The Guildhall

Who

Thomas Bilney (c.1495 - 1531) 

Educated at Cambridge University, Thomas Bilney was ordained as a priest in 1519.

He was an early advocate of Protestantism. From 1525 he travelled across Norfolk and Suffolk preaching against pilgrimages and the adoration of saints and relics. Bilney was arrested in 1527 for preaching against idolatry - he was imprisoned in the Tower of London for over a year. 

Bilney continued preaching on his release and came to Norwich in 1531. His work here was short lived. He was arrested for heresy after giving a copy of the New Testament that had been translated into English to an anchoress in the Dominican Friary. Bilney was locked up in the Guildhall. On 19 August 1531 he was taken to Lollard's pit where he was burnt at the stake.