23 April 2023

Elizabeth Barton: The Forgotten Martyr of Tudor England

The Holy Maid of Kent, martyred by Henry VIII along with five clerics on 20 April 1534.


Elizabeth Barton, also known as the "Holy Maid of Kent," was a prominent figure in 16th-century England. Born in 1506 in Kent, Barton claimed to have experienced divine visions and ecstasies from a young age, which drew attention from the local community. As her reputation grew, she began to prophesize about political and religious matters, earning her the title of the "Prophetess of Kent." Barton's prophesies became more controversial as they criticised King Henry VIII and his attempts to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon. She gained support from religious leaders who opposed the King's actions but also attracted the attention of the royal court. After being interrogated by the Archbishop of Canterbury and pressured by the King's representatives, Barton recanted her prophesies and admitted that they were fabrications. She and several of her supporters were subsequently executed for treason in 1534. Barton's story has continued to intrigue historians and theologians, with some seeing her as a victim of political manipulation and others as a religious fanatic.

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