Background
John Craig was born about 1512, was the son of Craig of Craigston, Aberdeenshire, who was killed at Flodden in 1513.
John Craig was born about 1512, was the son of Craig of Craigston, Aberdeenshire, who was killed at Flodden in 1513.
After education at St Andrews, and acting as tutor to the children of Lord Darcy, the English warden of the North, John Craig became a Dominican, but was soon in trouble as a heretic.
For some years John Craig was busy travelling in the Levant in the interests of his order, but a perusal of Calvin's Institutes revived his heretical tendencies, and he was condemned to be burnt.
Like the English scholar and statesman, Thomas Wilson, he owed his escape to the riot which broke out on the death of Paul IV on the 18th of August 1559, when the mob burst open the prison of the Inquisition.
His defence of church property and privilege against the predatory instincts of the nobles and the pretensions of the state brought him into conflict with Lethington and others; but he seems to have condoned, if he was not privy to, Riccio's murder.
He had been associated with Knox in various commissions for the organization of the church, but he wished to compromise between the two extreme parties.
From 1571-1579 Craig was in the north, whither he had been sent to " illuminate those dark places in Mar, Buchan and Aberdeen. "
In 1579 he was appointed chaplain to the young James VI, and returned to Edinburgh.
But he was averse from the violence of Melville, and was willing to admit the royal supremacy " as far as the word of God allows. "
James VI, Like Henry VIII, accepted this compromise, and the oath in this form was taken by Craig, the royal chaplains and some others.
In 1592 was published Craig's Catechism.
