Jacobus Acontius

Jacobus Acontius (born September 7, 1492, Trent [now Trento, Italy]—died 1566?, England) was an advocate of religious toleration during the Reformation whose revolt took a more extreme form than that of Lutheranism. Acontius served as secretary to Cristoforo Madruzzo, a liberal cardinal. When the more conservative Paul IV became pope, Acontius repudiated Roman Catholic doctrine, left Italy, and eventually found refuge in England. He arrived soon after the accession of Queen Elizabeth I (1558). On...