Zwingli, Huldreich

(Ulrich) (Jan. 1, 1484-Oct. 11, 1531). The leading Protestant Reformer in German-speaking Switzerland. His receptionist understanding of the eucharist may have had some influence on Thomas Cranmer and subsequent Anglican theology. He was born in Wildhaus, Switzerland. Zwingli received his B.A. in 1504 and his M.A. in 1506, both from the University of Basel. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1506 and for the next ten years was the pastor at Glarus. In 1516 Zwingli became the parish priest at Einseideln. On Jan. 1, 1519, he became the priest in the Great Minster in Zurich, where he remained the rest of his life. He died in a military battle at Kappel. See Protestantism.