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Hadleigh Nub News delves into the life of former Hadleigh resident, English reformer and former curate in the town - Nicholas Shaxton.

Nicholas Shaxton was born in 1485 in Norwich. He studied in Cambridge where he graduated in 1507. During his time at Cambridge, it has been speculated that he was a regular visitor to the White Horse tavern. Other regulars included Thomas Cranmer, William Tyndale and Hugh Latimer.

In 1510, he was elected a fellow of Gonville Hall.

Shaxton was one of the committee of divines who were consulted on the marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. He was noted to have been favourable to the king's views.

In 1533, he was made treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral by the king. Anne Boleyn, the king's second wife, helped to influence this promotion and also appointed him her almoner.

A mere two years later, he was appointed Bishop of Salisbury. He aligned with Thomas Cromwell to introduce religious reforms, including wanting the Bible to become available in English.

This was an especially controversial issue as, eleven years prior, William Tyndale had been labelled a heretic and ordered to burn at the stake for producing an English Bible.

However, Shaxton fared much better as the king agreed to the proposal in September of 1538.

This favour with the king and court, however, was not long lasting as Shaxton, along with Bishop Hugh Latimer, both spoke against the Six Articles in the House of Lords.

The Six Articles were a doctrine affirming the teaching of traditional Roman Catholicism.

Due to this, they resigned their bishoprics. It is alleged that the king even considered executing them as heretics but this was rescinded and instead ordered to retire from preaching. 

After this, Shaxton retired to Hadleigh with his wife and had at least three children. However, he later separated from his wife, giving her a verse that encouraged her to live chaste and single.

In 1546, his life in Hadleigh was severely disrupted as he was accused of giving sermons attacking the Six Articles. He was found guilty and ordered to be burnt at the stake. However, he recanted thus ensuring his survival.

To test his recantion, he was sent to speak with Anne Askew. Askew was tortured in order to force her to name Catherine Parr, the king's then wife, and other Protestants as heretics. Shaxton presided by her when she was burnt at the stake after she refused to divulge names and refused to recant her beliefs. She was also the only known female to ever be tortured in the Tower of London and burnt at the stake.

He made his will on 5 August 1556 and died soon after.