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The classic biography of the Scottish Reformer and father of Scottish Presbyterianism, showing the complexities of the man and his role in the Reformation.
John Knox has suffered in this century from that trick of the popular imagination that seizes on one aspect of a historical figure and elevates it into the whole man. At one time he was the foremost Scottish genius, but in our day there have been those who would have us believe that he was a ranter, an iconoclast and perhaps a hypocrite. The Author of this classic biography has sought to find the truth between these two extremes. He shows us Knox against the disturbed currents of the Continent, where mediaeval Christendom was at an end and no new order had yet emerged from the chaos of creeds and philosophies.
No man could stem these currents, but John Knox in his own country gave them a direction. He became, if not the leader, at least the inciter of a revolution. He set his mark indelibly on history, and not only that of his native land; his influence upon the English court was considerable, but he also became a figure of European significance.
"No grander figure can be found, in the entire history of the Reformation in this island, than that of John Knox" wrote the historian Froude. The Author has given us a balanced assessment of the life and times of this remarkable man.
John Knox has suffered in this century from that trick of the popular imagination that seizes on one aspect of a historical figure and elevates it into the whole man. At one time he was the foremost Scottish genius, but in our day there have been those who would have us believe that he was a ranter, an iconoclast and perhaps a hypocrite. The Author of this classic biography has sought to find the truth between these two extremes. He shows us Knox against the disturbed currents of the Continent, where mediaeval Christendom was at an end and no new order had yet emerged from the chaos of creeds and philosophies.
No man could stem these currents, but John Knox in his own country gave them a direction. He became, if not the leader, at least the inciter of a revolution. He set his mark indelibly on history, and not only that of his native land; his influence upon the English court was considerable, but he also became a figure of European significance.
"No grander figure can be found, in the entire history of the Reformation in this island, than that of John Knox" wrote the historian Froude. The Author has given us a balanced assessment of the life and times of this remarkable man.
Price: $36.95
Pages: 348
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: Lutterworth Press
Publication Date:
31 October 2013
Trim Size: 7.80 X 5.08 in
ISBN: 9780718893132
Format: Paperback
Here is an author who has actually taken the trouble to read Knox thoroughly, who has analysed his thought with care, and who has set the biography against a firm background of sixteenth-century history. . . . The style is enriched with many obiter dicta of real insight, and by epigrams which do not irritate, because they are not cynical. . . . That the book will provoke criticism is certain. . . . But when every criticism has been made the book remains a most valuable piece of work, a generous but just biography based on great knowledge and informed by a discerning spirit.
— J. D. Mackie
... an immensely valuable read for any modern reader who has even a scintilla of interest in its subject. ... As a writer who is able to render large ideas and complex political intrigue in short, crisp sentences that nonetheless reflect the contemplative spirit of the sixteenth century mind, Percy is able to achieve such authority in part because he isn't afraid to let us know when he's standing firmly on the historical record and when he's supplying his own version of the period's controversies.
— John Walker Ross
...the clarity and brilliance of the writing - give reason for adding Percy's book to anyone's library of the Scottish Reformation.
— Donald Mackay
...Percy's biography is certainly recommended for students of Knox, both lay and academic, in conjunction with other readings of Knox. Moreover, this work will also be of some benefit to those interested in the Reformation in Scotland and the legacy of Knox in Scottish life.
— Brent Brodie
— J. D. Mackie
... an immensely valuable read for any modern reader who has even a scintilla of interest in its subject. ... As a writer who is able to render large ideas and complex political intrigue in short, crisp sentences that nonetheless reflect the contemplative spirit of the sixteenth century mind, Percy is able to achieve such authority in part because he isn't afraid to let us know when he's standing firmly on the historical record and when he's supplying his own version of the period's controversies.
— John Walker Ross
...the clarity and brilliance of the writing - give reason for adding Percy's book to anyone's library of the Scottish Reformation.
— Donald Mackay
...Percy's biography is certainly recommended for students of Knox, both lay and academic, in conjunction with other readings of Knox. Moreover, this work will also be of some benefit to those interested in the Reformation in Scotland and the legacy of Knox in Scottish life.
— Brent Brodie
Foreword by Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton
PREFACE
I. PROLOGUE IN SCOTLAND
I. The Church at Hadclington. January 1546
II. The Castle of St. Andrews. 1546-47
II. THE EUROPEAN SCENE
III. The Dilemma of Christendom
IV. The Agony of Europe
V. From Luther to Calvin
VI. The Eve of War
III. ENGLAND, DIEPPE AND FRANKFURT.
THE MAKING OF A REVOLUTIONARY
VII. From Nantes to Berwick. 1547-49
VIII. A Taste of Freedom. 1549-50
IX. The Preacher and the Politicians. 155I-54
X. The Pamphleteer. 1554
XI. The Breach with England. 1554-55
IV. GENEVA AND SCOTLAND.THE FOUNDING OF THE CONGREGATIONS
XII. From Geneva to Scotland, 1555
XIII. The Scotland of I555
XIV. The Scottish Mission. 1555-56
XV. The Hesitations of a Missionary. 1557-58
XVI. The Revolutionary Goes Further. 1558
XVII. The Eve of Revolution. 1558-59
V. SCOTLAND.
THE PATCH OF GLORY
XVIII. Cavalcade. 1559. May-June
XIX. Intrigue. 1559· July-October
XX. Disaster and Victory. October 1559-Jnly 1560
XXI. Reconstruction. 1560-61
VI. SCOTLAND.
THE BARREN YEARS
XXII. The House in Trunk Close. August 1561-Augnst 1562
XXIII. Policies and Tactics
XXIV. The Last Campaign. August 1562-August 1565
XXV. The Long Leave-Taking. August 1565-November 1572
Index
PLATES
John Knox. From the posthumous woodcut in Beza's Icones
The so-called John Knox's pulpit, St. Andrews
John Knox. From the original in the possession of Lord Rorpichen at Calder House
John Knox's House, High Street, Edinburgh
PREFACE
I. PROLOGUE IN SCOTLAND
I. The Church at Hadclington. January 1546
II. The Castle of St. Andrews. 1546-47
II. THE EUROPEAN SCENE
III. The Dilemma of Christendom
IV. The Agony of Europe
V. From Luther to Calvin
VI. The Eve of War
III. ENGLAND, DIEPPE AND FRANKFURT.
THE MAKING OF A REVOLUTIONARY
VII. From Nantes to Berwick. 1547-49
VIII. A Taste of Freedom. 1549-50
IX. The Preacher and the Politicians. 155I-54
X. The Pamphleteer. 1554
XI. The Breach with England. 1554-55
IV. GENEVA AND SCOTLAND.THE FOUNDING OF THE CONGREGATIONS
XII. From Geneva to Scotland, 1555
XIII. The Scotland of I555
XIV. The Scottish Mission. 1555-56
XV. The Hesitations of a Missionary. 1557-58
XVI. The Revolutionary Goes Further. 1558
XVII. The Eve of Revolution. 1558-59
V. SCOTLAND.
THE PATCH OF GLORY
XVIII. Cavalcade. 1559. May-June
XIX. Intrigue. 1559· July-October
XX. Disaster and Victory. October 1559-Jnly 1560
XXI. Reconstruction. 1560-61
VI. SCOTLAND.
THE BARREN YEARS
XXII. The House in Trunk Close. August 1561-Augnst 1562
XXIII. Policies and Tactics
XXIV. The Last Campaign. August 1562-August 1565
XXV. The Long Leave-Taking. August 1565-November 1572
Index
PLATES
John Knox. From the posthumous woodcut in Beza's Icones
The so-called John Knox's pulpit, St. Andrews
John Knox. From the original in the possession of Lord Rorpichen at Calder House
John Knox's House, High Street, Edinburgh