The life of John Knox
Renegade Priest
John Knox was born in Haddington in the Lothians in 1514. He was probably educated at the grammar school there before going to St. Andrews University to study to enter the priesthood.
Knox is first documented in 1540 as a priest and notary. He never became a parish priest and instead took over the role of tutor to some of the noble children of that area. As their parents had already adopted Protestant views, it is possible that Knox was already sympathetic to Protestantism.
In 1544 the exiled Protestant George Wishart returned to Scotland and Knox, influenced by his preaching, became one of his chief associates, wielding a claymore to deter would-be assassins.
Revolutionary Preacher
While in the castle, Knox was publicly called to preach. He quickly became one of the most prominent preachers in the castle, vigorously defending Protestant views against the Catholic clergy. With the fall of the castle, Knox' life changed once more, and he began the life of an exiled preacher. Travelling through England, France, Switzerland and Germany, he spoke, wrote and agitated for reform. In Geneva, he met the leading reformer John Calvin and quickly became known as his hot-headed Scottish protege.
Reformer of Scotland
Returning to Scotland in 1559, Knox spearheaded a swift and thorough Reformation in Scotland. Knox was instrumental in writing up the Scots' Confession of Faith, founding the national Church of Scotland and promoting a Christian-welfare state in the First Book of Discipline. When Mary Queen of Scots was crowned, Knox came to be seen as the champion of radical Protestantism against the conservative Catholicism she favoured. Their debates are legendary and raise some issues still relevant today regarding truth and faith. Continuing to write and preach into his old age, Knox had only the briefest of retirements in St. Andrews before his death in 1572.
