Men of Kent and Kentishmen/John Frith
John Frith
PREACHER AND MARTYR,
Or Fryth, was the son of an innkeeper at Sevenoaks, though Fuller says he was born at Westerham. He was sent to King's College, Cambridge, but afterwards removed to Oxford, where, on account of his extraordinary learning, he was chosen one of the junior canons of Christ Church, then newly founded by Wolsey, and known as Cardinal College. He subsequently imbibed the principles of the Reformation, and openly professing them, was for some time committed to prison at Oxford. On his release he went abroad, but on his return was committed to the Tower, and being brought to trial on charges of heresy, was at length condemned and burned at Smithfield, 4th July, 1533, maintaining to the last his fortitude, and a noble spirit of forgiveness to his persecutors. He was an eminent scholar, and wrote many learned theological treatises. While in prison he met with Simon Fish (before mentioned) whom he supported in his controversy with More; and Cranmer, in his controversy with Gardiner, acknowledged that he had received great assistance from this able man's writings.
[See "Fuller's Worthies," and "Abel Redivivus," "Foxe's Acts and Monuments," "Burnet's Reformation," Moreri, "Dictionnaire Historique."]