Nicholas Ridley

Nicholas Ridley, 1555.

Nicholas Ridley (ca. 1500 – 16 October 1555) was an English Anglican clergyman. He came from a prominent Northumberland family and is born in the early 16th century. He was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle, and chiefly at the University of Cambridge, where he received his Master's degree in 1525. He was soon ordained a priest and went to the Sorbonne, in Paris, to continue his education.

After returning to England around 1529, he became Senior Solicitor of Cambridge University. Back then there was a significant debate about the supremacy of the pope. Ridley was well versed in Biblical hermeneutics and, by his arguments, the University communicated the following resolution: "The Bishop of Rome (referring to the Pope) is withdrawn from the authority and jurisdiction derived from God, in this kingdom of England, than any other foreign bishop. &#3. 4;

In 1540 he was appointed one of the King's Chaplains, also being presented with a prebendal position at Canterbury Cathedral.

Burn of Latimer and Ridley, text by John Foxe, 1563.

Elected bishop of Rochester from 1547-50 and later of London until his removal in 1553 by Maria I, he decided that altars should be removed from the churches of his diocese and tables put in their place to celebrate the Lord's Supper.

He was burned at the stake, along with Hugh Latimer, for his teachings on October 16, 1555 in Oxford. A metal cross on the side of the road marks the site, and the event is also commemorated by a Martyrs' Memorial, a few hundred meters away.