Martyr, priest, born Wales, 1478; died London, England, 1540. He was one of the four theologians selected to defend the legality of the marriage of Catherine of Aragon, and fell into great disfavor for denouncing Henry's marriage with Anne Boleyn. In 1534 he was attainted for high treason in refusing to take the oath of succession. Deprived of his benefices, he was imprisoned in the tower of London, where he underwent a rigorous confinement. His sentence was not carried out, however, until July 30, 1540.