John Knox
John Knox was born sometime between 1505 and 1515 in Giffordgate, a street in Haddington, East Lothian. His father William Knox worked as a merchant while his mother died when John was still a child. The only known fact about her maiden name is that it was Sinclair. Knox likely attended the Knox Academy grammar school in Haddington before proceeding to university studies at St Andrews or possibly Glasgow. He studied under John Major who was one of the greatest scholars of the time. Sources indicate Knox enrolled at the University of Glasgow in 1522 but historians debate whether this student was the future reformer due to the commonality of the name. Given the calculated birth date by David Hay Fleming in 1904, Knox would have been too young for Glasgow during Major's tenure there. Major taught at both universities so the timing aligns better with St Andrews where Knox received his education. On Easter Eve of 1536 Knox was ordained a Catholic priest in Edinburgh by William Chisholm Bishop of Dunblane. He first appeared in public records as a priest and notary in 1540 serving until at least March 1543 when he described himself as minister of the sacred altar in the diocese of St Andrews. Rather than parish duties Knox became tutor to two sons of Hugh Douglas of Longniddry and also taught the son of John Cockburn of Ormiston. Both lairds had embraced new religious ideas of the Reformation.
On the 29th of June 1547 twenty-one French galleys commanded by Leone Strozzi approached St Andrews under siege orders from Mary of Guise. The Protestant garrison including Knox surrendered on the 31st of July and were taken prisoner to row in French galleys. Galley slaves were chained to benches throughout the day without changing posture while officers watched them with whips. They sailed to France navigating up the Seine to Rouen then continued to Nantes staying on the Loire through winter. Prisoners faced torture threats if they failed to show reverence during mass performed aboard ship. Knox recounted an incident where a prisoner seized a picture of the Virgin Mary pushed toward his face and threw it into the sea declaring Let our Lady now save herself she is light enough let her learn to swim. After that act Scottish prisoners no longer faced such devotions. In mid-1548 Knox's health reached its lowest point due to severe confinement illness. He suffered fever yet remained mentally sharp comforting fellow prisoners with hopes of release. While ships lay offshore between St Andrews and Dundee James Balfour asked Knox whether he recognized the landmark. Knox replied he knew it well recognizing the steeple of the place where he first preached and declared he would not die until preaching there again. After spending nineteen months in galley-prison Knox was released in February 1549 though uncertainty remains about how he obtained liberty. Some theories suggest friends appealed to the King of France or that his poor health made him useless for labor. Others propose Somerset arranged exchange for English military experts captured at St Andrews.
Knox arrived in Geneva on the 13th of September 1556 after returning from Scotland following his exile period. For two years he lived happily in Geneva leading three sermons weekly each lasting over two hours. Services used liturgy derived by Knox and other ministers from Calvin's Formes des Prières Ecclésiastiques. The church where Knox preached known as Église de Notre Dame la Neuve now called Auditoire de Calvin had been granted by municipal authorities at Calvin's request for English and Italian congregations. During this time Knox's sons Nathaniel and Eleazar were born with Whittingham and Myles Coverdale serving as their respective godfathers. In mid-1558 Knox published his best-known pamphlet titled The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstruous Regiment of Women calling female rule unnatural. He stated his purpose was demonstrating how abominable before God is empire or rule of wicked woman traiteresse and bastard targeting Queen Mary I of England and Mary of Guise regent for her daughter Mary Queen of Scots. Knox published it anonymously not telling Calvin who denied knowledge until a year later. The document was dangerously seditious yet officially condemned by royal proclamation in England. When Elizabeth Tudor became Queen of England later that year Knox deeply offended her though he had not targeted her specifically. She never forgave him despite his claims of innocence regarding her personal rule.
Two days after arriving in Edinburgh on the 2nd of May 1559 Knox proceeded to Dundee where Protestant sympathizers gathered. He was declared an outlaw prompting Queen Regent Mary of Guise to summon Protestants to Stirling. Fearing summary trial and execution they moved instead to Perth walled town capable of defense during siege. At church of St John the Baptist Knox preached fiery sermon triggering riot when mob poured inside gutting building. They attacked two friaries Blackfriars and Greyfriars looting gold silver smashing images. Mary of Guise gathered loyal nobles and small French army dispatching Earl of Argyll and Lord Moray offering terms averting war. She promised no French troops if Protestants evacuated but garrisoned Perth with Scottish soldiers on French payroll seen as treacherous. Both switched sides joining Knox based at St Andrews fulfilling prophecy made in galleys about preaching there again. In June 1559 Protestant mob incited by Knox ransacked cathedral destroying interior leaving it source of building material for town. By 1561 abandoned cathedral fell into ruin. On the 30th of June Protestant Lords of Congregation occupied Edinburgh holding only one month before retreating. Even before arrival mobs sacked churches and friaries. On the 1st of July Knox preached from pulpit of St Giles most influential capital church. Articles of Leith signed the 25th of July 1559 allowed withdrawal while Mary promised freedom of conscience. When additional French troops arrived in Leith Edinburgh seaport Protestants responded by retaking city. On the 24th of October 1559 Scottish nobility formally deposed Mary of Guise from regency. Her secretary William Maitland of Lethington defected bringing administrative skills freeing Knox for religious leadership role.
On the 19th of August 1561 cannons fired in Leith announcing Queen Mary's return to Scotland. Five days later she attended Mass royal chapel Holyrood Palace prompting protest jostling servant. Next day proclamation stated no alteration current state religion servants molested troubled. Many nobles accepted but not Knox who protested Sunday from pulpit St Giles. Two weeks after her return Mary summoned Knox accusing him inciting rebellion against mother writing book against authority. Knox answered as long subjects found rule convenient willing accept governance noting Paul Apostle lived under Nero's rule. Mary noted he wrote against principle female rule itself responding should not troubled what never harmed her. When asked whether subjects right resist ruler replied if monarchs exceeded lawful limits might be resisted even force. On the 24th of June 1563 most dramatic interview occurred when Mary summoned Knox Holyrood hearing preaching against proposed marriage Don Carlos son Philip II Spain. Mary began scolding then burst tears asking What have ye to do with my marriage? What are ye within this commonwealth? Subject born same Madam Knox replied though not noble birth same duty warn dangers realm. When Mary started crying again said Madam God presence speak never delighted weeping any God creatures yea can scarcely well abide tears own boys whom hand corrects much less rejoice Majesty weeping. Added would rather endure tears remain silent betray Commonwealth ordering him out room.
On the 26th of March 1564 Knox married Margaret Stewart daughter old friend Andrew Stewart 2nd Lord Ochiltree member Stuart family distant relative Queen Mary Stuart. Marriage unusual widower fifty marrying bride seventeen years old. Very few details known domestic life three daughters Martha Margaret Elizabeth born. When General Assembly convened June 1564 argument broke between Knox and Maitland over civil government authority. Maitland quoted Martin Luther John Calvin about obedience earthly rulers retorting Bible notes Israel punished following unfaithful king Continental reformers refuting Anabaptists rejecting all forms government debate revealed waning influence political events nobility continued support Mary. After wedding Mary Henry Stuart Lord Darnley the 29th of July 1565 Protestant nobles including James Stewart 1st Earl Moray rose rebellion Chaseabout Raid. Knox revealed objection preaching presence new King Consort the 19th of August 1565 making passing allusions ungodly rulers causing Darnley walk out. Summoned prohibited preaching while court Edinburgh. On the 9th of March 1566 Mary's secretary David Rizzio murdered conspirators loyal Darnley. Mary escaped Dunbar returning the 18th of March formidable force. Knox fled Kyle Ayrshire completing major part magnum opus History Reformation Scotland. Returned Edinburgh finding Protestant nobles divided what do with Mary. Lord Darnley murdered Queen almost immediately married chief suspect Earl Bothwell indictment murder thus upon forced abdicate imprisoned Lochleven Castle. Lord Moray became regent King James VI. Other old friends Lord Argyll William Kirkcaldy stood by Mary. On the 29th of July 1567 Knox preached James VI coronation sermon church Holy Rude Stirling thundered against her sermons calling death. However Mary life spared escaped the 2nd of May 1568.
On the 24th of November 1572 John Knox died at home in Edinburgh after inducting successor James Lawson Aberdeen minister St Giles' the 9th of November. With friends greatest Scottish nobles around asked Bible read aloud young wife Margaret read Paul first letter Corinthians testimony pronounced grave churchyard St Giles James Douglas 4th Earl Morton newly elected regent Here lies one who never feared any flesh. After churchyard destruction 1633 precise site grave cannot established. In will claimed None have I corrupted none defrauded merchandise made not paltry sum money bequeathed family leaving dire poverty showed profited work Kirk. Regent Lord Morton asked General Assembly continue paying stipend widow year ensuring dependents decently supported. Survived five children second wife Margaret married Andrew Ker involved murder David Rizzio. Two sons Nathaniel Eleazar attended St John's College Cambridge Nathaniel Fellow St John died early 1580 Eleazar ordained Church England served parish Great Clacton buried chapel St John's College 1591. Three daughters Martha Alexander Fairlie Margaret Zachary Pont son Robert Pont brother Timothy Pont Elizabeth John Welsh minister Kirk. Death barely noticed time funeral attended nobles Scotland no major politician diplomat mentioned surviving letters Mary Queen Scots made two brief references letters. What rulers feared ideas more than Knox himself successful reformer philosophy reformation great impact English Puritans contributed struggle genuine human freedom teaching duty oppose unjust government bring moral spiritual change epitaph reads Here lies one feared God much never feared face man reference Matthew 10:28.
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Common questions
When and where was John Knox born?
John Knox was born sometime between 1505 and 1515 in Giffordgate, a street in Haddington, East Lothian. His father William Knox worked as a merchant while his mother died when he was still a child.
What happened to John Knox during the siege of St Andrews in 1547?
On the 31st of July 1547 Protestant garrison including John Knox surrendered and were taken prisoner to row in French galleys. He spent nineteen months in galley-prison before being released in February 1549.
Why did John Knox publish The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstruous Regiment of Women?
John Knox published this pamphlet in mid-1558 to demonstrate how abominable before God is empire or rule of wicked woman traiteresse and bastard targeting Queen Mary I of England and Mary of Guise regent for her daughter Mary Queen of Scots.
How did John Knox influence the Scottish Reformation in 1559?
On the 2nd of May 1559 John Knox proceeded to Dundee where Protestant sympathizers gathered and later preached from the pulpit of St Giles on the 1st of July 1559. By June 1559 Protestant mob incited by him ransacked cathedral destroying interior leaving it source of building material for town.
What was the outcome of the confrontation between John Knox and Mary Queen of Scots in 1563?
During the dramatic interview on the 24th of June 1563 Mary Queen of Scots summoned John Knox to Holyrood hearing preaching against proposed marriage Don Carlos son Philip II Spain. He replied that if monarchs exceeded lawful limits they might be resisted even with force.
When and how did John Knox die and what happened to his grave?
John Knox died at home in Edinburgh on the 24th of November 1572 after inducting successor James Lawson Aberdeen minister St Giles' the 9th of November. After churchyard destruction 1633 precise site grave cannot established.