Career
Vitell appears to have developed his Anabaptist beliefs from the Dutchman Henry Nicholis. A native of Delft, settled in England some time before the middle of the sixteenth century. He wandered up and down in East Anglia spreading mystical doctrines, and found a hearing at Cambridge, Willingham in Cambridgeshire, Strethall in Essex, at Colchester (where he was living at Michaelmas 1555), and other places.
He became a chief elder in the family, and translated into English the writings of Niclaes, and one or two by Elidad and Fidelitas, his seniors.
The result of Vitell"s translation was a proclamation issued in 1580 by Archbishop Grindal against the ‘family’ and all their writings. There is no authentic record of his later life.
