John Knox

John Knox, born in 1514 in Giffordgate, Haddington, East Lothian, was a prominent Scottish minister and Reformed theologian who played a pivotal role in the Reformation of the Church of Scotland. His early education at the University of St Andrews laid the foundation for his future endeavors as a notary-priest and a reformer influenced by figures like George Wishart.

Knox's involvement in the tumultuous ecclesiastical and political landscape of Scotland began with the murder of Cardinal David Beaton in 1546. Following his capture by French forces, he was exiled to England in 1549, where he served as a royal chaplain under King Edward VI. During this period, he contributed to the reform of the Book of Common Prayer and married Margery Bowes.

With the ascension of Queen Mary I, who reinstated Catholicism, Knox was compelled to leave England. His journey took him to Geneva, where he encountered John Calvin and further developed his understanding of Reformed theology. In Geneva, he authored The Forme of Prayers, which became the Book of Common Order, the first book printed in any Gaelic language.

Upon returning to Scotland, Knox emerged as a leader of the Protestant Reformation, collaborating with the Scottish Protestant nobility to challenge the authority of Mary of Guise. He was instrumental in drafting the new confession of faith and ecclesiastical order for the Reformed Church, known as the Kirk. His five-volume work, The History of the Reformation in Scotland, was penned between 1559 and 1566, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in Scottish religious history.

Throughout Mary’s reign, Knox remained a steadfast religious leader, confronting her over her Catholic practices. Following her imprisonment and the rise of King James VI, he boldly called for her execution, continuing to preach until his final days, leaving an indelible mark on the religious landscape of Scotland.