ABSTRACT
The time that Hamilton spent in the company of the chapter as he led them in their rehearsals of the Mass provided an opportunity for theological discussion and the exchange of ideas. Winram did not lead, or even participate in, the whole disputation himself, but only the opening exchanges. The 1549 Council passed a statute concerning 'the method and order of preaching' and called for catechetical teaching by all preachers. It gave a clarifying definition of the subjects to be covered in such 'public teaching or instruction'. Although Winram's catechism had been available since 1546 it never achieved wide circulation and a second catechism was issued in the name of Archbishop John Hamilton following the 1551/2 Provincial Council. On 28 February 1558/9, the day before the Council began, Winram secured from his prior an acquittance for all his intromissions with priory finances, giving protection for himself from future claims of financial redress by any new church authority.
