Johann Esch
Johannes van Esschen, also Jan van Esch († July 1, 1523 in Brussels) together with Hendrik Vos, was the first martyr of the Reformation.
Life
Van Esschen belonged to the Augustinian Order in Antwerp. After the local provost, Henry of Zutphen, on September 29, 1522 arrested for preaching the Reformation and the monastery had been torn down, several Augustinian were detained. Johann van Esschen stuck to his conviction and was sentenced to death by fire at the stake. The sentence was carried out on 1 July in Brussels in 1523.
When Martin Luther learned of this, he wrote a new song we are raising.
Remembrance
July 1 in the Protestant calendar name.