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esteemed by all around time. Finally, Queen tuous existence Mary enemies of his church. In
him. However, in Scotland Elizabeth I of England, abdicated in 1567 (see November of that year he
Protestantism was spread- realizing that if the box). died. Eventually, Protestant
ing like wildfire, fanned by Catholics won Scotland Presbyterianism became
Knox's frequent letters they would win England Knox's first wife having the official religion of
from Geneva. too, sent troops who chased died, in 1564 (when he was Scotland.
the French out of the presumably 50 years old)
Scotland was falling apart counhy. he married Margaret Knox was a remarkable
with religious and civil Stewart, the 17-year-old preacher, convincing his
discord. The situation At this point, Mary of daughter of an hearers with the force of his
became such that the regent Guise died, to be succeeded impoverished aristocratic words and building Scottish
of Scotland, Mary of Guise, by her Catholic daughter, family. His Catholic Presbyterianism on a faith
decided to rid her counhy Maty Queen of Scots. But enemies accused him of as firm as rock. He has also

once and for all of before she could arrive gross itnmorality, but since been described as a biased
Protestants. She summoned from France in 1561 Knox no law had been broken his and bigoted zealot.
the Protestant leaders to had forged the Refomied reputation as a Puritan
appear before her. Church of Scotland into a remained intact. HAYWARD BEYWOOD
Suspecting a trap, they sturdy, autonomous institu-
called Knox back from tion, capable of resisting The religious battles were Souzes
Geneva. He arrived post- any royal command. not over for there followed www.forenmner.com/fore-
haste in May 1559 and further bitter struggles runner/XO525 Bios John
immediately inspired his Mary Queen of Scots was between Catholics and Knox.hbnl
followers to take up arms. inclined to be tolerant of Protestants, d'iuing which
Maiy of Guise once more people's religious beliefs, Knox suffered a paralytic
called in French troops. In but John Knox was a stroke. Despite tis, in
the autumn and winter of fanatical Protestant and 1572, he draggedhimselfto
1559 the Scottish developed a deep hatred for the pulpit to preach in a
Protestants had a tough her. Finally, affer a hnnul- white-hot rage against the

2 2008 Diva 49

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