Edward Barton (priest)

Edward Barton was an English Roman Catholic priest, executed for treason during the reign of King Henry VIII. Known as the "Maid of Kent" or "Nun of Kent's confessor," Barton was a prominent figure in the resistance against Henry VIII's break from the Catholic Church and his annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

Barton served as the parish priest of Aldington, Kent. He became a confidante and spiritual advisor to Elizabeth Barton, a Benedictine nun who claimed to receive divine revelations. Elizabeth Barton publicly prophesied against Henry VIII's divorce and remarriage, asserting that if the King proceeded, he would die within a few months. Edward Barton, along with others, disseminated these prophecies widely, fueling opposition to the King's policies.

The King's government viewed these prophecies as seditious and a threat to royal authority. In 1533, Edward Barton and Elizabeth Barton, along with several others involved in the conspiracy, were arrested. They were charged with treason for their role in spreading false prophecies and inciting rebellion.

Following a trial, Edward Barton was found guilty of treason and executed at Tyburn on April 20, 1534. His execution served as a warning to those who might oppose Henry VIII's religious reforms and asserted the King's supremacy over the Church of England. The case of Edward Barton highlights the religious and political turmoil of the English Reformation and the severe consequences faced by those who challenged royal authority.