1503-1528

Scotland was in no way exempt from this, and soon began its own Reformation which was spearheaded by Patrick Hamilton. Hamilton was distantly related to the Stuart King James V and was technically considered Royalty. As a benefit of this position he was permitted to receive schooling in Paris. It was there that he was exposed to Martin Luther's Lutheran theology, which he began to advocate when he returned to Scotland.

Hamilton was quickly labeled as a Lutheran and fearing retribution from Archbishop James Beaton, he fled to Germany. While there, he furthered his studies and was able to meet Luther in person. While in Germany, Hamilton met Francis Lambert, a converted Franciscan who was one of his strongest influences. It was during this time that he wrote his treatise, titled "Patrick's Places".

Shortly after finishing "Patrick's Places", Hamilton returned once more to Scotland where he began to preach Lutheran theology, quickly gathering a large following. Hamilton's activities did not escape the attention of Scotland's Catholic leaders, and in 1528 he was summoned to a conference at St. Andrews by Archbishop Beaton.

The "conference" was in fact a trap laid for Hamilton; he was arrested and sentenced to death for the crimes of being a heretic and propagating heresies.

To make sure there was no chance of King James V interfering on his young relative's behalf, Hamilton was executed on the very same day he was turned over to the authorities to be burned at the stake. The sentence was carried out but, unfortunately for Beaton, the fire which ended Hamilton's life only served to fuel the larger fire of the Protestant Reformation.

In effect, Hamilton's execution created a Protestant martyr and served as a lightening rod for the Reform movement in Scotland. Hamilton was more popular in death, than he was in life. Hailed as a hero by the Reformers, he also influenced another important figure in the Scottish Reformation, John Knox, who carried on the cause Hamilton died for.

SBB, October 1999