The International Prester John Project: How A Global Legend Was Created Across Six CenturiesMain MenuOrientation to ProjectPath One: 1122-1235Path Two: 1236-1310 ADPath Three : 1311-1460 ADPath Four : 1461-1520 ADPath Five: 1521-1699 ADPath Six: 1700-1800 ADChristopher Taylor // christopher.eric.taylor@gmail.com946e2cf6115688379f338b70e5b6f6c039f8ba6f Global Middle Ages
Image of Both Churches
12023-11-27T10:17:13-08:00Christopher Taylor // christopher.eric.taylor@gmail.com946e2cf6115688379f338b70e5b6f6c039f8ba6f52811plain2023-11-27T10:17:13-08:00Christopher Taylor // christopher.eric.taylor@gmail.com946e2cf6115688379f338b70e5b6f6c039f8ba6fThis text, written by John Bale in 1550, asserts that Prester John was an Asian monarch at the head of one of "innumerable sectes of perdicion vnder the romishe pope... which with their execrable tradicions and rules banished Christ and his pure doctrin fo euer" (qtd. in Brewer, p. 289). In other words, Bale hearkens back to the 12th and 13th century concerned discourse surrounding Prester John's potentially heterodox beliefs as an example of the discriminatory practices of Catholicism, setting up Prester John as a potential Protestant hero or martyr.