Basic Timeline: Nicholas Ridley (1500-1555)

Nicholas Ridley, 1500-1550, English, Reformed, Calvinistic, Protestant martyr.

1534

While a proctor of Cambridge, he signed the decree against the pope's supremacy in England.

1537

He became chaplain to Thomas Cranmer.

1540

Master of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge.

1541

Became a chaplain to Henry VIII and canon of Canterbury.

1547

As bishop of Rochester, Ridley was chosen to strengthen and establish Reformed Theology at Cambridge.

1548
In the reign of Edward VI, he took part in compiling the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. He was assigned as a commissioner in the examination that resulted in the deposition of bishops Stephen Gardiner and Edmund Bonner.

1550

Ridley succeeded Bonner as Bishop of London. He sought to improve the condition of the poor by preaching on social injustices before the king.

1553

Ridley supported Lady Jane Grey's claims to the crown. Shortly after Mary Tudor's accession as the Romanist Queen Mary I, Ridley was imprisoned.

1554

With Cranmer and Hugh Latimer he took part in the Oxford disputations against a group of Catholic theologians and would not recant his Protestant faith. He was burned at the stake with Latimer before Balliol Hall, Oxford.

Latimer's parting words to Ridley are often quoted:

"Be of good courage, brother Ridley, and play the man; for we shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England, as I trust shall never be put out."