The Rise of the Protestants

Shaughan Holt

Welcome to my podcast. This podcast examines the rise of Protestantism, its challenge to established traditions, its transformation of core beliefs, and its role in initiating global change. England’s Nonconformist and Separatist movements are central to this narrative, and their influence continues to shape the broader Christian tradition. By examining these movements within the broader context of Christian history, we can understand how they altered doctrine, influenced Western Christianity, and intensified the enduring division between Roman Catholicism and emerging Protestant groups. The series follows a chronological timeline, beginning in early 16th-century Germany with Martin Luther’s excommunication and concluding a century later on England’s southern coast. The initial 12-episode series highlights the contributions of Beza, Vermigli, Calvin, Tyndale, Knox, and Robert Browne, who is often called the father of Congregationalism. The series does not seek to persuade listeners or promote any specific belief system. Instead, it aims to explore the events, ideas, and conflicts that shaped one of the most important times in European religious history. Throughout the series, the determination and conviction of early Puritans, Nonconformists, and Separatists are highlighted. These individuals challenged prevailing norms, endured persecution, and often risked their lives for their beliefs. Their courage contributed to the foundation of religious freedom and individual rights that remain widely valued today. The first 12 episode series highlights the contributions of figures such as eza, Vermigli, Calvin, Tyndale, Knox, and Robert Browne, who is frequently referred to as the father of Congregationalism. Each episode begins and ends with a brief musical piece that reflects its theme. A complete transcript will be provided for each episode.

  1. Series 2 Episode 1 - The killing of a Queen.  -  Shorter listen  (Transcript  added).

    Episode 1 Bonus

    Series 2 Episode 1 - The killing of a Queen. - Shorter listen (Transcript added).

    Regular episode • Season 2 • Episode 1 • Series 2 Episode 1 - The killing of a Queen. - Shorter listen (Transcript added). © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. Artwork • The Execution of Mary Queen of Scots at Fotheringhay Castle on 8 February 1587, drawn by Robert Beale (1541-1601), Clerk of the Privy Council to Queen Elizabeth I, who wrote the official record of the execution to which he was an eyewitness. The evening before the execution he had read-out to Mary her death warrant and informed her that she was to be executed the following morning. Key to numbers: George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury and Henry Grey, 6th Earl of Kent are seated to the left (1 & 2) and Sir Amias Paulet, one of Mary's guards, is seated behind the scaffold (3) Music 1 • Christum wir sollen loben schon, 1586 · Württemberg Chamber Choir. Lyricist: Martin Luther. Composer: Lukas Osiander. Martin Luther initially adapted his melody from the Latin hymn melodies associated with 'A solis ortus cardine' by Caelius Sedulius to make it suitable for his German verse. The chorale text and melody first appeared in print in Erfurt 'Enchiridion' in 1524. Music 2 • Miserere Mei. Composer: Gregorio Allegri (c. 1582–1652) Composed for the Sistine Chapel Choir to be sung during the Tenebrae services of Holy Week. "Miserere mei" is Latin for "Have mercy on me, O God," the opening words of Psalm 51. The phrase is most famously known from the Gregorio Allegri motet Miserere (c. 1630s), a sacred choral piece and known for its complex polyphony and use of a high, soaring vocal line. There are some writings which Seethe, with a barely concealed anger, even after more than four centuries. Two memoranda by Robert Beale, Clerk to the Privy Council under Queen Elizabeth the first, exemplify this; in them, he expresses his outrage at Elizabeth’s efforts to shift the blame for the death of Mary Queen of Scots. After agreeing to the assassination of Mary, Elizabeth would later blame Secretary of State William Davison and the Privy Council, for executing the very death warrant, she had signed. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk Your feedback matters, send me an email at sholt@nashcom.co.uk, with any comments, suggestions, or criticisms.I read every message

    22 min
  2. Bonus Episode — The Appointment of Sarah Mullally (Transcript added)

    Episode 1 Bonus

    Bonus Episode — The Appointment of Sarah Mullally (Transcript added)

    Regular episode Season 2 1 Bonus Episode — The Appointment of Sarah Mullally (Transcript added) © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. Dame Sarah Mullally, former Bishop of London and a one-time Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS, became the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on 25 March 20 26. As the first woman to lead both the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion, her appointment marks a historic moment. She succeeds Justin Welby, who stepped down, following criticism over his handling of an abuse scandal. Her priorities are clear: to improve safeguarding, offer strong pastoral leadership, and address what she has described, as the Church’s “Legacy of Harm”. The artwork is : St John the Baptist church Inglesham, Wiltshire. St John the Baptist Church in Inglesham, near Swindon in Wiltshire, has Anglo-Saxon origins, though much of the present structure dates from around 1205. Remarkably, large parts of the building have remained unchanged since the medieval period. Now a Grade I listed building, the church has been in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust since 1981 and is no longer used for regular worship. It stands above the water meadows, close to where the River Thames meets the River Coln and the Thames and Severn Canal. Much of the fabric dates from the 13th century, though traces of an earlier church still survive. Inside, the walls tell a unique story—layered with paintings spanning over 600 years, in some places up to seven layers thick. There is also an Anglo-Saxon carving of the Virgin and Child, along with historic box pews, a pulpit, and memorials. The church’s history reflects its importance. In 1205, King John granted it to the Cistercian monks of Beaulieu Abbey. Later, in 1231, Pope Gregory IX confirmed this arrangement at the request of Henry III. Then, in 1355, both the manor and the church passed into the hands of a Leicester hospital, The College of the Annunciation of St Mary. The featured music is “Thine Be the Glory, Risen Conquering Son,” recognised as one of the most significant hymns of Easter. Ben Maton performs this piece on the harmonium, a small reed organ, recorded inside St John the Baptist Church.The organ, constructed by Story & Clark of Chicago and installed between 1880 and 1890, remains preserved in the church today. It is notable that an American organ continues to function after nearly 150 years in a small medieval English country church. After a short introduction, the music plays at 3 minutes 54 seconds. Listeners interested in this performance may wish to explore additional works by Ben Maton, also known as The Salisbury Organist.Further performances by Ben Maton are available at www.youtube.com/@SalisburyOrganist. Swiss minister Edmond Budry composed the lyrics, which are set to a triumphant melody by George Frideric Handel, who is best known for Messiah. The melody originally appeared in Handel’s 1747 oratorio Joshua, a work that celebrates victory in battle and aligns with the hymn’s theme. More than a century later, Budry wrote new words inspired by loss but filled with hope in the resurrection. The hymn was first written in French, and it reached a wider audience when Richard Hoyle translated it into English in 1923. At its core, the hymn conveys a simple yet powerful message: through Christ, death is overcome, and victory is achieved. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk Also feel free to email me your thoughts at : sholt@nashcom.co.uk

    6 min
  3. Series 2 Episode 2 - Martin Marprelate. Part 1, Backdrop (Transcript  added).

    Episode 2

    Series 2 Episode 2 - Martin Marprelate. Part 1, Backdrop (Transcript added).

    Regular episode • Season 2 • Episode 2 • Series 2 Episode 2 - Martin Marprelate. Part 1, Backdrop (Transcript added). © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. Artwork • The Cambridge University Library copy of: 'The Protestation of Martin Marprelate’, 1589, the final instalment, in the series Hastily created on an antiquated press hidden in a barn on a Coventry property, this last pamphlet was probably typeset by Martin’s collaborators, Job Throckmorton and John Penry. of Martin Marprelate'. Music • Daniel Bacheler: To Plead My Faith · The Consort of Musicke · Anthony Rooley Music • Daniel Bacheler: To Plead My Faith • The Consort of Musicke • Anthony Rooley Daniel Bacheler, 1572 – 1619, was an English lutenist and composer. Daniel Bacheler served an apprenticeship with his uncle, Thomas Cardell, who was a lutenist and dancing-master in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Bacheler worked for Sir Francis Walsingham, Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, as a groom of the bed chamber for Queen Anne of Denmark, and the consort of James I. At the royal court he composed some fifty lute pieces. This is his only surviving song, set to the words of Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex, 1565-160. Notes: In the late 1500’s in London, if you wanted to buy a good book, or some other publication, there was only one place to go: St. Paul’s Churchyard. Today, visitors standing at its north gate, see sloping paths and quiet gardens, but 435 years ago, this open space was packed with a dense maze of bookshops. Shops were tucked between buildings, wedged against the cathedral’s buttresses, and even wrapped around the walls. Everywhere you turned, there were books, and the people who loved them. In and around, these bustling stalls, groups of shoppers from long ago, rummaged through all manner of publications, while gossiping, and sharing the latest news. By the end of the 1580s, there was but one name, on everyone’s lips: Martin Marprelate. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk Your feedback matters, send me an email at sholt@nashcom.co.uk, with any comments, suggestions, or criticisms.I read every message

    26 min
  4. Series 2 Episode 2 - Martin Marprelate. Part 2, Progression (Transcript  added).

    Episode 2 Bonus

    Series 2 Episode 2 - Martin Marprelate. Part 2, Progression (Transcript added).

    Regular episode • Season 2 • Episode 2 • Series 2 Episode 2 - Martin Marprelate. Part 2, Progression (Transcript added). © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. Artwork • The Cambridge University Library copy of: The fifth Marprelate Tract "Theses Martinianæ", published 22 July 1589. Printed by John Hodgkins in Wolston Priory Warwickshire, at the residence of Roger Wigston. Exhaustive biblical references fill the margins, connecting passages with specific verses related to Christian brotherhood. Music • Bradley Johnson plays Monsieur's Almain by Daniel Bacheler, - on guitar. Guitar arrangement by Phillip Woodfield. 2013. Original Composer: Daniel Bacheler. 1572-1619. Original Instrument: Lute. Genre: Allemande, a popular dance form of the era. Historical Context: Bacheler was a prominent court musician, serving as groom of the privy chamber to Queen Anne of Denmark. The tune of "Monsieur's Almain" is thought to predate Bacheler's variations and appears in other settings by composers like Thomas Morley and William Byrd. This set of variations on a popular tune is found in Robert Dowland's Varietie of Lute Lessons. The title is thought to refer to Francis Duke of Alençon and, later Anjou, youngest son of Henry II of France and Catherine de Medici and brother of two French kings (Charles IX and Henry III). He paid suit to the English queen Elizabeth I and she referred to him on correspondence as ‘Monsieur’; Elizabeth also referred to Francis as 'The Frog’ - perhaps the origin of the title of John Dowland’s Frog Galliard. Episode Notes: For more than 4 centuries, scholars have been intrigued by the authorship of the Marprelate Tracts. From their very beginning, the publications aimed to protect, both authors and printers, by purposefully concealing their identities. A total of 7 anonymous Marprelate tracts, were secretly printed on a movable press, and transported across several counties in England, to avoid detection by the authorities, during Queen Elizabeth’s reign. From October 1588 to September 1589, the press operated in the homes of Puritan sympathisers, in many counties across England. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk Your feedback matters, send me an email at sholt@nashcom.co.uk, with any comments, suggestions, or criticisms.I read every message

    31 min
  5. Series 2 Episode 3 - The Puritan presses are closed down (Transcript  added).

    Episode 3

    Series 2 Episode 3 - The Puritan presses are closed down (Transcript added).

    Regular episode • Season 2 • Episode 3 • Series 2 Episode 3 - The Puritan presses are closed down (Transcript added). © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. Artwork • Scrooby Manor House Music • At the Round Earth's Imagined Corners, Performed by The Aeolian Chorale. The poem "At the round earth's imagined corners", is one of English poet John Donne's(1572–1631) Holy Sonnets, where he explores the struggles and consolations of his Christian faith. The speaker in the poem tries to imagine Judgment Day and finds comfort in the idea of God's infinite mercy and forgiveness. Williametta Spencer, born on August 15, 1927, is an American composer best known for her award-winning choral work. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk Your feedback matters, send me an email at sholt@nashcom.co.uk, with any comments, suggestions, or criticisms.I read every message.

    25 min
  6. Series 2 Episode 4 - Imprisonments, within London's Jails (Transcript  added).

    Episode 4

    Series 2 Episode 4 - Imprisonments, within London's Jails (Transcript added).

    Regular episode • Season 2 • Episode 4 • Series 2 Episode 4 - Imprisonments, within London's Jails (Transcript added). © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt Artwork • The Gasthuiskerk is a Protestant church of the Christian Reformed Churches in Middelburg in the province of Zeeland . The church was built in 1493 as a chapel dedicated to Saint Barbara . The originally Roman Catholic hospital chapel was used by the residents of the abbey from 1568 to 1571 and was rented to English merchants from 1579 to 1589. The chapel was subsequently assigned to the Reformed Church in 1589 and in 1799 it became a Roman Catholic church again. In 1845 the building was sold to the Christian Separated Churches and in 1936 it was purchased by the Christian Reformed Churches. Music • My Sweetest Lesbia, composer: Thomas Campion, performed by Andreas Scholl. The poem, "My Sweetest Lesbia", is sometimes described as a translation. Its inspiration is the Latin poet Catullus's poem, Carmen V. The theme of the poem is; We must live now, because we don't have forever. Thomas Campion belongs to that fascinating tradition of medically-trained poets. He was a poet, composer, musical and literary theorist, and physician. Born in London in 1567, left Cambridge without a degree, briefly studied law, but ultimately graduated from the University of Caen with an MD. After practising medicine in London he later returned to the continent as a gentleman-soldier. He is believed to have died of the plague in London in 1620. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk Your feedback matters, send me an email at sholt@nashcom.co.uk, with any comments, suggestions, or criticisms.I read every message.

    15 min
  7. Series 1 Episode 4 - Bloody Mary - Shorter listen (Transcript  added).

    Episode 4 Bonus

    Series 1 Episode 4 - Bloody Mary - Shorter listen (Transcript added).

    Regular episode • Season 2 • Episode 4 • Series 1 Episode 4 - Bloody Mary - Shorter listen (Transcript added). © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. The Artwork is Portrait of Mary by Antonis Mor. c.1554 The Music is The Lord is my light and my salvation (Psalm: 27) Anglican chant. This is a shorter version of the original episode, - for a quicker read ! After Edward's death, Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen on 10 July 1553 but was soon replaced by Mary Tudor, who fled to East Anglia for safety. On 1 October 1553, Mary was crowned Mary I at Westminster Abbey, becoming the first queen to rule England in her own right. Known as "Bloody Mary," she ordered the execution of 280 Protestants in an effort to restore Catholicism, which led to the emergence of a hidden Protestant church in London. Notably, Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer were burned at the stake in Oxford. Thomas Cranmer's trial began on 12 September 1555 under papal jurisdiction, and the Vestarian Controversy arose during this time, marking a key moment in the Puritans' reform campaign. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk Your feedback matters, send me an email at sholt@nashcom.co.uk, with any comments, suggestions, or criticisms.I read every message.

    29 min
  8. Series 2 Episode 5 - A Vengeful Archbishop (Transcript  added).

    Episode 5

    Series 2 Episode 5 - A Vengeful Archbishop (Transcript added).

    Regular episode • Season 2 • Episode 5 • Series 2 Episode 5 - A Vengeful Archbishop (Transcript added). © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. Artwork • John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1602. John Whitgift (c1530-1604) was Master of Trinity College, Cambridge from 1567-1576. He became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1583. He attended Elizabeth I on her deathbed and crowned James I. Music (1) • Hela'r Dryw (Hunting the Wren). An Ancient Welsh folk song, sung by the band Fernhill. Hunting the Wren’ in Wales usually took place between the 6th of January and the 12th which was Twelfth Night. It was a custom connected with luck-visiting and formed part of the celebrations around the winter solstice. Music (2) • The Passionate Shepherd to His Love (1599). Read by @thebardscz A pastoral poem from the English Renaissance (1599). Written by Christopher Marlowe (1485–1603). Marlowe composed the poem in iambic tetrameter (four feet of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable) in six stanzas, and each stanza is composed of two rhyming couplets; thus the first line of the poem reads: "Come live with me and be my love". © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk Your feedback matters, send me an email at sholt@nashcom.co.uk, with any comments, suggestions, or criticisms.I read every message.

    33 min

Trailers

About

Welcome to my podcast. This podcast examines the rise of Protestantism, its challenge to established traditions, its transformation of core beliefs, and its role in initiating global change. England’s Nonconformist and Separatist movements are central to this narrative, and their influence continues to shape the broader Christian tradition. By examining these movements within the broader context of Christian history, we can understand how they altered doctrine, influenced Western Christianity, and intensified the enduring division between Roman Catholicism and emerging Protestant groups. The series follows a chronological timeline, beginning in early 16th-century Germany with Martin Luther’s excommunication and concluding a century later on England’s southern coast. The initial 12-episode series highlights the contributions of Beza, Vermigli, Calvin, Tyndale, Knox, and Robert Browne, who is often called the father of Congregationalism. The series does not seek to persuade listeners or promote any specific belief system. Instead, it aims to explore the events, ideas, and conflicts that shaped one of the most important times in European religious history. Throughout the series, the determination and conviction of early Puritans, Nonconformists, and Separatists are highlighted. These individuals challenged prevailing norms, endured persecution, and often risked their lives for their beliefs. Their courage contributed to the foundation of religious freedom and individual rights that remain widely valued today. The first 12 episode series highlights the contributions of figures such as eza, Vermigli, Calvin, Tyndale, Knox, and Robert Browne, who is frequently referred to as the father of Congregationalism. Each episode begins and ends with a brief musical piece that reflects its theme. A complete transcript will be provided for each episode.