Archive for category Documentaries
My quest to uncover the home and Bible of Martyr George Marsh
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, Martyr George Marsh on April 24, 2024
“the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.” (Psalm 112: 6. KJV)
In the 16th century a farmer from Deane (Bolton) by the name of George Marsh became a curate in the Church of England and was accused of heresy and condemned at the consistory court in Chester Cathedral. Marsh was burned at the stake in Chester on April 24, 1555.
Today marks the 469th anniversary of his death.
My documentary about George Marsh has been seen by many people and has helped raise awareness of his story, even Chester town Crier gave it the thumbs up.
It was a film that took me a while to make. After learning about Marsh at Smithills Hall I had been fascinated to discover how his story was in the Book of Martyrs. Yet when I looked for the narrative in printed copies, I found that many modern versions had edited him out. This inspired me to want to know more about him. So I looked to see if any documentaries had been made and there hadn’t.
In John Rylands Library and Chetham’s Library I read through original 16th century prints of the Book of Martyrs and sure enough, his story was there. After repeatedly reading it and anything I could find about him, it was as though the story came alive to me and I couldn’t shake it off.
Before long I knew a film needed to be made about George Marsh. At that time I wasn’t a documentary maker although I had had some ambitions to become one. After a number of failed attempts to get a Marsh documentary made I decided to film it myself.
After all documentaries and films won’t make themselves.
I continued researching and in June 2012 I was ready to began filming at Chetham’s Library.
I had no budget or agenda so this allowed for freedom. I repeatedly visited Deane Church, and Smithills Hall and the story utterly consumed me.
Despite many obstacles I completed the documentary in 2013. However the journey was not over. While filming I had learned about a possible location for where Marsh lived. Later I learned about a Marsh family Bible in Bolton Library rumoured to be his. So I viewed both the farm and the Bible at different times. Sadly my research revealed the Marsh family Bible could not have actually belonged to George Marsh since it dates to 1566. However after reading an old newspaper article I was set yet again on another journey, this time to find his Bible. I knew it was rumoured to have been seen in Deane in the 1850’s.
Suddenly I found myself on two separate journeys, the quest to find George Marsh’s Bible and the quest to find George Marsh’s farm.
As my research progressed another Bible turned up and a number of proposed locations for the Marsh farm. However I was unable to reach any conclusive proofs for either. So the location of George Marsh’s farm became an unsolved mystery. The Bible ongoing.
Last night however I felt compelled to revisit the area and it brought back a lot of memories. So I came up with the idea to write an appeal to see if anyone has any further insight into the location of the George Marsh farm?
Over the years I have been regularly contacted by Marsh descendants, many of whom find references to George Marsh in ancestral documents. So I appeal to anyone with insight to help locate the Marsh farm.
The area at Broadgate farm is the strongest suggestion in my opinion and where my instinct has led me. The site is situated up and beyond Deane church, overlooking a lake.
I may never know for sure since I haven’t yet found any absolute proof that George Marsh lived at Broadgate Farm but information may yet be out there. If anyone does have any insight, either through ancestral research or further source information please feel free to get in touch.
It is likely that George Marsh’s farm was either a medieval timber structure or a 16th century building.
I have returned to Zipari Kos
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Biblical archaeology, Documentaries, The Bible on July 3, 2023
Those who are familiar with my previous writings and documentary work will know how fascinated I am with Paul’s visits to the Greek islands, especially Kos. On my previous visits to the Island of Hippocrates I repeatedly travelled to an area known as Zipari.
For those who do not know, Zipari is a modern town along the highway of Kos, yet back in the 1st century it would have been quite remote.
Today Zipari is about 8.3 – 11 kilometres from the general area of Kos town, which is without question the definitive location of Acts 21: 1. Kos town harbour is the exact place where Paul and Luke landed.
Yet at Zipari the 5th century remains of St Paul’s basilica can be seen. Here Italian archaeologists have found ancient mosaics.
For some reason previously unknown to me I have been very intrigued by this place and have been unable to let it pass. The sign reads like so:
“St Paul the Apostle
visited this place during his
third missionary journey”
This exact sign can also be scene in St Paul’s Bay, Lindos. Both Rhodes and Kos are present in Acts 21: 1. Likewise both signs quote the same Scripture, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3: 28)
But what is it about Zipari that intrigues me so? The answer is I think it possible St Paul may have visited here? as I think he visited Lindos.
Revisiting Kos once again was a new experience for me. With many things behind and a new path in front of me I wanted to explore the area from another perspective so I followed that instinct and an old wall. This gave me a lot of insight and I’m now on a journey to discover more. Where this will lead I do not know?
My aim has been to explore Acts 21: 1 from an imaginative perspective and discover more about the meaning of that verse. Making my way through the ancient sections of Kos harbour, the agora and the Western Archaeological site, I am gaining a more vivid picture of Luke’s narrative and the pieces of my puzzle are falling into place.
In my fist documentary on Kos I explored the island from the perspective of St Luke. This led me to the ancient Asklepion of Kos, yet in my previous documentary I explored the island from the perspective of St Paul and this took me on a very different voyage.
This is reflective in the closing words of that film:
“Back to the harbour, I found myself contemplating what exactly happened when Paul and Luke visited this island. But I suspect I may never truly know this side of eternity.”
It was at the location of those scenes where I began this new era of my voyage. I am content to follow on as the Lord leads. It seems my voyage to Kos may not be over after all.
On this day 12th March 1554
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Christianity, Documentaries, Martyr George Marsh on March 12, 2023
On this day in 1554, a warrant was issued for the arrest of a farmer and preacher by the name of George Marsh. At that time Marsh was a Curate in the Church of England and had been to Cambridge and had run a school and ministered in both London and Lincoln. Upon learning the Church of England had swayed over to popular culture and had committed the apostate act of bowing the knee to Roman Catholicism, Marsh left his ministry and returned to his home town to preach in Bolton, Deane, Bury, and Eccles. A warrant was issued by the Earl of Derby for preaching without a licence, and after hearing about this Marsh wondered around the area of Deane Church, and the following morning he received a letter from a friend who advised that he should in no wise flee, but abide and “boldly confess the faith of Jesus Christ.”
In those days, the authorities gave the reformers the option of either leaving the country and going to Germany or Geneva. At that time the reformation was in full bloom in those countries. After reading the letter Marsh chose to stay and handed himself in to the local sheriff, master Barton.
It was a very costly decision. Marsh stood a small trial at Smithills Hall, and was sent to Latham, Lancaster, and eventually to Chester where he was burned at the stake on April 24, 1555.
May we never forget.
APOSTLE PAUL and the Island of Hippocrates
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, The Bible on October 18, 2021
It has been exactly ten years to this very day that I have been presenting Biblically inspired articles on this website. One of my first articles was published on October 18, 2011 on the theme “The Experience of Visiting Biblical Sites” Today, on October 18, 2021, I am continuing to share that joyful experience with my latest documentary.
This documentary is dedicated to my mother Joyce Sutherland, who went home to be with the Lord earlier this year.
I feel now a sense of completion that an era, or particular season, is drawing to to close. Ten years is a long time and I sense somewhat of a closure.
Over the last ten years I have stated many things that I believe, and that I will always do. So as a testimony to my faith, the articles published here will remain and represent a particular era of my life. I have much more to do and see and next year it will be exactly ten years (again) that I have been making Biblical Documentaries. These films simply reflect my personal faith. That will also be made complete.
But as for now, I sense a wind of change. I have said for many years “There’s an East Wind coming” and I believe it has come and will. But for now, as I withdraw to my curtain of silence, I leave you with a quote from THE COLLECT out of the Book of Common Prayer, for this day, October 18, SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST.
“ALMIGHTY God, who calledst Luke the Physician, whose praise is in the Gospel, to be an Evangelist, and Physician of the soul: May it please thee that, by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered by him, all the diseases of our souls may be healed; through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Apostle Paul and the Island of Hippocrates
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Biblical archaeology, Documentaries, The influence of film on October 3, 2021
WILLIAM SALESBURY Revelation TV Broadcast
Posted by simon peter sutherland in 500th Anniversaries, Documentaries, The influence of film, The Welsh Bible on June 6, 2020
After many years of difficult and complex filming, production and research, WILLIAM SALESBURY The man from Llansannan will be broadcast tonight (06 June) on Revelation TV @ 18:30 UK time.
The film is completely uncommercial and is my contribution to the 500th anniversary of the birth of William Salesbury. I am hoping to continually promote this important Welsh history for as long as I can.
This documentary is grassroots and it is up to the people to continually help promote this history and this story. This documentary has been the most difficult production I have made to this day. My hope, for Wales, is that her people return to the Bible once again and may the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ fill the country with the salvation of souls.
The Bible Society have digitised William Salesbury’s 1567 New Testament and you can download your free eBook here.
WILLIAM SALESBURY The man from Llansannan will also be broadcast on 16 June @ 01:00, 20 June @ 22: 30, 29 June @ 07: 30 and I hope, many more years to come.
No William Salesbury, no Mary Jones.
Thank you to revelation tv for broadcasting this film.
William Salesbury’s Book of Common Prayer and Psalms
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, The Welsh Bible, Theology on May 6, 2020
On May 6, over 450 years ago, William Salesbury published The Book of Common Prayer and Psalms, newly translated, into Welsh.
This 16th century prayer book had been previously written for use within the Church of England by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. The Book of Common Prayer would become an important spiritual ingredient in the daily diet of Christians throughout England, and beyond, and continues to be used by Anglicans, even to this day.
The Book of Common Prayer and Psalms has been deeply revered within Christianity, and a majority of English Bibles were printed and bound with it from the 16th century up to the 19th century. It was that important.
Early 19th century editions published by the British and Foreign Bible Society are among some of the earliest Bibles to exclude the BCP. But earlier printed Bibles such as the Geneva Bible and King James Bibles, all contained Cranmer’s Prayer book.
In the year 1567, William Salesbury had translated his version into Welsh under the title; Lliver Gweddi Gyffredin. Back in those days Parliament was Biblically minded and Westminster had given Salesbury the deadline of 1 March 1567 (St David’s Day) to publish his translation. Sadly that deadline was missed. The Book of Common Prayer and Psalms into Welsh did not appear until May 6. But it was not without its opponents.
Anger had outburst by opponents of the Welsh tongue, and people had aggressively demanded that the translation be utterly abandoned. But such opposition was unfruitful. Salesbury did not give in.
Lliver Gweddi Gyffredin was published on 6 May 1567. But Salesbury was the translator, not the author.
Cranmer’s original Book of Common Prayer had been a work of absolute genius and Christian devotion. Rather than divide the Church, Cranmer sought to unify her through Scripture and Prayer.
Cranmer’s prayer book is a very special gift and people would always do well to read it. The Book of Common Prayer and Psalms is a monumental work that has echoed on through the centuries and has fed the Church of God with Scripture, through with Prayer.
It is not a book of ‘prayers’, it is a book of prayer. We need more of that today, perhaps more now than ever.
WILLIAM SALESBURY The Man from Llansannan, now on YouTube
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, Martyr George Marsh, The Welsh Bible on April 17, 2020
Hello all, I trust you are well. Here is some good news: my long awaited documentary on 16th century Welsh Bible translator William Salesbury is now available from free viewing on YouTube.
To introduce the narrative, William Salesbury was a Welsh man who lived in the 16th century and sought for many years to publish a New Testament in his own language. At that time the Welsh language was being ignored, but Salesbury cared greatly for his own people and wanted to preserve the Welsh language and give the Welsh speaking people a Bible that they could call their own. In order to see his quest fulfilled, he himself underwent much travelling and suffering.
William Salesbury is a hero of Wales and a historically mysterious character and today many have never even heard of him. Yet his legacy has continued on for over 400 years. With this in mind, it should be no surprise to learn that the documentary has taken me many years to complete and I have chosen release it this year, because 2020 is the 500th anniversary of his birth.
Today, (April 17) is also the day Luther went before the diet of Worms. History is not unfamiliar with suffering. So let us remember, even though suffering continues and the world appears to be uprooted and in a mess, let us know that Christ is King and Sovereign. The Bible says that Jesus Christ upholds “all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1: 3)
So focus your attention on the Word of your souls health and take some time out from ‘COVID-19’ and uplift your souls and read, read, read the New Testament.
May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forevermore.
Simon
Stay at home WILLIAM SALESBURY clip
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, The Welsh Bible on March 27, 2020
William Salesbury The Man from Llansannan Trailer 2020
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, The Welsh Bible on December 20, 2019
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Simon Peter Sutherland
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Simon Peter Sutherland 