John Fisher

Who they were

John Fisher was born into a wealthy Yorkshire family and entered Cambridge at fourteen, where he took his degree in theology. Ordained young by special permission, he became confessor and chaplain to Lady Margaret Beaufort, grandmother of the future Henry VIII, and with her founded St John's and Christ's Colleges. As bishop of Rochester he was, in his friend Erasmus's words, 'the most learned man and the holiest bishop'.

Three times he refused to accept the King's claim to supremacy over the clergy. Imprisoned in the Tower, he was named cardinal by the Pope, which only hastened his end. On 22 June 1535 he was beheaded, saying on the scaffold: 'Christian people, I am come hither to die for the faith of Christ's holy Catholic Church.'

The miracles

He was beatified among 54 English martyrs and canonised with St Thomas More, whose memorial he shares on 22 June. Both are honoured by the Anglican Church as well.

Why that counted as sanctity

The most learned bishop of England stood alone among his fellow bishops against the King, and died for the unity of the Church and the authority of the Pope.

Connected on this site

• Thomas More Saint
  “In answer to a popular petition of English Catholics, Pope Pius XI canonized John Fisher and Thomas More on 19 May 1935 as representatives of the many Catholic martyrs of England.” — Wikipedia
• Edward Powell Blessed
  “He denounced the king's marriage to Anne Boleyn, and in 1534 was attainted with St John Fisher for refusing the oath of succession and imprisoned in the Tower in harsh conditions.” — this site's research
• Thomas Marshall Blessed
  “He took the Oath of Supremacy in 1534, but the martyrdoms of the Carthusians, St John Fisher and St Thomas More moved him deeply.” — this site's research