FIELD, RICHARD: English clergyman and theological writer; b. at Hemel Hempstead (23 m. n.w. of London), Hertfordshire, Oct. 15, 1561; d. at Windsor (23 m. w. of London) Nov. 21, 1616. He attended the Berkhampstead school and in 1577 entered Oxford, studying successively at Magdalen College, Magdalen Hall, and Queen's College (B.A., 1581; M.A., 1584; B.D., 1592; D.D., 1596). As a lecturer (1584-91) at Magdalen Hall he made himself famous for his knowledge of divinity and his ability as a disputant. In 1594 he became divinity lecturer at Lincoln's Inn, and soon afterward rector at Burghclere, Hampshire. 1n 1598 he became a chaplain in ordinary to Queen Elizabeth, in 1604 canon at Windsor, and in 1609 dean of Gloucester. He was also chaplain to James I, who sent him to the Hampton Court Conference in 1604 and called him to Oxford in 1605 to take part in the Divinity Act. James held Field in high esteem, delighted to discuss points of theology

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with him, and intended to raise him to the see of Oxford. On hearing Field preach for the first time, the king had exclaimed, " This is a field for God to dwell in." Thomas Fuller called him" that learned divine whose memory smelleth like a field which the Lord hath blessed." Field's fame now rests upon his work entitled, Of the Church, Five Books (2 vols., London, 1606-10; 2d. ed., Oxford, 1628; modern ed., 4 vols., Cambridge, 1847,52), which has taken its place with Hooker's Polity as one of the grandest monuments of polemical divinity in the English language.

Bibliography: N. Field, Some Short Memorials concerning the Life . . . of R. Field, published by J. Le Neve, London, 1716-17; A. h Wood, Atheno Oxonienees, ed. P. Bliss, ii. 181-186, 4 vols., London, 1813-20; DNB, xviii. 411-412.

FIELD SERVICE (Germ. Felddiakoniie): Service rendered to combatants on the field of war, prompted by the spirit of love and in its origin of the nature of Christian ministration, but influenced also by the spirit of secular humanitarianism. See WAR.

FIFTH MONARCHY MEN: Millenarian enthusiasts of the Commonwealth period in England who believed and taught that Christ was setting up "a fifth monarchy in the world," laid claim to the gift of prophecy, and wished to destroy all anti-Christian "forms" (e.g., an Established Church). Early leaders were Vavasor Powell (d. 1670), a nonconformist minister, who with all his eccentricities seems to have been a man of ability and` worth, and Christopher Feake (not heard of after 1660), an irregular preacher. They were bitterly opposed to Cromwell, whom Feake called "the most dissembling and perjured villain in the world." Both were imprisoned by Cromwell, but were leniently treated and they were violent only in word. In Apr., 1657, one Thomas Venner, a cooper, headed a plot for a rising of Fifth Monarchy men in London. It was discovered and Venner was kept in prison till 1659. On Jan. 6, 1661, he set out with a considerable following to overthrow the government. They marched the streets with the cry "Long live King Jesus," until they were dispersed by the guards. Three days later the remnant of them was captured. Venner was hanged and quartered on Jan. 19.

Bibliography: D. Neal, Limes of As Puritans, ii. 176-22o of Harper'e ed., New York, n.d.; E. Rogers, Some Accoun9of the" Life andopinions" of aPifthMonanhyMan, from the Writings of John Ropers, London, 1867; J.* stoughton, Religion in England, ii. 57-89, ib. 1881; DNB, xviii. 271-272 (Life of Feake), xlvi. 249-252 (Life of Powell), Iviii. 212 (Life of Venner).