John Cheke: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|16th-century English classical scholar and statesman (1514–1557)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=AprilJune 20212024}}

'''Sir John Cheke''' (or '''Cheek)'''; (16 June 1514 – 13 September 1557) was an [[England|English]] [[classical scholar]] and statesman.<ref>J. Strype, ''The Life of the Learned Sir John Cheke, Kt.'' (original 1705), New Edition, corrected by the Author (Clarendon Press, Oxford 1821) [https://archive.org/stream/lifeofcheke00stryuoft#page/n9/mode/2up].</ref> One of the foremost teachers of his age, and the first [[Regius Professor]] of [[Greek language|Greek]] at the [[University of Cambridge]], he played a great part in the revival of Greek learning in England.<ref>See an extensive study in Paul S. Needham, 'Sir John Cheke at Cambridge and Court', 2 vols., PhD Dissertation, Harvard University (1971).</ref> He was tutor to Prince Edward, the future King [[Edward VI of England|Edward VI]], and also sometimes to [[Elizabeth I of England|Princess Elizabeth]]. Of strongly Reformist sympathy in religious affairs, his public career as provost of [[King's College, Cambridge]], Member of Parliament and briefly as Secretary of State during King Edward's reign<ref>S.R. Johnson, 'Cheke, John (1514–57), of Cambridge and London', in S.T. Bindoff (ed.), ''The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509–1558'' (Secker & Warburg, 1982), [http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1509-1558/member/cheke-john-1514-57 History of Parliament online].</ref> was brought to a close by the accession of [[Mary I of England|Queen Mary]] in 1553.<ref>See J.F. McDiarmid, '"To content god quietlie": The Troubles of Sir John Cheke under Queen Mary', in V. Westbrook & E. Evendon (eds.), ''Catholic Renewal and Protestant Resistance in Marian England'', Catholic Christendom 1300–1700 (Routledge, 2016). See notes [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=thKrCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT225#v=onepage&q&f=false at pp. 224 ff].</ref> He went into voluntary exile abroad, at first under royal licence (which he overstayed). He was captured and imprisoned in 1556, and recanted his faith to avoid [[death by burning]]. He died not long afterward, reportedly regretting his decision.<ref>T.{{cite Cooper,DNB |wstitle= 'Cheke, Sir John (1514–1557)',|volume= ''Dictionary10 of|last= NationalCooper Biography'' (1885–1900),|first= [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Cheke,_John_(DNB00)Thompson Vol.|author-link= X].Thompson Cooper | pages= 178-183 |short= 1}}</ref><ref>A. Bryson, 'Cheke, Sir John (1514–1557), humanist, royal tutor, and administrator', ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (2004, online edition 2008).</ref>

Metcalfe (ed.), ''The Visitations of Essex in 1552, 1558, 1570, 1612 and 1634'', 2 Vols, Harleian Society XIII-XIV (1878–79), I (1634 Mundy Visitation, addition in MS), [https://archive.org/stream/visitationsofess13metc#page/176/mode/2up pp. 176-77]. Also 'Cheeke' in W.H. Rylands (ed.), ''Pedigrees from the Visitation of Hampshire 1530, with additions from 1575, 1622 and 1634'', Harleian Society LXIV (1913), [https://archive.org/stream/pedigreesfromvis64beno#page/52/mode/2up pp. 53–54 (at p. 54)], from Harley MS 1544, Fols. 51b, 52.</ref>[[File:Mottistone Manor - geograph.org.uk - 1050729.jpg|upright=1.13|left|thumb|[[Mottistone Manor]], the Cheke family seat on the [[Isle of Wight]]]] John's father, Peter Cheke of Cambridge<ref>The Pirgo connection, although stated by P.W. Hasler, ('Cecil, Thomas (1542–1623), of Burghley House, Lincs. and Wimbledon, Surr.', in P.W. Hasler (ed.),

''The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558–1603'' (from Boydell & Brewer, 1981), [http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/cecil-thomas-1542-1623 History of Parliament online]) is not supported by other sources ''at this date''.</ref> (the son of Robert Cheke of Mottistone), was [[Esquire Bedell]] of the [[University of Cambridge]] from 1509 until his death in 1529. John's mother was Agnes Duffield, daughter of Andrew Duffield of [[Cambridge]]: John was born in that city in 1514, and had five sisters, Ann, Alice, Elizabeth, Magdalen, and Mary. His grammatical education was begun by John Morgan, M.A.<ref>C.H. Cooper & T. Cooper, ''Athenae Cantabrigienses'', I: 1500–1585 (Deighton, Bell & Co/Macmillan & Co, Cambridge 1858), [https://archive.org/stream/athenaecantabrig01coopuoft#page/166/mode/2up pp. 166-170].</ref> He was educated at [[St John's College, Cambridge|St John's College]], where he proceeded to receive a B.A. in 1529, and obtained a Fellowship. He commenced with an M.A. in 1533.<ref>J. Venn and J.A. Venn, ''Alumni Cantabrigienses'' I.i (Cambridge University Press, 1922), [https://archive.org/stream/alumnicantabrigipt1vol1univiala#page/328/mode/2up p. 328].</ref> His tutor was [[George Day (bishop)|George Day]], who became an opponent of the [[Reformation in Ireland#Religious policy of Edward VI|Edwardian Reformation]].<ref>Johnson, 'Cheke, Sir John', ''History of Parliament online'' (online). Accessed 22 January 2023.</ref>

InAt the Universityuniversity, Cheke, and his friend, [[Thomas Smith (diplomat)|Thomas Smith]] (a student of Civil Law at [[Queens' College, Cambridge|Queens' College]]), were thought so outstanding that each was granted an [[Exhibition (scholarship)|exhibition]] by [[Henry VIII of England|King Henry]] to support them in their studies. Both were largely impressed by the classical learning of [[John Redman (Trinity College)|John Redman]], who had studied in Paris, and sought to emulate him. Both Queens' College (where the influence of [[Erasmus]] remained) and St John's fostered [[Protestant Reformation|Reformist]] principles which Cheke and Smith embraced.<ref>J. Strype, ''The Life of the Learned Sir Thomas Smith, Kt., D.C.L.'', New Edition with corrections and additions by the author (Clarendon Press, Oxford 1820), [https://archive.org/stream/lifelearnedsirt01strygoog#page/n40/mode/2up pp. 8-9].</ref>

During the early 1530s Cheke and Smith studied together privately to restore proper definition to the pronunciation of ancient [[Greek language|Greek]] diphthongs, which by custom had become obscured. The language itself, its cadences and inflexions of meaning, thereby gained new life and the works of the ancient scholars and orators were freshly received and understood. Smith, giving Greek lectures from 1533, around 1535 began to make public trial of these effects, and soon gained a following. Smith's student [[John Poynet]], succeeding his tutor, maintained the new pronunciation in his lectures: both Cheke and Smith began to coach students in their method, and the ''[[Plutus (play)|Plutus]]'' of [[Aristophanes]] was acted at St. John's in the new manner.<ref>Strype, ''The Life of the learned Sir Thomas Smith'', [https://archive.org/stream/lifelearnedsirt01strygoog#page/n40/mode/2up pp. 8-14].</ref> After Poynet as Greek Reader came [[Roger Ascham]],<ref>For Ascham's letters to Cheke, see J.A. Giles, ''The Whole Works of Roger Ascham'', Vol. I Part I: Life, &c., and Letters (John Russell Smith, London 1865), [https://archive.org/stream/wholeworksofroge11asch#page/n5/mode/2up passim].</ref> Cheke's student, who read [[Isocrates]], at first disputing but afterwards coming round fully to the innovations,<ref>Strype, ''The Life of the learned Sir Thomas Smith'', [https://archive.org/details/lifelearnedsirt01strygoog/page/n44/mode/2up?view=theater p. 13] (Internet Archive).</ref> which also won the approval of John Redman.{{cn}}<ref>Strype, ''The Life of the learned Sir Thomas Smith'', [https://archive.org/details/lifeofcheke00stryuoft/page/18/mode/2up?view=theater p. 18] (Internet Archive).</ref>

Edward's tutor in French, the Huguenot [[Jean Belmain]], was Cheke's nephew by marriage.<ref>D. MacCulloch, ''Tudor Church Militant: Edward VI and the Protestant Reformation'' (Penguin UK, 2017), [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=zkQoDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT46#v=onepage&q&f=false at note 35].</ref> Ascham's pupil [[William Grindal]] was, at his recommendation to Cheke, chosen to read Greek to [[Elizabeth I of England|Princess Elizabeth]], until his untimely death in 1548.<ref>Strype, ''Life of the learned Sir John Cheke'', p. 9.</ref> By that time William Bill was Master of St John's,<ref>'Bill, William', Venn, ''Alumni Cantabrigienses'' I.i, [https://archive.org/stream/alumnicantabrigipt1vol1univiala#page/150/mode/2up p. 151].</ref> and John Redman Master of the newly-founded [[Trinity College, Cambridge|Trinity College]] (1546), in which Bill succeeded him in 1551.<ref>T. Wright and H. Longueville Jones, ''Memorials of Cambridge. A Series of Views by J. Le Keux, with Historical and Descriptive Accounts'', 2 Vols (Tilt & Bogue, London 1841), I, [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=x_oGAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA22#v=onepage&q&f=false pp. 22-23].</ref>

[[File:Edward VI of England c. 1546.jpg|thumb|right|King [[Edward VI]] by [[William Scrots]]., [[Royal Collection]], Windsor.]]

Upon the accession of Edward to the throne Cheke, now Schoolmaster to the King,<ref>Strype, ''Life of the learned Sir John Cheke'', [https://archive.org/stream/lifeofcheke00stryuoft#page/32/mode/2up p. 32 ff].</ref> was made a [[Gentleman of the Privy Chamber]], being allowed an annuity of £100 from the [[Court of Augmentations|Augmentations]] in August. On 1 October, he was returned to Parliament as a member for [[Bletchingley (UK Parliament constituency)|Bletchingley]], Sussex, probably under the patronage of Sir [[Thomas Cawarden]]. He was very soon placed in a compromise by [[Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley|Thomas Seymour]] (brother of the [[Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset|Duke of Somerset]]), who had drafted a letter as from the King to the Lords of the Parliament House seeking their approval to separate the offices of [[Lord Protector]] and Lord Regent, and to appoint Thomas Seymour himself as Protector. He urged Cheke to pass the letter to the King and to induce him to sign it, which Cheke refused to do, stating that [[William Paget, 1st Baron Paget|Lord Paget]] had prohibited any such dealings. At Christmas, Seymour followed this up with a gift of £40 to Cheke, half for himself and half for the King. Seymour approached the King himself without success: Edward took Cheke's advice, and refused to sign it.<ref>See Cheke's 'Confession', in P.F. Tytler, ''England under Edward VI and Mary'', 2 vols (Richard Bentley, London 1839), I, [https://archive.org/stream/englandunderrei01tytlgoog#page/n170/mode/2up pp. 154-55].</ref>

On 1 April 1548 Cheke was chosen by special mandate of the King, overriding university statutes, to replace his former tutor George Day as provost of King's College. He received by purchase a large grant of lands in London and elsewhere, including the site of the former College of St John the Baptist at [[Stoke-by-Clare]] in Suffolk, in October 1548.<ref>''Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward VI'', I: 1547–1548 (London, HMSO 1924), pp. 284-85285.</ref> Matthew Parker, its dean, had established a school there, and after its superstitious constitution had been dissolved he advised Cheke on its condition and maintenance.<ref>Strype, ''Life of the learned Sir John Cheke'', [https://archive.org/stream/lifeofcheke00stryuoft#page/36/mode/2up pp. 37-38].</ref>

The Seymour affair came to a head in January 1548/9, when Thomas Seymour was formally charged with using improper means to influence King Edward, and Cheke became implicated as his likely accomplice. On 11 January Cheke came near to losing his office as schoolmaster to the King. Seymour confessed the gift, but on 20 February Cheke exonerated himself by an honest declaration of his dealings in the matter.<ref>Cheke's 'Confession', in ''England under Edward VI and Mary'', I, pp. 154-55.</ref> Unfortunately Mistress Cheke offended the Duchess of Somerset in the course of these proceedings, and an apology had to be made.<ref>J.G. Nichols, 'Some Additions to the biographies of Sir John Cheke and Sir Thomas Smith', ''Archaeologia'' XXXVIII, Part 1 (1860), pp. 98-127, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101076451432;view=1up;seq=118 at p. 100] (Hathi Trust). Nichols amends Strype's chronology.</ref> Following Seymour's execution in March Cheke retreated to Cambridge for a time, tending his library and readjusting his circumstances, aware that he had come near to losing his position (as his letter to [[Peter Osborne (Keeper of the Privy Purse)|Peter Osborne]] indicates).<ref>Nichols, 'Some Additions to the biographies of Sir John Cheke and Sir Thomas Smith', [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101076451432;view=1up;seq=119 p. 101].</ref> Other royal preceptors, Sir [[Anthony Cooke]] or Dr. Cox, maintained the young King's instruction.<ref>Nichols, ''Memoir of the Life of King Edward the Sixth'', [https://archive.org/stream/cu31924091758304#page/n101/mode/2up pp. xlix-xl].</ref><ref>Caelius Curio in his 1555 ''Epistola Nuncupatoria'' to Cheke's ''De Pronuntiatione Graecae'', addressing Sir Anthony Cooke, wrote: "Vobis enim duobus Regis Eduardi pueritia, literis, moribus, religione instituenda tradita et commissa erat. Vos communibus votis, consilijs, industria, summae ac planae divinae spei Regem formabatis." [https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=JSmzqn8tgEoC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false (at sect. a 4)].</ref> In the Epistle to his ''Arte of Logique'' (published 1551), [[Thomas Wilson (rhetorician)|Thomas Wilson]] speaks of Cheke and Cooke as "your Maiesties teachers and Scholemaisters in all good litterature".<ref>'Epistle... To the most excellent Prince', etc., ''The Rule of Reason, conteinyng the Arte of Logique, set forth in Englishe, by Thomas VVilson'' (Imprinted at London: By Richard Grafton, printer to the Kynges Maiestie, An. M.D.LI), Full text at [https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A15542.0001.001/1:2?rgn=div1;view=fulltext Umich/eebo] (open).</ref>

The antiquary [[Francis Blomefield]] dates to 1550 Cheke's receipt of a 21-year lease of the manor and rectory of [[Rushford, Norfolk|Rushworth]], Norfolk (a former collegiate estate established by the [[Edmund Gonville|Gonville]] family<ref>'Colleges: Rushworth', in W. Page (ed.), ''A History of the County of Norfolk'', Vol. 2 (V.C.H., London 1906), [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/norf/vol2/pp458-460 pp. 458-60] (British History online, accessed 3 July 2017).</ref>), which he re-leased to his brother-in-law, George Alyngton, of Stoke-by-Clare.<ref>F. Blomefield, 'Hundred of Giltcross: Rushworth', in ''An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk'', Vol. 1 (London, 1805), [https://archive.org/stream/essaytowardstopo01blom#page/284/mode/2up pp. 284-293, at pp. 289-90].</ref>

In discharge of their Commission, in May–July 1549 the Bishops [[Thomas Goodrich|Goodrich of Ely]] and [[Nicholas Ridley (martyr)|Ridley of Rochester]], Sir [[William Paget, 1st Baron Paget|William Paget]] and Sir Thomas Smith, John Cheke and two others conducted the King's Visitation of the University of Cambridge to investigate and amend statutes tending towards ignorance and Romish superstition.<ref>Strype, ''Life of the learned Sir Thomas Smith'', p. 37.</ref> William Bill was now Master of St John's and vice-chancellor. On 6 May Cheke delivered the King's statute before the University Senate. Colleges were visited, complaints were heard, investigated and acted upon; two disputations (20 and 25 June) were held in the Philosophy Schools upon the question of the [[Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist|Real Presence in the Sacrament]]. Their business concluded, the congress broke up on 8 July.<ref>J. Lamb, ''A Collection of Letters, Statutes and Other Documents Illustrative of the History of the University of Cambridge'' (John W. Parker, London 1838), [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=p0RAAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA109#v=onepage&q&f=false pp. 109-20].</ref>

In that year Cheke published his lasting work ''The Hurt of Sedition'', in the aftermath of the suppression of [[Kett's rebellion]].<ref>John Cheke, ''The hurt of sedicion howe greueous it is to a commune welth'', (London: Iohn Daye and Wylliam Seres, 1549, ESTC S107791).</ref> This made plain his full commitment to the Edwardian reform and its authority. He was chosen one of 8 divines, among 32 Commissioners, to draw up a reform of laws for the governance of the Church.<ref name="EB1911">{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Cheke, Sir John|volume=6|page=23}}</ref> The Latin form of their report, which Cheke prepared with [[Walter Haddon]], remained long unpublished. He returned to London, giving evidence at the examination of [[Bishop Bonner]] in September 1549,<ref>Strype, ''Life of the learned Sir Thomas Smith'', pp. 37-41.</ref> and sitting in the Parliamentary third session, towards the close of which he was granted property in Lincolnshire and Suffolk worth £118 a year for his care in the King's instruction.<ref>''Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward VI'', III: 1549–1551 (HMSO 1925), p. 113.</ref> In April 1550, following Somerset's fall, Cheke was given licence to keep 50 retainers.<ref>''Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward VI'', III: 1549–1551 (HMSO 1925), p. 327.</ref> In May he acquired the manor and town of [[Dunton Wayletts]] in Essex, and the manors of Preston and Hoo in Sussex, from John Poynet.<ref>''Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward VI'', III: 1549–1551 (HMSO 1925), p. 187.</ref> He obtained for Roger Ascham the role of secretary to Sir [[Richard Morrison (ambassador)|Richard Morison]]'s Embassy to [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Charles V]].<ref>Strype, ''Life of the learned Sir John Cheke'', [https://archive.org/stream/lifeofcheke00stryuoft#page/48/mode/2up pp. 48-53].</ref>

Shortly thereafter Cheke took part in two important private [[disputation]]s upon the Real Presence, one at Cecil's house and the second at Sir Richard Morison's, held as a preparation for the review of the Prayer Book to be conducted in 1552. Among the auditors were Sir Thomas Wroth, Sir Anthony Cooke, Lord Russell and Sir [[Nicholas Throckmorton]], and the debate lay between Cheke, Cecil, [[Edmund Grindal]] and others, against the presence, and [[John Feckenham]], Dr Yong and others upholding it. The matter of the debates was printed by [[John Strype]].<ref>Strype, ''The Life of the learned Sir John Cheke'', [https://archive.org/stream/lifeofcheke00stryuoft#page/68/mode/2up pp. 69-86].</ref> The commission for examination of ecclesiastical laws, as required by Act of Parliament, was issued on 12 February.<ref>''Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward VI'', IV: 1550–1553 (HMSO 1926), p. 354.</ref> At this time Cheke, who had the books and papers of Martin Bucer, was attempting to build up the royal Library, and at the death of his friend and admirer<ref>See Leland's appreciation of Cheke in his ''Encomia Illustrium Virorum'', in T. Hearne (ed.), ''Joannis Lelandi Antiquarii De Rebus Britannicis Collectanea'' (Editio altera) 6 vols. (Gul et Jo. Richardson, London 1770), V, [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=hZ4uAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA148#v=onepage&q&f=false p. 148].</ref> [[John Leland (antiquary)|John Leland]], the antiquary, in April 1552 acquired his materials for the same purpose.

Having suffered a severe inflammation of the lungs in May 1552, he held a further disputation in Cambridge upon the doctrine of the [[Harrowing of Hell]], with [[Christopher Carlile]], before joining a royal progress. In July 1552, he was granted a special licence to shoot at certain fowl and deer with crossbow or hand-gun;<ref>''Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward VI'', IV: 1550–1553 (HMSO 1926), pp. 260-61261.</ref> in August he was created Chamberlain of the Receipt of the King's Exchequer, in the place of Anthony Wingfield, deceased, with a lifetime authority to appoint its officers (he entered office on 12 September 1552), and was also awarded the wardship and marriage of the heir of Sir Thomas Barnardiston.<ref>''Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward VI'', IV: 1550–1553 (HMSO 1926), pp. 266, 404.</ref>

In mid-September he received from Archbishop Cranmer the [[Thirty-nine articles|Forty-two Articles]] prepared for the revision of the Prayer-Book with the instruction to discuss them with Cecil and to set them in order. Being approved by the Convocation they were published in 1553: in the same period Cheke had apparently prepared the Latin translation of Cranmer's ''Defence of the True and Catholic Doctrine of the Sacrament'' of 1550, and this too was published in 1553.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Cheke was returned again for the Parliament of March 1553, and was at about that time a clerk of the Privy Council. In May 1553 he was further rewarded for his services to the King's education both in childhood and in youth,<ref>"servicii... tam in pubertate nostra bonis literis erudiend' et instruend', quam ab incunabilis nobis multipliciter diligenterque prestit' et impens'."</ref> by the grant of the manor of [[Clare, Suffolk]] and the fees of various possessions of the [[Honour of Clare]] in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, worth £100 per annum.<ref>''Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward VI'', V: 1547–1553 (HMSO 1926), pp. 92-93.</ref> As the King's health declined and the question of succession became imminent, on 2 June 1553 Cheke was sworn as one of the principal [[Secretary of State (England)|Secretaries of State]] and took his place in the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]]. If that had been in anticipation of the resignation of Sir [[William Petre]] or Sir William Cecil, in the event neither resigned and there were for that time three Secretaries, all of whom signed the Engagement of the Council written out by Petre to certify the King's appointment of the succession,<ref>MS Petyt 47, Fols. 316, 317: J.G. Nichols (ed.), ''The Chronicle of Queen Jane, and of Two Years of Queen Mary'', Camden Society Vol. XLVIII (1850), [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=mBQpAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA89#v=onepage&q&f=false pp. 89-91].</ref> and the Duke of Northumberland's [[Letters Patent]] to that effect, dated 21 June 1553.<ref>''Chronicle of Queen Jane'', pp. 91-100.</ref>

Travelling under licence in early spring 1554, Cheke took with him Sir Thomas Wroth and Sir Anthony Cooke (who were not under licence), going first in April to [[Strasbourg]] and thence to [[Basel]].<ref>C.H. Garrett, ''The Marian Exiles: A Study in the Origins of Elizabethan Puritanism'' (Cambridge University Press, 1938 reprinted 2010), [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=mNZxec42AhEC&pg=PA345#v=onepage&q&f=false pp. 344-46.]</ref> There he met [[Caelius Secundus Curio]], a distinguished Italian [[Renaissance humanism|humanist]], who had sent books and a greeting to Cheke in 1547.<ref>A. Overell, ''Italian reform and English Reformations, c. 1535-c.1585'' (Ashgate Publishing, 2008), [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=4YylaXlHodAC&pg=PA58#v=onepage&q&f=false pp. 58-9].</ref> Cheke explained to him his system of Greek pronunciation and entrusted to him the correspondence between himself and Stephen Gardiner on that subject.<ref>Strype, ''Life of the learned Sir John Cheke'', [https://archive.org/stream/lifeofcheke00stryuoft#page/94/mode/2up pp. 95-96].</ref> By July 1554 they were in Italy, where at [[University of Padua|Padua]] he gave lectures upon Demosthenes in Greek to English students, met with Sir [[Thomas Wilson (rhetorician)|Thomas Wylson]] and many others, and entertained Sir [[Philip Hoby]].<ref>''Travels and Life of Sir Thomas Hoby'', [https://archive.org/stream/travelslifeofsir00hobyrich#page/116/mode/2up pp. 116-117.]</ref> Wroth, Cheke and Cooke, with their companies, joined with the Hoby party on an excursion to [[Mantua]] and [[Ferrara]], returning to Padua in late November.<ref>''Travels and Life of Sir Thomas Hoby'', pp. 117-19.</ref>

The following August, the Hobys' company having proceeded to Caldero beside Verona, Wroth and Cheke joined them there from Padua, avoiding a fresh outbreak of the plague, and they progressed north together through [[Rovereto]], [[Innsbruck]] and [[Munich]] to [[Augsburg]], where they arrived on 28 August 1555. After this the Hobys went on to Frankfurt, but Wroth and Cheke diverted to Strasbourg, and remained there,<ref>''Travels and Life of Sir Thomas Hoby'', pp. 120-23.</ref> Cheke being chosen public Professor of the Greek tongue.<ref name="ReferenceA">Langbaine, 'The Life of Sir Iohn Cheeke'.</ref> During 1555 his correspondence with Bishop Gardiner on the Greek pronunciation was published at Basel by Curio without his knowledge;<ref>''De Pronuntiatione Graecae''.</ref> but not without provocation to Bishop Gardiner, now Lord Chancellor, and to his doctrine. Cheke remained in correspondence with Sir William Cecil at this time.<ref>Strype, ''Life of the learned Sir John Cheke'', [https://archive.org/stream/lifeofcheke00stryuoft#page/96/mode/2up pp. 97-98].</ref> Cheke may also have been in [[Emden]] to supervise the publication of his Latin edition of [[Thomas Cranmer]]'s ''[[Defence of the True and Catholic Doctrine of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ]]''<ref>T. Cranmer, trans J. Cheke, ''Defensio Veræ et Catholicæ Doctrinæ de Sacramento corporis & sanguinis Christi Seruatoris nostri, & quorundam in hac causa errorum confutatio'', (Apud Gellium Ctematium, Embdæ, 1557).</ref> and other Reformist publications.<ref>Johnson, 'Cheke, John', History of Parliament online.</ref>

In the spring of 1556 he visited [[Brussels]] to make a rendezvous with his wife, and, under promise of safe conduct, to meet with Lord Paget and Sir John Mason, his wife's stepfather. In the return journey, between Brussels and [[Antwerp]], he and Sir [[Peter Carew (died 1575)|Peter Carew]] were seized on 15 May 1556, by order of [[Philip II of Spain]], and returned unceremoniously to England, where they were imprisoned in the Tower.<ref name="EB1911"/> In Cheke's words, he was "taken as it were in a whirlwind from the place he was in, and brought over sea, and never knew whither he went till he found himself in the Tower of London."<ref>Quoted from John Cheke's recantation, in J.P. Bernard, T. Birch, J. Lockman et al., 'Cheke (Sir John)', in ''A General Dictionary, Historical and Critical. A New and Accurate Translation of that of the Celebrated Mr Bayle'' New edition with corrections and additions (J. Bettenham, London 1736), Vol. IV, pp. 299-305, [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=6G1ZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA302#v=onepage&q&f=false at pp. 302-03].</ref> John Poynet considered that Paget and Mason had treacherously arranged the arrest, causing them to be "taken by the Provost Marshall, spoiled of their horses, and clapt into a cart, their legs, arms, and bodies tyed with halters to the body of the cart, and so carried to the sea-side, and from thence into the Tower of London."<ref>John Ponet, ''A shorte treatise of politike pouuer: and of the true obedience which subiectes owe to kynges and other ciuile gouernours, with an exhortacion to all true naturall Englishe men, compyled by. D.I.P.B.R.W.'' (Heirs of W. Köpfel, Strasbourg 1556), quoted in Bernard et al., 'Cheke (Sir John)', at pp. 202-03. Ponet's account is repeated in Holland's ''Herωologia Anglica'' (1620), [https://archive.org/stream/heroologiaanglic00holl#page/54/mode/2up p. 54], and in Langbaine's ''The Life of Sir Iohn Cheeke''.</ref>

Cheke, whose wife was allowed to attend him, was visited by two priests and by Dr John Feckenham, Dean of [[St Paul's Cathedral|St Paul's]], with whom he had formerly disputed.<ref name="EB1911"/> Cheke wrote to the Queen expressing his willingness to obey her laws.<ref>H. Ellis, ''Original Letters of Eminent Literary Men of the Sixteenth, Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries'', Camden Society XXIII (John Bowyer Nichols & Son, London 1843), [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=Df0UAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA19#v=onepage&q&f=false p. 19] (Google).</ref> Feckenham attempted to intercede for him, but nothing less than a full recantation, in prescribed terms, was acceptable to Mary. The fates of so many, of John Bradford, [[Rowland Taylor]], Ridley, Latimer and Cranmer stood newly before him. In early September 1556 he wrote a submission to the Queen which Her Majesty approved, though he was made to write it out again for having failed to mention King Philip: Feckenham sent him some notes on the real presence.<ref>''Third Report of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts'' (By Command, Eyre & Spottiswoode, London 1872), Appendix: Papers of Sir Henry Bedingfield, [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=3_sUAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA239#v=onepage&q&f=false p. 239 (head and foot of 1st col.)].</ref> He agreed to be received into the Church of Rome by [[Reginald Pole|Cardinal Pole]], and, following a public oration by John Feckenham, made his public recantation on 4 October 1556.<ref name="ReferenceB">Cooper, ''Athenae Cantabrigienses''.</ref> [[John Foxe]] continues:<blockquote>"Then after his recantation, hee was thorough the craftie handlyng of the catholikes, allured first to dine and company with them, at length drawen unwares to sit in place, where the pore Martyrs were brought before Boner and other Bishops to bee condemned, the remorse whereof so mightely wrought in his hart, that not longe after he lefte this mortal life. Whose fall although it was full of infirmitie, yet his rising again by repentaunce was greate, and his ende comfortable, the Lorde bee praised."<ref>John Foxe, ''The Actes and Monuments online'', 1576 edition, Book XI, [https://www.johnfoxe.org/index.php?realm=text&gototype=&edition=1576&pageid=1876 p. 1876].</ref></blockquote>

''The Whole Works of Roger Ascham'', Vol. 1 Part 1, [https://archive.org/stream/wholeworksofroge11asch#page/n63/mode/2up Letter XC, pp. lvii-lix (English translation)], and [https://archive.org/stream/wholeworksofroge11asch#page/82/mode/2up Letter XXXVII pp. 83-84 (in Latin)]</ref>) were among the witnesses.<ref>Will and Probate of Sir John Cheeke of London, Knight (P.C.C. 1557/58).</ref> He died, aged 43, on the same day,<ref>J.G. Nichols (ed.), ''The Diary of Henry Machyn, Citizen and Merchant-Taylor of London'', Camden Society (London 1848), Original Series Vol. XLII, [https://archive.org/stream/diaryofhenrymach00machrich#page/150/mode/2up p. 151].</ref> at Osborne's house in London, carrying, as [[Thomas Fuller]] remarked, "God's pardon and all good men's pity along with him."<ref>T. Fuller (ed. J.S. Brewer), ''The Church History of Britain, from the birth of Jesus Christ until the year MDCXLVIII'', 6 Vols (Oxford University Press, 1845), IV, Book VIII, cap. 30-32, [https://archive.org/stream/churchhistorybr04brewgoog#page/n240/mode/2up pp. 232–35, at p. 233].</ref> The will was proved on 18 January following. He was buried at [[St Alban, Wood Street]] and had a memorial inscription there, written by Walter Haddon,<ref>Cooper, ''Athenae Cantabrigienses''.<name="ReferenceB"/ref> recorded by Gerard Langbaine:<ref>Langbaine, 'The Life of Sir Iohn Cheeke'.</ref>

A portrait of Sir John Cheke is attributed to [[Claude Corneille de Lyon]].<ref>Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Cannon Hall Museum (Yorkshire). See at [https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/sir-john-cheke-15141557-68687 ART UK].</ref> The line engraving attributed to [[Van de Passe family|Willem de Passe]], published in 1620, might be based on an earlier portrait.<ref>National Portrait Gallery [http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw36222/Sir-John-Cheke ref NPG D2060]. This portrait was published in the [https://archive.org/stream/heroologiaanglic00holl#page/52/mode/2up ''Herωologia Anglica''] of [[Henry Holland (printer)]], in 1620. ''Herωologia Anglica, hoc est, Clarissimorum et doctissimorum aliquot Anglorum qui floruerunt ab anno Cristi M.D. usque ad presentem annum M.D.C.XX. Viuæ effigies, Vitæ, et elogia.'' Duobus tomis, Authore H. H., Anglo-Britanno. Impensis Crispini Passæi Calcographus [sic] et Jansoni Bibliopolæ Arnhemiensis.</ref> The Joseph Nutting engraving published in Strype's ''Life'' of 1705 apparently derives from the same source as a later engraving by [[James Fittler]], A.R.A., after a drawing by [[William Skelton]], itself said to be based on an original picture at Ombersley Court, Worcestershire, formerly in possession of the Dowager Marchioness of Devonshire.<ref>Cooper, ''Athenae Cantabrigienses''. The coloured version of this image showing Cheke with a long red beard is a production of [[Sarah, Countess of Essex]] of early 19th century date.</ref> The portrait formerly in the collection of the Dukes of Manchester at [[Kimbolton Castle]]<ref>W.D. Montague, ''Court and Society from Elizabeth to Anne: Edited from the Papers at Kimbolton'', 2 vols (Hurst and Blackett, London 1864), I, [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=544MAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA3#v=onepage&q&f=false p. 3] (Google).</ref> was sold at Christie's in 2020.<ref>'Portrait of Sir John Cheke (1514-1577) ''[sic]'', English School, circa 1550', View at [https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/old-masters-paintings-sculpture/english-school-circa-1550-5/93543 Christie's/Online Only].</ref><ref>'Cheke, Sir John (1514-57)', in R. Strong, ''Tudor and Jacobean Portraits'', 2 vols (HMSO/National Portrait Gallery, London 1969), I: Text, [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=pCLqAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA48#v=onepage&q&f=false pp. 48-49]; II: Plates, [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=RYIMAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA275#v=onepage&q&f=false Plate 88, p. 275] (Google).</ref>

* ''De pronunciatione linguae Graecae''.<ref>''De Pronuntiatione Graecae potissimum linguae disputationes cum Stephano Vuintoniensi episcopo, septem contrariis epistolis comprehensae'' (N. Episcopium iuniorem, Basel 1555) [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=JSmzqn8tgEoC&printsec=frontcover digitized]. Reprint ed. R.C. Alston, Collection of facsimile reprints, No. 2, Scholar Press (1968).</ref>

An edition of his English translation of the Gospel of St Matthew appeared in 1843.<ref>J. Goodwin (ed.), ''The Gospel according to St Matthew, and part of the first chapter of the Gospel according to St Mark, translated in to English from the Greek, by Sir Thomas Cheke'' (c. 1550) (William Pickering, London/J.J. and J. Deighton, Cambridge 1843). [https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=o_5iAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA1#v=onepage&q&f=false digitized]</ref>

*[https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=ImgKAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA1#v=onepage&q&f=false ''The Life of the Learned Sir John Cheke, Kt.''] by [[John Strype]] (First Edition, London 1705).

[[Category:16th-century Latin-language writers in Latin]]

[[Category:Secretaries of Statestate of the Kingdom of England]]