Biography of Bishop Robert Ferrar -1554

On 24 May 1524 Bishop Robert Ferrar was ordained successively as acolyte and subdeacon.

On 24 Sep 1524 Bishop Robert Ferrar was ordained as deacon.

On 09 Sep 1548 Bishop Robert Ferrar was appointed Bishop of St David's.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 16 Mar 1554. The xvj day of Marche was deprevyd the archebysshope of Yorke (age 72), and the bysshope of Lynkolne doctur Tayller, and the bysshope of Chester, the bysshope of sant Davys.

Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Before 30 Mar 1554. The which day and place the said bishop and true servant of God, Master Ferrar, personally there appearing, was demanded of Henry, the pretended bishop of St, David's, whether he would renounce and recant his heresies, schisms, and errors, (as he called them,) which hitherto he had maintained, and if he would subscribe to the catholic articles, otherwise than he had done before.

After this the said godly bishop, Master Ferrar, did exhibit a certain schedule written in English, and remaining in the Acts; appealing withal by express word of mouth from the bishop, as from an incompetent judge, to Cardinal Pole, &c. All which notwithstanding, the said bishop, proceeding in his rage, pronounced the definitive sentence against him, contained in writing, and there left in the Acts: by the which sentence he pronounced him as a heretic excommunicate, and to be given up forthwith to the secular power; namely, to the sheriff of the town of Caermarthen, Master Leyson.

Foxe's Book of Martyrs. 30 Mar 1554. Thus this godly bishop, being condemned and degraded, was committed to the secular power, who not long after was brought to the place of execution in the town of Caermarthen, where he, in the market place in the south side of the market-cross, the thirtieth day of March, being Saturday next before Passion Sunday, most constantly sustained the torments and passion of the fire.

Touching the which constancy of this blessed martyr, this is moreover to be added and noted, that one named Richard Jones, a knight's son, coming to Master Ferrar a little before his death, seemed to lament the painfulness of the death he had to suffer: unto whom the bishop answered again to this effect, saying, that if he saw him once to stir in the pains of his burning, he should then give no credit to his doctrine. And as he said, so he right. well performed the same; for so patiently he stood that he never moved, but even as he stood, (holding up his stumps,) so still he continued, till one Richard Gravell with a staff dashed him upon the head, and so struck him down.

On 30 Mar 1555 Bishop Robert Ferrar was burned at the stake at the Market Square Carmarthen.