Nicholas Shaxton

Nicholas Shaxton (* 1485, † 1556 ) was an English theologian and Bishop of Salisbury.

Life

Shaxton was educated at Cambridge and was a member of the University Committee, which supported the divorce of Henry VIII from Catherine of Aragon ( 1530). Later he became a favorite of Thomas Cromwell and supported the Suprematsakt. After that, he became Bishop of Salisbury ( 1535). As a staunch Protestant, he gave in 1539 for his opposition to the Six Articles his bishopric on. In 1546 he was accused with others of heresy and imprisoned. In order to save himself from the stake, he recanted and preached during the combustion of some of his companions. Despite the accession of Edward VI. he never returned to his earlier views, was used under Mary Tudor again in an ecclesiastical office and participated in the suppression of the Protestants.