John Knox as Galley Slave

During his time as a galley slave on a French warship John Knox suffered much hardship and suffering, but he does recount one rather humorous incident.

He says that at times the Scottish prisoners were threatened if they didn’t give reverence to the Roman Catholic mass and sometimes asked to partake in idolatry, which they refused to do.

He states that one time when they arrived in Nantes a wooden, painted image of a lady was brought out to the Scots prisoners who were told to kiss the feet of the statue.

Knox told them: “Trouble me not, such an idol is accursed and therefore I will not touch it.” But he was told “Thou shalt handle it”, and the statue was violently thrust in between his hands.

Knox looking about then said, “Let our Lady now save herself, she is light enough let her learn to swim.” He then threw it over the side of the ship into the water.

He states that after that “was no Scottish man again urged with that idolatry.”