Patrick Hamilton
Patrick Hamilton was a leading light in the Reformation of Scotland. He was born in 1504 in Lanarkshire. He was
the 2nd son of Sir Patrick Hamilton and was sent for education to Linlithgow in West Lothian.
In 1517 he was appointed Abbot of Fearn Valley in Ross-shire in the highlands. It is also said that around this time
he studied in Paris. Paris was the scene of much religious discussion as a certain German monk called Martin
Luther was causing a lot of debate. At this time Luther was lecturing on the Psalms, Hebrews, Romans and
Galatians and was preaching the message of justification by faith. This was causing some unrest in the established
Roman church and would lead to a European Christian Reformation.
In 1523 Hamilton became a member of St Andrews University. He quickly rose through the ranks at the University
and was even allowed to conduct his own music in the cathedral, but the new Protestant reformist doctrines were
close to his heart and teachings.
In 1527 Hamilton had attracted the attention of Cardinal James Beaton (uncle of Cardinal David Beaton) who tried
him for heresy. Hamilton fled to Germany in fear of his life. He returned under invite of David Beaton only to be
tried on 13 counts of heresy in 1528. He was sentenced to be burned at the stake outside St. Salvators in St.
Andrews. There is a mark at that spot today with a simple "PH" in the cobble stones.
God Bless
Uilleam Alba Mac Gafraidh
Patrick Hamilton was a leading light in the Reformation of Scotland. He was born in 1504 in Lanarkshire. He was
the 2nd son of Sir Patrick Hamilton and was sent for education to Linlithgow in West Lothian.
In 1517 he was appointed Abbot of Fearn Valley in Ross-shire in the highlands. It is also said that around this time
he studied in Paris. Paris was the scene of much religious discussion as a certain German monk called Martin
Luther was causing a lot of debate. At this time Luther was lecturing on the Psalms, Hebrews, Romans and
Galatians and was preaching the message of justification by faith. This was causing some unrest in the established
Roman church and would lead to a European Christian Reformation.
In 1523 Hamilton became a member of St Andrews University. He quickly rose through the ranks at the University
and was even allowed to conduct his own music in the cathedral, but the new Protestant reformist doctrines were
close to his heart and teachings.
In 1527 Hamilton had attracted the attention of Cardinal James Beaton (uncle of Cardinal David Beaton) who tried
him for heresy. Hamilton fled to Germany in fear of his life. He returned under invite of David Beaton only to be
tried on 13 counts of heresy in 1528. He was sentenced to be burned at the stake outside St. Salvators in St.
Andrews. There is a mark at that spot today with a simple "PH" in the cobble stones.
God Bless
Uilleam Alba Mac Gafraidh
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Scottish Christians
Defending the faith of Jesus Christ in Scotland
