Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2

A bloody Commission given forth by King Philip and Queen Mary, to persecute the poor members of Christ.

PHilip and Mary by the grace of God king & Queen of England. &c. To the right reverend Father in God our right trusty & well-beloved Counselor Thomas B. Eli, and to our right trusty & well-beloved Williā Windsore knight, L. Winsore, Edw. North knight, L. North, and to our trusty & well-beloved Counselors, Io. Bourn knight, one of our chief Secretaryes, John Mordaunt knight, Frances Englefield knight, master of our Wards and Liueries, Edward Walgraue knight, Mayster of our great Wardrobe, Nicholas Hare knight, master of y ^e Rolls, and our high Court of Chauncery, & to our trusty and well-beloved Tho. Pope knight, Roger Cholmley knight, Richard Rede knight, Rowlād Hill knight, William Rastall Sergeant at law, Henry Cole Clerke, Dean of Paul's, William Roper, & Rafe Cholmley, Esquiers, Williā Cook, Thomas Martin, John Story, & John Uaughan Doctors of Law, greeting.

For as much as diverse deuillishe and sclaunderous persons, having not only invented, bruted, and set forth diverse false rumors, tales, and seditious sclaūders against us, but also have sown diverse heresies, and heretical opinions, and set forth diverse seditious books within this our Realm of England, meaning thereby to stir up division, strife, contention, & sedition, not only amongst our loving subjects, but also betwixt us & our said subjects, w ^t diverse others outrageous misdemeanors, enormityes, contemptes, and offenses, daily committed and done, to y ^e disquieting of us and our people, we minding the due punishment of such offenders, & the repressing of such like offenses, enormities, and misbehauiours from henceforth, having special trust and confidence in your fidelityes, wisdoms, and discretions, have authorised appointed & assigned you to be our Commissioners, and by these presents do give full power & authority unto you, and three of you, to inquire as well by the oaths of twelve good and lawful men, as by witnesses and all other means & politick ways you can devise, of all & singular heretical opinions, Lollardies, heretical & seditious books cōcealemēts, contemptes, conspiracies, and all false rumors, tales, seditious and sclaunderous words or sayings, raised, published, bruted, invented, or set forth against us, or either of us or against the quiet governance & rule of our people's, & subjects, by books, lies, tales, or otherwise, in any Coūtie, Key, bowing, or other place or places, within this our realm of England or else where, in any place or places beyond the Seas, & of the bringing in, vtterers, buyers, sellers, readers, kepers, or cōueyers of any such letter, books, rumor, and tale, and of all and every their coadiutors, coūsellers, comforters, procurers, abettors, and mainteiners, giving unto you and three of you, full power & authority by virtue hereof, to search out and take into your hands & possessions, all manner of heretical and seditious books, letters & writings, wheresoever they or any of them shall be found, as well in Printers houses and shops, as elsewhere, willing you and every of you to search for the same in all places, according to your discretions.

And also to inquire, hear, and determine all and singular enormities, disturbances, misbehauiours, and negligences committed in any Church, Chapel, or other hallowed place within this Realm, and also for and concerning the taking away or withholding any lands, tenements, goods, ornaments, stocks of money, or other things belonging to every of the same Churches & Chapels, and all accounts and reckoninges concerning the same.

And also to enquyre and search out all such persons as obstinately do refuse to receive the blessed sacrament of the alter, to hear mass, or come to their parish Churches, or other convenient places appointed for divine service, and all such as refuse to go on Procession, to take holy bread, or holy water, or otherwise do misuse themselves in any church or other hallowed place, wheresoerver any of the same offenses have been, or hereafter shall be committed within this our said Realm.

Neuertheles our will and pleasure is, that when, and as often̄ as any person or persons, hereafter being called or convented before you, do obstinately persist or stand in any manner of heresy, or heretical opinion, that then ye or three of you do immediately take order, that the same person or persons, so standing or persisting, be delivered & committed to his Ordinary, there to be used according to the spiritual and ecclesiastical laws.

And also we give unto you, or three of you, full power and authority, to enquyre and search out all vacabondes, and maysterles men, Barettours, quarrellers, and suspect persons, abiding within our City of London, & ten miles compass of the same, and all assaults and affrayes done & committed within the same city and compass.

And further to search out all waste, decays, and ruins of Churches, Chauncelles, Chappelles, Parsonages and Uicarages in the Dioces of the same, being within this Realm, giving you and every of you full power and authority by virtue hereof to hear and determine the same, and all other offenses and matters above specifyed and rehearsed, according to your wisdoms, consciences, and discretions, willing and commaūding you or three of you, from time to time, to use and devise all such politick ways and means, for the trial & searching out of the premises, as by you or three of you shall be thought most expedient & necessary: and upon inquyry and due proof had, known, perceived and tried out, by the confession of the parties, or by sufficient witnesses before you, or three of you, concerning y ^e premises or any part thereof, or by any other ways or means requisite, to give and award such punishment to the offenders, by fine, imprisonment, or otherwise, & to take such order for redress and reformatiō of the premises, as to your wisdoms, or three of you shall be thought meet and convenient.

Further willing and commanding you and every three of you, in case you shall find any person or persons, obstinate or disobedient, either in their appearance before you or three of you, at your calling or assignment, or else in not accomplishing or not obeying your Decrees, Orders, and commandments in anything or things, touching the premises or any part thereof, to commit the same person or persons so offending, to Ward, there to remain, till by you or three of you he be discharged or delivered. &c. And so forth with other such like matter, as followeth, see in our first edition, pag. 1563.

The apprehension of two and twenty prisoners sent up together for God's word, to London, from Colchester.

AFter this bloody Proclamation or Commission thus given out at London, which was Februarye 8. the third and fourth years of the Kynge and Queens reign, these new Inquisitors, especially some of them began to ruffle and to take upon them no • a little: so that all quarters were full of persecution and prisons almost full of prisoners, namely in the Dioces of Canterbury, whereof (by the leave of Christ) we will say more anon.

In the mean time, about the Town of Colchester, the wind of persecution began fiercely to rise: insomuch that three and twenty together, men and women were apprehended at one clap, of the which xxiij. one escaped. The other xxij. were driven up like a flock of Christian lambes, to London, with two or three leaders with them at most, ready to give their skins to be plucked of for the Gospels sake. Notwithstanding the Bishops, afraid belike of the mumber, to put so many at once to death, sought means to deliver them, and so they did, drawing out a very easy submission for them, or rather suffering them to draw it out thenselves: notwithstanding diverse of thē afterward were takē again & suffered, as hereafter ye shall hear (God willing) declared. Such as met them by the way coming up, saw them in the fields scattering in such sort, as that they might have easily escaped away. And when they entered into the towns, their keepers called them again into array, to go two & two together, having a band or line going between them, they holding the same in their hands, having another cord everyone about his arm, as though they were tied. And so were these fourteen men & eight women carried up to London, the people by the way praying to God for them, to give them strength. At the entering into London, they were pinioned, & so came into the city, as the Picture here shortly after following w ^t their names also subscribed, doth describe. But first let us declare concerning their taking and their attachers, contained in the Commissaryes letter, written to Boner: then, the Indenture made between the commissioners and the popish cōmissary. The letter of the Commissary is this.

The Letter of the Commissary, called John Kingston, written to Bishop Boner.

AFter my duty done in receiving and accōplishing your honorable and most loving letters, dated the 7. of August: Be it known unto your Lordship, that the 28. of August, the Lord of Oxenford, Lord Darcy, H. Tyril, A. Brown, W. Bendlowes, E. Tyrill, Ric. Weston, Roger Apleton, published their cōmissiō to self lands and tenements & goods of the fugitiues, so that the owners should have neither use nor commodity thereof, but by Inuētory remain in safe keeping, until the cause were determined.

And also there was likewise proclaimed the queenes graces warrant, for the restitution of the Church goods within Colchester, & the hundredes thereabout, to the use of God's service. And then were called the parishes particularly, & the heretics partly committed to my examination. And that diverse persons should certify me of their ornaments of their Churches, betwixt this and the Justices next appearance, which shall be on Michaelmas even next. And that parish which had presented at two several times, to have all ornaments, with other things in good order, were exonerated forever, til they were warned again, & others to make their appearance from time to time. And those names blotted in the Indenture, were indicted for treason, fugit • ues, or disobedients, and were put forth by M. Brownes commandment. And before the sealing, my Lord Da • cy said unto me apart, and M. Bendlowes, that I should have sufficient time to send unto your Lordship, yea, if need were, the heretics to remain indurance till I had an answer from you: yea to the Lord Legates graces Commissioners come into the Country.

And master Brown came into my Lord Darcyes house & parlor belonging unto M. Barnaby, before my said Lord and all the Justices, and laid his hand of my shoulder, with a smiling coūtenaunce, and desired me to make his hearty commondations unto your good Lordship, and asked me if I would, and I said. Yea, with a good will. Wherefore I was glad, and thought that I should not have been charged with so sodeine carriage. But after dinner, the Justices counseled with the Bailiffs, and with the Gaolers, and then after took me unto them, and made collation of the Indentures, and sealed; and then Mayster Brown commanded me this after noon, being the 30. of August, to go and receive my prisoners by and by. And then I said, it is an unreasonable commandment, for that I have attended of you here these three days, and this Sunday early I have sent home my men. Wherefore I desire you to have a convenient time appointed, wherein I may know whether it will please my Lord my master to send his Commissioners hither, or that I shall make carriage of them unto his Lordship. Then M. Brown: We are certified, that the Council hath written unto your master, to make speed, and to rid these prisoners out of hand: therefore go receive your prisoners in haste. Then I: Sir, I shall receive them within these ten days. Then M. Brown: The limitation lieth in us, and not in you, wherefor get you hence.

Syr, ye have indicted and delivered me by this Indenture, whose faith or opinions I know not, trusting that ye will grant me a time to examine them, least I should punish the Catholics. Well said Master Brown, for that cause ye shall have time betwixt this and Wednesday. And I say unto you master Bailiffs, if he do not receive them at your hands on Wednesday, set open your door, and let them go.

Then I: My Lord and masters all, I promise to discharge the town and country of these heretics, within ten days. Then my Lord Darcy said: Cōmissary, we do and must all agree in one Wherefore do you receive them on, or before Wednesday.

Then I: My Lord, the last I carried, I was going betwixt the Castell and Sayncte Katherines Chapel, two hours and an half, and in great preasse and danger: Wherefore th • s may be to desire your Lordship, to give in commandment unto my Mayster Sayer, Bailiff, here present, for to aid me thorough his liberties, not only with men and weapons, but that the Town clarke may be ready there with his book to write the names of the most busy persons, and this upon three hours warning, all which both my Lord and M. Brown commanded.

And the 31. of August, William Goodwin of Muchbirch husbandman, this brynger, and Thomas Alsey of Copforde youre Lordships Apparitour of your Consistory in Colchester, couenāted with me, that they should hire two other men at the lease, whereof one should be a Bowman, to come to me the next day about two of the clock at after noon, so that I might recite this bargayne before M. Archdeacon, and pay the money, that is, 46. shillinges 8. pence. Wherefore they should then go forth with me unto Colchester, & on Wednesday before three of the clock in the morning receive there at my hand within the Castell, and Motehall, fourteen men, and eight women, ready bound with gives and hempe, and drive, carry, or lead and feed with meat & drink, as heretics ought to be found continually, unto such time that the said William and Thomas, shall cause the said 22. persons for to be delivered unto my Lord of London's Officers and within the safe keeping of my said Lord, and then to bring unto me again the said Giues, with a perfect token, of, or from my said Lord, and then this covenant is void, or else. &c.

Master Bendlowes said unto me in my Lord of Oxenfordes Chamber at the kings head, after I had said Mass before the Lord's, that on the morrow after Holy Rood day, when we shall meet at Chelmesford for the division of these lands, I think Mayster Archdeacon, you, and Mayster Smith shall be fain to ride with certain of the Jury to those porcions and manours in your part of Essex, and in like case devide our selves, to tread and view the ground with the Quest, or else I think the Quest will not labor their matter, and so do you say unto Mayster Archdeacon.

Alice the wife of William Walleys of Colchester, hath submitted herself, abjured her erroneous opinions, asked absolution, promised to do her solemn penance in her Parish Church at Saint Peters on Sunday next, and to continue a Catholic & a faithful woman, as long as GOD shall send her life. And for these couenauntes, her husband standeth bound in five pound. Which Alice is one of the nine women of this your Indenture: and that she is big with child. Wherefore she remaineth at home, and this done in the presence of the Bailiffs, Aldermen, & towneclarke. And for that Master Brown was certyfied, there was no Curate at Lexdon, he inquired who was the Farmer. The answer was made, Syr Francis Iobson. Who is the Parson? They of the Questmen answered, Syr Roger Chostlow. When was he with you? Not this fourtene years. How is your Cure served? Now and then. Who is the Patron? My Lord of Arundell. And within short time after Syr Francis Iobson came with great curtesy unto my Lord Darcies place. And of all Gentlemē about us, I saw no more come in Sir Robert Smith Priest, sometime Chanon of Bridlington: now Curate of Appledote, in the wild of Kent, came to Colchester the 28. day of Aug. with his wife big with child, of late divorced, taken on suspicion, examined of the Lord's, and M Brown told me that they have received letters from the counsel, for the attachment of certain persons, and e • peciallye of one Priest, whose name is Pullen (but his right name is Smith) doubting this Priest to be he the said Pullen, although neither he nor his wife would confess the same.

Wherefore he lieth still in prison, but surely this is not Pullē. If it please your Lordship to have in remembrance, that the householders might be compelled to bring every man his own wife to her own seat in the Church in time of Divine service it would profit much. And also there be yet standing Hospitals and other of like foundation about Colchester, which I have not known to appear at any visitation, as the Master and Lazars of Mary Magdalene in Colchester, the Proctor of saint Katherines Chapel in Colchester, the hospital or Beadhouse of the foundation of Lord H. Marney, in Laremarny, the Hospital and Beadman of little Horksley. Thus presuming of youre Lordships goodness, I more then bold ever to trouble you, with this worldly business, beseeching almighty God to send your honorable Lordship a condign reward.

An Indenture made between the Lord's and the Justices within specified, and Boners Commissary, concerning the delivery of the prisoners above named.

THis Indēture made the xix. day of August, in the third and 4. years of the raygnes of our sovereign Lord and Lady, Philip and Mary by the grace of God King & Queen of England, Spain, France, both Cicils, Jerusalem, and Ireland, defenders of the faith, Archdukes of Austria, Dukes of Burgundy, Myllayne, & Brabant Countyes of Hasburgh, Flaunders, and Tirell, between the right honorable Lord John de Ueere, Earl of Oxenford, Lord high Chamberlayne of England, Thomas Lord Darcy of Chiche. Henry Tirel Knight, Anthony Brown, the King and Queens Majesty’s Sergeaunt at law, William Bendelowes, Sergeaunt at law, Edmund Tirel, Richard Weston, Roger Appletō, Esquiers, Justices of Ooyer, and determiner, & of the peace, within the said County of Essex, to be kept of the one party, and John Kingstone clerk Bachelor at law, Commissary to y ^e Bish. of London. of y ^e other party, witnesseth that Ro. Colman of Walton in y ^e County of Essex laborer, John Winseley of Horseley Magna in y ^e said County, Spinster, Stephen Glover of Raylye, in the County aforesaid, Glover, Richard Clerke of much Holland in the said County Mariner, William Munt of much Bently, in the said County husbandmā, Tho. Winseley of much Horseley in y ^e said County, Sawyer, Margaret field of Ramesey, in the said County, Spinster: Agnes Whitlocke of Douercourt, in the said County, Spinster, Alice Munt of much Bentley in the said Countye, Spinster, Rose Alin of the same town and County, Spinster, Richard Bongeor of Colchester in the said County Corier, Richard Atkin of Halstead in the said County, Weaver, Robert Barcocke of Wiston, in the said Countye of Suffolk, Carpenter, Rich. George of Westbarhoult, in the county of Essex, laborer, Rich. Iolley of Colchester in the said County. Mariner, Tho. Feeresanne of the same town and County, Mercer, Robert Debnam late of Dedham, in the said coūty, Weaver, Cicely Warren of Cocksall in the said county Spinster, Christian Peper widow, of the same town and County, Allin Simpson, Elene Euring, Alice the wife of William Walls of Colchester, Spinster, and William Bongeor of Colchester in the said County, Glasier, being indicted of heresy, are delivered to the said John Kingstone Clerke, Ordinary to the Bishop of London, according to the statute in that case provided.

In witness whereof to the one part of this Indenture remaining with the said Earl, Lord, and other the Justices, the said Ordinary hath set to his hand and seal, and to the other part remaining with the said Ordinary, the said Earl, Lord, and other the Justices have set to their several hands & seals, the day & years above written.

• Oxenford.
• Thomas Darcy.
• Henry Tyrell.
• Antony Brown.
• William Bendelowes
• Edmund Tyrell.
• Richard Weston.
• Roger Appleton.

These xxii. aforesaid prisoners thus sent from Colchester to London, were brought at length to B. Boner. As touching the order and manner of their coming & bringing, the said Boner himself writeth to Cardinal Poole, as you shall hear.

*A letter of B. Boner to Cardinal Poole.

By this letter of Bishop Boner to the Cardinal, is to be understand, what good will was in this Bish. to have the blood of these men, and to have past w ^t sentence of condemnation against them, had not the Cardinal somewhat (as it seemed) have stayed his fervent headines. Concerning the which Cardinal, although it cannot be denied by his Acts and writings, but that he was a professed enemy, and no otherwise to be reputed but for a papist: yet again it is to be supposed, that he was none of the bloody & cruel sort of papists, as may appear not only by staying the rage of this Bishop: but also by his solicitous writing, and long letters written to Cranmer, also by y ^e complaints of certain papists, accusing him to the Pope to be a bearer with the heretics, & by the popes letters sent to him upon the same, calling him up to Rome, & setting Friar Peto in his place, had not Q. Mary by special entreaty have kept him out of the popes danger. All which letters I have (if need be) to show: besides also that it is thought of him that toward his latter end a little before his coming from Rome to England, he begā somewhat to savor the doctrine of Luther, and was no less suspected at Rome: Yea & furthermore did there at Rome convert a certain learned Spanyarde from papisme to Luther's side: notwithstanding the pomp and glory of the world afterward carried him away to play the papist thus as he did. But of this Cardinal enough.

To return now to this godly company again, first how they were brought up in bands to London, ye have heard: Also how Boner was about to have red the Sentence of death upon them, & how he was stayed by y ^e Cardinal ye understand. As touching their confession, which they articled up in writing, it were to tedious to recite the whole at length. Briefly touching the article of the Lord's Supper (for the which they were chiefly troubled) thus they wrote, as here followeth.

The supper of the Lord.

WHeras Christ at his last supper, took bread, & whē he had givē thanks he brake it & gave it to his disciples and said: take, eat, this is my body: & likewise took the cup and thanked. &c. We do understand it to be a figurative speech, as the most manner of his language was in parrables & dark sentences, that they which are carnally minded, should see with their eyes, and not perceive, and hear with their ears & not understand, signifying this, that as he did break the bread among them, being but one loaf, & they all were partakers thereof, so we through his body, in that it was broken, and offered upon y ^e cross for us, are all partakers thereof, and his blood cleanseth us from our sins, & hath pacified God's wrath towards us and made the atonement between God & us, if we walk henceforth in the light even as he is the true light.

And in that he said further, do this in the remembrance of me, it is a memorial and token of the suffering & death of Jesus Christ: and he commanded it for this cause, that y ^e congregatiō of Christ should come together to show his death, and to thank and laud him for all his benefits, & magnify his holy name, & so to break the bread & drink the wine, in remembrance that Christ had given his body and shed his blood for us.

Thus you may well perceive, though Christ called y ^e bread his body, & the wine his blood, yet it followeth not, that the substance of his body should be in the bread and wine: as diverse places in Scripture are spoken by Christ and the Apostles in like phrase of speech, as in John. 15. I am the true vine, also in John the .10. I am the door, and as it is written in the 9. to the Hebrews, and in Exodus 24. how Moses took the blood of the Calves and sprinkled both the book and all the people, saying: This is the blood of the covenant or Testament. And also in the 5. chapter of Ezekiel, how the Lord said unto him concerning y ^e third parte of his hear, saying: This is Jerusalem. &c.

Thus we see the Scriptures how they are spoken in figures, and ought to be spiritually examined, and not as they would have us to say, that the bodily presence of christ is in the bread, which is a blasphemous understanding of the godly word, and is contrary to all holy scriptures. Also we do see that great Idolatry is sprong out of y ^e carnal understanding of the word of Christ: This is my body, & yet daily springeth, to the great dishonor of God, so that men worship a piece of bread for God, yea and hold that to be their maker.

After this confession of their faith and doctrine, being written and exhibited, they also devised a letter withal, in manner of a short supplication, or rather an admonition to the Judges and Commissioners, requiring that Justice and Judgment, after the rule of God's word might be ministered unto them. The copy of which their letter I thought here also to show unto the reader in form as followeth.

*A letter or supplication of the prisoners to the Judges.

TO the right honorable audience before whom these our simple writings and the confession of our faith shall come to be read or seen, we poor prisoners being fast in bands upon the trial of our faith, which we offer to be tried by the scriptures, pray most heartily, that for as much as God hath given you power, and strength over us, as concerning our bodies, under whom we submit our selves as obedient subjects in all things due, ye being officers and rulers of the people, may execute true judgment, keep the laws of righteousness, govern the people according to right, and to hear the poor and helpless in truth, and to defend their cause.

God for his son Jesus Christ's sake, give you the wisdom and understanding of Solomon, David, Hezekiah, Moses, with diverse others most virtuous rulers, by whose wisdom & most godly understanding, the people were justly ruled, and governed in the fear of God, all wickedness was by them overthrown and beaten down, and all godliness and virtue did flourish and spring. O God which art the most highest, the creator & maker of all things, and of all men both great and small, and carest for all alike, which doest try all men's works and imaginations, before whose judgment seat shall come both high and low, rich and poor, we most humbly beseech thee to put into our rulers hearts the pure love and fear of thy name, that even as they thenselves would be judged, and as they shall make answer before thee, so to hear our causes, to judge with mercy, and to read over these our requests and confessions of our faith, with deliberation, and a godly judgment.

And if anything here seemeth to your honorable audience to be erroneous or disagreeing to the scripture, if it shall please your Lordship to hear us patiently, which do offer our selves to the scriptures, thereby to make answer, and to be tried, in so doing we poor subjects being in much captivity & bondage are most bound to pray for your noble estate and long preservation.

The request of these men being so just, and their doctrine so sound, yet all this could not prevail with the Bishop and other Judges, but that Sentence should have proceeded against them incontinent, had not the goodness of the Lord better provided for his servants, then the Bishoppe had intended. For as they were now under the edge of the axe, ready to be condemned by sentence it was thought otherwise by the Cardinal, and some other wiser heads, fearing belike, least by the death of so many together, some disturbance might rise. peradventure among the people, and so was decreed among themselves, that rather they should make some submission or confessiō, such as they would themselves, • nd so to be sent home again, as they were in deed: howbeit diverse of them afterward, wer apprehended and put to death. But in the mean space as touching their submission which they made, this it was, as in form here followeth.

The submission or confession of these aforesaid prisoners.

BEcause our savior Christ at his last supper took bread and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it unto his Disciples and said: Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you, this do in the remembrance of me: Therefore according to the words of our savior Jesus Christ, we do believe in the sacrament to be Christ's body. And likewise he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to his Disciples and said: This is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for many.

Therefore likewise we do believe that it is the blood of Christ, according as Christ's Church doth minister the same. Unto the which Catholic Church of Christ, we do in this, like as in all other matters submit our selves promising therein to live as it becometh good chrystian men, and here in this realm to use our selves, as it becometh faithful subjects unto our most gracious king and Queen, and to all other superiors both spiritual and temporal, according to our bounden duties.

The names of them which subscribed to this submission were these, John Atkine, Alyn Symson, Richard George. Thomas Firefanne, William Munt, Richard Ioly Richard Gratwicke, Thomas Winsley, Richard Rothe, Richard Clerke, Stephen Glover, Robert Colman, T. Merse, William Bongeor, Robert Bercocke, Margaret Hide, Elyn Euryng, Christian Pepper, Margaret feld, Alyce Munt, Joan Winesley, Cysly Warren, Rose Alyn Anne Whitelocke, George Barker, John Saxebye, Thomas Locker, Alyce Locker.

A story of five other godly Martyrs burned at one fire in Smithfield, the 12. day of April.

TO proceed further in this story of persecuted martyrs next in order follow five other burned at London in Smithfield in the foresaid year of the Lord. 1557. April 12. whose names were these.

• Thomas Loseby.
• Henry Ramsey.
• Thomas Thyrtell.
• Margaret Hyde, and
• Agnes Stanley.

Who being, some, by the Lord Riche, some by other Justices of peace, and Constables (their own neighbors) at the first accused, and apprehended for not coming to their parish Churches, were in the end sent unto Boner Bish. of London, and by his commandment the 27. day of January, were examined before Doctor Darbyshyre, then Chancellor to the said Bishop, upon the former general Articles mentioned, pag. 1672.

Aunsweres to the Articles.

WHose answers thereunto were, that as they confessed there was one true & Catholic church whereof they steadfastly believed, and thought the Church of Rome to be no part or member: so in the same Church they believed there were but two sacraments, that is to say Baptism, and the supper of the Lord. Howbeit some of them attributed the title and honor of a sacrament, to the holy estate of Matrimony, which undoubtedly was done rather of simple ignorance then of any willful opinion, and are thereof to be adjudged as before is admonished.

Moreover, they acknowledged themselves to be Baptized into the faith of that true Church, as in the third article is specified. And here in reading, as well of these Articles, as also of the rest, mark I beseech you, the crafty subteltie of these Catholic Champions, who intermitting certain points of faith, and of the true Church, with the Idolatrous and superstitious mametry of their romyshe Synagogue, cause the poor and simple people, for lack of knowledge, oftentimes to fall into their crafty nets.

For after they have made them grant a true Church with the Sacraments of the same, though not in such mumber as they would have them, and also that they were christened into the faith thereof, that is, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and the holy Ghost, they craftily now in the other their objections, descending as it were from the faith of the Trinity, unto their Idolatrous Mass & other superstitious ceremonies, would make them grant that now in denying thereof, they have severed thenselves from the faith of the true Church, whereunto they were Baptized, which is most false. For though the true light of God's Gospel & holy word, was marvelously darkened and in a manner utterly extinguished: yet the true faith of the Trinity, by the merciful providence of God, was still preserved, and into the faith thereof were we baptized, and not into the belief and profession of their horrible Idolatry and vain ceremonies.

These things not thoroughly weighed by these poor, yet faithful, and true members of Christ, caused some of them ignorauntly to grant, that when they came to the years of discretion, and understood the light of the Gospel, they did separate themselves from the faith of the Church, meaning none other but only to separate themselves from the admitting or allowing of such their popish and erroneous trash as they now had defiled y ^e church of christ w ^t all & not from their faith received in baptism, which in express words in their answers to y ^e other articles they constantly affirmed, declaring the Mass and sacrament of the alter, to be most wicked blasphemy against Christ Jesus, & contrary to the truth of his Gospel, and therefore utterly they refused to assent and to be reconciled again thereunto.

These answers in effect, of them thus taken by the said Chancellor, they were for that time dismissed: but the Bishop taking the matter into his own hands, the vi. day of Marche, propounded unto them certain other new articles, the copy whereof followeth.

Other articles objected by Boner Bi. of London against Tho. Loseby, Henry Ramsey, Thomas Thyrtell, Margaret Hide, and Agnes Stanley, the vi. day of March, being the second time of their examination.

1. FIrst, that thou hast thought, believed, and spoken, w ^t in some part of the city and Dioces of London, that the faith, Religion, and Ecclesiastical service here observed and kept, as it is in the Realm of England, is not a true and a laudable faith, Religion, and service, especially concerning the Mass, and the 7. sacraments, nor is agreeable to God's word & testament, & that thou canst not find in thy heart without murmuring, grudging, or scruple to receive and use it, & to conform thyself unto it, as other subjects of this realm customably have done and do.

2. Item, that thou hast thought. &c. that the english service set forth in the time of king Edward the vi. here in this Realm of England, was and is good and godly, & Catholic in all points, and that it alone ought here in this realm to be received, used, and practiced, & none other.

3. Item, likewise thou hast thought. &c. that thou art not bound to come to thy Parishe Church, & there to be present, and hear Mattins, Mass, Evensong and other Divine service, song or said there.

4. Item, thou hast thought. &c. that thou art not bound to come to procession to the Church upon days and times appointed, and to go in the same with others of the parish singing or saying then the accustomed prayers used in the Church, nor to bear a taper or candle on Candelmas day nor take Ashes upon Ashwednesday, nor bear Palms upon Palme Sunday, not to creep to the cross upon days accustomed, nor to receive and kiss the paxe at Mass time nor to receive holy water or holy bread, or to accept and allow the ceremonies and usages of the Church, after the manner and fashion as they are used in this realm.

5. Item, thou hast thought. &c. that thou art not bound at any time to confess thy sins to any priest, and to receive absolution at his hands, as God's Minister, not to receive at any time the blessed sacrament of the alter, especially as it is used in this Church of England.

6. Item, thou hast thought &c. that in matters of religion and faith, thou must follow and believe thine own conscience only, and not to give credit to the determination & common order of y ^e Catholic Church, & the sea of Rome nor to any member thereof.

7. Item, thou hast thought. &c. that all things do chance of an absolute and precise mere necessity, so that whether man do well or evil, he could not choose but do so, and y ^t therefore no man hath any free will at all.

8. Item, thou hast thought &c. that the fashiō and manner of Christening of infantes, is not agreeable to God's word and that none can be effectually Baptized, and thereby saved except he have years of discretion to believe himself, & so willingly accept or refuse Baptism at his pleasure.

9. Item, thou hast thought &c. That Prayers to Saints or Prayers for the dead, are not auaylable and not allowable by God's word, or profitable in any wise, and that the souls departed do straightways go to heaven or to hell, or else do sleep till the day of dome, so that there is no place of purgation at all.

10. Itē, thou hast thought &c. that all such as in the time of king Hen. the viii. or in time of Queen Mary of England, have been burned as heretics, were no heretics at all: but faithful and good Christian people, especially Barns, Garret, Jerome, Frith, Rogers, Hooper, Cardmaker, Latimer, Taylor, Bradford, Philpot, Cranmer, Ridley, and such like, and that thou diddest and doest allow, like, and approve all their opinions, & doest mislike their condemnations and burnings.

11. Item, thou hast thought &c. that fasting and prayers used in this Church of England, and the appointing of days for fasting, and the abstaining from flesh upon fasting days, and especially in the time of Lent, is not laudable or allowable by God's word, but is hypocrisy & foolishness: and that men ought to have liberty to eat at all times all kinds of meat.

12. Item, thou hast thought &c. that the sacrament of the alter is an idol, and to reserve and keep it, or to honor it, is plain idolatry and superstition: and likewise of the mass and the elevation of the sacrament.

13. Item, thou hast thought. &c. that thou or any else, convented before an Ecclesiastical judge concerning matters of belief and faith, art not, nor is bound to make answer at all, especially under an oath upon a book.

Their answers to the Articles before objected.

THeir answers to these objections were, that as touching the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, ninth, tenthe, & twelfth, they generally granted unto, saving that they denied the souls of the departed to sleep til y ^e day of judgment, as is mentioned in the ix. article.

And as concerning the sixth objection, they thought thē selves bound to believe the true Catholic Church, so far forth as the same doth instruct them according to God's holy word, but not to follow the determinations of the erroneous and Babilonicall Church of Rome.

As for the seventh, eight, and thirtenth, they utterly denied, that ever they were of any such absurd opinions as are contained therein, but they granted that man of him self without the help and assistance of God's spirit, hath no power to do any good thing acceptable in God's sight.

To the eleventh they said, that true fasting and prayer used according to God's word, are allowable and auaylable in his sight, and that by the same word every faithful man may eat all meats at all times, with thanksgiving to God for the same.

After this y ^e first day of April, were they again convented before the Bishop in his palace at London, where little appeareth to be done, except it were to know whether they would stand to their answers, & whether they would recant or no. But when they refused to recant and deny the received and infallible truth, the Bishop caused them to be brought into the open Consistory, the third day of the same month of April in the forenone, where first understanding by them their immutable constauncye and steadfastness, he demanded particularly of everyone what they had to say, why he should not pronounce y ^e Sentence of condemnation.

To whom Tho. Loseby first answered: God give me grace and strength to stand against you, & your Sentence, & also against your law, which is a devouring law, for it devoureth the flock of Christ. And I perceive there is no way with me but death, except I would consent to your devouring law, and believe in that Idol the Mass.

Next unto him answered Thomas Thirtell, saying: my Lord, I say thus, if you make me an heretic, then you make Christ and all the 12. Apostles heretics, for I am in the true faith and right belief, & I will stand in it, for I know full well I shall have eternal life therefore.

The Byshoppe then asked the like question of Henry Ramsey. Who said again: my Lord, will you have me to go from the truth that I am in? I say unto you that my opinions be the very truth, which I will stand unto, and not go from them: & I say unto you farther, that there are two Churches upon the earth, and we (meaning himself & other true Martyrs and professors of Christ) be of the true Church, and ye be not.

Unto this question next answered Margaret Hide, saying: my Lord, you have no cause to give Sentence against me, for I am in the true faith and opinion, & will never forsake it: & I do wish that I were more stronger in it then I am.

Last of all answered Agnes Stanley, & said: I had rather every hear of my head were burned, if it were never so much worth, then that I will forsake my faith and opinion which is the true faith.

The time being now spent, they were commanded to appear again at afternoon in the same place, which commandment being obeyed, y ^e Bishop first called for Loseby, & after his accustomed manner willed his Articles & answers to be read: in reading thereof, when mention was made of the Sacrament of the Aultar, the Bishoppe with his Colleagues put of their cappes. Whereat Loseby said: my Lord, seeing you put of your cap, I will put on my cap, & there withal did put on his cap. And after, the Bishop continuing in his accustomable persuasions, Loseby again said unto him: my Lord, I trust I have y ^e spirit of truth, which you detest and abhor, for the wisdom of God is foolishness unto you. Wherupon the Bishop pronounced the sentence of condemnation against him. And delivering him unto the Sheriff, called for Margaret Hide, w ^t whō he used y ^e like order of exhortatōs

To whom notwithstanding she said: I will not depart from my sayings till I be burned: and my Lord (quoth she) I would see you instruct me with some parte of God's word, & not to give me instructions of holybread and holy water, for it is no part of the scripture. But he being neither himself, nor any of his, able rightly to accomplish her request, to make short work, used his final reason of conuincement, which was of the sentence of condemnation. And therefore leaving her off, called for another, videl. Agnes Stanley, who upon the Bishops like persuasions made this answer.

My Lord, where you say I am an heretic, I am none: neither yet will I believe you, nor any man y ^t is wise will believe as you do. And as for these that ye say be burnt for heresy, I believe are true martyrs before God: therefore I will not go from my opinion and faith, as long as I live.

Her talk thus ended, she received the like reward that the other had. And the bishop then turning his tale & manner of enticement unto Thomas Thyrtel, received of him likewise this final answer: My Lord, I will not hold with youre Idolatrous ways, as you do: for I say the Mass is Idolatry, and will stick to my faith and belief so long as the breath is in my body. Upon which words he was also condemned as an heretic.

Last of all, was Henry Rāsey demanded if he would (as the rest) stand unto his answers, or else recanting y ^e same, come home again, and be a member of their church. Whereunto he answered: I will not go from my religiō and belief as long as I live: and my Lord (quoth he) your doctrine is naught, for it is not agreeable to God's word.

After these words, the Bishop (to conclude) pronoūcing the sentence of condemnation against him and y ^e rest: (as ye have heard) charged y ^e Sheriffs of London w ^t thē: who being thereunto commanded, the xii. day of the same

Three burned in Saint Georges field in Southwarke.

AFter these, moreover in the month of May followed 3. other that suffered in S. Georges field in Southwark William Morant, Stephen Gratwicke, with one king.

Among other histories after the persecuted and condemned saints of God, I find the condemnation of none more strange nor unlawful, thē of this Stephen Gratwicke. Who first was condemned by the byshopp of Wynchester and the bishop of Rochester, which where not his Ordinaryes.

Secondly when he did appeal from those imcompetēt Judges to his right Ordinary, his appeal could not be admitted.

Thirdly, when they had no other shift to color their inordinate proceedings with all, they suborned one of the priests to come in for a counterfayt and a false Ordinary and sit upon him.

Fourthly being openly convinced and overturned in his own arguments, yet the said Bishop of Winchester D. White, neither would yield to the force of truth, nor suffer any of the audience assistant, once to say, God strengthen him.

Fifthly, as they brought in a false Ordinary to sit upon him: so they pretended false articles against him, which were no part of his examinations, but of their devising, to have his blood.

Sixthly and lastly, having no other ground nor just matters against him, but only for saying these words: that which I said, I have said, they red the sentence of death upon him.

And this was the dealing of these men, which needs will be reputed for Catholic fathers of y ^e spirituality succeders of the Apostles, disciples of Christ, pillars of the holy Church, and leaders of the people. Of whose doings and proceedings, howe agreeable they are to the example of Christ and his Apostles, I leave to discuss, referryng y ^e judgment hereof to them, which know the institution of Christ's religion and doctrine.

Now least peradventure the disordered misrule of these Christmas Lord's, will not be credited upon the simple narration of the story, ye shall hear the whole discourse of this process registered by the hand of the Martyr himself, who as he could tell best what was done: so I am sure would not testify otherwise, then truth was, according as you shall hear by his own declaration here following.

The declaration of Stephen Gratwicke concerning his own story and condemnation.

VPon the xxv. day of May, in y ^e year of our Lord, 1557. I. Stephen Gratwick came before y ^e Bishop of Winchester, D. White, into S. Georges Church in Southwarke at eight of the clock in the morning and then he called me before him, and said unto me.

Then stepped forth a gentleman & said unto my Lord: take hede what you do, for he doth hear say that you have no title nor cause why you should condemn him.

Then the bish. looked about him again, and asked me if I would recant.

I asked him whereof I should recant?

Then said the bish. are you there? nay then I know what I have to do, and so he proceeded forth in reading my condemnation. And there was another gentlemā which began to snap and snatch at me: and then said I, I would God I had known this or ever I had come from home: I would surely have put on breeche, and not had my skin thus torn. And all this while the Bishop red forth still.

At last his chaplains cried, stop, stop my Lord, for now he will recant, and then the bishop asked me again.

And I answered & said: my lord, my faith is grounded more steadfastly, then to change in a moment, it is no process of time can alter me, unless my faith were as the waves of the sea: and so the B. made an end, & delivered me into the hands of the sheriff, to be carried prisoner to the Marshalsey again. And when I was condemned, I desired God with a loud voice that he would not lay my blood to their charges, if it were his good will, & so then they refused my prayer and sent me away. Then I began to talk as I went, and they cried, cut out his tongue, or stop his mouth, and so I was brought to the Malshalsey, and lapped in iron bands. Therefore I pray unto God that they unto whom this present writing shall come, may take example by my death and soldier fare. So be it. By me Stephen Gratwicke, condemned for God's everlasting truth.

HEere for want of time I have left out many matters, because the Lord hath hastened the time, so that I have written but the briefnes of the matter in probation of faith, and the reward of faith, the which the bish of Roch. & I debated upon: the which matter I would have ben very glad to have set down in writing.

Also much more talk there was, that the B. of Winch. and I had concerning my worldly friends & personable estate: for he played Satan with me, he carried me up to the mountains, and there told me, my learning was good and my eloquence, and also my knowledge, save that I did abuse it (said he): and then he fell to praising of my person, that it was comely & worthy to serve a Prince. Thus Satan flattered with me to make me answer unto such objections as he would lay against me, that I might fall into his Diocese.

Thus Stephen Gratwicke this Christian Martyr, being wrongfully condemned by the bish. of Winchester (as ye have heard) was burned with William Moraunt, and one King, in s. Georges field, about y ^e latter end of May.

Seven godly Martyrs, v. women and ii. men, burned at Maidstone for the word of truth, and professing of sincere religion of Christ.

I Showed a little before, how after the unmerciful proclamation was sent & set forth by the K. and Queen, in the month of Febr. last, the storm of persecution began in all places to rise (whereof some part also is declared before:) but yet in no place more thē in y ^e country & diocese of Cāt. by reason of certain the aforesaid inquisitors, being now armed w ^t authority, but especially by reasō of Ric. Thornton Suffragan of Dover, and the Archd. of Cant. who of their own nature were so furious and fierye against the harmless flock of Christ, y ^t there was no need of any proclamation to stir up the coles of their burning cruelty: by reason whereof many a godly Saint lieth slain under the altare: as in diverse places of this book well may appear.

And now to return to the said diocese of Cant. again, in the next month following, being y ^e month of June, the 18. day of the same, were 7. Christian & true faithful martyrs of christ burned at Maidst. whose names here follow.

Joan Bradbridge of Stapleherst. Walter Appelbie of Maidstone. Petronil his wife. Edmund Alen of Fritenden. Katherine his wife. Joan Mannings wife of Maidstone. Elizabeth a blind Maiden.

As concerning the general Articles commonly objected to them in the public Consistory, & the order of their cōdamnation, it differeth not much from the usual manner expressed before, pag. 1585. neither did their aunsweares in effect much differ from the other that suffered under the same Ordinary in the foresaid diocese of Canterbury.

Now as touching their accusers, and manner of apprehension, and their private cōflicts with the adversaries, I find no great matter coming to my hands, save only of Edmund Alen some intimation is givē men, how his troubles came, what was his cause and answers before the Justices, as here consequently ye shall understand.

The examination of Edmund Alen.

THis Allen was a milner of the parish of Frytenden in Kent, and in a dear yere, when as many poor people were like to starve, he fed them, and sold his corn better cheap by half then others did: and did not that only, but also fed them with the food of life, reading to them the scriptures, and interpreting them. This being known to the popish priests there abouts dwelling, by the procurement of them, namely of John Tailor parson of Fritenden, and Thomas Henden parson of Stapleherst, he was eftsones complained off to the Justices, and brought before syr John Baker Knight, who first sending for them, committed both him and his wife to Ward: but not long after they were let out, I know not how, & so went over unto Calais. Whereafter that he had continued a certain space, he began to be troubled in conscience, & there meeting w ^t one John Web of the same parish of Fritēden, (who was likewise fled from the tyranny of sir John Baker, and parson Tailor) said unto him, y ^t he could not be in quiet there, whatsoever the cause was: for God (said he) had something to do for him in England: & thus shortly he returned home again to the parish of Fritenden. Where was a cruel Priest, there Parson, called John Tailor.

This parson Tailor being infourmed by his brother Sertan, that Edmund Allen the Miluer & his wife, were returned, and were not at mass time in the church: as he was the same time in the midst of his mass, upon a Sunday, a little before the elevation (as they term it) even almost at y ^e lifting up of his Romish God, he turned him to the people in a great rage, and commanded them with all speed, to go unto their house, and apprehend them, and he would come to them w ^t as much hast as might be possible. Which promise he well performed. For he had not so soon made an end of Ite missa est, and the vestments of his back, but by and by he was at the house, and there laying hand of the said Alen, caused him again to be brought to sir Ih. Baker, with a grievous complaint of his exhorting & reading the scriptures to the people, and so was he & his wife sent to Maidstone prison. Witnessed by Richard Fletcher Vicar of Crambroke, and John Webbe of Fritenden.

They were not so soon in prison, but master Baker immediately sent unto their house, certain of his mē, Ih. Dove, Thomas Best, Thomas Linley, Perciuall Barbel, with the foresaid John Tailor parson of Fritenden, and Thomas Henden Parson of Stapleherst, to take an inuentorie of all the goods that were in the house. Where they found in y ^e bedstraw a casket locked with a padlocke, & so cutting the wist thereof, opened it, and found therein a sackcloth bag of money, containing the sum of 13. or 14. pound, partly in gold, & partly in silver. Which money after they had told and put in the bag again, like good carvers for themselves, they carried away with them.

Besides also they found there certain books, as Psalters, Bibles, and other writings. All which books, with the money, were delivered to the foresaid Priest Thomas Henden, parson of Stapleherst, and after in the reign of this Queen, an. 5. Reg. Elisab. was by right law recovered from him again, as in Recordes remaineth to be seen.

Thus good Edmund Allen and his wife, being maliciously accused, wrongfully imprisoned, & cruelly spoiled and robbed of all their goods, were brought (as is aforesaid) before sir John Baker the justice, to be examined: who taūting and reviling him w ^t out all mercy and pity, asked him if those were y ^e fruits of his gospel, to have cōuenticles to gather people together, to make conspiracies, to sow sedition and rebellion: and thus he began w ^t him to reason.

The talk or reasoning between Sir John Baker, Colins his chaplain, and Edmund Allen.

An other story of like cruelty, shown upon other 7. Martyrs burnt at Cant. 3. men and 4. women.

AMong such infinite seas of troubles in these most dangerous days, who can withhold himself from bitter tears, to see the madding rage of these presented Catholics, who being never satisfied with blood to maintain their carnal kingdom, presume so highly to violate the precise law of God's commandments in slaying the simple pore Lambes of the glorious congregation of Jesus Christ, and that for the true testimony of a good conscience, in confessing the immulate gospel of their saluatiō. What heart will not lament the murdering mischief of these men, who for want of work, do so wreke their tine on seely pore women, whose weak imbecility the more strength it lacketh by natural imperfection, the more it ought to be helped, or at least pitied, and not oppressed of men y ^t be stronger, and especially of Priests that should be charitable.

But blessed be the Lord omnipotent, who supernaturally, hath endued from above such weak creatures with such manly stomach and fortitude, so constantly to withstand the uttermost extremity of these pitilesse persecutors: as he did before strengthen the mother of the 7. sons in the Maccabees, & as he hath done since with diverse & sundry other godly womē in these our later days, partly before mentioned, & partly to be mentioned hereafter, & here presently may appear by the martyrdom of these 7. here under following, of the which were 4. women and 3. men, burnt together at Canterb. the 31. day of the said month of June, in the yere aforesaid, whose names are these.

• John Fishcocke. Nicolas White.
• Nicolas Pardue.
• Barbara Final, Widow.
• Bradbreges widow
• Wilsons Wife.
• Bendens Wife.

As it were too tedious exactly and particularly to prosecute the several story of everyone of these godly Martyrs: so I cannot pass over untouched the cruel and unchristian handling of Alice Benden during her imprisonment, according as I have received by the faithful relation of them which best were acquainted with her, & partly also some doers in the matter, being her own natural brethren. The story is thus.

The order of the imprisonment and tragical handling of Alice Benden, wife of Edw. Benden of the parish of Stapleherst in the County of Kent, for the testimony of Christ's Gospel.

FIrst Alice Bēden was brought before one M. Roberts of Crābroke in the said County, the 14. day of Oct. in the yere of our lord 1556. of whom she was demanded, why she would not go to the church. And she answered, that she could not so do w ^t a good and clear conscience, because there was much idolatry committed against the glory of God. For the which, with many mocks and taūts she was sent to prison, where she lay 14. days. For on y ^e 20. day of October her husband required his neighbors the wealthy mē of Stapleherst to write to the Bishop of Dover, who had the chief government of the tyrannical sword in Kent for those days, which they did, desiring him to send her home.

Wherefore the B. called her before him, & asked her if she would go home & go to the church. Wherunto she answered: If I would have so done I need not to have come hither. Then wilt thou go home, and be shriven of y ^e parish Priest? And she said, no, that would she not.

Well, said he, go thy ways home, and go to the Church when thou wilt. Wherunto she answered nothing. But a Priest that stood by, said: she saith, she will my Lord. Wherefore he let her go, and she came forthwith home.

On the Saturday following, her husband willed her to go to the Church: which she both then and else when refused to do. Wherefore on the Sunday 14. days after, he going to the church, came into the company of diverse inhabitaunts of the same parish, among whom thorough his fond talk and behavior, he procured her to be sent to Syr John Gilforde, who commanded her to prison again, yea and the more to utter his own shame, th • said her husband took money of the Constable to carry her to prison, the p • ice of his wives blood, meaning in deed to carry her to prison him self. But she having much more care of his honest and good report, then he had regard (as it is easy to see) of his own infamy, and no less ashamed of his so rude and unnatural doings, chose rather to commit her self willingly into the hands of her enemies, then that the world should witness against her husband, of so facinorous a fact. Wherefore she went to the Constable, desiring him to go with her. But he answered that he could not so do, but granted her his boy to go with her: with whom she went to prison, namely, the castle of Canterbury, according to the commandment given.

Where this one thing is worthy to be noted, y ^• while she was in this prison, she practiced with a prison fellow of hers, the wife of one Potkin, to live both of them w ^t ii. pence halfpenie a day, to try thereby how well they could sustain penury & hunger, before they were put to it. For they had heard that when they should be removed from thence to the Bishops prison, their livings should be but iii. farthings a piece a day, and did in deed both so live for xiv. days ere she were from thence removed.

The 22. day of January following, her husband went again to the bishop, desiring him to deliver his wife out of prison: but he said she was an obstinate heretic and would not be reformed, and therefore said that he could not deliver her.

Then said he: my Lord, she hath a brother whose name is Roger Hal, that resorteth unto her. If your Lordship could keep him from her, she would turn: for he comforteth her, giveth her money, and persuadeth her not to return or relent.

This occasion was not so soon given, but it was as quickly taken, and as cruelly put in execution. For y ^e Bishop commanding her upon the same to a prison called Mondaies hole, there also he gave strait charge, y ^t if at any time her brother came, he should be taken & apprehended.

This prison was w ^t in a Court where the Prebendes chambers were, being a valt beneath the ground, & being before the window, enclosed with a pale of height, by estimation 4. foot & a half, and distant from the same 3. foot, so y ^t she looking from beneath, might only see such as stood at the pale. After this her Brother sought often for her, w ^t no les danger of life, then diligence. But for the unknown situation of y ^e place, it being also, but rarely used for a prison, and the matter as closely kept as it was secretly dou, he could never come to understand of her being there, until through God's merciful will and unsearchable providence, he coming thither very rathe in a morning, her keeper being then gone to the church to ring (for he was a bell ringer) chanced to hear her voice, as she poured out unto God her sorrowful complaints, saying y ^e Psalms of David: and there could he none otherwise relieve her, but by putting money in a loaf of bread, and sticking the same on a pole, and so reached it unto her: for neither w ^t meat nor drink he could sustain her. And this was 5. wekes after her coming thither. Al the which time no creature was known to come at her, more then her keeper.

Their lying in that prison was only upon a little short straw, between a pair of stocks & a stone wall: being allowed iii. farthings a day, that is, a half penye bread, and a farthing drink: neither could she get anymore for her money. Wherefore she desired to have her whole allowance in bread, and used water for her drink. Thus did she lie 9. weeks. During all which time she never changed her apparel: whereby she became at the last a most pitious and loathsome creature to behold.

At her first coming into this place, she did grievously bewail with great sorrow & lamentation, and reasoned with her self: why her Lord God did with his so heavy justice suffer her to be sequestered from her loving fellows into so extreme misery.

In these dolorous mournings did she continue til on a night as she was in her sorrowful supplications in rehearsing this verse of the Psalm: Why art thou so heavy O my soul? And again: The right hand of the most highest can change all: she received comfort in the midst of her miseries: And after that continued very joyful until her delivery from the same.

About the 25. day of March, in the year of our Lord 1557. she was called before the Bishop: who demanded of her, whether she would now go home, and go to the church or no, promising her great favor if she would be reformed and do as they did.

To whom she answered: I am thoroughly persuaded by the great extremity that you have already shown me, that you are not of God, neither can your doings be godly, and I see (saith she) y ^t you seek my utter destruction, showing how lame she then was, of cold taken, & for lack of food, while she lay in that painful prison: whereby she was not able to move her self without great pain.

Then did the bish. deliver her frō that filthy hole, and sent her to Westgate, whereas after she had been changed, and for a while ben clean kept, her skin did wholly so pill & scale off, as if she had been w ^t some mortal venom poisoned. Here she continued till the latter end of April. At which time they called her before them, and with others condemned her, committing her then to the prison called the Castle. Where she continued till the slaughter day, which was the 19. day of June, when by terrible fire they took away her life.

When she was at the stake, she cast her handkerchief unto one John Banks, requiring him to keep the same in y ^e memory of her, and from about her middle she took a white lace which she gave to the keeper, desiring him to give the same to her brother Roger Hall, and to tell him that it was the last band that she was bound with, except the chain. A shilling also of Phillip and Mary she took forth, which her father had bowed and sent her when she was first sent to prison, desiring y ^t her said brother should with obedient salutations render the same to her father again, & show him that it was the first piece of money that he sent her after her troubles begun, which (as she protested) she had kept & now sent him to do him to understand that she never lacked money while she was in prison.

With this Alice Benden were burned also the residue of the other blessed Martyrs above named, being seven in number. Who being brought to y ^e place where they should suffer for the Lord's cause at Canterbury, vndressed them selves joyfully to the fire, and being ready thereto: they all (like the communion of Saints) kneled down and made their humble prayers unto the Lord, with such zeal and affection, as even y ^e enemies of the Cross of Christ could not but like it. When they had made invocation together, they roase and went to the stake, where being compassed with horrible flames of fire, they yielded their souls and lives gloriously into the hands of the Lord.

This Bradbeges wife, when she was condemned of the Bishop to be burned, had ii. children, named Pacience & Charity. Who then said to the bishop, that if he would needs burn her, yet she trusted, that he would take and

The troubles and examinations of Matthew Plase.

VNto these holy martyrs of Kent above specified, where of seven suffered at Maidstone, and seven at Canterb. I thought not unmeet here also to be adjoined the examination of Matthew Plase, a Weaver of the same County of Kent, and a faithful Christian. Who being apprehended and imprisoned likewise for the testimony of a good conscience, in the Castell of Canterbury, was brought to examination before the Bishop of Dover, and Harpsfield the Archdeacon, as here is to be red and seen.

The examination and answers of Matthew Plase Weaver, of the Parish of Stone in the County of Kent, before Thornton Bishop of Dover, Harpesfield Archdeacon, Collins Commissary, & other Inquisitors. An. 1557.

FIrst when I came before the bishop, he asked me whether I were not of that Dioces, and where I dwelt, for that was my first Article.

What became of this Matthew Plaise after, whether he died in prison, or was executed, or delivered, I have as yet no certain knowledge.

The history of ten true godly Disciples, and Martyrs of Christ, burnt together in one fire at Louis. An. 1557. June 22.

IN the town of Louis were ten faithful servants of God put in one fire, the xxij. day of June, whose names follow.

• 1 Rich. Woodman.
• 2 George Stevens.
• 3 W. Mainard.
• 4 Alexander Hosman his servant.
• 5 Tomasin a Wood, Mainards maid.
• 6. Margerie Moris.
• 7. James Moris her son.
• 8. Denys Burgis.
• 9. Ashdons wife.
• 10. Groues wife.

Of the which noumber Richard Woodman was the first. Concerninge whose apprehension first by his enemies, and of his deliverance out of Byshoppe Bouers hands, then of his second taking again by the procurement of his father, brother, kinsfolks and friends, also of his sundry examinations and courageous answers before the Bishops, and lastly of his condemnation, and of his letters sent to his faithful friends, here followeth to be declared by his own words, and relation reported. Which Rich. Woodman, by his occupation was an Ironmaker, dwelling in the Parish of Warbleton, in the County of Sussex, & Dioces of Chichester, of the age of 30. years, and somewhat more. The occasion of his first apprehension was this.

There was one Fairebanke, who sometimes had been a married priest, and served the Cure of Warbleton, where he had often persuaded the people not to credit any other doctrine, but that which he then preached, taught, and set forth in K. Edwards days. And afterward in the beginning of Q. Mary's reign, the said Fayrebanke turning hed to tail, preached clean contrary to that which he had before taught.

Whereupon Richard Woodman hearing him in the Church of Warbleton so to preach contrary to himself, admonished him of his inconstancy, how before time he had taught them one thing, and now another, and desired him to teach them the truth. For the which words he was apprehended and brought before M. John Ashbornham, M. Toston, M. Culpepper, and M. Robertes, Justices of Peace in the County of Sussex, and by them committed to the Kyngs Bench, where he continued from June, the space almost of a year and a half: and from thence was transferred by D. Story into Boners Colehouse, where he remained the space of a month before he came to examination.

At length, the same day when M. Philpot was burned, which was the 18. of December, he with 4. other prisoners was delivered and set at liberty by Boner himself. Notwithstandyng, shortly after he was sought for again, and at last found out and taken by means of his father, brother, and certain other his acquainted friends, and so was sent up again to London to B. Boner, where he remained in the Colehouse 8. weeks. He was there six times examined, and 26. times before, so that his examinations in all, were 32. from his first apprehension, to his condemnation. Touching the whole discourse whereof, for so much as the matter is something strange, and will peradventure scarce find credit upon my narration, with thē which deny all things, that like them not to believe, ye shall hear himself speak, and testify both of the manner of his troubles, and also his own examinations by himself recorded, in order as followeth.