CIRCLE OF GERLACH FLICKE (OSNABRÜCK C. 1495-1558 LONDON)

Sir John Cheke was instrumental in restoring Greek learning in England, prompting King Henry VIII to make him the first Regius Professor of Greek at the University of Cambridge and John Milton to credit him as having 'taught Cambridge and King Edward Greek'. Cheke was knighted in 1552 and appointed provost of King's College, Cambridge under King Edward VI, whom he had previously tutored as a child. He embraced Reformist policies, publishing on, and contributing to, the reform of Church governance laws. Under Edward VI, Cheke rose to be a Privy Councillor and Secretary of State, but his life changed following the accession of Queen Mary I. From July 1553 to September 1554, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London due to his religious beliefs. Fearing further persecution, he sought exile abroad. Cheke was taken captive in Belgium in 1556, imprisoned again, and under duress, forced to renounce his Protestant faith.