Robert Ferrar

He was prior of Nostell Priory, embraced the English Reformation, and was made Bishop of St. David's by Edward VI.

There is no specific information on the date and place of Robert Ferrar's birth, but he did state to Stephen Gardiner that he was born in the reign of King Henry VII.

After being ordained as a deacon all students participated in a profession, a promise to lead a life of poverty, chastity and obedience.

[3][4] In 1526, while Ferrar was in Cambridge, a number of students took an interest in the teachings of Martin Luther, and were later to become prominent as reformers and martyrs of the English church.

They were bold enough to preach new doctrines publicly, but were accused of heresy and forced to conform with the traditional teaching.

[citation needed] When Henry VIII passed the Act of Six Articles Ferrar was a target for attack by those who sought to enforce it.

[10] Ferrar worked to bring reforms, such as the addition of the English Bible, the exposure of idolatry and other "superstitious" activities, throughout several dioceses in England and Wales.

Ferrar pursued religious reform in his short term as bishop through parliamentary legislation, administration of ecclesiastical property, control over the cathedral chapter, supervision of clergy, enforcing discipline through court, and direct approaches to the congregation through biblical preaching.

[22] The witness examinations were supposed to take place before three commissioners: Thomas Jones, John Wogan, and David Vaughan.

[24] About half the witnesses' testimony concerned how Ferrar was aware of the crimes committed by his officers and friends, but failed to punish them.

He received this secular execution publicly as an example to any who were wishing to conform to his doctrines which were deemed inadequate and brought many accusations upon him.

On 30 March he was burnt on the south side of the market cross, telling (a spectator) that "if he saw him once stir in the pains of his burning, he might then give no credit to his doctrine; and as he said, so did he maintain his promise, patiently standing without emotion, until one Richard Gravell with a staff struck him down.

"[28] Ferrar's death is the subject of a poem (first published 1957) called "The Martyrdom of Bishop Farrar" (sic) by the poet Ted Hughes.

[29] "Ted Hughes was related to Ferrar on his mother's side; the stoical gene helped him get through his own years of trial and persecution.

[31] The rumour lead to the British Library initially linking Hughes to the slave trade, a statement they later retracted.