Latimer was a bold Reformer, a theologian and one of England’s most famous martyrs. But he is also known as one of London’s great popular preachers. While a student at Cambridge he was opposed to the Reformation but became convinced through Thomas Bilney. He quickly rose to prominence and, because of pressure from the Catholics, was examined by Cardinal Wolsey but acquitted. In 1530 he was appointed royal chaplain, then received a pastorate in West Kington, Wiltshire.
Accused of too vigorously promoting the Reformation, Latimer was recalled to London and threatened with excommunication. However, he was saved by his favour with the king. He was again appointed royal chaplain and then bishop of Worcester. He fell from the king’s good graces in 1539 through his opposition to Henry VIII’s return to Roman Catholic doctrines, and was ultimately imprisoned in the Tower.
Latimer’s best preaching years were during the reign of Edward VI. His famous Sermon on the Plough was given at Paul’s Cross in January 1548. Between 1548–50 he gave a series of Lenten sermons at the royal court. He was also a contributor to the First Book of Homilies (written sermons that could he used by clergymen unaccustomed to preaching) and probably the author of the twelfth in that collection, ‘A Faithful Exhortation to the Reading of Holy Scripture’. Latimer was burned along with Nicholas Ridley at Oxford in 1555 during Mary’s reign.