Background
Berquin was born of noble family around 1490 in Vieux-Berquin.
Berquin was born of noble family around 1490 in Vieux-Berquin.
He desired to free France from the power of the pope. His writings aroused fierce opposition among traditional scholars. On April 16, 1529 the French Parliament condemned him to watch as his books were burned, to have his tongue pierced, and then to be imprisoned without reading material for life.
When Berquin refused, even by silence, to condone the condemnation of truth, he was returned to prison.
The next day, April 17, 1529, he was brought out and burned at the stake. All his original works are lost, only a few of his Erasmus translations remain.
Louis de Berquin was of noble birth. A brave and courtly knight, he was devoted to study, polished in manners, and of blameless morals.
Marguerite especially defended him, writing to the constable, Anne de Montmorency after Berquin was released from one arrest, "I thank you for the pleasure you have afforded me in the matter of poor Berquin whom I esteem as much as if he were myself. And so you may say you have delivered me from prison, since I consider in that light the favor done medical " In a letter to Erasmus, Berquin accused the divinity professors of Sorbonne of impiety.