Ah, a battle between an Archbishop of Canterbury and a king. That seems rather familiar. But the real question is, which island will emerge victorious in this matchup between William Laud and Kamehameha? England or Hawaii? Whoever it is, the winner will advance to face David Oakerhater in the next round.
Yesterday's battle between Thecla and John Keble led to some respectfully passionate debate in the comment section. In fact, we set a record for most comments in a first round pairing with over 300. Impressive! In the end, Thecla prevailed 58% to 42% meaning we'll be hearing more about those ravenous seals in the Saintly Sixteen when she squares off against Brendan the Navigator.
William Laud
William Laud was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633–1640 and remains among the most controversial figures in the history of Anglicanism. Heralded by many as a martyr and condemned by others as a tyrant and bigot, Laud was among the most visible proponents of a uniquely English brand of anti-Calvinism in the seventeenth-century Church. As such, he was in near constant conflict with English Puritans of his day.
Even before his elevation to the See of Canterbury, Laud was somewhat of a liturgical and ecclesiastical innovator. During his term as dean of Gloucester, he caused great consternation (as so many priests throughout the ages have) by moving furniture. Laud moved the altar table in Gloucester to the east wall — the location typical of most altars before the Reformation. This move brought upon him the ire of his bishop and local Puritans, suspicious of a reintroduction of a Roman Catholic custom.
Laud’s movement of the altar was a liturgical manifestation of his theological persuasion that the Church of England followed in unbroken succession from the pre-Reformation Roman Catholic Church in England, although under the supreme governance of the king and the oversight of bishops. This belief led him to stridently impose liturgical uniformity throughout the church, seeking that all things be done “decently and in good order” in the “beauty of holiness.” His increased emphasis on the celebration of the sacraments was often viewed as contrary to Reformation doctrines of salvation through faith alone. An abortive attempt to impose The Book of Common Prayer on Scotland in 1637 marked the apex of his time as Archbishop of Canterbur y. By 1638 Scottish leaders pledged to resist the new prayer book and uphold Puritan practice by force, and by the end of the year, no bishops remained in Scotland.
Laud was sincere in his beliefs but dangerously out of touch with common persuasions in England of his time. His fierce defense of the Church’s privileges and prerogatives came at the same time as a growing sentiment against the divine right of kings, and his strident rule as Archbishop of Canterbury in favor of liturgical uniformity won him few friends. By 1641 he was impeached and carried away to theTower of London.
He was sentenced to death in 1645. At his execution, he said, “The Lord receive my soul, and have mercy upon me, and bless this kingdom with peace and charity, that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them.”
Collect for William Laud
Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like your servant William Laud, we may live in your fear, die in your favor, and rest in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Kamehameha
On January 11, 1855 Hawaii crowned a new, young monarch — King Kamehameha IV.
With his wife Queen Emma, Kamehameha set forth to transform the Hawaiian islands by offering his people a new way, new healthcare methods, and a new faith — Christianity.
Kamehameha was born on February 9, 1834. As a young man, he toured the United States, Central America, and Europe, and he discovered Christianity — and Anglicanism in particular. He was taken with the liturgy and core beliefs of Anglicanism. In 1860 Kamehameha and Emma petitioned the Church of England to send Anglican missionaries to Hawaii. Three priests arrived on October 11, 1862. Kamehameha initiated one of his greatest contributions to his people — translating The Book of Common Prayer into the native language. He led his people as a practicing, dedicated Anglican and began a building campaign for a cathedral and a school.
A devastating smallpox epidemic in the Islands prompted Kamehameha and Emma to go into the communities and witness firsthand the devastation from leprosy, influenza, and other foreign diseases that were spreading through the native population. They embarked on a fundraising campaign to build a new hospital, and even today, their commitment to the health of their people is evident. Queen’s Hospital is named for Emma.
Kamehameha’s death on November 30, 1863, didn’t stop the work and ministry that was underway. Emma continued her husband’s dedication and charity by establishing more schools and churches and by tending to the sick and poor.
Although Kamehameha died a young man, the impacts of his Christian ideals and dedicated work on Hawaii are still witnessed today. Kamehameha and Emma are honored throughout Hawaii and are depicted in stained glass windows at St. Andrew’s, the church they helped found.
His feast day is celebrated in conjunction with his wife, Queen Emma, on November 28.
Collect for Kamehameha
O Sovereign God, who raised up Kamehameha and Emma to be rulers in Hawaii, and inspired and enabled them to be diligent in good works for the welfare of their people and the good of your Church: Receive our thanks for their witness to the Gospel; and grant that we, with them, may attain to the crown of glory that never fades away; through Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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266 comments on “William Laud vs. Kamehameha”
It's predictable that Laud will go down to a resounding defeat--which leads to the question: "why was he even considered?" I understood that contestants would be edifying movers and shakers within Christian tradition, and that given there are many such souls to emulate, we would be presented with tough choices to make. Lo, when the people voted for a non-existent Juan Diego, and embraced Oakerhater over Theresa, I realized this exercise was far from being the catechesis it might have been. Given the pairings thus far, I'm waiting for St. Christopher to face off against Arteban, "The Fourth Wise Man."
This came to mind with Kamehameha's candidacy. His little known involvement with Christianity would have served the Church well when James Michener evangelized the masses with a gospel portraying Christianity as the worst plague to ever hit Hawaii (in his book-turned-film "The Hawaiians"). Thanks for reporting the king's Christian identity. He was guaranteed a victory against the straw man Laud.
You have found the problem with Lent Madness. It is madness. Ferrets choose the matchups? Saints vie for "saint of the day"? And, finally, the last standing saint wins The Golden Halo ! LM is an absurd game.
The serious business of LM is studying and thinking about and commenting on the wide variety of saints. Challenging, annoying, frustrating shifting through dusty centuries of half forgotten details in search of the face of Christ.
Happy Lent!
"Happy Lent!"
William Laud's account had me at anti-puritan and anti-Calvinist. (Is that close to a redundancy?) However, I have long championed Kamehameha and Emma. I believe that in voting for him, I was voting for two! Have you seen his statue at the U.S. Capitol? I find it awe-inspiring to this day. You can see it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nu%CA%BBuanu
I'm no fan of the divine right of kings, Established religion, or politically inept bishops. But that said, I am, as an Episcopalian, grateful to Archbishop Laud for defending the celebration of the sacraments, the importance of a common liturgy, and a middle way between the militant absolutisms of Reformation Puritanism on the one hand and Counter-Reformation Roman Catholicism on the other.
Laud and the Susans have my vote today. Susan Wall here, and Susan Hayes above, have nicely consolidated my reasons for voting for Laud. And yeah, anti-Calvinist got me from the get-go.
I've just got to go for the guy who was willing to adapt and change for the good of the people. Kamehameha and Emma invited Anglican missionaries, improved health, and acted out of clearly demonstrated love. Laud's heart might have been in the right place, but his willingness to adapt is lacking. Kamehameha gets my vote today (and in my mind, a win for one of this couple is a win for both).
A CORRECTION: I provided a link to a Wikipedia link to the Battle of Nu'uanu and King Kamehameha I (or the Warrior King who united the islands of Hawai'i by force). Replicas of the statue I refer to is found in several places including the U.S. Capitol and is of Kamehameha the Great, not Kamehameha IV whom we commemorate with Queen Emma on our calendar on November 28. Still, I like the statue: https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AilqeESDI0aZiz9j0TPR85ibvZx4?fr=yfp-t-706-s&toggle=1&fp=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&p=kamehameha%20statue%20in%20washington%20dc
He looks more like himself in the statue than in the photo above!
Someday I'll make a long pilgrimage to his homeland.
Laud and Cranmer and Henry and cohorts truly did good things for the church but at what cost to mercy and justice and just plain goodness? King K did good things for people AND the church.
An interesting match-up. My vote went to the one I thought hardly anyone would favor. Among morning voters that prediction turned out to be correct as reflected in the exit polls.
First time I ever read the comments before voting. Tough choice. I suspect that Laud had something to do with helping to form the core of beliefs that attracted Kamehameha. And I am touched by Laud's prayer at his death. Thank you for including that.
Still Kamehameha touches my heart & mind, so he gets my vote.
Interesting how the more recent saints have qualities that more easily appeal to young people
Kamehameha (and Emma) is (are) still dearly loved in the Islands. Born on Easter Sunday, I was given an Hawaiian name Kealahou (New Path, or New Way.) Aloha.
I'm puzzled how Laud reached sainthood in the first place. I used to live in Hawaii and miss it terribly in this frigid winter we are having, so it would have taken a much more persuasive candidate to overcome the movingly solicitous Kamehameha.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/september-web-only/softer-face-of-calvinism.html
Please read, those who are so sure Calvinism is a bad thing.
As one of those people, thank you for this: an interesting read, even if he seems to overestimate the significance of the Articles within Anglicanism.
As a high church person, my natural sympathy like with William Laud. And although my ancestors were some of those Puritans who sought to escape the "excesses" of the CofE, I'm very thankful that those "excesses" have survived. We have a beautiful liturgy, and yes, the altar should be on the East end of the building!
However! Kamehameha's seems to be the more gentle spirit with genuine concern for the people. Laud seems to be more about form, while Kamehameha is more about substance, and so I must vote for the one who took Jesus' teaching to heart and ministered to the least.
Only one cup of coffee - "my natural sympathies lie"
Time for a refill.
Although Laud had my Presbyterian heart at "decently and in order", I can't say no to the Big Pineapple. I also move for an amendment to the bracket to include his Queen.
I second that motion!
A vote fir King K is a vote for Emma!
Lucy, you make an excellent point. Kamehameha invited the church in, and invited people into the church. Poor Laud lost me with his attempts to force the Scots to embrace the church (though attempting to force Scots (amongst whom are some of my ancestors) into anything is a feat of faith and bravery unto itself). I knew a church member like Laud who would fearlessly do the equivalent of moving the altar if in his heart he believed it was best for the church. He could be hard to take, but what a force he was. Still, the Good King is my pick today.
She's been there, done that; see above!
As a lover of the liturgy of the Episcopal Church I had to consider Laud. But we lived in Hawaii for 4 years and loved it there.i have been to the cathedral. I voted for Kamehameha.
I am a wee bit aware of the history of both of these good men but my vote goes with the guy who was willing to go out and witness the suffering of his people and then do something about it. Hands-on service work is high on my list for a saint (unless the person is cloistered) so my vote goes with Kamehameha.
I have always loved the ability of the Anglican Church to encompass a broad spectrum of belief and practice held within the beauty of the liturgy. The attempt to impose uniformity and the bullying of Scotland leads me to vote for Kamehameha.
The Anglican Church had a dubious beginning filled with intolerance. People such as Laud only fueled the flames of religious bigotry. I would hope that the church does not celebrate him today.
Laud Almighty it was hard to choose today. But I went with Laud as he gave his life for his beliefs.
It couldn't have been easy to lead the Hawaian people to give up their gods and embrace Christianity. King Kamehameha led his people with
gentle persuasion and by example. Several English kings showed the futility of imposing religious beliefs on the hearts of their people.
Kamehameha seems to me to have followed Christ's teachings more closely although one cannot ignore the sincerity of Laud's religious zeal.
Kamehameha IV is noted for having rejected the Calvinism of his boyhood
for High Church Anglicanism. He was raised as a Congregationalist, Hawaii's traditional religion having been outlawed by a previous ruler.
Laud would not win me as a friend either, in fact, he and I would likely lock horns and neither of us would win or be happy Christians with this narrow-minded heavy at the helm so I cast my vote for Kamehameha who discovered Christianity and shared it with his people. He and Queen Emma helped their fellow Hawaiians in so many practical ways also. Kamehameha's life bespeaks love and charity evidenced by deep compassion and care of the physical health of his people as well as their well-being in matters of faith. Laud exemplifies rigid enforcement of misguided esthetic side issues that distract attention from more relevant and important aspects of Christianity. I understand perfectly why he was impeached. A pity that Kamehameha's life was cut so short. Kudos to Emma for carrying on with Kamehameha's work in health care.
I am of the High Church persuasion and I love William Laud's usages. However, he was a persecutor and tormentor, even of the so called Conforming Puritans who accepted Episcopacy and used, and yes some even loved, the Book of Common Prayer. I think he should be removed from the calendar. Kamehameha on the other hand was a fine Christian whose "works follow after him." It was hands down Kamehameha
Oh, dear. I'm a historian of 17th century England by trade, so Laud is squarely in my field. Normally I'm on the side of the puritans and Calvinists, but my vote is going for Laud today. So much of what we experience as traditional Anglican liturgy derives from his followers. King Kamehameha did good work, but was not a risk taker.
And to have a Calvinist vote for Laud is a sign that under Christ there is a possibility of reconciliation.
As a lifelong Episcopalian I am sad to say that this is my first experience with Lent Madness and it is absolutely amazing and inspiring! My mother, who passed away last year would have enjoyed this very much. I enjoy reading everyone's comments as much as the stories themselves ... Thank You for Enlightening my Day!
It is hard to accept, but sometimes the people we need in the church are the contrary and those difficult to like.
As one who was raised Baptist and now an Episcopal priest, I LOVE the liturgies and sacraments of high Anglican worship, and all the "trappings" attendant therewith. However, Laud's determination to force all to his desires seems not the most Christian attitude. I have to go with Kamehameha, whose love of Christ brought our way of faith to the people of Hawaii.
Aloha! As a teacher at St. Andrew's Priory, the school founded by Queen Emma, and a parishioner at St. Andrew's Cathedral, I will be putting the word out today - especially to those at school! (If a lot of votes come in from one IP address, that will be why!) Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma had great foresight, and the positive impact and lasting effects of what they started are still felt today. Hawaiʻi at that time was different than today, and these aliʻi were truly connected with their people. They both worked tirelessly, even going door to door to raise funds for the hospital. Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma wanted to make sure that their people had access to what was needed and were taken care of spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Everyday I am inspired by their generosity, kindness, compassion, faith, and strength. My vote goes to Kamehameha IV!
Aloha,
I had to vote for Kamehameha because one of the founding vestry members of the parish I attend, Thomas Jefferson Dryer (who also founded a newspaper that is still in print, _The Oregonian_) was sent by President Lincoln as U. S. Commissioner (a State Department posting, so he was just representing us, not trying to run things) to the Sandwich Islands (as they were then known) in 1861 and he would have known fellow Anglicans Emma & Kamehameha.
King Kamehameha. What's not to love? I especially like his and Queen Emma's concern for the sick.
I am dittoing what I previously wrote in the hopes that this time I will be added to the email notification!