Examinations and Letters of the Rev. John Philpot

My heart is steadfast O God After the deaths of Henry VIII and his son Edward VI Henrys daughter Mary Tudor ascended the English throne (reigned 1553-58). Upon her coronation England was again thrown into turmoil with Catholicism reinstated after Henrys Protestant turn. One of those who took a prominent stand against the reinstitution of Catholicism was John Philpot. Philpot took part in public debates with Catholic spokesmen until he was arrested for his attacks on the doctrine of transubstantiation. He spent eighteen months in Newgate prison. During that time he was examined fourteen times and finally convicted as a heretic. He was taken to Smithfield in London on December 18 1555 and after reciting Psalms 106 107 and 108 he was burned at the stake.