Oskitellus hauing his sea in the Cathedrall Church there of S. Peter after he had first assaied the Canons and priests by faire meanes to become monkes and not preuailing néere to the same Church of S. Peter in the Churchyard he builded another Church of our Lady which when he had replenished with monks there he continually frequented and so the people left the other Church naked Wherevpon the priests did eyther become monks or depart from the place So did Ethelwold driue out the Canons and priests from the new monasterie in Winchester afterward called Hida and placed his monks The cause was pretēded for that they were thought slacke and negligent in their Church seruice and set in Vicars in their stéed Then the K. gaue to the same Vicars the land which belonged before to the Prebendaries who also not long after shewed them selues as negligent as the other Wherefore king Edgar by the consent of Pope Iohn voyded cléerelie the Priestes and ordeyned there Monkes Which Monkes did greatly differ and doe at this day disagrée with the auncient Monkes of olde time that were Lay men onely The new mōks differ from the olde who were lay men and were forbidden by the Councell of Chalcedon in any sorte to deale with matters of the Church and were such as by the Tyranny of Persecution were either constrained to hide themselues in solitarie places or els of their owne voluntarie deuotion withdrewe themselues from company hauing nothing proper of their owne or all things common with other Afterward Bonifacius the fourth made a decrée Anno 606. that Monkes might vse the office of preachyng of baptizing and hearing confession and assoiling them of their sinnes and in processe of time they so incroched vpon the office of ministers that at length priestes were discharged out of their cathedrall Churches and Monkes placed in their roomes King Edgar a mainteiner of learning King Edgar was a great mainteiner of religion and learning To auoid excessiue drinking by the example of the Danes which dwelt in diuerse places of the realme he ordained certaine cups with pinnes or nailes set in them adding thereto a law that what person did drinke past that mark at one draught should forfeite a certaine pennie the halfe part whereof should fall to the accuser the other to the ruler of the towne where the offence was done He was a noble Prince wise and victorious but fauoured the monkish superstition ouermuch and is reported by some to haue builded so many monasteries for them as there are Sundaies in the yéere or as Edmer reporteth 48. 48. monasteries builded by K. Edgar Notwithstanding he was much giuen to adulterie and fornication and vsed among others Egelfleda or Elfleda called the white daughter of Duke Odorere of whom he begate Edward in bastardie for the which he was enioyned by Dunstan seuen yeres penance and kept back from his Coronation so long till the one and thirtie yere of his age anno 974 although he began his Raigne at sixtéene His penance appoynted by Dunstane The K. enioyned penance by Dunstan was that he should weare on his head no crowne for the space of seuen yeares that he should fast twise in the wéeke that he should distribute the tribute left him by his ancesters liberally vnto the poore that he should build a Monasterie of Nuns at Shaftsburie Moreouer he should expell Clarkes of euill life meaning such Priestes as had wiues and children out of Churches and places couents of Monkes c. He raigned sixtéene yeeres was crowned onely thrée yeeres He adopted to succéede him Edward that was borne of the harlot Among other lawes of this king he ordained that the Sunday should be solemnized from Saturday at nine of the clocke till Munday morning The Saboth to be solemnised from Saturday nine of the clocke till Munday morning By reason of the displacing of the Priestes before there arose a great contention after Edgars death one part standing with them so that they called also the crowne in question another part fauouring Edward Great strife betwixt priests and monkes the other Egfride the lawfull sonne in which sturre Dunstan Archbishop of Canterburie and Oswald of Yorke with diuerse other Bishops Dukes and Lordes assembled a Councell where Dunstan comming with his crosse in his hand and bringing Edward with him so perswaded the Lordes that Edward was receiued king whom Dunstan hoped would become a patron of Monkery and aduaunce that estate but it fell out contrary to his expectation For shortly after the coronation Duke Alferus of Mercia droue out the Monkes from the Cathedrall Churches and restored the Priestes with their wiues In the end vpon this controuersie was holden a Councell of Bishops and other of the Clergie first at Winchester where the greater part of nobles commons iudged the Priests to haue great wrong and sought by all meanes to redresse it anno 977. Yet notwithstanding the strife ceased not in so much that a new assembly of clergy men other was appointed afterward in a place called the stréete of Calue where the Councell was kept on an vpper loft where diuerse cōplaints were made against Dunstan but he preuailed notwithstanding Not long after about the fourth yéere he was slaine with a dagger drinking on horsebacke by the procurement of the mother of Egelred whom he came to visite his brother her sonne Egelred He was buried not beyng knowne who he was at the towne of Warham thrée yéeres after was taken vp by Duke Alfere and with honor was remooued to the Minster of Shaftsbury there bestowed in the place called Edwardstow This Edward they hold for a martyr and say that the Quéene in repentance of her fact builded after two nunneries one at Amesbury by Salisbury the other at Werewell where she kept her selfe in continuall repentance all the dayes of her life Him succéeded Egelredus his brother Pope Iohn the thirtinth of whom Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury receiued his pall is noted to be monstrously vitious A monsterous vitious pope he was an whoremaster adulterous incestuous libidinous a gamester an extorcioner periured a fighter a murtherer cruell and tyrannous of his Cardinals some he put out their eies from some he cut out their tounges some their fingers some their noses c. In a generall councell before Otho the first Emperour of the Germanes these obiections were articulate against him first that he neuer said his seruice that in saying his Masse he did not communicate that he ordained Deacons in a stable that hée committed incest with two of his sisters that playing at dice he called for the Diuell to help that for mony he made boies bishops that he defloured virgins and straungers that of the palace of Laterane he made a stewes that he lay with Stephana his fathers concubine likewise with Ramera and with Anna and her néece that he put out the eies of bishop Benedict that he caused houses to
recantation Repentance wherefore within thrée daies after was burned Crispin The same yéere at Dola was beheaded a godly lawier named Paris Pamer Paris Pamer for the gospell of Christ Pantal. The same yéere Peter du Val shoomaker Peter du Val. after most gréeuous torments was burned at Nismes Crispin Also the same yéere Iohannes Filiolus carpenter Iohn Filiose Iulianus le Ville pointmaker were burned at Sansare they were apprehended by Gilles le Pers. After sentence of fire being giuen they appealed to the court of Paris where they being presēted Gilles le pers was sodainly stricken mad so died After this the officer tormented thē from after dinner til 3. of the clocke to make them recant which whē they constantly endured they were brought to the place of execution where the officer put into their hands being bound a wodden crosse which they tooke with their téeth and cast away Wherfore their tōgues were cut out which not withstanding they spake at their death saying We bid sinne the worlde and the Diuell farewell for euer Notable constancie with whom wée shall neuer haue to doe hereafter At last when the tormētor came to smeare them with brimstone and gunpowder goe to said Filiolus salte the stinking flesh salt it Finally as the flame burst vp to their faces they constantly finished their martirdome Pantal. The same yere also Dionisius Vair was burned at Roan D. Vair his iudgement being geuen thrise to be taken vp with the engine and so to be let downe againe He was first a popish priest left that and became a bookebinder at Geneua Afterward in the time of king Edward was minister at Gersey till Quéene Marie came in He was apprehended at Roan with I. Langoise his brother by one William who stayd his bokes him that had the custody of thē wherof Denis hearing to redeeme the kéeper of his bookes offered himselfe and so after many terrible tormentes he was executed with fire where the flame went so high that the hangman being not able to come néere him cried to the people standing by to helpe but neuer a man would stir So hee finished his course and martyrdome Pantal. lib. 10. There was a rich man in Paris that sayd in iest to the Friers of S. Frauncis order you weare a rope about your bodies because S. Frauncis should once haue béene hanged but the Pope redéemed him vpon condition that euer after he should weare a rope Vpon this the Franciscans caused him to be apprehended and so iudgement passed he should be hanged but he contented to recant thought thereby to saue his life The Friers hearing of his recantation commended him saying if hee continued so he should bee saued and so called on the Officers that hee might be hanged while he was in a good way and so notwithstanding his recantation Cruelty of the Friers he was hanged for iesting against the friers Pantal. Anno 1554. Tho. Galbergne 1554 Th. Galbergne a Couerlet-maker was burned at Turney chéerefully singing psalmes at the time of his execution Crisp lib 4. About which time also Nicholas Paul Nicholas Paul was beheaded at Gaunt Anno 1551. Richard Feurus 1551 R. Feurus a Goldsmith was condēned at Lions he appealing to the high Court of Paris In the way as he was led to Paris he was mette by certaine whom he knew not and by them taken from his kéepers and set at libertie And anno 1554. finding fault in an Inne in Daulphin with grace said in latine he was detected and taken by the vnder Marshall and brought to Lions where he was condemned first to haue his tongue cut out then to be burned Dignatius being Iudge which he receaued willingly the 7. of Iulie Crisp alijs The same yere Nicholas de Chesne as he went from Bezamon to the Towne of Grie did not homage to a certaine crosse Whereupon he was detected by a Monke and condemned by the Iudge to be burned Being caried to the place of martirdome by the way he was promised that if he would knéele downe and heare a masse he should be let goe as a passenger Which Nicholas refusing to doe tooke his death patiently Crisp lib. 6. Anno 1556. Iohn Bertrand 1556 I Bertrand a kéeper of the Forrest of March Noyce was burned at Bloys for the testimonie of the trueth being condemned by Denis Barles Counceller of Bloys As he was tied to the poste he sang the 25. Psalme Of age he was young and of countenance amiable Séeing the place where he should suffer O happie iorney saith he and faire place that is prepared for me O Lorde saith he geue thy hand to thy seruant I commend my soul vnto thée and so yelded vp his spirit Crisp li. 6. The same yere Peter Ronsean P. Ronsean whilest he required his inheritance of his brother in law was betrayed by him He was put to the racke 3. times which he suffered constantlie with great torments Afterward he had his tongue cut out and a ball of Iron put into his mouth He was drawen on a hurdle all broken and maymed to the fire where hee was drawen vp into the ayre and let down 3. times and when he was halfe burned the ball of Iron fell out of his mouth and he with a loud voice cryed out saying Iesus Christ assist me and so gaue vp the ghost Crisp The same yere suffered also at Burdeaux Arnold Mouier A. Mouier Iohn de Cases who went to comfort Arnold After many examinations sentence was geuē they should be burned by Anthony Lescure the kings Atturney They were drawen thorow the durt vpon hurdles to the place of execution with a number of billes glaiues and gunnes trumpetters The Magistrates commanded also the gates to be shutte and garded with kéepers Mouier was first strangled Cases was set on fire before the hangman came who chaunced to fall from the top of the post to the pauement and so brake his head that the bloud followed in great quantitie When these two milde Martyrs were almost consumed to ashes sodainly there fel such a feare among them without any cause notwithstanding their gates were garded their furniture of gunnes other weapons that they all fledde and ranne ouer one another The Prior of S. Anthonies fell downe so that a great nūber went ouer him The Iudge Pontake on his Mule with his red robe flying as other did was ouerthrowen in the prease in the stréete called Peterni in such sort that he was faine to be caried to a widowes house and there cried within hide me saue me I am dead my friends hide my Mule that no man sée her c. But no man knew any cause of all this feare Crisp li. 6. The same yere Bartholmew Hector B. Hector a Bookeseller of Geneua as he came into the vale of Angrogn in Piedmont was arrested by a gentleman called Perrere sent to Thurin and was
nine of the clocke he was willed to prepare himselfe for the time was at hand At which time and when he came to the place of execution hée was neuer knowne during the time of his beyng amongst them Hooper goeth cheerefully to his death to looke with so chéerefull a countenaunce as he did at that present When hée came to the place where hée should die smiling he beheld the stake and preparation made for him he knéelyng downe made a prayer vpon the whole Créede for the space of halfe an houre Now after hée was somewhat entered into his prayer a boxe was brought and layd before him vpon a stoole with his pardon if he would turne Hooper refuseth pardon at the sight whereof he cried if you loue my soule away with it if you loue my soule away with it When his praiers were ended and hée stripped to his shirte hée went vp to the stake and had deliuered vnto him a pound of gun-powder whiche hée trussed close betwixt his legges and asmuch vnder each arme hole So réedes being set about him and cast vp he receiued two bundels of them in his owne hands embraced them and kissed them and put vnder ech arme one of them and shewed with his hande how the rest should be bestowed So fire being put to he endured iij. quarters of an houre at least in the fire before hée died it was so euill made and the wind did so stande In which paines he prayed so long as he could earnestly to the Lord Hooper a worthy martyr and the vse of tongue being taken away hée knocked so long on his brestes with his handes till one of his armes fell of and then with the other till his hand did cleaue fast to the iron vpon his brest Anno 1555. The ix of February Doctor Taylor Doctor Taylor martyr doctor of both the lawes was burned at Hadley the towne where he was Pastor The cause of his trouble was one Foster a petigentleman after the sort of a Lawier a kéeper of courts and one Iohn Clerke of Hadley because he resisted Iohn Auer parson of Aldam who would haue said Masse in Hadley church For this they complained of him to Stephen Gardiner who vpon complaint sent a letter to D. Taylor commaunding him within certaine daies to appeare before him Which D. Taylor coÌ„trary to the perswasions of his fréends did who so soone as D. Taylor appéered before him rayled vpon him when he could not preuaile any way to seduce him he commaunded him to prison saying haue this fellow hence and cary him to the Kings bench and charge the kéeper he be straightly kept so they carried him to prison where he lay prisoner almost two yéeres Within few daies after diuers other learned and godly men in sundrie countries of England were layd in pryson for religion All the prisons in England Christian schooles and Churches so that almost all the prysons in England were become right christian schooles and churches D. Taylor when he was come to the Kings bench there found M. Bradford who had great coÌ„fort one of another After that D. Taylor had lyen in prison a while he was cited to appeare in the arches at Bow-church there to answere c. so to be depriued who so handled the matter of his mariage by scriptures doctors lawes ciuill canon that the iudge could giue no senteÌ„ce to diuorse him but gaue sentence of depriuation because he was married After a yéere thrée quarters in which time they had gotten old tyrannous lawes put downe in K. Henry the 8. time of K. Edward to be restored againe about the 22. of Ianuary D. Tailor appéered againe before the coÌ„missioners where after perswasions and threats at Gardiners hands the rest he constantly holding the truth was had to prison againe where he endured close till the last of Ianuary Vpon which day he with M. Bradford and M. Saunders were again called to appéere before Winchester Norwich London Salisburie c. where charged with Heresie and Schisme they were required to giue determinate answere whether they would recant or no who shewing themselues bolde and constant in the cause of Christ receiued the sentence of condemnation with chéerefulnesse and thankesgiuing to God that they were counted worthy to suffer for his name So Doctor Taylor Taylor Bradford Saunders condemned beyng condemned was committed to the Clinke where hee was bestowed till towards night and then he was remoued to the Counter Where after he had lyen a seuenight Boner came to disgrade him at which disgrading wheÌ„ Boner would haue had him put on the Antichristian attire he would not himself do it but it was forced vpon him by others And when he was throughly furnished therwith he set his hands by his side M. Tayler is pleasant at antichrâ—â—â—â—â—â— attire walking vp and downe and saide how say you my Lorde Am I not a goodly foole how say you my maisters So the B. scraped his fingers thombs and crown of his head and when he should haue giuen him a stroke on his brest with his crosier staffe the B. Chaplen saide my Lord strike him not for he will sure strike againe Yea that will I qâ—â—â—â— Doctor Taylor the cause is Christes and I were no 〈◊〉 Christian if I wold not fight in my maisters quarrel S◠〈◊〉 Bishop being afraide laid his curse vpon him The foâ—â—â—â—â— day of February Doctor Taylors They strike out D. Tailors braines at the fire wife and his sonne supâ—â—â—â— with him in the Counter and the next day by two of the clocke in the morning the Sheriffe of London with his officers came to the Counter and so brought forth D. Taylor without any light leading him to the Wolsacke an Inne without Algate where he was straightway put in a chamber and kept with 4. yomen of the guard and the Sheriffes men Where Doctor Taylor fell downe on his knées gaue himselfe wholly to praier At the Wolsacke he remained til xi of the clocke at which time the Sheriffe of Essex was ready to receiue him And so they set him on horseback within the Inne the gates being shut At Burntwood they caused to be made for D. Taylor They maske D. Taylor that he might not be knowen a close hood with two holes for his eies and a slit for his mouth to breath at This they did that no man should know him nor he speake to any man which practise they vsed with others All the way he was very chéerefull and merrie to the great woondering of the companie At Chelmesford the Sheriffe of Suffolke mette him and tooke him to his charge and perswaded him to reuolt and dranke to him of the same condition So did the gard saying on this condition Maister Doct. we al drink to you When they had all drunk to him and the cup was come to him he staied a litle as one studying what answere he might giue at
the last he saide maister Sheriffe my maisters all I heartily thanke you for your goodwil I haue hearkened to your words and marked well your counsels and to be plaine with you I doe perceiue that I haue béene deceiued my selfe and am like to deceiue a great many in Hadley of their expectations With that word they all reioyced yea good maister Doctor quoth 〈◊〉 Sheriffe Gods blessing on your heart holde you there 〈◊〉 it is the comfortablest worde that wée hearde you 〈◊〉 yet what should you cast away your selfe in vain 〈◊〉 a wise mans part and I dare warrant you you shall 〈◊〉 fauour Thus they reioyced very much at the wordes and were â—â—â—â—y merry At the last good maister Doctor quoth the sheriffe what meane you by this that you thinke you haue â—â—ene deceiued your selfe c. Would you know my meaning plainely quoth he I will tell you I haue béene deceiued and as I thinke I shal deceiue a great manie I am as you sée a man that hath a very great carkas which I thought shoulde haue béene buried in Hadley Churchyarde if I had died in my bed as I well hoped I shoulde haue done But herein I sée I was deceiued and there are a great number of woormes in Hadley Churchyarde which should haue had iolly féeding vpon this carrion which they haue looked for manie a day The wormes deceiued by D. Taylors burning But nowe I know wée be deceyued I and they for this carkas must bée burnt to ashes and so shall they loose their baite and féeding When the Sheriffe and his companie heard him say so they were amazed maruelling at his constancie Departing thence and comming within two myles of Hadley hée desired to light of his Horse to make water which done he leapt and fetcht a friske or twaine D. Taylor of a marueylous courage as men commonly doe in daunsing Why M. Doctor quoth the sheriffe how do you now He answered well God be praised good M. sheriffe neuer better for now I know I am almost at home And at the last comming to Aldam Common the place assigned where he should suffer and vnderstanding it was the place he saide Thanked be God I am euen at home so lighted from his horse and with both his handes rent the hood from his head and profering to speake to the people who prayed for him and saluted him one or other thrust a tipstaffe into his mouth and would in no wise permitte him to speake For he was threatned and so were others that he should haue his tongue cutte out of his head except he would promise to kéepe silence at his death WheÌ„ he had praied he kissed the stake and set himselfe into a pitch barrell which they had set for him to stande in So praying They strike out D. Tailors braines at the fire and calling on the name of God he endured the torment til one Soice with an halbert strooke him on the head that the braynes fell out and the dead corps fell into the fire Within viij or ix dayes after S. Gardiner had geuen sentence against M. Hooper M. Rogers M. Saunders Doctor Taylor and Master Bradford being the viij of Februarie sixe other good men were brought before the bishoppes to be examined for their Religion Whose names were William Pigot Butcher St. Knight Barber Tho. Tomkins Weuer Thomas Hawkes Gentleman Iohn Lawrence Priest and William Hunter Prentice From which day Steeuen Gardiner Gardiner putteth of the butchering of the Saints to Boner would meddle no more in such kinde of condemnations but referred the whole doing thereof to Boner Bishoppe of London Who taking the matter in hande in the Consistorie of Paules the Lord Mayor and certaine Aldermen sitting with him the ix day of Februarie he read the sentence of condemnation against the sixe persons which were not executed before the moneth of March. Vpon the xiij day of Februarie Master Robert Farrar Bishop of saint Dauies was sent towardes saint Dauies there to be condemned and executed The xviij day of Februarie Quéene Marie after long delay made ful answere to the king of Denmarkes letters who had written two before to her in the behalfe of Miles Couerdale Miles Couerdale graunted to the King of Denmarke for his deliuerance whereunto she in the ende yelded The xix of Februarie there was a certaine intimation printed in the name of Boner where charge was geuen to euery man and woman within his Dioces to prepare them selues against Lent to receiue reconciliation sent from pope Iulius 3. by Poole his Cardinall and Legate de latere and so to be absolued Of the vj. before mentioned condemned by Boner Tho. Tomkins Thomas Tomkins Martyr was the first that suffered the xvj of March 1555. in Smithfield His dwelling was in Shordich in the Dioces of Lond. He was kept in prison by Boner halfe a yere and was of him most cruelly vsed beaten about the face and parte of his bearde pulled off by Boner Wherefore he caused him to be shauen pretending that then he woulde looke like a Catholike After that hauing with him M. Harpsfield M. Pendleton Doctor Chadsey M. Willerton and other standing by the Bishoppe tooke Tomkins by the fingers and helde his hande directly ouer the flame of a Taper hauing thrée or foure wéekes supposing by the payne thereof to terrifie him and cause him to leaue off the profession of the trueth In the which burning he neuer mooued till the veines shrunke They burne Tomkins hand with a Taper and the sinewes burst and the water did spirte in Master Harpsfieldes face In so much that Harpsfield mooued with pittie desired the Bishoppe to stay saying he had tryed him enough This burning was in the Bishops Hall at Fulham He was sundrie times examined The first time after he had béene imprisoned about halfe a yere the 8. of Februarie His Articles were touching the Sacrament of the Altar The next day he appeared againe at eight of the clocke before noone and againe the third tyme the same day at two of the clocke in the after noone where remayning constant in the doctrine of the Gospell the Bishop gaue sentence of death against him and so beyng deliuered to the Shiriffe of London was carried to Newgate where he remayned most ioyous and constant vntill the xvj of March next after Tomkins burned in Smithfield On which day in Smithfield he sealed vp his faith in the flaming fire The same yéere the xvj of March William Hunter of the age of ninetéene yéeres was martyred for the testimonie of the truth he being a prentise in London in the first yéere of Quéene Marie was commaunded at the Easter next followyng to receiue the Communion at a Masse by the Priest of the parish where he dwelt in Colman stréete in London which because he refused he was threatned to be brought before the B. of London Wherfore his master one Th. Taylor a silke maÌ„ fearing
trueth he feruently embraced the same and suffered with patiēce many conflictes therefore He had especiall enemies in Cambridge a black Frier one Doctor Buckeman Prouost of the house and another Frier an outlandish man called Doctor Venetus besides all the rabble of the Heades and Doctors as Doctor Watson Master of Christes Colledge whose Scholer Latimer had béene before D. Notaries Master of Clare Hall Doctor Phili Master of Michael house D. Medcalfe Master of S. Iohns D. Blithe of the kings hal D. Bullock Master of the Quéenes Colledge Doctor Cliffe of Clement house Doctor Downes of Iesus Colledge D. Palmes master of S Nicholas Hostel c. At the last came D. West Bishop of Ely who preaching against Latimer at Barnewel Abbey forbad him to preach any more within the churches of the Vniuersitie Notwithstanding D. Barnes Prior of the Augustine Friers did licence Master Latimer to preach in his Church of the Augustine Friers and he himselfe preached at the Church by called Saint Edwardes which was the first Sermon of the Gospel that D. Barnes preached being vpon Christmasse euen vpon a Sunday Whereupon Articles were gathered out against him by M. Tirrel Felow of the Kings Hall and presented to the Cardinall Notwithstanding the enemies that Latimer had in Cambridge hee continued preaching there thrée yeres and kept conference with Master Bilney So that the place where they vsed most to walke in the fields was commonly called the Heretikes hill After he had trauelled in preaching thrée yeres in Cambridge at length he was called vp to the Cardinall for heresie being contented to subscribe to such Articles as they propounded vnto him was dismissed After this by the meanes of Doctor Buttes a great fauourer of good men D. Buttes a fauourer of good men he was among the number of those that laboured in the Kinges Supremacie and went to the Court where after a space hee obteined a Benefice in Wiltshire in a towne called Westkington So he left the Court there kept residence There he also found enemies as in the Vniuersitie that drew articles against him As that he should preach against our Ladie Saintes Auemaries c. His chéefe enemies besides the Priestes of the Countrey were Doctor Powel of Salesburie Doctor Wilson sometime of Cambridge Master Hubberden and Doctor Sherewood By whose meanes he was cited vp to W. Warham Archb. of Canterburie and Iohn Stokeseley B of London an 1531. the xxix of Ianuarie euery wéeke for a space thrise Being called before them in the end he was dismissed on what condition it is vncertain At length through the procurement of D. Buttes Cromwell he was aduaunced by the king to be B. of Worcester Who whē holy bread and holy water should be ministred caused these verses to be pronounced to the people in his dioces Verses of Latimer at the giuing of holy bread and holie water Remember your promise in baptising Christ his mercie and bloudsheading By whose most holy sprinkling Of all your sinnes you haue full pardoning At the geuing of holy bread these verses following Of Christes body this is a token which on the crosse for our sinnes was broken Wherefore of your sinnes you must be forsakers If of Christes death you wil be partakers In his Bishoprick also he suffered much trouble for wel doing but the king greatly fauoured him He continued in his bishoprick til the time of the vi articles At which time of his own accord he resigned it At which time also Shaxtō B. of Salisburie resigned his bishoprick So they kept silēce til the time of K. Edward And comming vp to London for cure of a bruise which he receiued by a fall from a Trée hée was molested and cast into the Tower til the time of king Ed. In whose dayes he was set frée and preached againe with great fruite and edification of the people He being 67. yeres of age preached euery sunday twise for the most part and both winter and summer about ij of the clock in the morning he would be at his booke most diligently He euer affirmed that the preaching of the Gospel would coste him his life and perswaded himselfe that Winchester was kept in the Tower for the same purpose as the Euent did truly prooue For after the death of K. Edward he was sent for by a purseuant of whose comming he had intelligence by Iohn Careles prepared himself before to go with him The purseuant when he had deliuered his letters to him departed affirming that he had commandement not to tarrie for him whereby it should appeare they would haue had him fledde the realme but he cōmeth vp to London passing through Smithfield where merely hée said that Smithfield had long groaned for him Smithfield had long groaned for M. Latimer was brought before the Counsel Of whom he was againe cast into the Tower where he was hardly vsed yet bare it cherefully for when the Lieftenāts man vpon a time came to him the aged father kept without fire in frosty weather welnigh sterued for cold he merily had the man tel his master that if he did not looke the better to him perchance he would deceiue him Which when the Lieftenant heard fearing he should make escape M. Latimer almost sterued for cold in the tower chargeth him with his words Yea M. Lieftenant saith he so I saide for you look I think that I should burne but I am like here to sterue for cold Thus passing a long time in the tower from thence hée was transported to Oxford with Ridley and Cranmer to dispute as hath béene aforesaid He wrote diuers and sundrie letters Among other enemies to Latimer Latimers sundry letters at Oxford there was one Hubberden who riding by a Church side where the youth of the Parishe were daunsing came into the Church and caused the bell to be tolled and there made to the people a Sermon of daunsing A Sermon of piping and daunsing In which Sermon hée made the Doctors of the Church to answere to his call and to sing after his time for the probation of the Sacrament of the Altar against Latimer Frith c and all Heretikes At the last as he had made them sing so after he maketh them daunce also And first he calleth out Christ and his twelue Apostles then the auncient Doctors of the church as in a round ring all to daunce together with pipe vp Hubberdē Now daunce Christ now daunce Peter now Paule c. And in conclusiō such a dauncing kept Hubberdin that the pulpet fell and downe falleth Hubberdine and brake his leg and died not long after The people refused to repaire the pulpet saying it was not for dauncers M. Latimer to the king for restoring of the Scriptures M. Latimer also wrote to king Henry the viij for the restoring of the frée reading of holy Scriptures which was inhibited Anno 1531. and Anno 1546. For the which Letter hée receiued
Knode a shoemaker condemned of William Bynsley Bachelor of law Chancelor to the B. of Peterborow and deliuered to the sheriffe Sir Tho. Tresham whose officers burned him without the Northgate in the stone pits One Iohn Rote a Popish Priest Vicar of S. Giles in Northampton standing by did declare vnto him The martyr refuseth pardon that if hée would recant he had his pardon for him To whom he answered that he had his pardon by Iesus Christ This yéere the 12. of Sept. suffered Iohn Noyes Iohn Noyes of Laxfield in the same towne in the county of Suffolk Shoemaker He was apprehended by M. Tho. Louel Wolfren Dowsing and Nichol. Stonnard of the same towne and brought before the Iustices and the sheriffe who the next day cast him into Aye dungeon where he lay a certaine time then was caried to Norwich where the B. condemned him in the presence of his Chancelor D. Dunnings Sir William Woodhouse Sir Th. Woodhouse M. Geor. Heyden M. Spencer VVilliam Farrar Alderman of Norwich c. Being condemned he was sent againe to Aie prison and vpon the 21. of September about midnight was brought from thence to Laxfield to be burned where comming to the place of martyrdome he said the 50. Psalme with other praiers and being bound to the stake hee saide feare not them that can kill the body but feare him c. So the fire being kindled he with patience finished his course and gaue testimonie to the Gospel of God The 23. of September was Cecil Ormes Cecil Ormes burned at Norwich for the testimony of the trueth of Christ betwixt seuen and eight of the clock in the morning She was taken at the death of Simon Miller and Elizabeth Cooper for that she saide she woulde pledge them of the same cuppe that they dranke on The 23. of Iuly she was called before the Chauncelour sitting in iudgement with maister Bridges and others who offered her if shee woulde goe to Church and keepe her tongue and saie nothing agaynst them libertie Which she refused saying if shée should doe so GOD woulde surely plague her Therefore doe with mée saith she what yee will and saide if hée condemned her hée shoulde not bee so desirous of her sinfull fleshe as shée woulde by Gods grace bée content to giue it in so good a quarrell The constant martyr So hee pronounced his bloodie sentence against her and deliuered her to the sheriffes Thomas and Leonard Sotherton This Cecil Ormes had before recanted for which shee fell into great anguish of mind and had gotten a letter made to giue vnto the Chancellor to let him know she repented her recantation c. But before she exhibited her hil she was taken Being brought to the place of execution where Miller and Cooper were burned and the same stake shée layed her hande thereon Cecil Ormes at the stake and kissed it and saide Welcome the swéete crosse of Christ and so gaue her selfe vnto it After the tormentors had kindeled the fire to her she saide my soule doth magnifie the Lorde and my spirite reioyseth in God my Sauiour And quietly as she had béene in a slumber ended this mortall life In the dioces of Chichester many were condemned and martired for the witnesse bearing to the truth whose names were these Iohn Freeman of East Grinsted I. Foreman Iohn Warner I. Warner of Berne Christian Glouer C. Glouer of the Archdeaconrie of Lewes Thomas Athoth T. Athoth Priest Thomas Auington T. Auington of Ardinglie Dennis Burges D. Burges of Buxsted Tho. Rauensdale T. Rauensdale of Rie Iohn Milles I. Milles. of Hellinglesh Nicholas Holden N. Holden of Withiam Iohn Harte I. Hart. of Withiam Margery Morice M. Morice of Hethfield Anne Trie A. Trie of East-gréenstéed Iohn Oseward I. Osewars of woodmancote Iames Morice I. Morice of Hethfielde Thomas Dowgate T. Dowgate of East-gréenestéed and Iohn Ashdon I. Ashdon of Ketherfielde The greatest doer then against these martirs and sitters vpon their condemnation were these Christopherson the B. after Day Richard Briseley Doctor of Law and Chancellour of Chichester Robert Taylor Bachelour of Law his Deputie Tho. Backarde Ciuilian Anthonie Clarke Albane Langdale Bachelour of Diuinitie In the Moneth of Nouember was Thomas Spurdance T. Spurdance one of Quéene Maries seruants burned at Burie He was taken by two of his felowes Iohn Hammon otherwise called Barker and George Lawson both dwelling in Codnam in the Countie of Suffolke Who carried him to one Master Gosnall dwelling in Codnam and by him was sent to Burie Hee was first examined by the Bishoppes Chauncellour and then by the Bishoppe himselfe and by him condemned Being before the Bishoppe he was exhorted by a Gentleman that stoode by him to take a day and to aduise himselfe Vnto whom he made answere If I saue my life I shall lose it and if I lose my life for Christes sake I shall be sure to finde it in euerlasting life And if I shoulde take a day when the day commeth I must say then euen as I doe now except I will lie and that néedeth not The same yere the eightéene day of Nouember were these thrée burned in Smithfielde Iohn Hollingdale I. Hollingdale William Sparrowe W. Sparrow and Richard Gibson R. Gibson William Sparrowe had recanted before and afterwarde did greatly repent him for the same saying vnto Bishoppe Boner that it was the worst déede that euer he had done And said vnto him moreouer That which you call heresie quoth he is good and godlie and if euery haire of my head were a man I woulde burne them all saide hée rather then I would goe from the trueth Note As Boner ministred his Popish Articles vnto M. Gibson euen so likewise did he againe propounde other Articles vnto Boner Articles for articles As whether the Scriptures were sufficient to instruct to saluation From whom authoritie commeth and what it is Whether any but Christ is Lorde ouer faith By what markes Antichrist is to be knowen so forth to the number of nine In the ende Boner deliuered them to the Secular power and the eyghtéenth day of Nouember they chéerefullie witnessed the trueth in the flames of fire The xxij of Decēb. Iohn Rough Minister a Scotishmā Marg. Mearing M. Mearing were burned for the gospel in smithfield Iohn Rough I. Rough. had béene of the order of the black Friers xvi yeares and at the request of the Lorde Hāmleton Earle of Arran and gouernour of Scotlande the Archbishop caused the Prouinciall of that house hauing thereto authoritie to dispense with him for his habite hood and so he took him to be a Secular Priest to serue in his Chappell In whose seruice he remayned a whole yere In which time God did open his eyes to sée the trueth and was sent by the same Gouernour to preach in the fréedome