Antonio del Corro
Encyclopedia
Antonio del Corro (Seville
, 1527-London, 1591) was a Spanish monk who became a Protestant convert. A noted Calvinist preacher and theologian, he taught at the University of Oxford
and wrote the first Spanish grammar in English.
, he came into contact with the Protestant ideas of Luther
, Melanchthon and Bullinger
.
Against the Inquisition
He left Spain with others in 1557, fearing the Spanish Inquisition
. Some scholars considered that he may be behind the pseudonym Reginaldus Gonsalvius Montanus
(Renaldo Gonzalez Montano), who published in 1567 the account Sanctae Inquisitionis Hispanicae Artes aliquot detectae ac palam traductae, a major source for subsequent accounts of the Inquisition; however others believe it belonged to Casiodoro de Reina
.
European travels
He travelled to Lausanne and Geneva, but came to quarrel with Jean Calvin. On Calvin's recommendation, however, he became tutor to Henry of Navarre.
In France he used the name Bellerive, and served as a minister in Béarn
. He was supported by both Jeanne d'Albret and Renée of France
; the latter made him her chaplain at Montargis
.
He became pastor of the Spanish church in Antwerp, but caused offence there too.
, he held positions as pastor of the Spanish church in London, 1568–70, and lecturer at the Temple Church
, 1571-4. Later Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester was an important patron. In England del Corro moved away from Calvinism to more tolerant and even free-thinking positions, while being a controversialist. It has been suggested that his qualified acceptance stemmed from political expediency.
At the Temple Church he showed the influence of the Lutheran theologian Hemmingius in his preaching. He retreated from the Calvinist view of predestination
. This shift brought him under criticism from Richard Alvey
, Master of the Temple.
Controversy over his views followed him to Oxford, where he did tutoring and catechism work (at Hart Hall, also at Oriel College
and St. John's College), and became reader in theology in 1578. It brought him the opposition of the Puritan John Rainolds
, who blocked his degree as Doctor of Divinity
in 1576. He persisted in views favouring free will
, for example in glossing the Epistle to the Romans
, 5:22.
In Oxford, his pupils included John Donne
and Thomas Belson
, a Catholic martyr.
The Spanish Grammar (1590) was an English translation by John Thorie of a grammar written by del Corro to teach Spanish to French speakers, and published in Oxford in 1586.
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
, 1527-London, 1591) was a Spanish monk who became a Protestant convert. A noted Calvinist preacher and theologian, he taught at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and wrote the first Spanish grammar in English.
Spain and exile on the Continent
He was a Hieronymite of the Abbey of San Isidro, Seville. Influenced by Cipriano de ValeraCipriano de Valera
Cipriano de Valera was the editor of the first major revision of the Spanish Bible translation of Casiodoro de Reina. First published in 1602, this version of the Bible continues to be called the Reina-Valera, even after latter revisions. Valera was in exile in England during most of the reign of...
, he came into contact with the Protestant ideas of Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
, Melanchthon and Bullinger
Heinrich Bullinger
Heinrich Bullinger was a Swiss reformer, the successor of Huldrych Zwingli as head of the Zurich church and pastor at Grossmünster...
.
Against the Inquisition
He left Spain with others in 1557, fearing the Spanish Inquisition
Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
. Some scholars considered that he may be behind the pseudonym Reginaldus Gonsalvius Montanus
Reginaldus Gonsalvius Montanus
Reginaldus Gonsalvius Montanus was a pseudonym used by the Spanish evangelic theologian and Bible translator Casiodoro de Reina.- The pseudonym :...
(Renaldo Gonzalez Montano), who published in 1567 the account Sanctae Inquisitionis Hispanicae Artes aliquot detectae ac palam traductae, a major source for subsequent accounts of the Inquisition; however others believe it belonged to Casiodoro de Reina
Casiodoro de Reina
Casiodoro de Reina or de Reyna Casiodoro de Reina or de Reyna Casiodoro de Reina or de Reyna (born 1520 in Montemolín; died 15 March 1594 in Frankfurt am Main was a Lutheran theologian who (perhaps with several others) translated the Bible into Spanish.-Early life:...
.
European travels
He travelled to Lausanne and Geneva, but came to quarrel with Jean Calvin. On Calvin's recommendation, however, he became tutor to Henry of Navarre.
In France he used the name Bellerive, and served as a minister in Béarn
Béarn
Béarn is one of the traditional provinces of France, located in the Pyrenees mountains and in the plain at their feet, in southwest France. Along with the three Basque provinces of Soule, Lower Navarre, and Labourd, the principality of Bidache, as well as small parts of Gascony, it forms in the...
. He was supported by both Jeanne d'Albret and Renée of France
Renée of France
Renée de France was the younger daughter of Louis XII of France and Anne, Duchess of Brittany. Her elder sister was Queen Claude of France. She was the Duchess of Ferrara due to her marriage to Ercole II d'Este, grandson of Pope Alexander VI...
; the latter made him her chaplain at Montargis
Montargis
Montargis is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. The town is located about south of Paris and east of Orléans in the Gâtinais....
.
He became pastor of the Spanish church in Antwerp, but caused offence there too.
In England
He came to England in the period 1567-70, and settled there. Having behind him the influence of William CecilWilliam Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley , KG was an English statesman, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State and Lord High Treasurer from 1572...
, he held positions as pastor of the Spanish church in London, 1568–70, and lecturer at the Temple Church
Temple Church
The Temple Church is a late-12th-century church in London located between Fleet Street and the River Thames, built for and by the Knights Templar as their English headquarters. In modern times, two Inns of Court both use the church. It is famous for its effigy tombs and for being a round church...
, 1571-4. Later Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester was an important patron. In England del Corro moved away from Calvinism to more tolerant and even free-thinking positions, while being a controversialist. It has been suggested that his qualified acceptance stemmed from political expediency.
At the Temple Church he showed the influence of the Lutheran theologian Hemmingius in his preaching. He retreated from the Calvinist view of predestination
Predestination
Predestination, in theology is the doctrine that all events have been willed by God. John Calvin interpreted biblical predestination to mean that God willed eternal damnation for some people and salvation for others...
. This shift brought him under criticism from Richard Alvey
Richard Alvey (rector)
Richard Alvey , was the master of the Temple.Alvey received his education at Cambridge University, where he graduated B.A. in 1529–30, and M.A. in 1533. He was admitted a fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge in 1537 or 1538 during the prefecture of Dr. George Day. On 24 Feb. 1539–40 he was...
, Master of the Temple.
Controversy over his views followed him to Oxford, where he did tutoring and catechism work (at Hart Hall, also at Oriel College
Oriel College
Oriel College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. Located in Oriel Square, the college has the distinction of being the oldest royal foundation in Oxford...
and St. John's College), and became reader in theology in 1578. It brought him the opposition of the Puritan John Rainolds
John Rainolds
John Rainolds , English divine, was born about Michaelmas 1549 at Pinhoe, near Exeter.He was educated at Merton and Corpus Christi Colleges, Oxford, becoming a fellow of the latter in 1568. In 1572-73 he was appointed reader in Greek, and his lectures on Aristotle's Rhetoric laid the sure basis of...
, who blocked his degree as Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
in 1576. He persisted in views favouring free will
Free will
"To make my own decisions whether I am successful or not due to uncontrollable forces" -Troy MorrisonA pragmatic definition of free willFree will is the ability of agents to make choices free from certain kinds of constraints. The existence of free will and its exact nature and definition have long...
, for example in glossing the Epistle to the Romans
Epistle to the Romans
The Epistle of Paul to the Romans, often shortened to Romans, is the sixth book in the New Testament. Biblical scholars agree that it was composed by the Apostle Paul to explain that Salvation is offered through the Gospel of Jesus Christ...
, 5:22.
In Oxford, his pupils included John Donne
John Donne
John Donne 31 March 1631), English poet, satirist, lawyer, and priest, is now considered the preeminent representative of the metaphysical poets. His works are notable for their strong and sensual style and include sonnets, love poetry, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs,...
and Thomas Belson
Thomas Belson
Blessed Thomas Belson was an English Roman Catholic layman. He is a Catholic martyr, beatified in 1987.-Life:...
, a Catholic martyr.
The Spanish Grammar (1590) was an English translation by John Thorie of a grammar written by del Corro to teach Spanish to French speakers, and published in Oxford in 1586.