NICHOLLS
,
JOHN
(
1555
-
1584?
),
controversial theologian
.
His only connection with
Wales
is that he was a son of a
John
Nicholls
and was b. at
Cowbridge
. He entered
White Hall
(afterwards
Jesus College
),
Oxford
, and later transferred to
Brasenose
, but left without a degree. After leaving the University he returned home and acted as a
tutor
before obtaining a curacy at
Withycombe
in
Somerset
. The rest of his short life was spent partly on the continent of
Europe
and partly in
England
, in oscillations between
Roman Catholicism
and
Protestantism
, and the publication of controversial works (titles in
D.N.B.
) to suit the variation of his opinions. He finally landed in
Romanism
, but seems to have entirely lacked convictions. He probably d. in
1583 or 1584
‘
in great misery
.’
Bibliography:
-
Oxford Dictionary of National
Biography
, and sources cited therein.
Author:
Henry John Randall, F.S.A., (1877-1964), Bridgend
