William Flower (martyr)
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William Flower was a 16th-century English Protestant martyr. His story is recorded in Foxe's Book of Martyrs. He was burnt to death on 24 April 1555 at St. Margaret's churchyard, Westminster, London.
Flower was born in Snailwell in Cambridgeshire. While still a boy he was sent to Ely Cathedral to live as a Benedictine monk. Upon the suppression of the monasteries he began working as priest. He then lived in various places around the country. He was married in Tewkesbury Abbey to Alice Pulton with whom he had three children. He worked for some time as a doctor and surgeon, despite lacking any qualifications to do so, and also as a schoolmaster in Northamptonshire. Finally he moved to Lambeth with his family, although spent much of his time away from home.
Attack at St Margaret's Church
Flower was a Protestant, and for many years had rejected the doctrine of transubstantiation. On Easter Day 1555, intending to assault the celebrant at what he saw as a Popish mass, he made his way across the Thames to St Margaret's Church, Westminster. He had intended to do the same on the previous Christmas Day at St Paul’s Cathedral, but arriving at the cathedral he had not the resolve to do so. This time, however, he entered the church of Saint Margaret armed with a wood-knife (a large cleaver used by hunters for disjointing carcasses). He struck the priest administering the sacrament on the head and again on his arm, wounding him grievously and causing his blood to spill into the chalice containing the consecrated hosts. A great tumult ensued and Flower was seized and taken to Newgate prison.
