Chapter 4: Defying the Pope
Little Sodbury Manor, 1523
As the meal began, conversation turned to more peaceful subjects. They discussed the health of the crops on the estate, the latest news from London, and how Sir John’s daughter, Margaret, and her new husband, Richard, were faring in Bath. But the talk turned, as it often did with the Vicar, to matters of religious traditions, and specifically the subject of the upcoming All Saints’ Day.
The Vicar leaned forward eagerly. “Hailes Abbey will be filled with pilgrims this year, as always, all coming to see the Holy Blood— the vial said to contain the actual blood of Christ. It will be a grand occasion. And pilgrims can purchase indulgences—remissions for sins, and time off in purgatory.”
William’s face tightened. He couldn’t stay quiet any longer. “Nowhere in the Bible does it say anything about purgatory,” he said firmly. “If you truly repent of your sins and have faith in Christ, then when you die, you go straight into God’s presence. No need for indulgences or years of waiting.”
The Vicar’s face turned a deep shade of red, and his voice grew sharp. “We have been through this before, Master Tyndale. The Council of Lyon confirmed the existence of purgatory, based on the teachings in the Bible’s book of Second Maccabees. The Church has spoken. What more do you need?”
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William did not back down. “The Apocryphal books that the Church uses to justify purgatory were added much later and are not in line with the rest of Scripture. And as for these Councils that claim to speak for God—have you not noticed that they often contradict each other?”
The Vicar’s face was now flushed with anger, but before he could respond, Lady Ann signaled to Mabel, who gathered up the other three children. “Come,” she whispered. “Let us leave the adults to their discussion.”
Catherine, Maurice, and Anne followed Mabel out of the room without a word, though Maurice cast one last curious glance over his shoulder at the two men.
The Vicar, clearly furious now, stood abruptly from the table, his fists clenched. “How dare you question the authority of the Church!” he thundered. “The Bible gets its authority from the Church. We would be better off without the Bible than without the laws of the Pope.”
William stood up, his voice calm but resolute. “The Church has no authority except that which is given by God through His Word. The Pope’s laws mean nothing if they are not grounded in Scripture. I pray that God will give me the chance to see the day when even the plow boy, the lowest worker in the field, knows more of the Bible than you do.”
The Vicar’s eyes flashed with anger, but he didn’t say another word. He turned to Sir John, his voice cold as ice. “Please excuse me, your lordship. I must be going. I encourage you to guard your house from sin and heresy.” With that, he bowed his head briefly to Lady Ann, then turned and left the room without another word.
Sir John sat back in his chair, a broad smile creeping across his face. “Well, that was quite a claim, William,” he said, his voice light with amusement. “You know that plow boys don’t know Latin, much less have a Bible to read.”
William smiled back, though his eyes were serious. “That’s exactly why we need to make the Bible available in English. I’ve already begun translating the Gospels from Greek, and I believe it is God’s will for His Word to be available to all people in their own language.”
Sir John blinked, surprised. “I thought it was illegal to translate the Bible into English.”
William’s face flushed slightly, but he remained calm. “The Constitutions of Oxford forbid it without the permission of the bishops. But, with your leave, I plan to go to London and seek an audience with the Bishop of London, Cuthbert Tunstall. Erasmus, a scholar and friend of the bishop, believes that the Bible should be available to everyone, and I believe that with the bishop’s help, I can translate the New Testament.”
Sir John sat up straighter, a look of approval in his eyes. “I certainly won’t stand in the way of God’s work, William.” He glanced briefly at his wife who nodded in agreement. “We’ve been blessed to have you with us, and the children love you. You must answer God’s call, even if it takes you far from here. I’ll write to my friend, Sir Harry Guilford, who knows the bishop. He can help make the introduction.”
William stood a little straighter, grateful for Sir John and Lady Ann’s support. “Thank you, my lord. I will not forget your kindness.”
And with that, the conversation moved on to other matters, but William’s heart was already set on the task before him: to bring God’s Word to the people in a way they could understand. Little did he know that the Bishop he sought in London had already cast his lot with the powers of this world and against the truth of God’s Word.