23/06/2026
Senior Librarians' Jayne and Mike recently visited the spectacular Exeter Cathedral, where a statue of Richard Ho**er inspired Mike to write an engaging piece about him. The monument celebrates Ho**er as a distinguished local figure and a major voice in the early Church of England. Mike’s article explores his connection to our historic chained library ✨
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Jayne and I were recently in Exeter for a concert by Harry Christophers’ Sixteen in the Cathedral, when we stopped at a statue of Richard Ho**er (1554–1600). The name was familiar. Whilst waiting to go into the Cathedral, Jayne suddenly said “we have his book!”. In fact, when we got back, we looked in our index and we actually have two copies of his seminal work: “Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie.”
The first, printed in London by Stansby in 1617 and donated by Prowse; and the second, published by Scott in London in 1682 and donated by Roger Gillingham, co-founder of the Chained Library. Both measure 29cm X 20cm and are in English. Born in Heavitree on the outskirts of Exeter in either 1553 or 1554, he was one of the most important English theologians of the 16th century, whose work established a distinctive Anglican theology balancing scripture, reason and tradition.
Ho**er is seen by many as treading a “via media”- middle way - between Protestantism and Catholicism, arriving at a new Anglicanism. His best-known work, and one of the most influential publications of the 16th century, is Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, the first five books of which were published between 1594 and 1597 during his lifetime and the remaining three books after his death in 1600. It is generally thought to be the first great work of philosophy and theology to be written in English, as follows:
• Defended the Church of England against both Roman Catholicism and Puritanism;
• Advocated a “threefold cord” of authority: scripture, reason and tradition;
• Developed a philosophy of natural law, emphasizing God’s eternal wisdom as the foundation for both ecclesiastical and civil governance;
• Promoted a via media approach, balancing Protestant and Catholic elements, though some scholars argue he remained within mainstream Reformed theology, opposing only Puritan extremism.
Ho**er’s theology emphasized that scripture holds absolute authority where clear, but reason and church tradition guide interpretation when scripture is ambiguous. He viewed the Church as an organic institution, capable of adapting its governance to circumstances while remaining in continuity with historic Christianity.
Ho**er is regarded as a foundational figure in Anglican theology, influencing the Caroline Divines and shaping the Church of England’s theological method. His work is celebrated for its mastery of English prose, legal philosophy and systematic theology, and he is commemorated in the Episcopal Church calendar on the 3rd November.
Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie remains a landmark in English theological literature, blending rigorous argumentation with practical guidance for church governance.
