer who died in 1477 when John was eight years old.
What academic degrees did John Fisher earn at Cambridge University?
Fisher earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1487 before receiving a Master of Arts in 1491. That same year he received papal dispensation to become a priest despite being underage and later held a doctorate in sacred theology by 1501.
Why did Henry VIII order the execution of John Fisher?
Henry VIII ordered the execution of John Fisher because Fisher declared the King was not Supreme Head of the Church of England after Richard Rich perjured himself on the 7th of May 1534. This declaration led to Fisher's imprisonment and subsequent trial for treason.
On what date did John Fisher die and how was his body treated after death?
Fisher died on Tower Hill on the 22nd of June 1535 with calm dignified courage. His body was stripped left naked until evening then thrown into a rough grave without prayer before resting beside Sir Thomas More in St Peter ad Vincula chapel a fortnight later.
Which modern institutions are named after John Fisher today?
St John Fisher College exists at the University of Tasmania in Hobart while another school stands in Bracken Ridge Queensland. Multiple Catholic high schools exist in Newcastle-under-Lyme Harrogate Peterborough Wigan Chatham Dewsbury and Colne alongside parishes in London Reading and New York State.