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John Knox
In this best-selling biography of John Knox, Rosalind K. Marshall traces the life of one of the Reformations' central characters. Following his career in Scotland, England, France, Switzerland and Germany, she explains in straightforward terms the issues and beliefs which concerned him so deeply. She also focuses on his relationship with the opposite sex, discussing the notorious First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment of Women, his dealings with Mary, Queen of Scots and the patient, revealing letters he wrote his mother-in-law. This book untangles truth from mythology in the life of this strange, complex and determined man and constructs a balanced picture of sixteenth century Scotland that places Knox clearly within the context of change and reformation which was sweeping the whole of Europe. The result is a richer and more complex portrayal of both Scotland and Knox than any hitherto available, and the first modern paperback of one of the most famous of all Scottish figures.
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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About the author
Rosalind K. Marshall
29 books18 followersDr Rosalind K. Marshall, is a well-known writer and historian. She has written widely on the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, specialising in women’s history, and is the author of seventeen books, including The Days of Duchess Anne, John Knox, Queen Mary’s Women and Scottish Queens. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and research associate of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, to which she has contributed more than fifty articles.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 5, 2014
My reason for reading a biography of John Knox was to get a more in-depth view of his character. He is so demonized today, particularly by women, and references to him in my readings on Mary Stewart left me disgusted with him. I eventually decided that any assessment would be unfair until I’d read at least one biography.
At the beginning of this book, when reading of his often-misunderstood relationship with his eventual mother-in-law Elizabeth Bowes, I got a picture of a very sensitive, compassionate man able to openly express emotion and affection. By all accounts, he retained his kind nature when dealing one-on-one with his female family and parishioners.
Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary were never to see this side of him. The opinion for which he is most disliked today is his outspoken objection to female rule, a sentiment that was largely fueled by the abuses he and his contemporaries suffered at the hands of the Catholic Mary Tudor in England. This prejudice was firmly affixed by the time Mary Stewart took the Scottish throne. Despite her efforts to reason with him and even charm him, as she did most people, he retained his opinion for the rest of his life: a female monarch was acceptable only if she submitted to the true (Protestant) church and, eventually, to a husband. She was never to be considered the final authority, as it was unnatural for women to be in positions of leadership, to say nothing of their natural inclination toward sin. This is, perhaps, an oversimplification of his beliefs, but that’s the basic impression I came away with. A more in-depth look at his views can be found in his treatiseThe First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment of Women, which angered both Mary and Elizabeth.
While Knox supported the protestant Queen Elizabeth, he did not find much more favor with her than with Mary, largely because of The First Blast. Knox’s genuine surprise at her reaction shows what I consider to be a naivete rooted in the confidence of his doctrine. He expected her to understand that such statements weren’t personal, but true, and if Elizabeth simply followed the correct faith, he approved of her rule within its proper boundaries.
His incredibly obstinate refusal to temper his views or even the expression of his views is what defined his character until his death. Elizabeth’s disapproval and Mary’s tearful rage did not faze him, even when Mary came close to charging him with treason. It is certain he would have chosen to be martyred before he would recant.
While his belief in the Protestant cause overrode his sense of self-preservation - an admirable trait as far as convictions go – his focus on establishing an earthly kingdom is disconcerting from my personal Christian perspective. As the daughter of a minister descended from a line of ministers on both my paternal and maternal side, and someone who has chosen the Christian faith of my parents, I cannot read such a biography from a purely objective perspective. Instead, I find myself despairing over the state of the spiritual kingdom that surely must have been stunted while Knox wreaked havoc in its name. Yes, historically, it was a tumultuous time and it was the way of things to shed blood over doctrine, but even Calvin had to occasionally distance himself from Knox’s proclamations. By contrast, I cannot see Knox as merely a product of his time. His antics baffled his peers almost as much as they do our more moderate, modern minds.
Of course, Knox was patterning himself after the Old Testament prophets, much as many Christian historical figures have. It really isn’t clear how appropriate such a role is anno domini.
My final conclusion as to Knox’s character is that he was a generally kind-hearted man, but without the slightest sense of ecumenism or diplomacy. His resolve helped establish Protestantism in Scotland, but also alienated two monarchs as well as hosts of their subjects – on both sides of the religious argument.
There are so many “what-ifs” that come to mind should Knox have been more moderate: What if Mary Stewart had been swayed toward Protestantism, what if Knox had been better able to join forces with Calvin, and – most importantly to me – what if, by showing grace and love, Knox had managed to further the real, unseen kingdom over the earthly one?
I don’t propose to have the answers, nor am I assuming that Knox always did the wrong thing in the eyes of God. The Church has passed through many unseemly phases and only in the end will we be able to fully distinguish the wheat from the chaff.
As far as books go, this one wasn’t an overly fascinating read, but I feel it did give as objective a view of Knox as possible. I would personally like to see Jane Dunn undertake a biography on Knox, but he isn’t the most fascinating character to write about. Rather than the soap-opera drama of his monarchs, his life was characterized by the “straight and narrow,” his famous flares of anger against the Catholic church and its supporters eventually falling into the rhythmic noise of artillery – always loud, but always the same.
At the beginning of this book, when reading of his often-misunderstood relationship with his eventual mother-in-law Elizabeth Bowes, I got a picture of a very sensitive, compassionate man able to openly express emotion and affection. By all accounts, he retained his kind nature when dealing one-on-one with his female family and parishioners.
Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary were never to see this side of him. The opinion for which he is most disliked today is his outspoken objection to female rule, a sentiment that was largely fueled by the abuses he and his contemporaries suffered at the hands of the Catholic Mary Tudor in England. This prejudice was firmly affixed by the time Mary Stewart took the Scottish throne. Despite her efforts to reason with him and even charm him, as she did most people, he retained his opinion for the rest of his life: a female monarch was acceptable only if she submitted to the true (Protestant) church and, eventually, to a husband. She was never to be considered the final authority, as it was unnatural for women to be in positions of leadership, to say nothing of their natural inclination toward sin. This is, perhaps, an oversimplification of his beliefs, but that’s the basic impression I came away with. A more in-depth look at his views can be found in his treatiseThe First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment of Women, which angered both Mary and Elizabeth.
While Knox supported the protestant Queen Elizabeth, he did not find much more favor with her than with Mary, largely because of The First Blast. Knox’s genuine surprise at her reaction shows what I consider to be a naivete rooted in the confidence of his doctrine. He expected her to understand that such statements weren’t personal, but true, and if Elizabeth simply followed the correct faith, he approved of her rule within its proper boundaries.
His incredibly obstinate refusal to temper his views or even the expression of his views is what defined his character until his death. Elizabeth’s disapproval and Mary’s tearful rage did not faze him, even when Mary came close to charging him with treason. It is certain he would have chosen to be martyred before he would recant.
While his belief in the Protestant cause overrode his sense of self-preservation - an admirable trait as far as convictions go – his focus on establishing an earthly kingdom is disconcerting from my personal Christian perspective. As the daughter of a minister descended from a line of ministers on both my paternal and maternal side, and someone who has chosen the Christian faith of my parents, I cannot read such a biography from a purely objective perspective. Instead, I find myself despairing over the state of the spiritual kingdom that surely must have been stunted while Knox wreaked havoc in its name. Yes, historically, it was a tumultuous time and it was the way of things to shed blood over doctrine, but even Calvin had to occasionally distance himself from Knox’s proclamations. By contrast, I cannot see Knox as merely a product of his time. His antics baffled his peers almost as much as they do our more moderate, modern minds.
Of course, Knox was patterning himself after the Old Testament prophets, much as many Christian historical figures have. It really isn’t clear how appropriate such a role is anno domini.
My final conclusion as to Knox’s character is that he was a generally kind-hearted man, but without the slightest sense of ecumenism or diplomacy. His resolve helped establish Protestantism in Scotland, but also alienated two monarchs as well as hosts of their subjects – on both sides of the religious argument.
There are so many “what-ifs” that come to mind should Knox have been more moderate: What if Mary Stewart had been swayed toward Protestantism, what if Knox had been better able to join forces with Calvin, and – most importantly to me – what if, by showing grace and love, Knox had managed to further the real, unseen kingdom over the earthly one?
I don’t propose to have the answers, nor am I assuming that Knox always did the wrong thing in the eyes of God. The Church has passed through many unseemly phases and only in the end will we be able to fully distinguish the wheat from the chaff.
As far as books go, this one wasn’t an overly fascinating read, but I feel it did give as objective a view of Knox as possible. I would personally like to see Jane Dunn undertake a biography on Knox, but he isn’t the most fascinating character to write about. Rather than the soap-opera drama of his monarchs, his life was characterized by the “straight and narrow,” his famous flares of anger against the Catholic church and its supporters eventually falling into the rhythmic noise of artillery – always loud, but always the same.
April 25, 2020
I finally got round to reading this which I had bought for my late dad a few years ago. I'm not a believer and neither was he, but Knox is still an important figure in Scottish history and the shaping of its future.
I would say this is more of an introduction rather than an in depth study but no less enjoyable for that.
Undoubtedly it would serve as perhaps a prelude to further study.
For instance it rather glosses over the circumstances surrounding the assassination of Darnley which was slightly disappointing but there are many other sources available on that particular subject.
Well worth a read.
I would say this is more of an introduction rather than an in depth study but no less enjoyable for that.
Undoubtedly it would serve as perhaps a prelude to further study.
For instance it rather glosses over the circumstances surrounding the assassination of Darnley which was slightly disappointing but there are many other sources available on that particular subject.
Well worth a read.
June 17, 2020
Very readable biography that is nuanced in its treatment of a man who is vilified and worshipped, almost in equal measure. It certainly defends him against the worst and least informed of the criticisms levelled against him but does not shirk from shoring the complexity of his character and his mixed motives. In other words he is presented as a real human being, one who fearlessly spoke truth to power but also recognised some of his own weaknesses. Occasionally the story moves on without adequate background and analysis but in the context of a relatively short book that is not unexpected
July 30, 2023
An enjoyable rendering of a man whose zeal was both legendary and raw in its expression. Marshall is a good story teller and a level minded historian. She has captured the magnitude of Knox’s life while portraying a humanity that was often filled with rage against papal authority.
There are many lessons to glean from such a life. Themes of dedication, courage, unswerving faith are woven into the instances of unwarranted stubbornness and rigidity proving that even great reformers have feet of clay.
There are many lessons to glean from such a life. Themes of dedication, courage, unswerving faith are woven into the instances of unwarranted stubbornness and rigidity proving that even great reformers have feet of clay.
May 6, 2024
This is a wonderful book & such an important historical tale. The early life of Knox, captured and enslaved by the French is a real page-turner
September 23, 2025
Very interesting read about an important man. Now I just need to read something by John Knox himself!
November 22, 2014
If anyone doubts that we live in a relatively peaceful and health time needs to read this or any other bio of leaders from the 1500-1700's. This book covers the life of John Knox, one of the leading Scottish Protestants of the 1500's. He was condemned to death for his beliefs, condemned to death for his sermons against numerous Royals and almost died as a slave galley on a French boat after he and his crew were taken away by the French after his gang killed a Catholic Arch Bishop (after that Arch Bishop ordered the death of a Protestant minister). Knox is an interesting guy. Since he is an ancestor, I was hoping to learn that he was a better man, but unfortunately, this book shows he condemned women to death for being witches, demanded that Mary I of England Mary, Queen of Scots be murdered and ordered all Catholics to be murdered just on principal. So much for the ten commandments. This book was well written, although not in deep detailed.
November 29, 2008
Rosalind Marshall gives a brief introduction to the life and work of the Scottish reformer, John Knox. She has broken her narrative down into easily manageable chunks which means that it's not a struggle to read. There are insufficient end-notes for my taste, these comprising only of the references cited in the text but that may not bother other readers.
June 27, 2012
This was a pretty good bio of Scottish reformer Knox but I did feel as though Marshall did romantise him slightly, something I tend to find with her writing style. If you have a interest in the Scottish Reformation or Knox himself, it is definetly worth a read but I did feel a distinct lack of something as I read it.
March 16, 2015
Actually, this is a pretty good book. The book humanized John Knox. Though I must say, Knox is one of the most outspoken of people and very sure of himself. Someone should have reminded Knox that he was a Catholic brother when he first started out. Queen Mary of Scots was bombarded by Knox calling her a Jezebel and "of Satan." Please, this is a little much.
Want to read
July 20, 2014recommended by mark vroegop
September 5, 2015
Fascinating and well written. I do not like the sound of him at all but still a great read on an important figure.
January 10, 2016
An engaging and accessible look at his life and his role in a tumultuous era in Scottish history.
April 17, 2017
Such a wonderfully well-balanced, readable biography. Unlike many biographies which either set Knox out as a villain or as the 'father of the Scottish Reformation', Marshall attempts to balance these two ideas and comes out with a very realistic, well-rounded, believable figure. Also provides a lovely background narrative of the history surrounding the Reformation for those less familiar with it to give any reader a solid footing for this biography
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews