Rev. John ("the Martyr") Rogers is a pivotal character in European and Christian history. A former Catholic priest then adherent of the Reformation after studying with colleagues of Martin Luther, he becomes entangled in the political-religious turmoil of the Tudor family on the throne of England. A father of eleven with a Flemish-born wife, his firm belief in the need to read the Bible in the vernacular and the "priesthood of all believers" emboldened him not to recant to save his own life. In the presence of his entire family he was led to the execution pyre in the flames of which he appeared to wash his hands as he gave up his spirit.