King's Lynn Minster: William Sawtrey

St Margaret’s Church at King’s Lynn follows the custom of several other significant churches in larger towns by rebranding itself a ‘minster’, an historical anomaly but a deserving enough courtesy. There was much inside to interest me and my two companions, who were not medieval church aficionadas, but were still suitably impressed.

I was struck by some of the carved faces on the chancel stalls. I suspect they were made to resemble real figures whom the woodcarvers, or their patrons, knew. One of them, above, is believed to be Hugh le Despenser, Bishop of Norwich between1370 and 1406. Known as the Fighting Bishop, he fought for the Pope as a younger man, led a crusade to Flanders in middle age and enthusiastically helped to crush the Peasants Revolt closer to home. He was not a man to cross lightly. Unless, of course, you are a Lollard heretic.

William Sawtrey may also be represented in the carved heads, though he might have been deemed infamous rather than famous, and a public appreciation of his stance would have attracted few friends in the early 1400s. This simple priest, called by Foxe a curate, rejected the Roman doctrine of transubstantiation and the powerful, wealthy clerical elites who controlled the Church. He was summoned to appear before Despenser, and retracted his objections, publicly recanting at St James’ Church, Norwich, in 1399. A follower of the radical parson of Lutterworth, John Wycliffe, that 'bright morning star of the Reformation', he sadly, if understandably, buckled under episcopal pressure. Soon afterwards he left his ministry at St Margaret's and moved to London, an otherwise safer environment for someone with ‘heterodox’ views, whose huge population and extensive underworld afforded greater protection. If that was Sawtrey’s hope, however, it was soon dashed. As chaplain at St Osyth’s, he again began sharing his Lollardy and evangelical doctrine, coming to the attention of Thomas Arundel, Archbishop of Canterbury. Appearing before full Convocation as a relapsed heretic, Bishop Despenser’s office provided the evidence of his former ways, and he was given opportunity to respond before being condemned. This time he held his ground, and was found guilty of decrying the adoration of angels, the bowing before crosses, the value of pilgrimages and the time spent by priests saying private masses rather than preaching the Bible. He appealed to Parliament, but the new Lancastrian monarchy was unpopular, and Henry IV, below (?), introduced anti-heresy laws to Parliament to help shore his reputation up and retain the support of the Church. Sawtrey’s appeal failed, and he was taken to Smithfield and burnt to a crisp: England’s first Lollard martyr.

Blessed be poor men in spirit, for the kingdom of heavens is theirs.

Blessed be mild men, for they shall wield the earth.

Blessed be they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed be they that hunger and thirst rightwiseness, for they shall be fulfilled.

Blessed be merciful men for they shall get mercy.

Blessed be they that be of clean heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed be peaceable men, for they shall be called God's children.

Blessed be they that suffer persecution for rightwiseness, for the kingdom of heavens is theirs.

Blessed be ye, when men shall curse you, and shall pursue you and shall say all evil against you lying, for me.

Joy ye, and be ye glad for your meed is plenteous in heavens; for so they have pursued the prophets also that were before you.

Ye be salt of the earth; that if the salt vanish away, wherein shall it be salted? To nothing it is worth over, but that it be cast out, and be defouled of men.

Ye be light of the world; a city set on an hill may not be hid;

nor men tendeth a lantern, and putteth it under a bushel,  but on a candlestick, that it give light to all that be in the house.

So shine your light before men, that they see your good works, and glorify your Father that is in heavens.

-Matthew 5:3-16, Wycliffe's Translation.