Cox, Richard

(c. 1500–81)

   Theologian and Bishop.

   Cox was educated at the University of Cambridge. A convinced Protestant, he was closely involved in the compilation of the 1549 and 1552 Prayer Books. He was appointed Dean of Westminster in 1549, but was deprived in the reign of Queen Mary and went into exile. In Frankfurt, he emerged as the leader of the party that wished to retain the 1552 liturgy, while another faction, led by John knox, worked for still more radical reform. The two groups were known as the Coxians and Knoxians. On the accession of Queen Elizabeth I in 1559, he returned to England where he was consecrated Bishop of Ely. He was involved in the translation of the Bishops’ Bible of 1568, but eventually he resigned his see in protest at the use of candles and crucifix in the Queen’s private chapel.

   C.H. Garrett, The Marian Exiles (1938);

   M.M. Knoppen, Tudor Puritanism (1966).