The Cradle of the English Reformation

Martin Luther used to say, "It is better to think of church in the ale-house than to think of the ale-house in church."

Beginning around 1520 or so, a group of Cambridge Reformers did just that. They began to meet at the White Horse Tavern, a Cambridge pub, which was nicknamed "Little Germany" as a result of the "Lutheran" (Protestant) discussions held there.

The men who met to confer about events happening in Germany at the time, and the theological implications for England (hence, the White Horse Inn became the "cradle of the English Reformation") read like a "who's who" list of Reformers: Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer, Thomas Bilney, Miles Coverdale, William Tyndale, Matthew Parker; and others.

God used that those tavern discussions to build the church in England. From this assembly of saints arose martyrs, Bible translators, preachers and others who contributed to the Reformation with blood, sweat, prayers and tears. Praise God for his work of Reformation in the church and in the tavern.