Thomas Harding (1516–1572)

Thomas Harding (1516–1572) was an English Roman Catholic theologian. Born in Combe Martin, Devon, he studied at Barnstaple Grammar School and subsequently at New College, Oxford, where he became a fellow in 1536. He took his B.A. in 1539 and his M.A. in 1542.

During the reign of Edward VI, Harding conformed to the established religion, holding the office of chaplain to the Duke of Suffolk and later becoming prebendary of Salisbury and treasurer of that cathedral. With the accession of Mary I, he reverted to Catholicism and played a prominent role in the religious restoration, participating in the disputations at Oxford against Thomas Cranmer, Nicholas Ridley, and Hugh Latimer. He also served as chaplain to Bishop Gardiner.

Following the accession of Elizabeth I in 1558, Harding was deprived of his preferments for refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy. He went into exile, first to Leuven and later to Douai, where he engaged in theological controversy with John Jewel, the Bishop of Salisbury. His writings primarily focused on defending Catholic doctrines and practices against Protestant challenges, particularly concerning the sacraments, the authority of the Church, and the real presence in the Eucharist.

His principal works include: An Answer to Maister Juelles Chalenge (1564), A Confutation of a Booke intituled An Apologie of the Churche of England (1565), and A Detection of sundre foule Errours, lies, sclaunders, corruptions and other false dealinges, touching Doctrine and other matters, uttered and practized in the late Apologie, and Defence of the English new secte (1568). Harding's writings provide valuable insights into the theological debates of the English Reformation and the Catholic resistance to the Elizabethan Settlement. He died in Leuven in 1572.