c. 1505-1572. Scottish Protestant reformer,
founder of the Church of Scotland. He spent
several years in exile for his beliefs,
including a period in Geneva where he met
John Calvin. He returned to Scotland 1559 to
promote Presbyterianism. Originally a Roman
Catholic priest, Knox is thought to have been
converted by the reformer George Wishart.
When Wishart was burned for heresy, Knox went
into hiding, but later preached the reformed
doctrines. Captured by French troops in
Scotland 1547, he was imprisoned in France,
sentenced to the galleys, and released only
by the intercession of the British government
1549. In England he assisted in compiling the
Prayer Book, as a royal chaplain from 1551.
On Mary's accession 1553 he fled the country
and in 1557 was, in his absence, condemned to
be burned. In 1559 he returned to Scotland.
He was tried for treason but acquitted 1563.
His books include First Blast of the Trumpet
Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women 1558
and History of the Reformation in Scotland
1586.