poysoned and his cardinals about him After this Pope succéeded next Pius 3. P. Pius 3. Pope casteth away Peters keyes about the yere 1503. After whom came next Iulius 2. a man more abhominable then all his felowes who on a time when he wēt to warre cast the keies of S. Peter into Tibris saying that for as much as the keyes of Saint Peter woulde not serue him to his purpose he would take to himselfe the sworde of S. Paul Of this Pope Iulius it is certainly reported that partlie with his warres and partlie with his cursinges within the space of seuen yéeres 200000. Christians slaine by the Popes meanes as good as 200000. Christians were destroyed first he besieged Rauenna against the Venetians then Seruia Imola Fauentia Foroliuinum Bononia and other cities which he gat out of princes handes not without great bloudshed This Iulius tooke an oth when he was made Pope as Iohn Sleidan maketh mention that he would haue a coūcell within two yéeres which because he did not performe nine of his Cardinals departed from him and came to Millan and there appointed a councell at Poyse A councell at Poyse among whom the chiefe were Bernardinus Crucenis Guilielmus Prenestinus Franciscus Constantinus with diuerse others among them also were the procurators of the Emperour Maximilian and of Lodouike the French king So the Councell was appointed anno 1511. to begin in the kalēds of September They called this councel to accuse the Pope for certain crimes and to depose him whereof Iulius hearing giuetn out contrary commandemēt vnder great paine no man to obey them and calleth himself another councel against the next yéere to bee begun the 19. day of Aprill The French king vnderstanding Pope Iulius to ioyne with the Venetians and so to take their part against him conuented a Councell at Thurim in the moneth of Septēber In which Councell these questions were propounded 1 Whether it were lawfull for the Pope to moue warre against any Prince without a cause Questions against the P. 2. Whether any prince in defending himself might inuade his aduersarie and denie his obedience To which questions it was answered both to be lawfull and that the pragmatical function Pragamatical function was to be obserued throughout all France After this the king sent vnto Iulius the answere of this Councell requiring him either to agrée to peace or to appoynt a generall Councell where this matter might bee more fullie decided Pope curseth the french K. Iulius would neither of these but forthwith accursed Ludouike the french king and after much bloudshed P. dieth and mortall warre the pope died an 1513. Februarie 21. A note touching the miserable persecution slaughter and captiuitie of the Christians vnder the Turkes THe beastly tirannie of the Turkes Persecution vnder the Turke aboue al the rest incomparablie surmounteth all the afflictions and cruell slaughters that euer were in any age or read in any historie especiallie by the space of these latter 300. yeres Whose crueltie hath béene such that there is no place almost where they vanquished that they did not either slay all the inhabitants thereof or leade away the most part into such captiuitie that they continued not long aliue or els so liued that death had béene vnto them more tollerable And as in the time of the first pesecutions of the Roman Emperours the saying was that no man could steppe with his foote in Rome but should treade vpon a Martyr so it may be said that almost there is not a Towne Citie or village in all Asia Grecia and also in a great part of Europa and Affrica whose stréetes haue not flowed with bloud of the Christians whom the cruell Turkes haue murthered Of whom are to be séene in histories heapes of Souldiers slaine of men and women cut in péeces of children sticked vpon poles and stakes whom these detestable Turkes most spitefullie and that in the sight of their parents vse to gore to death Some they drag at horse tailes famish to death some they teare in péeces tying their armes and legges to foure horses other some they make markes to shoote at vpon some they trie their swordes how déepe they can cut and flash the aged and féeble they tread vnder their horses women with childe they rip their bodies and cast the infantes into the fire or otherwise destroy them In their promises there is no trueth After the Citizens of Croya had yeelded and were promised their liues yet were they destroyed that horrible In Mosia after thee king had geuen himselfe to the Turkes hand hauing promise of life Mahumet slue him with his owne handes The Princes of Rasia had both their eyes put out with basins redde hote set before them Theodosia otherwise called Caphum hauing had promise of safetie being surrendred was likewise destroyed At the yelding of Lesbos a number of young men and children were put vpon sharpe stakes and poles At the winning of Hidruntum a Citie in Apulia the olde were troden vnder horses matrones and virgins rauished women with childe cutte and rent in péeces The Archbishop of that Citie an aged man was cut in sunder with a woodden saw c. At the taking of Nigropontus otherwise called Calcides anno 1471. the Turke contrarie to his promise most cruellie caused all the youth of Italie to be pricked vpon sharpe stakes some to bee dashed vpon harde stones and other some to be cutte in sunder in the middest and other mo with other kindes of death to be consumed In so much that all the stréetes of Chalcides did flowe with the bloud of them that were slaine At the winning of Constantinople the Turke neuer rose from dinner but he caused euery day for his disport thrée hundred Christian Captiues of the nobles of that Citie to be slain before his face So in Methone after his Captaine Omardo had sent vnto him at Constantinople 500. prisoners of the Christians he commanded them all to be cut and deuided in the middle and so being slayn to be throwen out into the fieldes Omares hauing likewise slaine all the Townesmen In Seruia the Prince of the Countrey being sent for vnder faire pretence of wordes and promises to come and speake with the Turke after he was come of his owne gentlenesse was apprehended and had his skinne fleane off and so was put to death His Brother and Sister brought to Constantinople in a triumph and all the Nobles of his Country as Faber addeth had their eyes put out and this was the manner of their cruelties towarde those they put to death Other some he carieth into miserable captiuitie for the Turke neuer cōmeth into Europe to war against the christiās but there followeth after his army a great number of brokers and merchants such as buy men and children and sell them againe bringing with them long chaines in the them againe bringing with them long chaines in the which they linke them by fiftie or
nothing was said thereto But vpon the necke of this ensued the condemnation of the Duchesse and within six yeres after the destruction of the Duke himselfe Anno 1445. H. Chichesly Archb. of Canterbury died by whom the Ladie Eleanor the Duchesse was condemned in S. Steuens Chappel at Westminster Pennance for penāce to beare a taper through Chepesyde thrée sundry times and afterward outlawed to the I le of Man vnder the custodie of Sir Iohn Standley knight This Henrie Chichelesley builded in his time 2. Colledges in Oxford the one called Alsoln colledge Alsoln and Bernard Colledge of Oxford and the other called Bernard colledge About the yeare 1447. Henry Bewford Cardinall and William de la poole duke of Suffolke with the Quéen conspired duke Humfreyes death deuised how to trappe him and for the more speedy furtherance thereof a parliament was sommoned to be kept at Berry far from the citizens of London whither resorted all the Péeres of the Realme and amongest them the Duke of Glocester who on the second day of the Session was by the Lord Beumond high constable of England being accompanied with the duke of Buckingham and others arested apprehended Duke Humf. imprisoned and put in prison and vpon the same all his seruauntes put from him of whom 32 of the principall being also vnder the arrest were dispersed into diuers prisons After this arrest thus done and the duke put into ward the night after saith Hall sixe nightes saith Fabian and Polychronicon he was found dead in his bedde the twenty fourth of February D. Humfrey found dead in prison and his Bodie shewed vnto the Lordes and commons as though hée had béene taken naturally with some suddaine disease This was the end of the good Duke after he had politikely by the space of 25. Good Duke Humfrey yéeres gouerned this realme The next day after the Cardinall died an 1448. in great impatiencie saying fie will not death be hyred nor will mony doo nothing c. The desperate Cardinall Mary Magdalens colledge in Oxford After the Cardinall succéeded William Wainfleet in the Bishopricke of Winchester who founded the colledge of Mary Magdalene in Oxford Anno 1450. William de la Poole beyng accused of treason to the land and indeuouring to flie into Fraunce was encountred with a ship of warre belonging to the tower whereby hée was taken and was brought into Douer rode and there on the side of a shipboat one strake off his head and this ende had the other of the good Dukes enimies The yéere 1450. printing was first inuented by one Ioh. Faustus a goldsmith dwelling first at Argentine afterward a Citizen of Mentz Printing inuented who perceiuing the inuention to come wel to passe made one Iohn Guttemberg Peter Scafford of his counsell binding them by oath to kéepe silence for a while After fiue yéeres Iohn Guttemberg Copartner with Faustus beganne then first to broch the matter at Strasborough Vlricus Han in Latin called Gallus first brought it to Rome This printing was after the inuention of gunnes which were inuented in Germanie an 1380. 130. yeres Printing later then gunnes 130. yeres Anno 1453. Constantinus Paleologus being Emperour of Constantinople the great Citie of Constantinople was taken by the Turke Mahumet after the siege of 54. dayes which siege began in the beginning of Aprill Within the citie beside the Citizens were but onely 6000. Constantinople taken by the Turkes rescuers of the Gréekes and 3000 of the Venetians Genowayes Against these Mahumet broght an army of 400000. collected out of the Countries and places adioyning néere about as out of Grecia Illyrica Wallachia Dardanis Triballis Bulgaris out of Bithinia Galatia Lidia Cicilia and such other which places had yet the names of Christians thus one neyghbour for luker sake helped to destroy another One neighbor destroyeth an other for gayne The Emperour Palaeologus séeing no way but to flée making toward the gate either was slayne or troden downe with multitude The citie beyng thus got the Turkes sacking and ranging about the streetes houses and corners did put to the sword most vnmercifully whosoeuer they found Cruelty of the Turkes both aged and yoong matrons virgins children and infants sparing none the Noble matrons virgins were horribly rauished the goods of the citie and treasures in houses the ornaments in Churches were all sacked and spoyled the pictures of Christ opprobriously handled in despite of Christ The spoile and hauocke of the citie lasted thrée dais together These things thus being done and the tumult ceassed after thrée daies Mahumetes the Turke entereth into the Citie and first calling for the heads and ancients of the Citie such as he found to be left aliue he cōmanded to be mangled and cut in pieces It is also saide as the authour reporteth that in the feasts of the Turkes honest matrones and virgins and such as were of the kings stocke after other contumelies were hewen and cutte in pieces for their disport This end had the noble Citie Constantinople which continued before flourishing equallie with Rome 1120. yeres Ex. Hist Wittenberg Peucer After the death of Henrie Chichesley next succéeded Ioh. Stafford an 1445. who continued 8. yeres After him came Iohn Kemp anno 1453. who sate but thrée yeres Then succéeded Thomas Bursther In the time of which archbishop Raynolde Peacock bishop of Chichesley was afflicted by the Popes Prelates for his faith and profession of the Gospel and being cited vp to Lambeth was caused to recant these points That we are not bound by necessitie of Faith to beléeue that our Lord Iesus Christ after his death descended into hell That it is not necessarie to saluation to beléeue in the catholike church That it is not necessarie to saluation to beléeue the communion of Saints That it is not necessary to saluation to affirme the body materially in the Sacrament That the vniuersall Church may erre in matters which pertaine to faith That it is not necessary for the Church to hold that which euery generall councell shall ordaine With this Pecocke were diuerse mo condemned for heretikes and notwithstanding his recantation he was deteyned still in pryson where some say he was priuily made away by death Pope Nicholas 5. made Felix who renounced his Popedome vnto him a cardinall crowned Fredericke for working the feat and confirmed him to be full Emperour The Emp. not Emp. but king of the Romans before the pope confirmed him for before they be confirmed by the Popes they are not Emperours but are called kings of the Romanes This Pope for to get great summes of mony appointed a Iubile A Iubile in the yéere 1450. Also in his time one Math. Palmerius wrote a booke De Angelis in defending whereof hée was condemned by the Pope and burned at Crona Anno 1448. Ex Tritemio After him succéeded Calixtus 3. P. Calixtus who amongst diuers other things ordained both at noone
Constantius contented only with the title satisfied himselfe with Fraunce Spaine and Britanie Wherefore Galerius chose to him his two sonnes Maximinus and Seuerus Likewise Constantius tooke Constantinus vnder him Constantinus In the meane time while Maximinus with his two Cesars were in Asia the Romā souldiers set vp for their Emperor Maxentius the sonne of Maximinian who had deposed himself against whom Seuerus being sent by his father was slaine of Maxentius in whose place Maximinus tooke Licinius and these Emperours prosecuted the persecution seuen or eight yéeres which was till the yéere 318. Sauing that Constantius and his son Constantinus rather fauoured the Christians Constantius trieth his court who were Christians and minding to trie at a certaine time what good Christians hée had in his court fayned as though hée would doo sacrifice to Diuels and commaunded all his houshold so to doo to the end he might discerne the one from the other which hauing doone and finding a number to remaine constant cherished them and refused the backsliders admitting the other to the chiefe places about him Maximinus in the East churches vsed great crueltie and had executioners of the same Pentius Quintianus Theotechnus besides other but his rage was stayed by the hand of God who sent him such a botch Gods iudgement vpon Maximinus that it putrified and eate his entrailes from whence swarmed an innumerable multitude of lyce wherevpon he caused persecution to cease and required the Christians to pray for him and published edicts of peace vnto them throughout all his Empyre Wherat one Maxentius was not pleased to haue such edicts published where he had to doo in Asia other prouinces But Sabinus who had among them the chief office wrote the Emperours pleasure to the substitutes of euery country whervpon grew a maruellous sudden alteration in the Church But scarse suffered Maximinus the tyrant the same six moneths vnuiolated but set out contrary edicts caused them to be engraued in brasse and hanged in euery citie So that persecution rose againe as great as before At Emysa in Phenicia they condemned thrée christians with whom Syluanus Syluanus the bishop a very old man being 40. yéeres in ecclesiasticall function was condemned to death In Nicomedia Lucianus the Elder of Antioch after he had giuen his Apologie to the Emperour was put to death In Amasia a citie of Cappadocia Bringes the lieftenant of Maximinus had the executing of that persecution At Alexandria Petrus Petrus a most worthy bishop was beheaded with many other Egyptian bishops Quirinus Quirinus the Bishop of Scescanius was throwne into the flood hauing an handmill hanged about his necke and drowned At Rome died Marcellus Marcellus and Timotheus Timotheus the elder with many other Bishops and priests and in many other places diuerse were martyred as Victorianus Symphorianus Castorius with his wife Castulus Cesarius Mennas Nobilis Dorotheus Gorgamus Petrus and other innumerable martyrs more Iuliana Cosmus Damanus Basilenus with 7. other Dorothea Theophilus Theodosia Vitalis Agricola Acha Philemon Hireneus Ianuarius Festus Desiderius Gregorius Spolitanus Agapes Chronia Hirenea Theodora 270. martyred and 270. other Florianus Primus and Felicianus Vitus and Modestus Crescentia Albinus Rogatianus Donatianus Pancratius Catharina Margareta Lucia the virgin and Antheus the king with 37000. martyrs Antheus a king with 37000. martyrs Simplicius Faustinus Beatrix Panthaleon Gregorius Iustus Leocandia Anthonia with an infinite number more Also Felix Victor with his parents Lucia the widdow 79. martyrs Germinianus with 79. others Sabinus Anastacia Chrisogonus Felix and Audactus Adrianus Nathalia Eugenia Agnes of thirtéene yeares old The kind of cruelties were straunge and the persecution more gréeuous vnder Maximinus the tyrant then vnder Maximinianus the Prince Now the Emperour in his edict had declared what plentie they enioyed what times their Idols were adored but immediatly vpon this renewing of persecution fell out most miserable famine and pestilence Famine and pestilence in the which the christians shewed their kindnes vnto the Gentils reléeuing to their power such as they thought to stand in néed Herevpon grew againe some peace Maximinian vnderstanding that the Pretorian souldiers had chosen his sonne Emperour at Rome intended to take vnto him againe his empire and perswaded Dioclesian so to do but was repulsed and prouided to fly to Constantinus in Frāce for aide but indéed purposed to kil him which was detected by Fausta the daughter of Maximinian whō Constantinus had married So that taking no place he retired in the way was apprehended and put to death Certaine companions of Maxentius solliciting a Christian Gentlewoman of Rome whose husband first they had killed to satisfie the filthie desire of the Emperour rather then she would so doe killed her selfe In the beginning of his reigne he fained himself a Christian to the end he might serue his wicked purpose but afterward shewed himself both towards them and in al other behauiour most abhominable giuing himselfe to magicke and pollution of his body with all kinde of cruelty against his owne citizens and nobles He banished a certain noblewoman of Rome because she gaue her goods to the Church The people of Rome being wearied with the villany of Maxentius The villany of Maxentius required ayd of Constantin who first admonished him by letters which nothing preuailing he gathered an armie in Fraunce and Britanny to represse the rage of the of the tyrant To whō he approched and fearing his charms wherewith hée had vanquished Seuerus sent by Galerius stoode in doubt and whilest he was in doubting and casting vp his eies manie times to heauen on the South part about the going downe of the sunne he saw a brightnesse in heauen appearing in the similitude of a crosse A vision of the crosse with certain starres of equall bignesse giuing this inscription like latine letters In hoc vince that is in this ouercome Eusebius Pamphilus made report that he heard Constantinus himselfe often report the same Now he being astonied hereat and consulting vpon the meaning thereof in the night in his sléepe Christ appeared vnto him with the signe of the same crosse which he had séene before bidding him to make the figuratiō thereof and to carrie it in his warres before him and so should he haue victorie Wherevpon he marched towards Maxentius hauing done as the vision commanded who being constrained to issue out of the citie to méete him commanded Pons Milonius to be beaten down a false bridge to be made thinking thereby to take Constantinus But hée himselfe being not able to sustaine Constantinus force Maxentius drowned The last persecution ended and retiring in hope to get the Citie was ouerthrowen of his horse into the flood and drowned and so ended the last Persecution The first attempt of Constantinus against Maxentius was Ann. 318. So that thrée hundred yeres was the ful time of the persecution from Christ Constantinus for this
honorable parentage and not mariageable when she professed Christ wherefore being brought before the iudge she was threatned torments which she contemned then was she threatned to be cōmitted to the common stewes yoonkers appointed to assaile her whom when she refused cōmandement was giuen that shee should bee tied at a corner of a stréete naked where cōmon strumpets vsed to resort At this the multitude being greatly ashamed went away sauing one who beholding the virgin with vnchast eies was stricken with lightning A miracle his eies dasht out of his head whom Agnes praied for restored In the end she was beheaded and greatly reioyced to sée the executioner preferring him before all the amorous companie There are many miracles reported of her Catharine Katherine openly resisted the Emperour Maxentius to his face rebuking him for his crueltie wherefore after shee had felt the racke and the foure sharpe cutting wheeles she was beheaded about the yeere of the Lord 310. There was also one Iulitta Iulitta who was dispossessed wrōgfullie of her goods by the Emperors Deputie for which shée complayned to the Emperor but the couetous and false deputie accused her of Christianitie wherefore she could haue no redresse Whereupon being commaunde to doe sacrifice with Incense she refused it and confirmed and encouraged others She was burnt in the fire so slept in the Lord. Also Barbara a noble womā in Thuscia after she had suffered most cruel torments as cordes burning of her sides was at the last beheaded Also Fausta Fausta the virgin who suffered vnder Maximinus by whom Euelasius a ruler in the Emperors palace and Maximinius the president were both conuerted suffered martyrdome Also Iuliana of Nicomedia vnder Maximinus Item Anisia a mayd of Thessalonica vnder the same Maximinus Iustina which suffered with Cyprianus bishop of Antioch Also Lucia Agatha and Tecla who rather suffered vnder Nero as most doo agrée which all holy virgins suffered in the tenth persecution of Dioclesian Succession of Bishops of Rome Now during the time of this persecution these Bishops succéeded one the other Caius who succéeded next after Xistus Marcellinus Marcellus Eusebius and then Miltiades all which died martyrs in the time of this persecution Marcellinus hauing giuen place to Dioclesian and sacrificed was excommunicated but repented and was martyred with Claudius Cyrinnus and Antonius Marcellus also refusing to doe sacrifice was beaten with wasters and expelled the citie and entred into the house of Lucina Lucina a widow assembled the congregation Which the tyrant hearing of turned the house of Lucina into a stable and made Marcellus a kéeper of beasts and so with stinch thereof and miserable handling he died Eusebius sate Bishop of Rome two moneths some say eight some sixe moneths Miltiades by the testimonie of Platina sate thrée yéeres seuen moneths suffered vnder Maximinus Which séemeth not to be true because he died before Miltiades He was the last of the bishops of Rome that were in danger to suffer Yet persecutiō in Asia Now in the East partes in all Asia as yet for the space of iiij yerers persecutiō did not cease by the meanes of wicked Licinius vnder whom suffered diuers as Hermylus a Deacon and Stratonicides a kéeper of the prison Which both after punishments sustayned were strangled in the floud Ister Now also vnder Sapores Vnder Sapores king of Persia suffered Acyndinus Pegasius Anempodistus and Epidephorus also Simeon Archbishoppe of Selentia with Ctesiphon another Bishop in Persia with other ministers and religious men 128. martirs to the number of 128. The Magicians of Persia accused Simeon and Ctesiphō to Sapores that they fauoured the Romane Empire and reuealed to the Emperor such things The magiciās raise persecution as were done in Persia Whereupon he called for Simeon the chief Bishop and endeuoured to perswade him to doe sacrifice which he refusing was committed to prison and in the way going to the Gaole there was sitting at the kings gate a certaine Eunuche an olde Schoolemaster and Tutor of the kinges named Vsthazares Vsthazares who had fallen from Christianitie to Idolatrie who séeing the. B. passing by led to prison rose vp did reuerence vnto him Simeon Simeon againe with sharpe words rebuked him and cried out against him Whereat the Eunuche burst out into teares and laying away his Courtly attire put vpon him a mourning wéede and sate before the Court gates wéeping and saying within himselfe woe is me with what hope shall I hereafter looke for my God whē Simeon my familiar acquaintance so much disdayneth me Which being made known vnto the king A notable historie and he confessing himselfe a christian after many perswasible words in vain he was by the kings commandement led away to be beheaded Going vnto execution hée desired that the king woulde graunt him for the old and faithfull seruice he had done him that it might be proclaimed by a Crier that Vsthazares was not beheaded for any offence against the king or Realm but onlie because he was a christiā Which he required because his shrinking from the faith gaue great offence to many Christians that heard thereof And so it was granted vnto him Simeon being in prison and hearing thereof was very glad and the next day suffered also with an hundred more An hundred suffer All which were put to death before Simeon who confirmed them and at last with two other ministers of his Church Abedecalaus and Ananias he was also put to death At which time one Pusices séeing Ananias an old father to shrinke at the sight of those that suffered said vnto him O father a litle moment shut thine eyes and be strong and shortly thou shalt sée the sight of God Which being reported to the king he caused an hole to be made in his neck there out pulled his tongue and so was he put to death who was the kings seruant and ouerséer of his Artificers At which time also the daughter of Pusices a godly virgin was put to death for the testimonie of Iesus The next yere following on the day of the Lords passion A cruel edict the king set foorth an Edict for the vtter extinguishing of all the Christians that were in his Dominions So that an infinite number were slaine in Towne and Citie by the procurement of the Magicians Magicians and diuers in the kings Court suffered martirdome among whom was Azades Azades whom he did most entirely loue Of whose death when hée heard The teachers onely put to death he tooke it so heauelie that he commaunded after that time no Christians should be put to death but onely those that were teachers In the same time the Quéene fell into a certaine disease vpon occasion whereof the cruel Iewes Magicians falsly accused Trabula Trabula the sister of Simon the Martir a godly virgin with another Sister of hers that they
be set on fire that he broke open houses that he dranke to the Diuell that hée neuer crossed himselfe c. For the which causes he was deposed by the consent of the Emperour and the Prelates and Pope Leo placed in his roome But after thorough the harlots of Rome Pope restored by harlots and their great promises hée was restored againe and Leo put out At length about the tenth yéere of this Pope he being found without the citie with another mans wife was so wounded of her husband that within eight dayes after he died Pope killed in adultery After him the Romans elected Pope Benedictus the fift without the consent of the emperor whervppon Otho besieged Rome and set vp Pope Leo againe the eight of that name Which Leo to gratifie him again crowned Otho for Emperor and entituled him Augustus also the power which Carolus magnus gaue to the Cleargy and people of Rome touching the election of the B. of Rome this Leo by a synodall decrée gaue to the Emperour and his successors The election of the Pope giuen to the Emperour by the Pope The Emperour againe restored to the Sea of Rome al such possessions which Carolus magnus tooke from the Lombards and gaue to them After Pope Leo had raigned a yéere and thrée moneths succéeded Pope Iohn the 14. Against whom for holding with the Emperor Petrus the head captain of the citie with two Consuls and twelue Aldermen diuers other nobles gathering their power together laid handes vppon him in the Church of Laterane and clapt the pope in prison eleuen moneths The Pope put in prison Whereof the Emperour hearing sped him to Rome and did execution vpon the offenders and committed Petrus to the Popes arbitrement The cruell reuenge of the Pope whom he caused first to be stript naked then his beard being shauen to be hanged by the haire a whole day together after that to be set vpon an Asse his face turned backward and his handes bounde vnder the Asses tayle to be led through the Citie that done to be scourged with roddes and so banished the citie And thus the holy father loued his enemy according to the rule of the Gospel From this Pope procéeded first the christening of bels The christning of belles 971. After him followed Pope Benedictus the 6 who was in like maner apprehended by Cinthius a captain of Rome and cast in prison where he was strangled The Pope strangled or as some say famished for lacke of meat Then came Pope Donus the 2 after whom Bonifacius the 7. was pope who was constrained to hide himselfe for feare of the Citizens conspiracie séeing no place for his safety tooke the treasure of Saint Peters Church so priuily stole to Constantinople in whose stéed the people set vp Pope Iohn the fiftéenth Not long after Boniface returning againe from Constantinople by his money procured a garrison to take his part by whose meanes Pope Iohn was taken his eies put out and so throwen in prison The popes eies put out he famished in prisō where he was as some say famished some say he was slaine by Feruchus Neither did Boniface liue many daies after but sodainly died whose carkas after his death was drawne by the féete through the stréetes of Rome The dead body of the Pope drawn through the streets the people shriking and exclaiming against him An. 276. Next Pope after him was Benedictus the seuenth by the consent of the Emperour Otho the second and raigned 19. yéeres In the time of this Pope Hugh Cappet the French king tooke Charles the right heire to the crowne by treason of the Bishop of Laon and when he had imprisoned him hée also imprisoned Arnoldus Archbishoppe of Rames and placed in his roome Gilbertus a Necromancer who was Schoolemaister to D. Robert the kings sonne but Pope Benedictus calling a councel at Rhemes restored Arnoldus againe and displaced Gilbertus After Benedictus succéeded in the sea of Rome Pope Iohn the 16. and died the 8. moneth of his papacie next to whom came Iohn the seuentéenth and after him Gregory the fift ann 995. This Gregory called before Bruno was a Germaine borne and therefore more maliced the Cleargie and people of Rome Whervpon Crescentius with the people and cleargy agréeing against the same Gregory set vp pope Iohn the 18. wherevpon Gregory went to Otho the third who vpon his complaint came to Rome tooke in the city of Rome both Crescentius the consul Iohn the pope Which Iohn hauing his eies put out The popes eies put out was after depriued of his life Crescentius the Consul was set vppon a wilde horse hauing his nose and eares cut of Crueltie and so was ledde through the Cittie his face turned to the horse tayle and after hauing his Members cutte off was hanged vpon a Gibbet Pope Gregorie being thus restored to his former state raigned foure yeres in his Papacie although some say but two yeares During which time he assembled a Councell at Rome A Councell at Rome wherein to establish the Empire in his owne coūtrey by the consent and councell of Otho he ordeyned seuen Princes of Germanie to be Electors of the Emperor The seuen Electors of the Empire thrée Bishoppes and thrée Princes the Palatine the Duke of Saxony and the Marques Brandenbourge vnto whome was added the king of Boheme to geue a casting voice if néede so required The Bishoppes were of Magunce of Treuers and of Colone This constitution being first begun in the yere of our Lord nine hundred ninetie seuen was afterward established in Germanie by Otho the Emperor an 1002. Now concerning king Egelred or Elred the sonne of Alfrith He raigned 38. yeres Our English Cronicles report his raigne to be vngracious in the beginning A strāge reign of a king wretched in the middle and hatefull in the end There fell a variance betwixt this king and the Bishop of Rochester so that he made warre against him besieged the Citie till the Bishop offered him an C.l. of golde which he receiued and so departed The Danes in the time of this king did much molest the Lande in so much that the King was gladde to graunt vnto them great summes of money for peace Peace bought for money of the Danes For the assurance of which peace Analeffe the Captaine of the Danes became a Christian and so departed the Countrey About the xi or as some say the ix yere of this kings reign died Dunstan after whome succeeded Ethelgarus or as Iornalensis saith Stilgarus After him Elfricus as sayeth Guilielmus lib. 1. de Pontif. But as Polidorus saith Sirifius After him Elfricus came but after the minde of Williā lib. 1. Siricius But Polidorus saith Aluritius then Elphegus c. About the same time Anno 995. Aldwinus Bishoppe translated the bodie of Saint Cutbert from Chester which first was in a Northerne Iland then
when the iudges sent for as one suspected being then out of the way he conceiued thereof such sorow in his mind that he went of his own accord and presented himself vnto the iudges wherevpon they being sory for his voluntary appearaunce they committed him to prison and after the commissioners threatning him with cruel torments the Friers flattering him to haue his punishment changed to be beheaded he yelded vnto them The persecutors were the Senate of Dornick and Doctor Hasurdus a gray Frier Ex Rabo c. Anno 1546. Iohan. Diazius a Spaniard was martired and killed of his owne brother at Norberg in Germanie where Diazius Iohan Diazius killed by his brother was busie in printing of Bucers Booke His brothers name was Alphonsus who brought with him frō Rome a cut throate and a ruffian to kill his brother To whom he comming perswading him to reuoke the truth the other refusing so to do he fained himselfe to depart took his leaue of his brother and by the way buying an hatchet of a carpenter sent his man disguised with letters to his brother himselfe following after as Iohn Diazius in the morning was rising out of his bed to read the letters the wretched hangman with the hatchet claue his head insunder to the braines leauing the hatchet in his head and so he with Alphonsus tooke them to their héeles They of Norberg hearing of the fact made after them and one of the cōpany ouertooke them and caused them to be put in prison at Genipont but the Papists handeled the matter so that the Emperour tooke it into his owne hearing and no iudgement was giuen Ex Claudio Senarclero Ann. 1546. Charles the Emp. held an armed Councell at Augusta 1546 An armed coūcel at Augusta The interim after his victory gotten of the Germains where Iulius Vfling Michael Sidonius and Iohn Islebius going about to concord together the Gospel of Christ with popish traditions drewe out a newe religion called an Interim which the Emp. endeuoured with the sword to mainteine and vnderstanding that among other the citizens of Constantia refused his Interim purposed to surprise them but the Spaniards were driuen backe and their captaine Alphonsus slaine Ex Sleid. lib. 21. At the same time many godly ministers of the churches in Germany were in great danger specially such as refused the Interim of whom some were cast in prison as Martine Frectius superintendent of Vlms with foure other preachers mo Also his brother George for comming to his house but to comfort him for which cause Musculus the same time with other preachers mo went from Auspurgh Brentius from Hala Blanrerus from Constance Bucer from Strausburgh In Hungary a certaine godly priest A priest in Hungary because he preached that eating of flesh was not forbidden in the Scriptures the Bishop caused his body to be tied round about with hares géese and hennes A straunge crueltie and so caused dogges to be set vpon him which cruelly tare and rent his body to death Within few dayes after the vile Bishop fell sicke and died madde Ex tomo 2. Conwal serm Anno 1547. the Duke of Saxonie The Duke of Saxonie Iohn Fredericke beyng taken prisoner of the Emperour at Albis the 24. of April because he would not forsake the trueth was 5. yeres detained from his wife and children and carried about with the Emperor At the last 1552. 1552 Lantgraue of Hesse he was set at libertie and continued in his religion till the houre of his death Sleid. lib. 19. Such also was the case of Philip the Lantgraue of Hesse who was sixe daies after the Duke of Saxonie fréed out of long captiuity Lib. 9. 24. Anno 1547. Hermannus Archbishop of Colen 1547 Hermannus Archb. of Colē was deposed by the Emperour because he had reformed his church of certaine Papisticall superstitions vsing therein the aduise of Martin Bucer In his roome was placed Adolphus Earle of Scauenburgh Sleid. 18. An. 1549. 1549 Martirdome for the trueth Nicholas a Frenchman and Barbara his wife with one Marion the wife of Augustinus a Barber a godly man suffered who fled and trauelling towards Englande passing by Dornick were there detected to the Lieutenant of Dornick and so carried to Bergis and there put into a dungeon And afterward Nicholas Nicholas Marion was condemned to be burned Marion wife of Austin to be buried quick Nicholas going to the place of execution was commanded to speake nothing to the people Yet forgetting his silence vnto the people hée cryed with a loud voice Charles Charles how long shall thy hart be hardened A worthy martyr wherevpon one of the souldiers gaue him a blow and the Friers cried he hath a Diuell To whom he spake the verse of the psalme Depart from me all ye wicked for the Lord hath hard the voice of my weeping Ex Lud. Rab. alijs Augustine A while after Augustine the husband of Marian was taken at Bellemount in Hennegow was caried to Bergis where he was burned hartily calling vpon the Lord. Ex Crisp alijs 1551 Two virgins Anno 1551. at Bamberg two virgins were burned for the testimonie of the truth they had garlandes of straw put vpon their heads wherevpon one comforted another saying Christ bare a Crowne of thornes and why shoulde not wée weare a crowne of strawe c. Ex Phil. Melancth The same time the citie of Magdeburg Magdeburg for refusing the Emperors Interim had béen distressed the space of a whole yéere but by reason of warre which fell that time betwixt the Emperour and the French king they were receiued into fauour and suffered to enioy their former religion quietly Sleid. lib. 23. Anno 1555. one Hostius 1555 Hostius otherwise called George for reprouing a Frier that preached false doctrine touching the Sacrament of the Lordes body after his Sermon in the Church was apprehended by Hesselius the Chamberlayne and first being strangled was afterward consumed with fire Ex Lud. Rab Anno 1554. Iohannes Frisius 1554 Ioh Frisius Abbot of Newstate in Bauaria was deposed for mayntayning the trueth The 25. of Iune Anno 1555. Bertrand le Blasse 1555 Ber. le Blas a Silke-weauer wente vpon Christmas day to the high Church of Dornick where the Priest being at masse he tooke the cake out of his hāds as he would haue lifted it ouer his head and stamped it vnder his féete For which fact he was first drawen to the castle of Dornick to the market place being before thrise tormented on the pinebanke Then he was set vpon a Stage where his right hand wherewith hee tooke the hoste was crushed and pressed betwixt two hote Irons till the forme and fashion of his hand was mishapen In like maner they vsed his right foote which he thrust out of his owne accord A wonderfull constancie to be vsed as his hand was before This done they tooke
hée trusted he which gaue him grace not to deny the trueth would also giue him patience to abide the fire The same yéere Leonardus de Prato Leonardus de Prato going to Bar a towne in Burgondie from Dyion with two false brethren with whom he talked of religion was bewraied of them and burned Ioh. Taffingnon Also the same yéere Iohn Taffingnon Ioane his wife Simon Mareschall Ioan his wife William Michliot Iames Bonleraw and Iames Bretany of the citie of Langeres wer committed to the fire and suffered with great constancie especially Ioan Simons wife reserued to the last place because she was the yonger confirmed her husband and al the rest declaring that they should the same day be married to the Lord Iesus Pantal. Crisp alii Michael Mareschal c. The same yéere about the same time were Michael Mareschall Iohn Cam great Iohn Camus and Iohn Seraphin condemned by the Senate of Paris and there burned Ex eisdem Anno 1548. Octauian Blonds 1548 Octauiā Blōds a marchant of precious stones was first apprehended at Lions and there after a while confessing and standing to the maintenance of the trueth at length through importunitie of his parentes and friends gaue ouer his confession notwithstanding Gabriel of Sacconer presentener his persecutor not leauing him so appealed him vp to the high court of Paris where being asked touching his faith which of the two confessions hée would stand to he beeing admonished before of his fall and offence geuen said he would liue and die in his first confession and so was he condemned to be burned Crisp l. 6. Anno 1549. Hubert Cherrer 1549 H. Cherrer Taylor a young man of 19 yeres constantly suffred at Dyion for the testimony of the trueth notwithstanding all threatnings of persecutors or allurements of parents The same yere M. Florence Venot F. Venot after he had endured 4. yeres imprisonmēt at Paris where he suffered greeuous torments and among other had béen put in a brake like an Hipocras bagge that hee could neither stande nor lie seuen weekes together At length when there was a great shewe in Paris the king comming to the citie and diuers other martirs in sundrie partes of the Citie put to death he with his tongue cut out was brought to the execution of thē all And last of all in the place of Maulbert was burned the 9. of Iuly in the afternoone Crisp The same yeare also Anne Andebert A. Andebert an Apothecaries wife and a widow was burned at Orleance and condemned by the councel of Paris When the rope was put about her she called it her wedding girdle wherewith she should be maried to Christ Notable constancie and courage in a woman and being appointed to be burned vpō a Saterday she said On a Saterday was I first maried and on a saterday shal I be maried againe Ex Crisp The same yere when diuers were burned at Paris for a spectacle not long after the coronation of Henrie 2 among them was a poore taylor dwelling not farre of the kinge palace in S. Anthonies streete A poore tailor who for that he wrought vpon an holie day was clapt in prison and the matter béeing brought to the Court the poore taylor was presented euen before the king into the Palace where hee so couragiouslie behaued himselfe against Petrus Castellanus B. of Mascō whom the king willed to talke with this poore Taylor in his presence that the king seemed to muse with himselfe as one amazed so that least his behauiour should be any meanes to worke in the kings mind he was commaunded againe to the hands of the Officer and within few daies condemned by the high steward of the kings house to be burned aliue And so his execution was sharpe and cruell before the church of Saint Marie the king himselfe being present where it pleased God to geue such strength to his seruant in suffering that the beholding thereof did more astonish the king then all the other did before Io. Crisp Pantal. li. 7. The same yere was one Claudius Claudius burned at Orleance comming from Geneua to his Countrey for the Gospel Crisp The same yere the Councell of Paris condemned Leonard Galimard L. Galimard to be burned the same time that Leonard Venate suffered at Paris Also at Troys suffered Macaeus Morreow M. Morreow for the testimonie of the trueth Ex eod An. 1550. Ione Godean 1550 I. Godean and Gabriel Berardinus were burned being apprehended for rebuking a priest of swearing Gabriel began to shrinke for feare of torment yet being confirmed by the constant death of Ione recouered againe hauing first his tongue cut out was burned Eod. An. 1551. Thomas Spaāulinus 1551 T. Sanpaulinus a notable martir of 18. yeres of age for rebuking one that did sweare at Paris was suspected of Lutheranisme and so miserably racked in prison that he shoulde either forsake his opinion or confesse other of his religion through the setting on of one Mallard other Sorbonists that the sight thereof made Aubertus one of the Councell to turne his back and wéepe The young man when hee had made the Tormentors wearie with racking and yet would confesse none at laste was had to Maulbers place in Paris to be burned where he being in the fire was plucked vp againe vpon the gibet and asked whether he would turne Marueilous constancie To whom he said that he was in the way toward God and desired them to let him goe And so he ended his life Ibid. Anno 1551. Mauricius Secenate was burned in Prouence for the testimonie of the trueth who first answered in such sort that they had no great aduantage against him for which hée was so troubled in conscience that beyng afterward called before the iudge answered so directly that hée burned for the same Ex eodem The same yéere was Iohannes Put or de Puteo Iohannes Put. surnamed Medicus burned at Vzez in Prouence for the Sacrament of the Lords body Ibidem The same yéere at Lions was Claudius Mouerius Claudius Mouerius after much dangerous afflictions prisonments burned for the profession of the truth He was noted to be of so mild cōditions so constant and learned withall that certaine of the iudges could not forbeare wéeping at his death Anno 1552 Renat Poyet 1552 Renat Poyet the sonne of William Poyet which was chauncellor of Fraunce for the constant witnessing of the truth was burned at Salmure The same yéere Iohn Loyer Iohn Loyer and his seruaunt a yoong man comming from Geneua were taken by the way and had to Tholouse where they were both condemned When they were brought to the stake the yoong man first going vp began to wéepe the Maister fearing least hée should giue ouer ranne and comforted him so they began to sing as they were in the fire the Maister standing vpright to the stake shifted the fire from himselfe to his
make fortresses all the country ouer which when they vnderstood they made request vnto her againe that these conditions might be moderated with certaine other demaunds for their libertie and aboue all they beséeched her to take pittie on them and that they might not be compelled to doo any thing against their conscience c. After which supplication viewed and read of the Duches Libertie granted to the Waldois she so perswaded the Duke that answere was made according to their mind preaching permitted with frée libertie their goods restored and fréedoms liberties general and particular restored Yet so that Masse should be said in all the parishes of these Valleis no man compelled to come to the same the captiues were also restored that were sent to the gallies and reasonable ransome taken for the prisoners of the Waldois and so through the meanes of the Duchesse the poore Waldois haue béene quiet vntil this day Anno 1526. a certaine Iew in Constantinople was conuerted to the faith which when the Turkes knew they slue him and cast out his dead body not suffering it to be buried which lay 9. or 10. daies incorrupt keping colour and freshnes as if it had not béene dead with a pleasant delectable sauour which when the Turkes behelde they buried the bodie themselues being greatly astonied thereat The end of the seuenth Booke The Abridgement of the second volume of the Ecclesiasticall historie of the Actes and monuments of Martyrs from the time of King Henrie the eight to Queene Elizabeth our gracious Ladie now reigning ANno 1519. Mistresse Smith widowe Robert Harchets shoomaker Archer Shoomaker Thomas Bond Shoomaker Wrigsham a Glouer Lansedall a hosier were on Ashwednesday taken and put in prison and the weeke nexte before Easter were condemned for relapse because most of them had borne fagottes in the same Citie before to bee burned at Couentrie Burned at Couentrie the principall cause of their apprehension was that they taught their familie the Lordes praier and tenne commaundements in English Mistresse Smith onely was dismissed for that present and sent away but as Mourton the Somner was leading her home because it was somewhat darke in the euening by the arme hearing the ratling of a scrol within her sléeue yea said he what haue you here and finding that it was the Lordes praier the beléefe and the tenne commaundements in English Ah syrah said he as good nowe Mistresse Smith as another time come and so he brought her backe againe to the Bishop where she was immediatly condemned and so burned with the sixe before mentioned the fourth day of Aprill in a place thereby called the little Parke Anno 1521. Robert Sylkes 1521 Robert Sylkes who was one of the former companie and by flight escaped was brought to Couentrie two yeeres after and burned the morrow after he came thither which was about the 13. day of Ianuary These Martyrs being thus dispatched the Shiriffes took their goods and cattle to their owne vse their wiues and children being left destitute Anno 1527. Patricke Hamleton 1527 Patricke Hamleton a Scotchman borne of a noble house the first day of March was condemned for the testimonie of the trueth and burned at Saint Andrews in Scotland he at the Vniuersitie of Marpurge in Germanie by conference with Franciscus Lambertus did so grow in knowledge and zeale that hée first there set vp conclusions to be disputed of concerning faith and workes Patrickes articles The articles wherefore hee was condemned were these 1. Man hath no frée will 2. Man is iustified by faith in Christ 3. A man so long as hée liueth is not without sinne 4. He is vnwoorthie to bée called a Christian which beléeueth not that hee is in grace 5. Good woorkes doe not make a good man though a good man doth good workes 6. An euill man bringeth foorth euill workes which being repented of doe not make an euill man 7. Faith hope and charitie cannot bée seuered in one man in this life For the condemnation and burning of this man the diuines of Louane by letters gaue thankes vnto the Archbishoppe of Saint Andrewes and the Diuines of Scotland This Patricke Hamleton cited the blacke Frier called Cambell who accused him to appeare before God to aunswere the innocencie of his death and named a certayne daie when before which time the Frier died without remorse of conscience Patricke Hamelton wrote a Treatise of diuinitie called Patrickes places Patrickes places and they were translated out of Latine wherein he wrote them into Englishe by Iohn Frith A few yéeres after the Archbishoppe of S. Andrewes burned Henrie Forrest Henry Forest who had taken orders of Bennet and Collet for saying Maister Patricke was a martyr and his opinion good He was betraied by Walter Long a Fryer to whom he confessed himselfe He suffered death at the North Church stile of S. Andrewes Within a yéere after the martyrdome of Henry Forest or there about Iames Hamleton Iames Hamleton the brother of Patrick Hamleton the martyr was called in question for mainteining the opinions of his brother but the king Iames the 5. gaue him counsell to depart and not appeare which if hee did he could not helpe him for the Bishops had perswaded him that the cause of heresie did not appertaine vnto the king So he fled and was condemned as an heretike and all his goods confiscate Catherine Hamleton his sister and Aunt to the king Recant recanted her opinion touching iustification without respect of woorkes béeing thereto perswaded by the king and so escaped At the same time also an honest woman of Lieth for crying in her trauell Christ helpe me when the mydwife bad her say Our Lady helpe me was caused to recant Recant About the same time Maister Norman Gurley Norman Gurley because he denied purgatorie and said the Pope was Antichrist and would not recant was condemned by Iames Hay Bishop of Rose commissioner of Iames Beton Archbishop of S. Andrewes and burned vpon the gréenes side betwixt Lieth and Edenburgh With him was burned Dauid Straton Dauid Straton for saying there was no purgatory but the passion of Christ and tribulations of this world he was also falsly accused to haue said no tithes were to be paid for that he casting his fishes to the Vicar of Eglisgrige some fell into the Sea Anno 1532. Thomas Harding Harding who with his wife before had abiured after lōg penance was burned as a relapse being condemned by Iohn Longland Bishoppe of Lincolne at the North ende of the towne of Chesham in the Dell going to Botley when they had set fire on him there was one that dashed out his brayns with a billet It was supposed of them that they might haue fourtie dayes of pardon that shoulde carrie wood to his burning on hope whereof manie people caused their children to beare billets and fagottes to the burning of Martyrs He was burned on the euen
to be of Antichrist Secondly that he denied the realtie of the Sacrament And so committed him vnto the Sheriffes handes sending him and maister Hooper who with maister Cardemaker was examined at the same time to the Clinke there to remaine till night and from thence then to be remoued to Newgate After sentence giuen Maister Rogers required of Gardiner that his wife being a strāger might come and speake with him so long as he liued Which Gardiner Cruel Gardiner would not though she were a stranger had 11. children and one sucking on her whom her husband woulde haue comforted and counselled but Gardiner would not permit it In the morning the fourth of Februarie Anno 1555. being munday hée was warned sodainely by the kéepers wife to prepare himselfe to the fire Who beeing then sounde asléepe scarce with much shogging coulde bee awaked being bid to make hast then said he if it be so I shal not néede to tye my poyntes And so was he had downe first to Boner Boner would not suffer maister Rogers to talke one word with his wife before his death Maister Rogers the first martyr of Q. Maries dayes to be disgraded that done he craued of Boner he might talke a fewe wordes with his wife before his death This Boner would not suffer So was he brought into Smithfield by maister Chester and maister Woodrofe then Sheriffes of London and chéerefully ended his martirdome in the fire washing his handes in the flame as he was in burning His pardō was brought him at the stake if he would haue recanted but he vtterly refused it and was the first martyr of Quéene Maries daies The Sunday before he suffered he drunke to Master Hooper being then vnderneth him and bad them commend him vnto him and tell him there was neuer little fellow better would sticke to a man then he would to him thinking they should haue burned together In the prison he wrote a certaine prophecie of the ruine of the pope here in England A prophecie of the ruine of the pope in England and restauration of the Gospell againe which accordingly came to passe by the blessed raigne of Quéene Elizabeth In the moneth of February the viij day Anno 1555. Laurence Saunders Laurence Saunders a Gentleman of a worshipfull house was burned at Couentrie after he had béen prysoner a yéere and a half in the Marshalsea He was brought vp in Eaton from thence was chosen to go to Kings Colledge in Cambridge where he continued scholer in the Colledge 3. yeres and profited much From thence departing to his parents by their aduise hee minded to become a marchant and was bounde apprentice with Syr William Chester who afterward was Sheriffe of London The same yéere Saunders was burned at Couentrie his maister considering his towardnesse in learning and his great zeale in religion discharged him of his seruice as one méete for an other vse Wherevpon he returned to Cambridge againe where he profited greatly in the Gréeke and Hebrewe tongues and gaue himselfe whollie to the studie of Diuinitie and continued in the Vniuersitie till he had procéeded Master of Artes. And a long space after in the beginning of King Edwardes time hée was called to reade a Lecture at Fothringam in Diuinitie where he greatlie edified many Which being dissolued hée was placed in the Minster at Lichfielde to reade there From whence hée was called to a Benefice in Leicester shire called Church-lancton wherupon he kept residence And from thence he was called to Ashalowes in Breadstréete in London Where behauing himselfe according to his duetie he was accused by sir Iohn Mordant Counsellour to Quéene Mary vnto Boner and after examination being commanded to prison by the B. of Winchester he answered that he did giue God thanks who had giuen him at the last a resting place where hee might pray for the Bishops conuersion His constancie was such that he forbad his wife to sue for his deliuerie Laurence Saunders constancie And when other of his friends had by suite almost obtained it he discouraged them In prison he wrote diuers comfortable letters to his wife Sanders wrote diuers letters to Doctor Cranmer Ridley and Latimer prisoners for the like cause in Oxford to M. Ferrar B. of S. Dauies Taylor Bradford Philpot to mistres Lucie Harrington c. After hee was excommunicated and deliuered to the secular power he was brought by the Sheriffe of London to the counter in his parish in Bredstréet wherat he reioyced greatly The fourth day of February the Bishop of London did come to prison where he was to disgrade him which when he had done Laurence Saunders said I thanke God I am not of your Church The day following in the morning he was deliuered to certaine of the Quéenes gard to bee carried to Couentrie there to be burned The first night he lay at S. Albones where maister Grimoalde did speake with him a man of greater giftes then constancie after maister Saunders had giuen him a lesson méete for his lightnesse he tooke a cuppe into his hands asked him if he woulde pledge him of that cuppe of which hée woulde beginne to him vnto him to whom Grimoald shrugging saide of that cuppe in your hand I will pledge you Sweet sayings of Laurence Saunders but of that other which you meane I will not promise you Well saide maister Saunders my déere Lorde Iesus Christ hath begunne to mee of a more bitter cup then mine shal be and shall I not pledge my most swéete Sauiour Yes I hope After they were come to Couentrie the same night he was put into the common gaole among other prisoners where he spent all that night in prayer and in instructing others The next day which was the viij of Februarie he was had to the place of execution in the Parke without the Citie where comming to the stake he took it in his armes and kissed it saying welcome the Crosse of Christ welcome euerlasting life And being fastened to the stake and fire put to him full swéetly he slept in the Lord. Anno 1555. The ix of Februarie was B. Hooper burned at Glocester Hooper burned at Gloster for the testimonie of Iesus He had béene Graduate in the Vniuersitie of Oxforde in the time of the sixe Articles Winchester conferred with him 4. or 5. daies together and not preuayling with him dismissed him to his M. sir T. Arundel whose Steward he had béene when hee had forsaken Oxford for feare of the sixe Articles After the conference with Winchester he had intelligence of danger and being counselled to prouide for himself went ouer beyond the sea and being at Paris stayed not long till he was againe layd for So hee returned againe into England and was retayned of M. Sentlow After that he departed againe beyond seas through France into Germanie where he was wel acquainted with M. Bullinger at Zuricke there he married a wife a Burgonian and then applied very
to Sir Nicholas Hare and sir Thomas Cornewallis willing them to examine Maister Flowre alias Branch what hée meant to were about his necke written Deum time Vitium fuge Deum time Vitium fuge and whom else he knew to weare the like praying them also to speake to Boner B. of London spéedely to procéede agaynst him for his Religion according to the Lawes and that the Iustices of peace of Middlesex should likewise procéede against him for shedding of bloud in the Church according to the Statute so as if hée continue in his opinion hee might be executed at the farthest by the latter end of this wéeke and that his right hand the day before his execution or the same day might be stricken of The two and twentith of Aprill there was a letter sent to the Iustices of peace of Middlesex with a writ for the execution of the said Flower M. Flower The xxix of Aprill Maister Robert Hornbye seruaunt then to the Ladie Elizabeth was conuented before the Counsell for his religion and constantly standing thereto was commited to the Marshalsea Anno 1555. the xxiiij of Aprill George Marsh George Marsh suffered most constantly at Winchester for the testimonie of the truth For a while he was Curate to Laurence Saunders in which condition he continued for a space But at length by detection of certaine aduersaries hée was apprehended and kept in close pryson by George Cotes then Bishop of Chester in straight prison in Chester in the bishops house about the space of foure moneths beyng not permitted to haue reléefe and comfort of his fréends The Wednesday before Palmesunday he voluntarily presented himselfe being sought for before Master Barton who sent him the next day before the Earle of Darbie and his Counsell at Lathā Where appearing before them and not answering to their contentment touching the Sacrament of the Altar he was committed to ward in a cold wide stone house where he lay two nights without any bed sauing a few canuasse tentclothes and a paire of shéets without woollen clothes and so continued he till Palmesunday beyng occupied in prayer and godly meditation On Palmsunday at after dinner he appeared again and comming with the Vicar of Prescot the Vicar made report to the Earle that the answer which he made was sufficient for a beginner vnto such time as he should learne farther Wherewith the Earle was very well pleased and so after few words commanded he should haue a bed with fire and liberty to go among his seruants so he would not hurt them with his communication Thus he departed more troubled then before because he had not with more boldnes confessed Christ but in such sort as the aduersaries thought they might preuaile against him So he praied to God for more strength And after a day or two confessed more plainly and more boldly in such sort as the Vicar was not well pleased After which within a day or two came to him againe M. Moore bringing with him certaine articles whervnto Doctor Crome had subscribed in the daies of king Henrie the viij requiring him also to subscribe whereto he would in no sort agrée and so he departed Within a short space after on shrouethurseday the Vicar sent for him againe saying my Lord would be at a short point with him if he woulde not subscribe to 4. articles wherof thrée tended to the masse and the fourth touching confession These articles he denied to subscribe vnto and was committed to the Porters ward where he continued till Low-sunday On which day after dinner his kéeper Richard Scot signified vnto him that 2. young men came to carrie him to Lancaster And so was he carried thither by them and appeared at the sessions among malefactors and was thrise arraigned among théeues with yrons on his féete and with boldnes confessed Christ Within few daies after Marsh was remoued from Lācaster and comming to Chester was sent for of D. Cotes the B. to appeare before him in his hall no body being present but they twaine Where the B. communed with him and laboured to peruert him but all in vaine And after he had taken his pleasure in punishing him and reuiling him he caused him to be brought forth into a chappel in the Cathedrall church in Chester called our Ladies Chappel before him at two of the clocke in the after noone who was there placed in a chaire for that purpose and Fulke Dutton maior of that citie D. Wall and other priests assisting him And after they had caused him to take an othe they ministred articles vnto him To which he answered according to the doctrine taught in king Edwards daies which being registred he was returned againe to his prison Within thrée wéekes after he appeared againe and after many vain perswasions to recant he receiued sentence of condemnation and was carried away and put into a darke prison where he had smal comfort of any creature til his death Yet some of the citizens that feared God would comfort him at a hole in a wall of the citie and giue him money When the day appointed came that he should suffer the sheriffes of the city Amry Cooper with their officers tooke him out of the Northgate where he was prisoner who came with thē most méekly with a locke on his foot being at the place of his death he refused the pardon of the Quéen which was offred him if he would recant Which he said he would gladly accept but forasmuch as it tended to plucke him frō God he would not receiue it vpon such condition So after he had praied he put off his clothes to his shirt being fastned to the post by reason the fire was vnskilfully made he suffered with great patience grieuous torment So that when he had a long time bin tormented in the fire without mouing hauing his flesh so broyled and puft vp that it couered the chaine wherwith he was fastned hee therefore was supposed to be dead Notwithstanding sodainly he spread abroade his armes George Marsh of great patience saying Father of heauen haue mercy on me so yelded Vpon this the people said he was a martyr And the Bish to quiet them shortly after made a sermon affirming that he was an Heretike c. and a firebrand in hell Whom in recompence not long after the hand of God did so strike that hee dyed as it was thought burned of an Harlotte This Martir did write diuers and sundrie bookes out of prison The xxiiij of Aprill William Flower sometime a Monke of Ely and a Priest but afterward being married liued by teaching of children was put to death for the testimony of the trueth and had his hand first stricken of for striking a Priest saying masse Comming from Lambeth where he dwelt about tenne or eleuen of the clocke in the forenoone into Saint Margarets Church at Westminster where he finding and séeing a priest called Iohn Cheltam ministring the Sacrament of the Altar to
age of foure and fiftie yéeres dwelling in the Dioces of Exceter not farre from Lawceston burned at Exceter for the testimonie of the truth Shée was persecuted of her husband and children The wife was persecuted of husband and children and condemned by the Bishop whose name was Troubleuile Among other communication when the Bishop had said let this mad woman bée put downe to prison till we send for her husband she answered him no I haue but one husband which is here already in this cittie meaning Christ and in prison with me from whom I will neuer depart Christ the martyrs husband After that saying they thought good to giue her a moneths libertie to prooue if she might thereby be chaunged during which time of her libertie it happened that shée entring into Saint Peters church beheld there a cunning Dutchman how he made new noses to certaine fine Images which were disfigured in King Edwards daies What a mad man art thou said she to make them new noses which within a few dayes shall also loose their heads The Dutchman accused her and layd it to her charge And moreouer she sayd vnto him thou art accursed and so are thine Images He called her whore Nay sayd shée thine Images are whores A worthy martyr and thou art a whore hunter for dooth not God say You go a whoring after straunge Gods figures of your owne making and thou art one of them Then was shée sent for and clapt fast At the last when they perceiued her to bée past remedie and had withstood all their threatnings and flattery shée was deliuered to the temporall power Of whom shée was exhorted yet to call for grace and to leaue her fond opinions and go home to thine husband sayd they thou art an vnlearned Woman thou art not able to answere to such high matters Note I am not sayd shée yet with my death I am content to be a witnesse to Christes death and I pray you make no longer delay with mée my heart is fixed I will neuer otherwise say nor turne to your superstitious dooings Then the Byshop did say the Diuell did lead her No my Lord sayd shée it is the Spirit of God which leadeth mée and which called mée in my bedde and at midnight opened his truth vnto mée for once especially at midnight praying to God for strength and assistaunce shée found it plentifully In the end after shée had receyued sentence of death shée lifted vp her voyce and thanked God saying I thanke thée my Lord God this day haue I found that I haue long sought After iudgement giuen agaynst her they promised to spare her life if shée would yet recant Nay that will I not said shée God forbid that I should loose the life eternall Note for this carnall and short life I will neuer turne from my heauenly husband to my earthly husband from the fellowship of Angels to mortall children And if my husband and children bée faithfull then am I theirs God is my Father God is my mother God is my sister my brother my kinsman God is my friend most faithful so being brought to the place of slaughter she méekly suffered calling vpon the name of God saying God be merciful to me a sinner God be me mercifull to me a sinner The 7. of May were burned at Bristow being condemned by M. Dalbney the Chancelour Richad Sharp Weauer of Bristow and Thomas Hall Tho. Hall Shoemaker of the same towne Sharpe Ioh. Sharpe by the perswasion of the Chancelor had recanted and afterward felt such anguish of minde and conscience that shortly after comming to his parish Churche called Temple he came to the quire doore and said with a loude voyce Neighbors beare me record that yonder Idoll pointing to the altar is the greatest and most abhominable that euer was and I am sory that euer I denied the Lorde my God Wherupon he was apprehended and burned with the other at one stake which they chéerefully suffered embracing the flame The 27. of the same moneth Tho. Benion Tho. Benion was burned at Bristow being condemned by the same Chauncellour Dalbney The 10. of Nouember suffered fiue of Gods children at Canterburie being hastened to the fire by the bloody Archdeacon notwithstanding he had heard in what danger Q. Mary was Their names were Ioh. Cornford Ioh. Cornford of Worthā Christoph Brown Christopher Browne of Maidstone Iohn Herst Iohn Herst of Ashford Alice Snoth Alice Snoth Katherin Knight Kath. Knight aliâs Tilney an aged woman Against these when sentence should be read and they excommunicated one of them Iohn Cornford stirred with a vehement spirite of the zeale of God procéeding in a more true excommunication against the Papists in the name of them all pronounced sentence against them in these words following In the name of our Lord Iesus Christ The martyr excommunicateth the Papists the sonne of the most mighty God and by the power of his holy spirite and the authority of his Apostolike church c. proceding with his excōmunication against all mainteiners of the false church Which sentence tooke such effect against the enemy that within sixe daies after Quéene Mary died and the tyranny of all English Papists with her Note Alice Snoth or Agnes Snoth who was burnt before being at the stake called for her Godfather and Godmothers whom when the maide saw she asked them what they had promised for her and so immediatly rehearsed her faith and the commaundements of God and required if there were anie more that they had promised in her behalfe and they said no. Then said she I die a Christian woman beare witnes of me And so was she with fire consumed These godly martyrs in their praiers which they made before their martirdome desired God that their blood might be the last that should be shed and so it was There were diuers of Gods children in prison which by the death of Quéene Marie escaped some after sentence of death pronounced Of which sort were Iohn Hunt and Richarde VVhite who after two yéeres captiuitie were condemned by Doctour Geffery the Bishops Chancellour The Sheriffe béeing vrged very vehemently to burne them refused because they had no writ Which comming down not long after one M. Michael Syr Anthony Hungerfords vndersheriffe a godly man took it burnt it saying I will not be guiltie of these mens blood Within foure daies after the Chauncellour dieth and the confessors of the Gospel remained in prison till the happie daies of Queene Elizabeth There was a godly man named Iohn Fette a Tailor of 42. yéeres dwelling in the parish of Clarkenwell accused by his owne wife The husband accused by his wife imprisoned by the B. in Lollards tower where he suffered great extremity hanging in the stocks This poore man had a childe of 8. or 9. yéeres olde that came to visite his father to whom a Priest of the Bishops house said why thy
father is an heretike No said the boy my Father is no heretike but you are an heretike For you haue Balaams marke With that the Priest tooke the child and scourged him so sore that he was al on a gore bloud and so caused Clunie to carrie him to his Father naked the Sumner hauing his coate vpon his arme At his comming to his Father the childe fell downe vpon his knées and asked him blessing And being demaunded by his Father who had vsed him so he made answere that a Priest with Balaams mark Balaams marke had done it And with that Clunie with violence pulled him from his father and kept him thrée dayes after in the Bishoppes house Who to salue vp ths matter deliuered the father and the childe Crueltie of the Balamites But the childe died within xiiij dayes after Anno 1560. Nicholas Burton 1560. N. Burton burned in Ciuil a Marchant of London dwelling sometimes in the Parish of little Saint Bartholmewes was burned in the Citie of Ciuill in Spaine Who died so chearefullie and with such patience that the Tormentors and enemies said that the deuill had his soule before he came to the fire and therefore said they his sences of féeling were past him After his death another marchant of Bristow for whom Burton was Factor sent his Atturney into Spaine called Iohn Fronton a Citizen of Bristow to claime those goods which belonged to the other Marchant Against whō after imprisonment because he could not say his Aue Maria after the Romish fashion Aue Maria after the Romish fashion they gaue sentence that he shoulde lose all the goods he sued for though they were not his owne and besides suffer a yeares imprisonment At what time Burton suffered which was anno 1560. was also martired another Englishman with thirtéen mo one of them being a Nunne and another a Frier both constant in the Lord. The ij day of Nouember was burned Iohn Baker and William Burgate both Englishmen apprehended in Calis and burned in Ciuil Anno Domini one thousande fiue hundred and thréescore Marke Burges M. Burges an Englishman Master of an English Ship called the Minion was burned in Lishborne a citie in Portugall and Williā Hooke W. Hooke of the age of xvi yeres stoned to death by certaine young men of Ciuill for the confession of his faith As the most were burned and tormented to death so some were torne with scourging as Richard Wylmot and Thomas Fairefaxe both whipped in Drapers hall through the crueltie of Brookes then Master of the Companie That Wylmot could not lie in his bed vi nights after and neither of them enioyed health after They were thus scourged for saying they were sory for D. Cromes recantation After these two was one Green scourged because he had a booke called Antichrist and woulde not bewraye more matter to their minde He was accused by his Master called Iohn Waylande a Printer and brought before Doctor Storie by whom after long stocking and euill vsage in prisō he was adiudged to be whipped Which was performed vpon him in the presence of Doctor Storie in Christes Hospitall Also Steeuen Cotton burned as before at Brainforde was twise beaten by Boner Likewise was Iames Harris of Byllerica in Essex scourged by Boner in his garden So likewise Robert Williams endured the same torment by the bloudy Bishop With these also is to be numbred a poore Beggar which was whihped at Salisburie after hee had béene put into a Dungeon because he would not receiue the Sacrament at Easter in the towne of Colingborowe As some were tried by burning racking and scourging so vpon other some the Lorde did lay a lighter hande of imprisonment as vpon William Liuing and his wife in the citie of London Iohn Lythall Elizabeth Yong and William Wats of Tunbridge who fled away his kéepers beyng tippled and fallen asléepe Alexander Winshurst a priest that escaped by negligence of Cluny who left none at home to kéepe him fast in whose house he was prisoner Bosomes wife the Lady Kneuet of Northfolke towards an hundred yéeres old the Lady Vane who with much trouble yet passed these terrible daies with life In the time of King Henry the eight Anno 1546. there was one Iohn Dauis a childe of twelue yéeres old Iohn Dauis a child of twelue yeeres old dwelling with one Maister Iohnson Apothecarie in Worcester who beyng complained of by his Mistris the wife of Maister Iohnson for that he had written something against the six Articles and had the Ballad called Come downe for all your shauen Crowne After long imprisonment with bolts of irons on his legges was arraigned being holdē vp at the barre in mens armes before the iudges who were Portman and Meruen and by the death of king Henry was deliuered else had hée béene burned for that offence He endured the prison from the fouretéenth of August till within seuen daies of Easter Likewise Mistris Roberts by Gods prouidence escaped daunger dwelling in Hawkhurst in Sussex Mistris Anne Lucie of Nottingham c. Likewise a congregation at Stoke in Suffolke was deliuered by Gods mercifull prouidence but especially that of London was diuerse times in perill and alwayes was preserued of God in which congregation were sometimes fortie The congregation in Lōdon sometimes an hundreth sometimes two hundreth sometimes mo sometimes lesse About the latter end of Quéene Mary it greatly increased From the first beginning which was about the first entrie of Quéene Maries raigne they had diuerse ministers First Maister Scamler then Thomas Foule The ministers of the congregation in London after him Maister Rough then Maister Augustine Benher and last Maister Bentham who likewise was by Gods prouidence wonderfully preserued Likewise at Calis few there were of the professors of the gospell that miscaried especially Iohn Thorpe and his wife were mercifully preserued and succored of straungers To these are to be added Edward Benet Ieffery Hurst in the towne of Shakerley in Lankeshire who were saued by the death of Quéene Mary William Wood of Kent of the parish of Strowd who was deliuered by the disagréement of Kennall and Chadsey two popish Doctors that examined him as Paule was deliuered by the contention of the Phariseis and Saduces Likewise was Symon Greeuens mercifully deliuered beyng at the assembly held at Spire and complained of to the king by Faber the B. of Vienna whom he had gently reprooued for maintaining certaine errours in his Sermon which he had there preached So likewise the Lady Katherine dutches of Suffolke hardly escaped and passed the seas into Germany where she suffered the afflictions of a straunger in another land Also Th. Sprat and William Porredge escaped very narrowly persecution by M. Brent Iustice in Kent and the two Blachendines Iohn Cornet prentise with a minstrell was onely whipped by the commaundement of the Earle of Oxford and banished the towne of Roughedge So likewise Thomas Brice professor of the gospell hardly