John Fisher

Bishop of Rochester

John Fisher (1469 – ) is a bishop, cardinal, and theologian.

The story so far…

Week 4: An Occult History of Britain (Part 2)

The Bishop of Rochester advises Queen Katherine at the legatine court, considering evidence that her marriage to King Henry is now lawful. Wolsey says he cannot “endure” Fisher: “He’s all skin and bone. I abhor your skeletal prelate. It makes the rest of us look bad. One looks … corporeal.”

Week 8: The Dead Complain of Their Burial / Arrange Your Face (Part 1)

February, 1531. Fisher has a priest called Hitton burned for heresy. Soon after, he and his guests fall ill after a meal, and his cook is accused of poisoning. Two of the guests die. Fisher is in bed for a month, and when he is back, he looks like a walking corpse.

Week 15: Supremacy

Cromwell summons Fisher. His name is on a bill of attainder for his role in the Elizabeth Barton affair. He tells him to “ask the king’s pardon.”

“I see why Wolsey retained you,” says Fisher. “You are a ruffian and so was he. I have been a priest forty years, and I have never seen such ungodly men as those who flourish today. Such evil councillors.”

‘Fall ill,’ he says. ‘Take to your bed. That’s what I recommend.’

Mary speaks of a “law above Parliament. It is the law of God. Ask Bishop Fisher.”

‘I find God’s purposes obscure, and God knows I find Fisher no fit elucidator. By contrast, I find the will of Parliament plain.’

Fisher asks the king’s pardon but his name is not removed from the bill of attainder.