John Fisher

Lore & Background

John Fisher was born at Beverley, Yorkshire in 1469, the son of Robert Fisher, a prosperous mercer of Beverley, and Agnes, his wife. He studied at the University of Cambridge from 1484, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1487, and a Master of Arts degree in 1491. He was ordained a priest on 17 December 1491. He became chaplain and confessor to Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII. Under his guidance, Lady Margaret founded St John's and Christ's Colleges at Cambridge. Fisher was appointed Bishop of Rochester in 1504 and remained there for 31 years. He opposed the annulment of Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon and was executed by order of Henry VIII for refusing to accept him as Supreme Head of the Church of England.

Reader's Guide

John Fisher was a key figure in the English Reformation, known for his opposition to Lutheranism and his defense of papal supremacy. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI on 19 May 1935, along with Thomas More. His feast day is 22 June in the General Roman Calendar.

Did You Know?

• John Fisher was named a cardinal shortly before his death.
• He was the first theologian to diagnose justification through faith alone as the founding dogma of the Protestant Reformation.
• Erasmus said of Fisher: 'He is the one man at this time who is incomparable for uprightness of life, for learning and for greatness of soul.'
• Fisher placed a human skull on the altar during Mass and on the table during meals.