Fisher of men: A life of John Fisher, 1469-1535 : a critical biography

John Fisher, 1469-1535 was a figure of European stature during the Tudor age. His many roles included those of bishop, humanist, theologian, cardinal, and ultimately martyr. This study places him in the context of sixteenth-century Christendom, focusing not just on his resistance to Henry VIII, but also on his active engagement with the renaissance and reformation. John Fisher was central to the issues and dilemmas of the renaissance and the reformation in Tudor England. Active as a humanist, preacher, bishop, educationalist and controversial theologian, Fisher demonstrated the rich life of the pre-reformation church as well as its problems in confronting the `blind and disordered desire' of Henry VIII. For Fisher, as for Thomas More, this resulted in execution on Tower Hill. This study focuses on Fisher's wide-ranging pastoral, scholarly, literary and political activity, which makes him a key figure in European religious and cultural history. The title of this book is based on Fisher's personal motto - Christ's words to the apostles, 'I will make you to be fishers of men' (Matthew, 4:19) "John Fisher was central to the issues and dilemmas of the renaissance and the reformation in Tudor England. Active as a humanist, preacher, bishop, educationalist and controversial theologian, Fisher demonstrated the rich life of the pre-reformation church as well as its problems in confronting the 'blind and disordered desire' of Henry VIII. For Fisher, as for Thomas More, this resulted in execution on Tower Hill."--BOOK JACKET. "This study focuses on Fisher's wide-ranging pastoral, scholarly, literary and political activity, which makes him a key figure in European religious and cultural history."--BOOK JACKET. John Fisher was central to the issues and dilemmas of the renaissance and the transformation in Tudor England. Active as a humanist, preacher, bishop, educationalist and controversial theologian, Fisher demonstrated that the rich life of the pre-reformation church as well as its problems in confronting the "blind and disordered desire" of Henry VIII. For Fisher. as for Thomas More, this resulted in execution on Tower Hill. This study focuses on Fisher's wide-ranging pastoral scholarly, literary and political activity which makes him a key figure in European religious and cultural history. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-6 Cambridge....Pages 7-29 The Humanist....Pages 30-48 The Bishop....Pages 49-71 The Preacher....Pages 72-89 Heresy....Pages 90-113 The Devotional Writer....Pages 114-131 The Dissident....Pages 132-158 The Cardinal....Pages 159-176 Back Matter....Pages 177-218 1. Cambridge -- 2. The Humanist -- 3. The Bishop -- 4. The Preacher -- 5. Heresy -- 6. The Devotional Writer -- 7. The Dissident -- 8. The Cardinal. Maria Dowling. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. 'A work of sustained and painstaking scholarship, Fisher of Men is the fruit of years of research, an enormously valuable resource for the student of John Fisher.' - The Tablet