Hugh Latimer

Hugh Latimer (c. 1487 – 16 October 1555) was a prominent English Protestant bishop and martyr. Born in Thurcaston, Leicestershire, Latimer pursued religious studies at the University of Cambridge, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1510 and a Master of Arts in 1514. Originally a devout Catholic, his views shifted towards the burgeoning Protestant Reformation after encountering the works of reformers like Martin Luther. Latimer's fervent preaching, which emphasized scriptural authority and criticized the excesses of the Catholic Church, garnered him significant attention.

In 1535, he was appointed bishop of Worcester by King Henry VIII, thanks to his support for the King's efforts to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. During his tenure, Latimer zealously advocated for the translation of the Bible into English and championed clerical reform. However, his outspoken beliefs often put him at odds with both political and religious authorities. With the ascension of the Catholic Queen Mary I, Latimer's Protestant stance led to his arrest and imprisonment.

In 1555, he was tried for heresy and condemned to death by burning. Alongside fellow reformer Nicholas Ridley, Latimer was executed at the stake in Oxford. His last words, "Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out," immortalized his legacy as a steadfast advocate for Protestantism.