Louis de Berquin

Louis de Berquin (* 1485 in Vieux- Berquin, † April 17, 1529 in Paris) was a French humanist, lawyer, civil servant, linguist and reformer.

Life and work

Berquin was descended from a French noble family of knights in the county of Artois and was born in Vieux- Berquin 11 km southeast of d' Hazebrouk. The year of birth is not certain, it is concluded from the Parisian chronicle which describes him as a 50 -year-old at his last hearing. Initially dedicated de Berquin military tasks. From 1509 he matriculated at the University of Orléans where he studied until 1512 rights and an academic doctorate degree earned. 1512 he moved to Paris, where he met with leading humanists such as Ignatius of Loyola and François Rabelais. Erasmus of Rotterdam it is recommended as a capable man and he translated some of his writings into French.

Margaret of Navarre recommended him to the King Francis I as secretary. By connecting with Erasmus Berquin also learned the Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon's writings know. When he " De votis monasticis " translated into French in 1523 Luther, accused him of the Sorbonne doctors of the heresy. He was tried and convicted by the court on August 1, to prison because he refused to renounce as followers of Luther. On appeal by the king, he was released and burned his writing.

When King Francis I in the battle came against Emperor Charles V. 24 February 1525 in Pavia in captivity, this was held by the Spaniards until 1526. During this time, Berquin was again sued on January 8 by the Bishop of Amiens. In 40 sets of his writings heretical contents were found and he refused to recant. Only a missive of the king prompted again to close the proceedings.

On March 7, 1529 he was charged again by Parliament court. As one on April 16 " to watch the burning of his writings, then with a hot iron to get pierced tongue and a life sentence to remain in prison," the judgment announced, he turned again to his king. This time, however, the king refused his support and the judge converted the sentence into a burning at the stake. The next day we enforced on the Grèveplatz in Paris the judgment.

Remembrance

April 17 in the Protestant calendar name.