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Niclaes, Hendrik, 1502-? 1580 (German mystic and founder of the sect Familia Caritatis)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1502 - ? 1580

Biography

Niclaes, Hendrik [Henry Nicholas] (1502-?1580) was possibly born somewhere along the German-Dutch border from Westphalia to East Friesland. His interest in theology began early and by 1521, he became under the influence of Luther's ideas, especially his criticism of Catholic abuse and his emphasis on the Bible. Niclaes was arrested for heresy twice, once in 1529 and again in 1532, but released. After a relocation to Amsterdam, he became interested and involved with the fanatical Anabaptists, but soon decided to start his own sect, the Family or House of Love. One of the sect's main purposes was to cleanse Christianity of the imperfections and distortions of the church. To spread his word, Niclaes printed various works, namely 'Terra pacis, or, The Land of Peace' and 'Den speghel der gherechticheit, or, The Glasse of Righteousness'. Niclaes died in Cologne in 1580.

Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:

 Fonds

Hendrik Niclaes: 'A Description of the Iniquitie, Vanitie, Blindnes, Incredulity and Horriblenes of the perverse World', and, 'To the Congregation in the Love'

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.2803
Scope and Contents

English translations. fo. i: 'Nancy Lush I went to my Grandmothers the 25 of December.' fo. iv: 'Nancy'. fo. ii: 'C:12G.J.B'. fo. 50v: 'J.B.C:12G', 'J.B., 12G'.

Dates: 1650 (Circa. In a seventeenth century hand.)
Conditions Governing Access: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library
 Fonds

Hendrik Niclaes: 'A Singular Description with an effectuall Resolution of the Upright Faith, Knowledge and Confessing of Christ'

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.2805
Scope and Contents

English translation.

Dates: 1675 (Circa. In late 17th-cent. hand.)
Conditions Governing Access: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library
 Fonds

Hendrik Niclaes: Devotional and theological works, and other related material

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.2801
Scope and Contents (fo. 4) 'A Figurative Description of the True Tabernacle of God, according to the Inward Temple or Howse of God in the Spirrit', extracts from the English translation, printed 1655, with prefatory matter to the chapters absent from the printed edition; (fo. 16) Nicholas, 'A Declaration of the Sonne of Man Jesus Christ' (the date 1575, appearing frequently as colophons to various sections of the tracts, is the date for either printing of or translation from the original German compositions);...
Dates: 1650 (Circa)
Conditions Governing Access: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library
 Fonds

Hendrik Niclaes: 'Exhortatio', part II

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.2807
Scope and Contents

English translations from Low German. fo. 1: preface. fo. 10: text. Apparently unprinted. fo. ii: 'C.54G J. B.' inside front cover: bookplate of Henry Hoare, goldsmith of London, 1704.

Dates: 1650 (Circa. In 17th-cent. hand.)
Conditions Governing Access: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library
 Fonds

Hendrik Niclaes: Extracts

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3436
Scope and Contents Extracts from translations of his work into English. Includes: fo. 1) summary of contents; (fo. 4v) blank; (fo. 5) extract from Exhortatio II, ch. 6; (fo. 10v) extract from idem., ch. 7; (fo. 19v) extract from The Glass of Righteousness I, chs 15-16; (fo. 55v) extract from The Glass of Righteousness II, ch. 19; (fo. 87) extract from idem., ch. 20; (fo. 105v) extract from The Glass of Righteousness I, ch. 24. No translation of these three works is known to have been printed. There is a copy...
Dates: 1650 (Circa. 17th Century hand)
Conditions Governing Access: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library
 Fonds

Hendrik Niclaes: 'The Seconde Exhortation of HN to his Children and to the Famely of the Love of Jesu Christ'

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.2641
Scope and Contents

Inside front cover: '366' (in pencil).

Dates: 1600 (Circa)
Conditions Governing Access: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library
 File

Notes and 'An evangelye...', Seventeenth century

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Dd.06.90
Scope and Contents

(1) A collection of notes on various doctrinal subjects, interleaved, and having, at intervals, many blank pages; (2) 'An evangelye; or joyfull-message; of the kyngdome of God and Christ. Translated out of the base-almayne, into Englyshe …'; begins 'H. N. out of grace; according to the providence of God ...', the initials being those of Henry Nicholas.

Dates: Seventeenth century
Conditions Governing Access: From the Collection: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Two-letter class: western post-medieval manuscripts / Dd

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