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:
- D.N.B., and sources cited therein.
Author:
Henry John Randall, F.S.A., (1877-1964), Bridgend
