John Knox, Protestant reformer - Public domain portrait engraving

There is something symbolic in the first appearance on the page of history of the leading figures of the Reformation. Calvin first appears at his writing-desk, already writing a learned tome at the age of 23. Cranmer is first seen burrowing in the Bible to find scriptural texts to justify his king in divorcing his wife and marrying his mistress. Luther's first appearance was more vigorous, nailing his theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, striking at the old Church with every blow of the hammer. But Knox is the only one who enters carrying a two-handed sword. -- J Ridley, John Knox, 1968