The
First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment of Women
By
John Knox
In 1558 the Scottish Protestant leader John Knox was in exile from his native Scotland because of his religious beliefs. He viewed with increasing dismay the persecution of his fellow-religionists in Scotland and England. Both countries were at the time ruled by women – Mary Queen of Scots and Mary Tudor, respectively. In response, he composed this pamphlet, attacking not only the actions of these queens, but the very idea of a woman being a ruler. He declared unequivocally that
"To promote a woman to bear rule,
superiority, dominion, or empire above any realm, nation, or city, is repugnant
to nature; contumely to God, a thing most contrarious to his revealed will and
approved ordinance; and finally, it is the subversion of good order, of all
equity and justice."
And defended this with authorities from Scripture and the early Church fathers.