Bilney

Bilney, Thomas, martyr, was born about the end of the fifteenth century, in Norfolk. He studied at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and was ordained priest by Bishop West at Ely in 1519. After some heart-searchings and spiritual struggles, he became converted to the Reformed doctrines, and in 1526 was brought before Wolsey on a charge of heresy. On taking an oath that he would refrain from promulgating the doctrines of Luther, he was dismissed, but in the following year he was again arraigned and flung into the Tower for a year. After a period of despondency brought on by reflecting on his vacillation he again began to preach, was again apprehended, and condemned to be burned as a heretic at Norwich. The martyrdom took place in the Lollards' pit on August 19th, 1531.