abide the fire shall also geue power that wtout this prouisiō I shal abide and not stir in this fire Which when they heard they only bound him who hauing geuen thankes vnto God and testified his faith the tormentors put fire vnto him which seemed to those that were beholders to compasse the bodie like a vaile which in the middest thereof séemed like golde and siluer tried in the fire and yelded a pleasant smell Thus the fire not consuming his bodie one of the Tormentors thrust him in with a Sworde Whereafter so great a quantitie of bloud issued out of his bodie that the fire was quenched therewith The bodie afterwarde was taken and burned as their manner was to doe And this was the ende of that worthie man At that same time suffered also at Smirna twelue other that came from Philadelphia with diuers other as Metrodorus Metrodorus a minister and another worthy man named Pionius Pionius who after gréeuous torments were burned After these suffered Carpus Carpus Papylus Papylus and Agathonica Agathonica a woman who were put to death at Pergamopolis in Asia Euseb l. 4. c. 7. In Rome suffered Felicitas with her seuen children Felicitas with her 7. children whose names were Ianuarius Felix Philip Siluanus Alexander Vitalis and Martialis Of which companie Ianuarius after he was whipped with roddes was prest to death with leaden waightes Felix and Philip had their braines beaten out with maules Siluanus was cast downe headlong and had his neck broken Alexander Vitalis and Martialis were beheaded Last of all the mother was slaine with the sworde Ex Suppl Vnder this M. Antoninus suffred also the worthy man and learned Philosopher Iustinus Iustinus born at Neapolis in Palestina His father was Priscus Baicus He wrote Apologies First to the Senate of Rome after to Antonius Pius the Emperor He wrote also to Vrbinus Lieftenant of the Citie He preuayled so with Antonius Pius that hee stayed the persecution in Asia This man was accused by Crescens a Cynike philosopher whom he had vanquished in disputation in reuenge whereof he procured his death in the yere 154. in the xiij yere of the Reigne of Antoninus the Emperor Vnder the same Antoninus suffered also Ptolomeus Lucius Lucius for confessing Christ in a Citie of Egypt called Alexandria Ptolomeus was accused by a Centurion subornne thereunto by a vicious Infidel whose wife had béene also lewde but conuerted by Ptolomeus and thereupon departing from her vicious husband hee reuengeth himselfe vpon her Instructor who being brought before Vrbinus the Iudge and condemned to suffer death Lucius a Christian blaming the Iudge and iustifying the innocencie of Ptolomeus was with him also without further examination martired In the raigne of this Tirant suffered also one Concordus Concordus a Minister in the Citie of Spoletum because he would not do sacrifice to Iupiter but spit in his face wherefore after many and sundrie torments he was beheaded It is reported that diuers other Martirs suffered vnder this Antoninus Verus as Symmetrius Symmetrius c. Florellus Pontianus Alexāder Caius Epipodus Victor Corona Marcellus and Valerianus Who because they would not doe sacrifice to Idols ended their liues by the sword Vnder this Tyrant suffered diuers Martirs at Vienna and Lions two Cities in France Among whom Vetius Vetius Zacharias Sanctus Maturus Attalus Blandina Alexander and Alcibiades are chiefly renoumed Vetius Epagathus for reproouing the cruell sentence of the Iudge geuen against the Christians and making an Apologie for them was martyred He was called by the faithfull being but a young man the Aduocate of the Christians Sanctus Sanctus was Deacon of the Congregation at Vienna Maturus Maturus was but a little before baptized Attalus Attalus was borne at Pergama who was the foundation and piller of that congregatiō Blandina Blandina weried the tormentors with hir patient suffering Likewise did Sanctus who in his tormenting beyng asked his name his citie his kinred he answered to all questions I am a Christian With these suffered one Bibledes Bibledes a woman who had denied Christ being tormented to the end she might vtter some wickednes of the Christians shée confessed Christ againe continued constant and was martyred with the rest At that time Photinus Photinus deacon to the B. of Lions about 90. yéeres old beyng first sore beaten was cast into prison and there died within two daies after Maturus and Sanctus were brought againe to torment and with them Blandina and Attalus yet notwithstanding exquisite and strange deuised torments they continued constant in the faith Blandina was fastened vpon a stake cast to beasts to be deuoured but no beast woulde touch her wherevpon they tooke her downe and put her in prison till another time Attalus was brought foorth againe with one Alexander Alexander a Phrygian and a Phisition who because he encouraged the Christians standing before the Iudge was apprehended and suffered most grieuous torments most patiently without change of countenaunce and died broyled in an Iron chaire After this being the last day of the spectacle Blandina againe and one Ponticus Ponticus a childe of fiftéen yeres olde was brought foorth The childe died constant with extremitie of torment Blandina after diuers most exquisite tormentes as whips gridiron and wilde beastes was at the last cast into a net throwen to a wilde Bull and so was gored to death Neither did their rage cease against the dead bodies which they would not suffer to be buried but caused them to be watched least they should be put in graue The causes why these persecutions were the more sharpe was because some of the Ethnicks being seruants to the christians were compelled by threatnings to fayne against them that they kept the feasts of Thiestes and incest of Oedipus with other most hainous crimes To these Emperours did Melito Melito bishop of Sardis exhibite Apologies for the Christians learned and eloquent So did Claudius Apollinaris Cl. Apollinaris bishop of Hierapolis like as Quadratus Quadratus and Aristides Aristides did before to the Emperour Hadrian So that whether it were by that means or through the writing of Athenagoras Athenagoras a philosopher a Legate of the Christians it is certaine that the persecutiō the same time was staied Persecuton stayed Others thinke it came by a miracle wrought in the Emperours campe For what time the two brethren Emperours ioyned together and warred against the Quades Vandals Sarmates and Germaines when their souldiers wanting water fiue daies together Miracle and by meanes thereof were like to perish in this distresse a legion of the Christian souldidiers withdrew themselues and praied whereby they obtained showers and swéete raine and the enimies were terrified with lightnings and haile and so discomfited and put to flight Wherevpon the Emperour wrote to diuers of his Gouernours that they should giue thankes
partie good against him tooke his Bible with the notes in the Margine and burned it At the last disputation Duke Anthony himselfe was sayd to be there disguised who although hee vnderstood not the speach of Wolgangus beyng in Latine yet perceyuing him to be bold and constant Courage and constancie departing from the disputation pronounced he should be burned because he denied the Church and sacrifice of the Masse Wolgangus hearing the sentence of his condemnation began to sing the 122. Psalme I reioyced when they said vnto me we will go into the house of the Lord and at the execution sang the 51. Psalme till the smoke and flame tooke from him his voyce and life Shortly after his death the Commendator of Saint Anthonie of Vienna who sate as spiritual iudge ouer him and gaue sentence of his condemnation fell sodainly downe and died Also his felow which was abbot of Clarilocus Gods vengeance and suffragane of the Bishop of Mentz sodainly at the comming in of the Duches of Denmarke into the citie of Nancie stricken with a feare at the cracke of guns fell downe and died Ex Lud. Rab. Pant Ann. 1526. Ioh. Huglein 1526 Ioh. Huglein priest was burned at Mespurgh by the Bish of Constance for that he did not hold with the B. of Rome his doctrine in all points This yéere the Ladie Katherine the olde Emperours yong sister was promised in marriage with Iohn Fredericke sonne and heire to the Prince electour of Saxonie but thorough the alteration of religion they swarued from their couenants and Hawnart No promise to be kept with heretikes the Emperours Ambassadour in Germany said plainly that there was no promise to be kept with heretikes Anno 1527. George Carpenter 1527 George Carpenter of Emering was burned in the towne of Munchen in Bauaria 1. Because hée did not beléeue that a priest could forgiue sins 2. He beleued not a man could call God out of heauen 3. He beleued not that God was in the bread 4. He beléeued not that the element in Baptisme giueth grace The same yere Leonard Keyser Leonard Keysar of the countrey of Bauaria was put to death for the testimonie of the truth he was of the town of Raw 4. miles frō Passaw of a famous house He being at his study in Wittēberg was sent for by his brethrē who certified him that if he wold sée his father aliue he shold come with speed he was scarse come thither whē as by the cōmandmēt of the B. of Passaw he was takē by his mother brethrē The mother brethren against children and brethren The articles with he was accused of were the faith only iustifieth 2. Works are the fruites of faith 3. The masse is no sacrifice nor oblation also hée denied confession satisfaction vowe of single life Purgatorie difference of dayes inuocation of Saintes and for holding onelie two Sacraments c. They that sate in iudgement of him were the Bishop of Passaw the suffraganes of Ratisbone and Passaw and with them Eckius béeyng garded with armed men He suffered the 16. of August Ex 6. tomo operum Lutheri Wendelimuta Anno 1527. a vertuous widowe named Wendelmuta was first strangled and after burned at Hage in Holland the twentieth of Nouember for the profession of the trueth ex Pantal. Anno 1529. Peter Filsteden and Adolph Clareback 1529 Peter Filsteden Adolph Clarebacke Germanes by the commaundement of the Archb. and Senate of Collen were burned there for the trueth especially of the supper of the Lord after that they had endured imprisonment a yéere and a halfe At that time certaine popish Preachers perswaded the people that the putting to death of certaine wicked persons meaning the Gospellers shoulde pacifie the wrath of God who then plagued Germany with the sweating sicknes Sleid. Nicholas Ann. 1524. one Nicholas of Antwerp was apprehended preaching without the towne by two butchers seruantes and put into a sack and drowned by the Craue at Antwerp Persecutor Charles the Emperour Iohan. Pictor At the same time Iohannes Pictorius a learned man of Holland A couragious martyr and partly of kin to Erasmus Roterodamus was first strangled and then burned pronouncing at his death O death where is thy victory The Persecutors Margaret aughter of Maximilian princesse of Holland M. Montane M. Rosemund Inquisitors M. Iodocus Louering Vicar of Mechling He was condemned for speaking against masse and pardons and subtile abuses of priests Anno 1525. Mathias Weibel 1525 M. Weibell Schoolemaster was hanged by Campadonium in Sweuia for saying somewhat agoinst the Abbots first Masse and against carrying about of relikes The persecutor was Sebastian Baitesteni The same yere a good priest being cōmanded to geue good councell to 16. Countreymen that should be beheaded A Priest martir was afterward himselfe bidden knéele downe and had his head cut off onely for méere hatred against the Gospel The persecutors were certaine noble men after the commotion of Countreymen in Germanie Ex Gastia Anno 1528. G. Sherrer 1528 G. Sherrer a Preacher was put to death at Rastat frō Saltzburgh x. miles He was condemned to bée burned aliue but meanes was made that he was first beheaded Going towards his death he saide That you may know I die a Christian I will geue you a signe and so hée did for when the head was stricken from his shoulders the bodie falling vpon the bellie A signe so continued the space that one might well eate an egge after that it softly turned it selfe vpon the backe and crossed the right foote and likewise the right hand ouer the left At the fight whereof the Magistrates would not burne his bodie but buried it with other Christian mens bodies Mat. Flat Illiric An. 1522. At Dornick Henrie Flemming 1522 H. Fleming was burned by Balthasar Officiall He was sometimes a Frier and being offered life by Balthasar if he would confesse his wife to be an harlot denyed so to doe and was thereupon burned at Dornicke Anno 1539. A good priest dwelling not farre from Basill was slaine of his guest another wicked drunken priest for the which fact the wicked priest was both dismissed of his B. and had also a greater benefice geuē him for his worthie at Ex Ioh. Gast Pantal. Anno 1543. At Louaine 28. men and women were taken that professed the trueth and tormented seuerally Among whom there was one Paulus a Priest of sixtie yeres who staggering in his confession for feare of death was had out of Louan and condemned to perpetuall prison which was a stinking dungeon where he was suffered neither to reade nor write and was fedde onely with bread and water Other two there were who beecause they had reuoked before were burned which they endured cherefullie There was also an old man and two aged women brought foorth of which the one was called Antonia Antonia of an auncient stock in
at Rochester to Durelind The Sea of Durham began or Durelin whereupon the Bishoppes Sea of Duresine first began This king was greatly vexed with the Danes and was faine to redéeme peace with great summes of money yerelie which was called Dane-gelt Danegelt from x. thousand to xl thousand a yere An. 1000. In the xxi of his reigne he married with Emma daughter to Richard D. of Normandie which caused the king to haue great confidence in himselfe and by presumption thereof sent secrete and straight Commissions to the Rulers of euerie towne in the lande that vpon Saint Brices day at a certaine houre appointed the Danes should be sodenly slaine Danes slaine which was in like manner performed But the Danes and their king hearing thereof entered againe and made great waste In so much that the king was fayne to take peace with them and gaue to King Swanus thirtie thousand poundes whereupon he returned But the peace lasted not long for the next yeare one named Turkillus Turkillus a Dane Great vexation of the Danes a Prince of the Danes inuaded againe and was fayne to be pleased with giftes So the inuasion of the Danes and the molesting of Englishmen by them neuer ceased wherewith the Countrey was brought to great miserie After this Swanus the king of Danes who had made a couenant of peace before with the K. brake it and hearing of the increase of his people in the land came and landed in Northumberlande and there proclaymed himselfe king of the Land After much destruction in other places at length he came to Canterburie which he besieged and was resisted twenty dayes but at last by treason of a Deacon Treason of a Deacon called Almaricus whom the Bishop had preserued from death before wan it and tooke the goods of the people and set the towne on fire and tithed the Monkes of Saint Augustines abbey Monkes tithed by the Danes killing nine by cruell torment and kéeping the tenth aliue for slaues So they slue there of religious men to the number of nine hundred of other men women and children they slue aboue eight thousand And finally when they had kept the Bishop Elphegus in straight pryson the space of eight moneths because he would not agrée to giue them thrée thousand poundes after many villanies doone vnto him at Gréenewich they stoned him to death Elphegus stoned by the Danes The K. Egelred in the meane time fearing the end of this persecution sent his wife Emma with his two sonnes Alphred and Edward to the Duke of Normandie with whom also he sent the bishop of London whether also himselfe went after he had spent a great parte of the Winter in the I le of Wight whether hée was chased of the Danes The king chased of the Danes Whereof Swanus hearing and inflamed with pride reared great exactions vppon the people and among other hée required a great summe of monie of Saint Edmunds landes which the people there clayming to bee frée from kings tributes denied to pay For this Swanus entred the territory of S. Edmund wasted the country and despised the holy martyr menacing also the place of his sepulcher wherefore the men of the country fell to fasting prayer Fasting and prayer Shortly after Swanus died suddainly crying and yelling among his knights In feare whereof Canutus his sonne that ruled after him graunted them the fréedome of al their libertie and moreouer ditched their land with a déepe ditch and granted to the inhabitants thereof great fréedome quitting them from all tributes and after builded a Church ouer the place of his Sepulture ordained there an house of monks and endewed them with rich possessions And after that time it was vsed that kings of Englād when they were crowned sent their crownes for an offering to S. Edmunds shrine The crowne of England offered to S. Edmunds shrine and redéemed the same afterward with a condigne price King Egelred hearing of the death of Swanus made prouision and returned into England for whose suddaine comming Canutus being vnprouided fled to Sandwich and there cutting of the noses and the handes of the pledges which his father left with him sailed into Denmarke and the next yeare returned againe with a great nauie and landed in the South countrie and entered the countrie of West-saxon forcing the people to bée sworne to him and to giue pledges In this season king Egelred beyng at London was taken with sickenesse and there died and was buried in the Northside of Paules Church behind the quire after that he had raigned vnprosperously six thirtie yéeres leauing behind him his eldest sonne Edmund Ironside and Alphred and Edward which were in Normandy This king with his councell gaue foorth wholesome lawes and precepts for iudges and it is recorded that he deposed or depriued from all possessions a certaine iudge or iustice named Walgeatus A false iudge deposed whom the king loued Edmund slain the sonne of one Leonet for false iudgement and other prowde doings whom notwithstanding he loued aboue all other After the death of Egelred variance fell betwixt the Englishmen for the election of the king the one part standing for Edwin the eldest sonne of Egelred the other for Canutus the sonne of Swanus the Dane By means wherof there were diuerse battels fought betwéene them and in the end the Princes thēselues tried the matter hand to hand and when they had assaied each other a while by the motion of Canutus hastely they were agréed and kissed each other to the comfort of both hostes and shortly after agreed vpon partition of the land and loued as brethren Soone after a sonne of wicked Edericus by the means of his father espying Edmund at the draught thrust him into the fundament with a speare and slue him after that he had raigned two yéeres He left behind him two sons Edmund and Edward whom Edrick the wicked Duke after the death of their father tooke from their mother not knowing yet of the death of her husband and presented them to King Canutus and saluted him haile king alone Canutus being King alone sent the sonnes of Edmund to his brother Swanus king of Sweueland to be slaine who abhorring that déede sent them to Salomon king of Hungary where Edmund being married to the K. daughter died Edward was married to Agatha daughter of his brother Henrie the 4. Emperor Canutus being established King A promise well performed hauing promised the false Duke to make him higher then all the Lordes of the land caused his head to be stricken of and to be set vppon London bridge and his body to be cast into the town ditch other say he caused him to be bound and throwen into the Thames The reward of Traitors Likewise Canutus did disdaine all those whom he knewe to haue dealt falsely against Edmund and his heires In the meane time Swanus king of Denmarke brother to
Canutus died wherefore that land fell to Canutus who anon after sailed thither and tooke the possession and returned into England married Emma late wife of Egelred and by her had a sonne called Herdeknight or Hardiknoutus He assembled a parlement at Oxford wherin was agréed that English men and Danes should hold the lawes made by king Edgar King Edgars lawes as most good reasonable Thus the Danes being in England beganne by little and litle to bée christened and Canutus went to Rome and so returning againe to England gouerned the land 20. yéers leauing behind him two sonnes Harold Hardiknoutus which Hardiknoutus was made K of Denmarke in his fathers time Harold for his swiftnes called Harefoot son to Canutus by Eligna his first wife began his raign ouer Englād an 1039 He banished his stepmother Emma took her goods iewels from her He raigned but 4. yéeres the kingdome fell to Hardeknoutus king of Denmarke his brother who when he had raigned 2. yéeres Hardeknoutus dieth being merry at Lambith sodainly was stricken dumme and fel down to the ground and within 8. daies after died without issue of his body and was the last that raigned of the blood of the Danes The last K. of the Danes For the Earles and Barons agréed that none of that blood should after bée king for the despite and hurt the Danes had done to the English nation and sent into Normandy for the 2. brethren Alfred Edward sonnes of king Egelred entending to make Alfred king of England but Earle Godwin a Westsaxon who had married the daughter of Hardeknoutus thought to slay the two brethren comming into England to make Harold his sonne king which sonne he had by the daughter of Hardeknoutus the Dane King The messengers that went for the brethren founde but Alfred the elder for Edward the younger was gone into Hungary to speake with his cousin the outlaw which was Edward Ironsides sonne So the traitor Godwin met with Alfride the Normans attending vpon him and when they came to Guilde doune he commanded his men to slea all that were of Alfrides company and after that to take Alfred and to leade him to the yle of Ely where they should put out both his eies which they did Alfred cruelly murthered that done they opened his body and tooke out his bowels set a stake into the ground and fastned an end of his bowels thereto and with néedles of yron they pricked his tender body thereby causing him to go about the stake till al his bowels were drawne out After this treason the wicbed Duke fled into Denmark and lost al his lands in England and kept him there 4. yéeres and more The stories record that this Canutus folowing much the superstition of Achelnotus Archb. of Canterbury went on Pilgrimage to Rome and there founded an Hospitall for English Pilgrims hée gaue the Pope pretious giftes and burdened the land with a yéerely tribute called Romeshotte Romeshot He shrined the body of Bernius and gaue greate landes to the Cathedrall Church of Winchester he builded Saints Benets in Northfolke which was before an heremitage Also S. Edmundsburie S. Edmundsburie turned from priestes to monkes which king Ethelstane ordeined before for a colledge of priests he turned to an abbey of Monkes of S. Benets order This king Canutus beyng prouoked to go to Winchester by Egelnothus Archbishop of Canterburie resigned his regall crowne to the rood A Rood crowned king of England and made the roode king ouer the land He ordained lawes of his owne touching matters ecclesiasticall although at the beginning hée vsed Edgars lawes as touching paying for opening the earth at funerals he forbad also all faires and markets vpon Sundayes and all secular actions but vpon vrgent necessitie A good law against adultery He ordained to receaue the communion thrise a yéere That married woman that had committed adultery should haue her eares and nose cut off Also that no widow should marrie within xij moneths after the death of her husband else to lose her ioynture c. Thus ended the Danish kings which Danes had vexed and wasted the land the time of 255. yéeres The land vexed by the Danes 255. yeeres Next vnto Canutus the second or Hardiknoute succéeded Edward the younger sonne of Egelred and Emma who was long banished in Normandy He came ouer with a few Normans and was crowned at Winchester anno 943. by Edesius thē Archbishop of Canterburie and not long after he married Goditha or Editha daughter of Earle Godwin with whom he neither dealt fleshly nor yet put her from his bed He gouerned the land with great wisdome peace xxiiij yeres In the time of this K. came William Duke of Normandie with a goodly companie to sée K. Edward to whom it is said Edw. promised if he died without issue to leaue the Crowne In this K. reigne liued Marianus Scotus M. Scotus the storie wryter About the 13. yéere of this kings raigne he sent Aldred bishop of Worceter to the Emperour Henricus the fourth praying him that he would send to the king of Hungarie that his coosin Edward sonne of Edmund Ironside might come into England for so much as he entended to make him king after him who was called Edward outlaw This was fulfilled and he came into England with his wife Agatha and with his children Edgar Adeling Margaret and Christina but the yéere after his returne he died at London was buried at Westminster or as Iornalensis saith at Paules church in London After whose decease the king receiued Edgar Adeling his sonne as his owne child thinking to make him his heire but fearing the mutabilitie of the Englishmen and the pride and malice of Harold the sonne of Godwin directed Embassadours to William Duke of Normandy William Duke of Normandy appointed heire of the crowne his kinseman assigning him to bée lawfull heire after him After the death of Godwin his son Harold grew in great fauour with the king He sayled into Flaunders and in the course of his sayling he was driuen by force of weather into the prouince of Pomilitie where he was taken prisoner and sent to William Duke of Normandie to whom he was made to sweare that he in time following should marry his daughter and that after the death of King Edward Harold sweareth to Duke William he should kéepe the land of England to his behoofe according to the minde and will of Edward after some Writers and so to liue in honor next to him in the Realme Thus he returned home and shewed to the king what he had done Wherewith he was very wel contented Leofricuss Earle of Chester and of Mercia who was also very faithfull to king Edward with his wife Godina builded the Abbey of Couentrée The Abbey of Couentrie and endued the same with great lands and riches King Edward after hee had reigned thrée and twentie yeares and seuen
taken in the night by maister Tamages men because hée woulde not goe to Church Adam Foster Adam Foster of the age of sixe and twentie yeres husbandman dwelling in Mendlesham in Suffolke was taken at his owne house by the Constables of the Towne George Kiuert and Thomas Mouse and carryed to Syr Iohn Tyrrell aforesaid knight who sent him to Aye dungeon and from thence to Norwich where hée was condemned of the Bishoppe Hopton Robert Lawson Rob. Lawson a single man of thirtye yeeres a linnen Weauer was apprehended in the night by one Robert Keerich at the commaundement of Sir Iohn Tyrrel aforesaid and sent to Norwich and then was there condemned of the Bishop These 3. were after they were condemned had to Berrie where they chéerefully and ioyfully suffered for the testimony of Iesus Bernard being threatned at Norwich of the priests whipping burning stocking and such like to terrifie him when flattery would not serue said vnto them Friends I am not better then my maister Christ and the prophets which your fathers serued after such sort and I for his names sake am content to suffer the like at your hands A worthy answere of the martyr if God shall so permit trusting that he will strengthen me in the same according to his promise in spite of the Diuell and all his ministers The 20. of Aprill the same Bishop had before him one Iohn Fortune otherwise called Cutler of Hintlesham in Suffolke a blacke smith a man in spirit zealous and ardent in the scriptures ready in Christes cause stoute valiant in his answeres maruellous patient in suffering and constant in the doctrine of the Gospel Him the B. of Norwich very likely condemned also after diuers examinations Whether he died in the fire or otherwise was preuented by death it is vncertaine But his sentence of condemnation was drawne and registred About this time the first of Iuly died one Iohn Careles Iohn Careles a worthy confessor of Couentry a weauer in the Kings bench after long imprisonment the space of two yéeres In which captiuity first being in Couentry gaole he was there in such credite with his kéeper that vpon his worde onelie hée was let out to plaie in the Pageant about the Cittie with other his companions and that done keeping trueth with his keeper returned agayne into prison at his houre appointed After that béeing brought vp to London hée shewed such patience and constant fortitude that hee longed for nothing more earnestly then to come to the promotion to dye in the fire for the profession of his fayth but hee was preuented by death in the prison through sicknes and was buried on a dunghill in the fieldes In the mean time that he was in the kings bench he was in great perturbation of minde and conscience wherevppon hée wrote to maister Philpot then beeing in the Cole-house and receyued from him a comfortable letter Hée had béen examined of Doctor Martin who vrged him to detect his fellowes and reasoned with him about Predestination cauilling and scoffingly Hée was a man of a most heauenly spirite and wrote diuers letters to sundry afflicted then for the Gospel Iohn Careles letters as to Philpot to Bradford to maister Greene maister Whitle M. Timmes Henry Adlington c. a great number The same moneth of Iuly suffered at Newbery 3. godly and constant martirs of Christ Iulius Palmer Iohn Guin Thomas Askine Iulius Palmer Iohn Guin Th. Askin Iulius Palmer was sometime a Student and felow of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford and afterward Schoolemaster in the Towne of Reding He was borne in Couentrée and before his calling to the knowledge of the trueth a great aduersarie to the Gospel and a contemner of the ministers of the trueth In so much as hee was expelled his Colledge in the end of king Edwards daies for popery Iul. Palmer expulsed his Colledge in K. Edwardes time for poperie So that for his maintenance he was faine to apply himself to teach children in the house of Sir Fraunces Knolles In which trade he continued til the comming of Q. Marie In whose daies he was restored againe to his place by her Visitors Where being placed a while and vnderstanding the cruell dealing of the Papistes against the seruantes of God and séeing their constancie in the hearing of diuers of his friends he burst out into these words or such like Oh raging crueltie O tirannie tragicall and more then barbarous From that day forward he studiously sought to vnderstand the trueth and seriously studied P. Martires Commētaries vpon the first to the Corinthians And at length grew vp in such ripenes of the trueth that he spared not to declare certaine sparkes thereof in his outward behauiour and doings Wherefore being abhorred of diuers especially of M. Cole the President which were before his friends hée addressed himselfe to depart the house And being demaunded by a friend of his how he woulde liue answered The earth is the Lords and the fulnes thereof c. After the geuing ouer of his Felowship he was placed by Patent Schoolemaster at Reding and there was accepted of those that feared God But there hee remayned not long For certain dissembling Hipocrites who pretending zeale to the Gospel crept into familiaritie with him and in his absence spared not to rifle his Studie and writings Among which was his Replication to Meruines verses touching Winchesters Epitaph and other Arguments both in Latine and English against the Popes procéedings and especially against their brutish tyrannie towardes the seruants of God Which these companions hauing found did threaten him that except he would geue vp his schoole to a friend of theirs Thomas Thackam Th. Thackam a false dissembling hipocrite a false dissembling knaue and a chéefe woorker of his death they woulde deliuer those his writings to the Counsell Whereupon for sauegarde of his life he was forced to depart vpon the sodaine and tooke his iorney towardes Euesham where his mother dwelt Hoping to receiue of her certaine Legacies by his Fathers will due vnto him certaine yeares before Who so soone as he came to his mother and asked her blessing she cursed him vpbrayding him with his forsaking of Oxforde and his comming from Reding She threatning him fire and fagagotte The mother threatneth her sonne Iulius Palmer with fire and fagot in steade of his Legacies So being destitute of all worldly helpe he aduised himselfe to goe closely to Reading there to receiue his quarters stipende which he lefte vnreceiued at his departure and to conuey from thence his stuffe Which he did not so secretly but that he was espied and there by meanes of one Master Hampton a false hypocrite vnder pretence of friendshippe he was betrayed and within short space was taken at the signe of the Cardinals hatte in Reading and was put into a vile stinking and blinde Dungeon Where tenne dayes he hanged by the handes and féete so high that welnéere no part of
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
stake 180 Diuers Letters Treatises ead Steuen Gardiner dieth ead Gods iudgement on Gardiner 181 Winchesters wordes at his death ead Iohn Webbe G. Roper G. Parker Martirs 181 Men of vpright mindes 183 Hastning of iudgement a pleasure to the martir 184 Sharpe aunswere to Boners message ead Philpots zeale against Morgan 186 Articles against Master Philpot 187 Boner condemneth Philpot 188 M. Philp. payeth his vowes in Smithfield ead 7. burned together in Smithfield 189 Thomas Whittle repenteth and is condemned ead Whittles letters ead Bartlet Greene ead Master Greene condemned 191 Master Greene at the Stake ead Tho. Brown ead Iohn Tudson ead Iohn Went ead Isabel Foster 192 Ione Lashford ead 5. martirs sing a psalm in the fire ead Cranmer Archb. of Canterburie 193 M. Cranmers aduice touching the disputatiō for the kings diuorce eadem Cranmer sent for to the K. 194 Embassage to Rome about the diuorce eadem None would kisse the popes foote but a great Spaniell of the Earle of Wiltshires eadem Cranmer goeth to the Emperour eadem Cranmer satisfieth Cornelius Agrippa eadem Cranmer made archbishop 195 King Edward godsonne to Cranmer eadem Bookes of Cranmer ead Cranmer not brought to against his conscience ead Cranmer would do no reuerence to the popes subdelegate 196 Periured persons for witnesses 197 The meaning of supreame head 198 The Archbishop condemned for not beyng at Rome when he was kept prisoner in England ead Boner derideth the Archbishop 199 The poore estate of the archbishop ead Cranmer setteth his hand to a recantation ead Q. Maryes speciall hate to Cranmer 200 Law of equality 201 The pitiful case of Cranmer eadem Cranmer bewaileth his recātation 202 Cranmer first burneth his hand wherewith he subscribed eadem Cranmer burned eadem The wicked can not discerne spirits eadem Why Cranmer desired life eadem Iohn Spicer William Coberley and Iohn Maundrell 203 Purgatorie the popes pinfold ead Six at one fire in Smithfield viz. Robert Drakes William Timmes Richard Spurge Thomas Spurge Iohn Cauell and George Ambrose 204 A short answere of Timmes 205 Commissioners into Norffolke and Suffolke 206 Iohn Harpoole and Ioane Beats eadem Iohn Hullier eadem Sixe martyrs at one fire in Colchester eadem Christopher Lister eadem Iohn Mace Iohn Spenser Iohn Hammon Simon Iayne Richard Nicholas 207 Hugh Lauercocke and Iohn appryce burned ead Lauercock comforteth his fellow eadem Thomas Drewry and Thomas Croker 208 Thomas Spicer Iohn Denny and Edmund Poole burned eadem The martyrs prayse God in the flame 209 Thomas Harland Iohn Oswald Th. Auington Tho. Read martyrs ead Also Iohn Milles Thomas Wood ead A merchants seruant at Leycester 210 Thirteene at one fire viz. Hēry Adlington L. Pernam H. Wye W. Halywell T. Bowyer G. Searls Edm. Hurst Lion Couch Rafe Iackson Iohn Deryfall Iohn Routh Elizabeth Pepper Agnes George eadem Subtlety of the Diuell ead Two women stand loose at the stake eadem Cardinall pardoneth certain condemned ead Roger Bernard 211 Adam Foster Robert Lawson ead A worthy answere of the martyr eadem Iohn Carlesse a worthy confessor 212 Iulius Palmer Iohn Guin Thomas Askin martyrs 213 Iulius Palmer expulsed the colledge in King Edward his time for Papistrie eadem Th. Thackhā a false dissembling hypocrite 214 The mother threateneth hir sonne Iulius Palmer fire faggot eadem Palmer at the stake 215 Palmer diuerse times in dāger of burning 216 For whom its easie to burne eadem The mother Katherine Couches and the two daughters Guillemme Gilbert Perotine Massey burned in Gernesey 217 Cruelty against the mother and hir daughters ead Maruellous cruelty eadem Thomas Dungate Iohn Forman and mother Dree burned 218 Thomas More ead Ioane Wast eadem Ione hir offer to the Iudges eadem Edward Sharpe 219 Foure at Mayfield in Sussex eadem A young man at Bristow eadem Iohn Horne a womā ead William Dangerfield ead Great cruelty 220 The wife encourageth hir husband eadem A shoomaker at Northampton ead Hooke eadem Fiue famished and ten burned at Canterbury 221 A witty and godly answere of Alice Potkins ead Put to death in the fourth yeere of Qu. Mary 84. persons eadem Sir Iohn Cheeke 222 The vniuersitie of Cābridge to be reformed 223 Inquisitors came to Cambridge eadem S. Maries and S. Michaels churches in Cambridge interdicted eadem Kings colledge refuseth the Inquisitors 224 Kings colledge neuer without an heretike ead Robert Brassey M. of Kings colledge ead Bucer Phagius digged out of their graues 225 Bucer Phagius corps burned 226 The holy cōmissioners depart from Cambridge ea Peter Martyrs wifes corps at Oxford 227 Iohn Philpot W. Waterer Steph. Kempe W. Haydhith T. Hudson Mathew Brodbridge Th. Stephēs Nich. Finall W. Lowicke W. Prowting burned ea Another bloudy cōmission 228 Cardinall Poole mercyfull ead Tho. Losebie H. Ramsey T. Tyroll M. Hyde Agnes Stanley 229 The valiant martyr eadem W. Morant King S. Gratewicke ead Vniust proceeding ead Faith surely grounded 230 Iohn Bradbridge W. Applebie Petronel Ed Allen K. his wife I. Mannings E. a blinde maide ead I. Fishcock N. VVhite N. Pardu B. Fynall widowe Bradbridge Wilsōs wife Bendens wife ead Husbande against the wife 231 Diet of the Martirs in prison ead 3. Farthinges a day the martirs allowance ead Alice Benden a cōstant martir ead God sendeth the spirite of comfort 232 The bishop wil neither meddle with patiēce nor charitie ead Tenne burned at one fire Richard Woodman G. Steuens R. Maynarde Alex Hoseman Thomasin a Wood Marg. Moris Denis Burgis Ashdons wife Groues wife ead Father against sonne 233 Boner droonk with Philpots bloud ead Quick dispatch 135 Simon Miller Eliza. Couper ead Elizabeth Couper repenteth her recantation 236 Wil. Mount Alice his wife Rose Allen ead A tragicall dialogue betwixt Tirrel Rose Allen 237 Tirannie ouercome with patience ead Iohn Thurstone and M. his wife ead W. Bongeor A. Siluerside T. Benold W. Purcas H. Ewring E. Folkes prisoners in Colchester 238 Sharp answere of the martir ead Eliz. Folkes ead Rose Allen condemned song for ioy 239 Notable speeche of the martir ead Geor. Eagles called Trudgouer 240 Richard Crashfield ead Frier and G. Eagles his sister 241 Ioyce Lewes ead Sathan troubleth the martir ead She drinketh to all that loue the gospel 242 Rafe Allerton Iames Austoo Margerie Austoo Richard Coth ead The couragious Martir eadem They feare the martyr in prison 143 Agnes Bongeor ead Margery Thurstone ead Iohn Knode ead The martyr refuseth pardon ead Iohn Noyes eadem Cecill Ormes 244 The constant martyr eadem Cecill Ormes at the stake eadem Sixteene martyrs in Sussex 145 Thomas Spurdance eadem Iohn Hollingdale 246 W. Sparrow eadem R. Gibson eadem Articles for articles ead Ioh. Rough ead M. Mearing eadem Maister Rough minister of the congregation at London 247 More reuerence to the pope then to the bread God ead Margery Mearings ready to suffer for Chrish 248 Cuthbert Simpson Hugh Fox Iohn Deuenish ead Cuthbert Simsō racked twise 249 Boner commendeth the patience of Cuthbert Simson eadem W. Nichol eadem W. Seaman eadem Tho. Carman Tho. Hudson ead W. Harris Rich. Day Christopher Gorge 251 A sharpe proclamation against godly books eadē Henry Pond Rayn Eastlād Robert Southam Mar. Richarby Ioh. Floyd Ioh. Holiday Roger Holland 252 A straight proclamation eadem R. Holland at the stake ead R. Milles S. Wight S. Carton I. Slade R. Denis VV. Pikes 253 Richard Yeoman 254 Thomas Benbridge eadem A notable conflict betwixt flesh the spirit of God 255 I. Cooke R. Myles A. Lane Iames Ashley eadem Alex. Gouch Alice Driuer ead Alice Driuer of an excellent spirit 256 Phil. Humfrey Iohn Dauid Henry Dauid 257 Priests wife eadem The wife persecuted of husband and children ead Christ the martyrs husband eadem A worthy martyr 258 Note eadem Iohn Sharpe Tho. Hall 259 Thomas Benion eadem Iohn Cornford Christopher Browne Iohn Herst Alice Snoth Kath. Knight ead The martyr excommunicateth the Papists eadem The husband accused by his wife 260 Balaams marke 261 Cruelty of Balaamites ead N. Burton burned in Siuell Aue Maria after the Romish fashion eadem Marke Burges W. Hooke 262 Iohn Dauies of twelue yeres old 263 The congregation in London eadem The ministers of that congregation eadem Those that fled from Ipswich for persecution 265 Ipswich a good towne ead The affliction of L. Eliz. 268 Lady Elizabeth falsly accused 269 An hundred Northren souldiers watch the Lady Elizabeth 270 The L. Eliz. had none other friendes but God 171 Lady Elizabeth prisoned in the Tower eadem The Lorde Chamberlayne hard to the Lady Elizabeth 272 Sir Henry Benefield eadem Lady Elizabeth to Woodstock 273 L. Elizabeth in great feare eadem Tanquam ouis eadem Sir Henry Benefield presumptuous and vnciuill 274 The Spaniards against murdering of Lady Elizabeth 275 L. Elizabeth deliuered out of prison eadem God deliuereth L. Elizab. 276 Elizabeth prisoner ead Gardiner dieth 278 Queene Mary dieth ead Popish prelates die thicke about the death of queene Mary 280 Iohn Whiteman a notable martyr 281 A conference for matters of religion 282 Three propositions to dispute of eadem The Papists flie from the agreement
AN ABRIDGEMENT OF THE BOOKE OF ACTS AND MONVMENTES OF THE CHVRCH Written by that Reuerend Father Maister Iohn Fox and now abridged by Timothe Bright Doctour of Phisicke for such as either through want of leysure or abilitie haue not the vse of so necessary an history All day long are we counted as Sheepe for the slaughter Psal 44. How long Lord holy and true Apocal. Cap. 6. verse 10. Imprinted at London by I. Windet at the assignment of Master Tim Bright and are to be sold at Pauls wharf at the signe of the Crosse-keyes 1589. Cum gratia Privilegio Regia Maiestatis To the Christian Reader COnsidering the great vse and profite of that worthie worke of Actes and Monumentes written by Master Iohn Fox of blessed memorie and by reason of the largenes of the volume and great price how the most were bereaued of the benefite of so necessarie an Historie J often wished some man would take the paines to draw the same into an Abridgement that both those that are busied in affaires or not able to reach to the price of so great a booke might also haue vse of the historie with them that neither want leisure nor hability sufficient But seeing hetherto nothing done that way nor hearing of any that had it in purpose J vētured vpon the labor my self thus haue performed it for thy vse wherein J haue omitted nothing to my remembrance and as my iudgement serued me that is materiall to the historie so farre as the nature of an Abridgement would permitte As for Treatises Disputations Epistles and such like J leaue them to be read all together in the large Booke which I doe exhort thee gentle Reader the rather for my Abridgements sake to buy and vse For as the copiousnes of that notable worke hath hid the riche treasures of the same through charge of price and mens affaires So this my labour may geue thee an assay and appetite to know further whereof thou maist here take as it were the taste J assure thee in mine opinion there is not a booke vnder the Scriptures more necessarie for a Christian to be conuersant in There is no Burgesse of a Citie that hath care of his corporation but would be glad to know how in times past the world went with his Corporatiō that therby he may vnderstād the better how to be haue himselfe therein as occasion shall serue and not onely woulde desire to knowe the lawes of the same but also what examples haue any way beene geuen touching the same Euen so it becommeth much more Christians that are Citizens of the church of Christ and haue a communitie in that bodie to know not onely the lawes of this Citie which is the word of God but also what hath befallen either good or bad and euerye accident whereupon experience may arise by example and wisdome thereof to be put in vse accordingly We may read what hath befallen the worthiest Commonwealths in this world and what stormes they haue endured and all sunke vnder them This Common-wealth of the Church standeth for euer though the stormes that haue blowen vpon it haue beene more boysterous than any other state hath endured And by reason of cōtinuāce geueth great varietie of examples of Gods prouidence of his mercie of his fatherly chastizements and correction and of that holy faith which hath ministred inuincible strength of constancie patience to this heauenly state of Christes Church in the middest of all stormes of tryall And here mayst thou reade not onely what hath beene suffered of the olde Fathers of the church who haue with their bloud purchased vnto vs this freedome of the Gospell but of late times what thy father thy mother thy broher and thy friēd haue suffered for like testimonie wherby the sincerity of the Gospel standeth at this day When I say in this Abridgement thou maist reade these things J mean much more in the large volume where all such matters lie open at the full and whereto I pray thee let this my labour be as it were an introduction And if thy hability serue thee or any other disposition thereto J pray thee let not this booke withdraw thee For Abridgements in all kinde of learning haue byn vsed for such respects as J haue before mentioned besides the memorie embraceth them more readily and not to hinder great volumes Neither doo they of their own nature work such effect If slouth of some persons neglect them so are they punished therfore in wanting that belongeth vnto them to know yet through Abridgementes haue some furniture of that profitable instruction whereof otherwise they would be vtterly ignorant It is said Iustines Abridgement lost Trogus Pompeius Trogus peraduenture is lost but whether through Iustines Abridgement that hardly can be proued and had it not beene for Iustine we had lost with Trogus the history too The case is far otherwise since printing was knowen for who would lose a leafe of Liuie for any Abridgement Before it may be charge of written Copies might be some cause why the large volumes were not so vniuersall And I pray thee if the Author him self the fittest of all men being an History so meet euen for the meanest Christian especially in these times and conteyning recordes of such things as are els no where to be had had takē it in hand had it not byn thanks-woorthy Yet so had beene greater danger in decaying the booke at large in regard of the more sufficient performance of the worke than by this of mine I trust the matter needeth no An Abridgement of the first volume of the Ecclesiasticall history of Acts and Monuments of Martyrs The History is deuided into fiue partes 1 The first is of the suffering time of the Church 300. yeere after Christ 2 The growyng and florishing time of the same other 300. yeeres 3 The declining time other 300. vntill the losing of Sathan about the thousand yeere after Christ 4 The time of Antichrist which cōtinued in full swinge 400. yeeres 5 The time of reformation these later 288. yeeres IN the 17. of the raigne of Tiberius Nero Tiberius Nero. Christ Christ suffered the 34. yéere of his age Tiberius raysed no further persecutiō yet liued he seuen yéeres after the death of Christ and raigned in all 23. yéeres Him succéeded C. Caligula C. Caligula hée commaunded his Image to be set vp in the temple at Ierusalem and to be worshipped And after him succéeded C. Nero C. Nero. D. Nero. D. Nero. Claudius raigned 13. yéeres Domitius 14. In the latter end of whose raigne Peter Paule Peter and Paule were put to death for the faith of Christ Anno 69. About this time an 73. and 40. yéeres after the passiō of Christ the 3. yéere after the suffering of Peter and Paule the Iewes were destroied Titus Vespasian Iewes destroyed by Titus and Vespasian his father who succéeded Nero to the number of eleuen hundred
thousand besides a great number Vespasian slue in subduing Galile seuentéene thousands mo that were sold for slaues Stephen Stephen the Deacon was the first martyr put to death at Ierusalem and stoned by the Iewes After Stephen suffered Iames Iames. the brother of Iohn whom Herod Herod slew with the sword and with him the partie that was cause of his persecution who beyng moued in conscience as Iames went to execution confessed himselfe to be a Christian also and were both beheaded together The same day that Stephen suffered Nicanor Nicanor one of the 7. deacons with 2000. 2000. other christians suffered for the faith Simon Simon one of the deacons and afterward bishop of Bosrum in Arabia was there burned and Parmenas Parmenas also an other of the Deacons suffered for the faith Thomas Thomas who preached to the Parthians Medes Persians Germans Heraconies Bactries and Magies suffered in Calamina a citie in Iudea beyng slaine with a dart Simon Zelotes Simon Zelotes who preached in Mauritania and in the countrie of Aphrike and in Britaine was crucified Iudas Iudas brother of Iames called Thaddeus and Lebeus who preached to the Edissens and to al Mesopotamia was slaine vnder Augarus Augarus king of the Edissens in Berito Simon Simon brother to Iude and Iames the yoonger which were sonnes of Mary Cleopha and of Alpheus called Cananeus bishop of Ierusalem after Iames as Dorotheus recordeth was crucified in a citie of Egipt in the time of Traianus Traianus Emperour but as Abdias writeth he was slaine with his brother Iude by a tumult of the people of Suanir a citie of Persidis Marke the Euangelist first B. of Alexandria preached the Gospel in Egypt and there being drawn with ropes to the fire was burned and afterward buried in a place called there Bucolus vnder the reigne of Traianus the Emperor Bartholomeus Bartholomeus is said to haue preached to the Indians and to haue conuerted the Gospel of S. Mathew into their tongue where he continued a great space doing many miracles At last in Albania a citie of great Armenia after diuers persecutions he was beaten downe with staues then crucified and after being excoriate hee was at length beheaded Iohan. de monte regali Andrew Andrew the Apostle and brother of Peter was crucified at Patris a citie in Achaia by the Gouernour Egeas Egeas embracing the crosse and ioying therein the day before the Kalends of December Matthew Matthew otherwise called Leui first a publicane then an Apostle after that he had conuerted to the faith Ethiopia and all Egypt Hircanus Hircanus their king sent one to runne him through with a speare Iohan. de monte regali Matthias Matthias also after that he had preached to the Iewes was stoned and beheaded by them Philip the Apostle Philip and his daughters after he had much laboured among the barbarous nations was crucified and stoned to death in Hierapolis a citie of Phrygia where he was buried and his daughters with him Isodor Iames Iames. being required of the Iewes to disswade the people from the faith of Christ Other and that he should stand speak from the battlements of the temple that he might more conueniently be heard The Iewes he contrary to their expectation preaching Christ was throwne downe from the battlementes headlong and stoned and one being present tooke a Fullers instrument wherewith they beate cloth and smote him on the head whereof he died and was buried in that place At which time also other were put to death among the Iewes for the testimony of Christ The first Persecution THe first was stirred vp by Nero Domitius Nero Domit. the 6. Emperour about the yere 67. Whose cruelty was such against Christians that he had neither regarde of sexe condition of life or age so that open stréetes were spread with the dead carkases of Christians He caused persecution throughout al the prouinces of the Romaine empire and endeuoured vtterly to abolish the name of Christians In that persecution Peter Peter was crucified his head downward himselfe requiring it should be so as vnworthy to be in all manner executed like Christ Iesus The cause was thought to be the reuenge of the death of Simon Magus Simon Magus who pretending to the people of Rome to flée from the mount Capitolinus vp into heauē by the praier of Peter was brought headlong downe wherwith his legges ioynts being broken he died At that time also Peters wife Peters wife suffered béeing much encouraged by the words of her husband Peter whiles he hanged vpon the crosse Vnder the same Nero Paul Paul was beheaded in the 14. yéere of Nero the same day that Peter was crucified and was buried in the way of Ostia But others as Prudentius in his Peristephano writeth that they were put to death in one day but Paule a yeere after Peter The second Persecution THe Church hauing had some rest vnder Vespasian Domitian Domitian brother to Titus moued not long after the 2. persecution He put to death al the nephews of Iuda Nephewes of Iuda called the Lords brother and caused to be sought out and slain al that could be found of the stock of Dauid as Vespasian also did before him least yet he were to come of the stocke of Dauid that should enioy the kingdome In the time of this tirant Simeon Simeon Bishop of Ierusalem after other torments was crucified to death whom Iustus Iustus afterward succéeded in that bishoprick This Tyrant exiled Iohn Iohn the Apostle and Euāgelist into Pathmos an 97. And vnder Pertinax he was released and came to Ephesus anno 100. where he continued vntill the time of Traianus and there gouerned the Church in Asia where also he wrote his gospel And so liued til the yere 68. which was the yere of his age 99. Euseb Flauia Flauia daughter to Flauius Clemens one of the Roman Consuls suffered for the name of the Lord Iesus and was with many other banished out of Rome into the I le Pontia Euseb lib. 3 A remnant of the flock of Dauid as yet remayned who being brought to Domitian to be slaine and hee percyuing them to be poore and vnderstanding from them that the kingdome of Christ should not be a worldly but an heauenuenlie kingdome let them goe and staied the persecution They being dismissed had afterwarde the gouernment of Churches and so continued in peace till the time of Traianus Egesip Euseb lib. 3. cap. 20. In these persecutions no kind of torment was omitted that could be deuised against the Christians The 2. persecution and no kinde of slaunder kept back that might empaire their credite their bodies after death not being suffered to be buried and yet the Church did dayly more and more encrease Euaristus Euaristus Bishop of Rome next to Clement succéeded in the
brethren in a Citie of Spaine called Complutum Likewise Symphronissa the wife of Getulus the martyr with her seuen children Symphronissa and her seuen children is said about the same time to suffer who first was much and often beaten and scourged afterward hanged vp by the haire of the head At last hauing an huge stone fastned about her necke was cast into the riuer And after that her seuen children with sundrye and diuers kindes of punishments were martyred by the Tyrants Getulus or Getulius was a minister or teacher in the Citie of Tibur who with Cerdelis Amantius and Primitiuus by the commaundement of Adrian were condemned to the fire The names of the seuen sonnes of Symphronissa were Crescens Iulianus Nemesius Primitiuus Iustinus Stateus and Eugenius who by the commaundement of Adrian were tied to seuen stakes and so racked with a pulley and last of all thrust through Crescens in the neck Iulianus in the breast Nemesius in the heart Primitiuus about the nauell Iustinus cut in euery ioynt of his body Stateus runne through with speares Eugenius cut asunder from the brest to the lower partes and then cast into a déepe pit hauing the name by their idolatrous Priests entituled Ad septem Biothanatos After the death of whom Symphronissa the mother did likewise suffer Getulus The children of Symphorosa Crescens Iulianus Nemesius Primitiuus Iustinus Stateas Eugenius Cerdelis Amantius Primitiuus Sophia and her two children Sophia with her two children Serapia and Salma did suffer vnder some tyrant about the the yéere 130. While Hadrian the Emperour was at Athens he purposed to visite the citie of Elewsina which he did where he sacrificing to the Gentiles gods gaue frée libertie to kill the Christians whosoeuer would Wherevpon Quadratus Quadratus Bishoppe of Athens and Aristides Aristides a philosopher of Athens and another Serenus Gramus Serenus a man of great nobilitie wrote Apologies for the Christians vnto the Emperour with such eloquence and learning laying out their innocencie that he directed his letters to Minutius Fundanus Proconsul of Asia Persecution asswaged in Asia willing him from hencefoorth to exercise no more crueltie vpon the Christians nor to condemne them for that cause Thus the Christians had some quiet for a time After Hadrian succéeded Antoninus Pius Anton. Pius who although he moued no persecution against the Christians yet the tumultuous rage of the heathen did not ceasse to disquiet the people of God The Emperours affection might appeare by a letter or edict of his to the Commons of Asia to stay their rage against Christians except they had committed anie thing against the lawes of the Empire willing them to consider the Christians patience in their tormentes and boldnesse in times of Earthquakes Persecution ceasseth and tempestes when as other tremble and quake for feare This edict was proclaimed at Ephesus in the publike assemblie of all Asia So by this meanes the tempest of persecution in those dayes began to be appeased After Antoninus Pius M. Antoninus Verus M. Antoninus verus succéeded with his brother Lucius Lucius about the yéere 162. These were sharp and fierse against the Christians and after Nero moued the fourth persecution The fourth Persecution IN Antoninus Verus time suffered many Christians with diuerse kinds of torments namely at Smyrna some of thē were whipped that the inward arteries veines appeared euen their very intrailes and bowels were séene after that were set vpon sharpe shels taken out of the sea edged sharp and certain nailes thorns laid for the martirs to go vpō sharpned pointed called obelisci And lastly were they thrown to beasts to be deuoured Among whō one Germanicus Germanicus very cōstantly suffred to the admiration of the enimies But most famous aboue the rest was the martirdom of Polycarpus Polycarpus disciple to the Apostles and 86. yéeres of age who had serued in the ministery about the space of 70. yéeres and was placed of S. Iohn in Smirna whose disciple he was He suffered about the yéere of our Lord 170. and in the 7. yéere of Antoninus Verus The manner of his death and martyrdome was thus These persecutions being begun in Smyrna Polycarpus was perswaded by certaine that were about him to conuey himselfe away and to hide him in a Village not farre from the Citie which hee did and there abiding with a fewe more of his companie was night and day in supplication for the peace of the Congregation Three daies before his apprehension hee sawe in a vision by night the bed set on fire vnder him and sodainly to be consumed And when he waked he interpreted it that he should suffer martirdome by fire At the last being found by the pursuers vnderstanding that they were armed he came frō the chamber where he was entertained thē with chéerful countenaunce and made them dine and required that hée might haue one houres respite to make his prayers which being grāted him he did it in such sort as they which heard him were astonied His prayers being ended they brought him to the citie vpon an Asse on a solemne feast day there met him Irenarchus Irenarchus Herodes Herodes and his father Nicetes Nicetes which causing him to come vp into the chariot where they sat perswaded him to do sacrifice Which when he refused with rough wordes they molested him and thrust him going downe the chariot that he might hurt or breake his legs but he went merily on to the place appointed To whome there came a voice from heauen that comforted him bad him be of good chéere as he was going to the place of iudgement Whither when hee came the Proconsul disswaded him from the faith and willed him to say with him and the rest Destroy these naughty men Then Polycarpus beholding with constant countenance the whole multitude and giuing a great sigh looked vp to heauen and said Thou thou it is that wilt destroy these wicked men meaning the Lord. Then the proconsul thus being earnest with him said vnto him take thine oath and I will discharge thée Deste Christ Polycarpus answered 86. yéeres haue I béen his seruant yet in all this time hath he not so much as once hurt me how then may I speake euil of my soueraign Lord and king which hath thus preserued me Then the Proconsul vsed al maner of threatnings against him which when they could not preuaile Policarpus still denying with great constancie Philip the Gouernor of Asia was commaunded to let lose the Lion to Policarpus who made answere that he might not so doe because he had his pray alredy Then the people required with one voice that he would burn Policarpus aliue Which was perfourmed And hauing made himselfe readie to the stake they would haue nayled him thereto with Iron hoopes but he said let me alone as I am for hee that hath geuen mee strength to suffer and
to the Christians and giue them peace of whom came the victorie and preseruation to him and all his people In the yere 175. succéeded the former Lucius Antoninus Commodus Commodus sonne to Verus who raigned xiij yeares In whose time as some thinke by the fauour of Martia Martia the Emperors Concubine who fauoured the Christians persecution slaked By which meanes many noble personages of Rome embraced the Gospel Among whō was one Apollonius Apollonius who being maliciously accused by Seuerus his seruant notwithstanding the false accusation of his Accuser being detected and he for that crime hauing his legs broken was neuerthelesse driuen to make confession of his faith and for the same also beheaded by an auncient Law that no Christian ought to be released without recantation This Emperor on his birth day with the people of Rome assembled together made sacrifice to Hercules and Iupiter causing it to be cried through out the citie that Hercules was the patrone of the citie At which time there were in the citie Vincentius Vincentius Eusebius Eusebius c. Peregrinus Potentianus learned men and instructors of the people who conuerting the Gentils in diuerse places and hearing hereof preached and perswaded against the same and conuerted one Iulius Iulius a Senator with others to the faith Whereof Commodus hearing caused them all to be first tormented then to be pressed to death with leaden waights sauing that Iulius was beaten to death with cuggels at the commandement of Vitellus the Maister of the Souldiers Peregrinus Peregrinus had béene sent before of Xistus B. of Rome into the parts of Fraunce to supply the roome of a teacher where the horrible persecutiōs had made wast Who hauing there established the Churches returned home againe to Rome and finished his daies with martyrdome Xistus Xistus or Sixtus was the sixt bishop of Rome after Peter and gouerned that ministery ten yéeres To Sixtus succéeded Telesphorus Telesphorus and was bishop there eleuen yéeres and died in the first yéere of Antoninus Pius beyng martyred the yéere 138. After him succéeded Hyginus Hyginus and died a martyr anno 142. After him followed Pius Pius c. After him succéeded Anicetus Soter Eleutherius about the yéere 180. About this time of Commodus among others were martyred Serapion Serapion B. of Antioch Egesippus Egesippus a writer of the ecclesiasticall History from Christes passion to his time Also Miltiades Miltiades who wrote his Apologie for Christian religion as did Melito Aristides and Quadratus before About the same time wrote Heraclitus Heraclitus who first began to write Annotations and Enarrations vpon the New Testament and Epistles of the Apostles Also Theophilus Theophilus bishop of Cesarea Dionisius Dionisius bishop of Corinth a man famously learned who wrote diuerse Epistles to diuerse churches and among other exhorteth Penitus Penitus a bishop that he would lay no yoke of chastitie on any necessitie vpon his brethren but that he would consider the infirmitie of other and beare with it About the daies of Cōmodus wrote also Clemens Alexandrinus Clemens Alexandrinus a man of singular learning In that time liued also Pantenus who was the first in Alexandria that professed to reade in open schoole of whom is thought first to rise the order of Vniuersities in christendome He was sent to preach to the Indians by Demetrius bishop of Alexandria Now in this tranquillitie of the Church grew contention among themselues for Easter day Contention among the christians for Easter day which had bin stirred before of Polycarpus Anicetus For they of the West church pretending the tradition of Paule and Peter but in déede being of Hermes and Pius kept the Sunday after the 14. day of the first moneth The Church of Asia following the ordinance of Iohn the Apostle obserued an other The fifth Persecution AFter the death of Commodus raigned Pertinax Pertinax but few moneths after whō succéeded Seuerus Seuerus vnder whom was raised the fifth persecution He raigned 18. yéeres and in the first ten was very fauourable afterward through false accusations and suggestions he caused to be proclaimed that no Christian should be suffered wherevpon an infinite number were slaine this was about the yéere 205. the crimes obiected were rebellion against the Emperour Sacrilege murthering of Infants incestuous pollutions eating raw flesh libidinous cōmixture worshipping the head of an asse which is thought to haue béene raised by the Iewes also for worshipping of the Sunne which rose because eyther they vsed dayly to sing vnto the Lord or bycause they vsed to pray toward the East But the speciall matter agaynst them was that they would not woorshippe Idoles The Presidents and chiefe vnder the Emperour of this persecution were Hilarius Hillarius c. Vigellius Claudius Hermianus ruler of Cappadocia Celicius Capella Vespronius Demetrius mentioned of Cyprian and Aquila Iudge of Alexandria The places where these persecutions raged were Africa Alexandria Cappadocia and Carthage The number infinite of which the first was Leonides Leonides the father of Origen who although he were but of the age of seuentéen yéers greatly desired to haue suffered with his father had not his mother priuily in the night stollen away his garments and his shirt and so for shame he was constrained to tarrie at home yet he wrote to his father Take héede to your selfe that you turne not your thought and purpose for our sakes Origen Origen was so toward in knowledge of the scriptures and all kinde of vertue that his father would diuers times vncouer his brest being asléepe and kisse it giuing thankes to God that had made him so happie a Father of so happie a sonne After the death of his father all the goodes béeyng confiscate to the Emperour hée susteined himselfe his mother and sixe brethren by kéeping a schoole till at length he applied himselfe altogether to the scripture and profited in the tongues Hebrew Gréeke which he conferred with other translations as that of the 70. found out also other translations which we call the common translations of Aquila of Symmachus and Theodocian with which he ioyned also foure other He wrote to the number of vij thousand bookes O rgens book the copies whereof he vsed to sell for three pence a peece and a little more to sustaine his liuing He had diuers Schollers as Plutarchus Plutarchus Serenus Serenus c. his Brother which dyed both martyrs Serenus was burned Heraclitus and Heron were beheadded Also another Serenus which was beheaded Rhais and Potamiena who was tormented with pitch powred vppon her and martyred with her mother Marcella and died in the fire Shée was put to death by one Basilides Basilides a Captaine of the armie who shewed her some kindnesse in repressing the rage of the multitude wherefore she thanked him and saide she would pray for him
Now this Basilides being required a while after to giue an oath in a matter by the Idols and the Emperour as the manner of the oath was refused so to doe confessing himselfe to bée a Christian and was beheaded for the faith At that time there was one Alexander Alexand. who after great tormentes escaped aliue and was afterwarde Bishoppe of Hierusalem together with Narcissus Narcissus who being thréescore and thrée yéeres olde was vnweldy to gouerne alone He continued Bishop in Hierusalem 40. yéeres till the persecution of Decius and there erected a famous library where Eusebius had his chiefest helpe in writing his ecclesiastical history He wrote also diuers Epistles and licensed Origen to teach openly in his Church At length being very aged was brought to Cesarea vnder Decius where after his constant confession the second time he died in prison Vnder Seuerus suffered also Andoclus Andoclus whome Polycarpus had sent before into Fraunce who was apprehended of Seuerus and first being beaten with bats was afterward beheaded In that time Asclepiades Asclepiad confessed also and suffred much and was after ordeined Bishop of Antioch and continued there 7. yéeres About the fourth or fift yéere Ireneus Ireneus with a great multitude beside were martired Hée was the scholler of Polycarpus He was appointed Bishop of Lyons and there continued 23. yéeres In his time the question of keeping of Easter was renued betwéene Victor Victor Bishoppe of Rome and the churches of Asia and when Victor would haue excommunicated them as Schismatikes Ireneus with other brethren of the French Church wrote vnto Victor to staye his purpose therein and not to procéede thereto for such a matter Not long after Ireneus followed Tertullian Tertullian about the time of this Seuerus and Antoninus Caracalla who writte very learned Apologies for the Christians and confuted all the slaunders obiected against them He writte also diuers bookes whereof part remaine at this day Victor succéeded Eleutherius in the bishoprick of Rome and died a Martir as some say after he had sitten ten or xij yeres This Victor was earnest in the matter of Easter the yere of our Lord 260. and would haue excommunicated all of the contrarie minde had not Ireneus disswaded him With Victor stoode Theophilus Theophil c Bishop of Cesarea Narcissus of Ierusalem Ireneus of Lyons Palmas of Pontus Panthillus of Corinth the Bishop of Ostrena and other more who agréed to haue Easter vpon the sunday because they would differ from the Iewes in all things and partly because the resurrection of the Lorde fell on that day On the other side were diuers Bishops of Asia Among whom the chiefe was Policrates Policrat c. Bishop of Ephesus alledging the example of Philippe the Apostle with his iij. daughters at Hierapolis of Iohn the Apostle and Euangelist at Ephesus Polycarpus at Smirna Thraseas at Eumenia Bishop and Martir Likewise the example of Sagaris at Laodicea Bishop and Martir holy Papirius Melito at Sardis beside diuers others Notwithstanding Victor procéeded to excommunication yet by the wise handling of Ireneus other the matter was staied who shewed that variāce and difference of Ceremonies was no strange thing in the Church of God not only in the day of Easter but also of fasting and diuers other vsages among the Christians and yet kept the vnitie of faith and concord among themselues and brought forth examples of Telesphorus Pius Anicetus Soter Eleutherius and such other After Victor succéeded in the Sea of Rome zephyrinus Zephyrinus in the dayes of Seuerus about the yere 203. Eusebius saith he died in the raign of Caracalla and sate xvij yeres Platina saith that he died vnder Seuerus and sate viij yeres And so Nauclerus Damasus saith that he sate xvi yeres and ij Moneths Vnder this Seuerus suffered also Perpetua Perp. c. Felicitas and Rouocatus her brother Also Saturninus and Satyrus brethren Secundulus which were throwen to wild beastes and of them deuoured in Carthage and in Africa sauing that Saturninus being brought againe from the beasts was beheaded and Secundulus died in prison about the yere 202 Seuerus raigned xviij yeres and was slaine at Yorke by the Northerne men and Scots the yere 214. Leauing behinde him two sonnes Bassianus and Geta. Which Bassianus Bassianus surnamed Carocalla after he had slain his brother here in Britain gouerned the Empire alone the space of sixe yeres After whose death he also being slaine of his seruantes succéeded Marianus with his sonne Diadumenus who after they had raigned one yere were both slain by their own people After them succéeded Varius Heliogab Varius Heliogabalus who after he had raigned very vitiously ij yeres viij moneths was slain by the souldiers drawne through the citie throwne into Tyber He hauing no issue adopted his heire Aurelius Alexander Seuerus the sonne of Mammea He entered his raigne the yere 224. and continued xiij yeres wel commended for vertue and fauoured the Christians Mammea Mammea the mother of this Emperor whō Ierom calleth a deuout religious womā hearing of the fame of Origē sēt for him to Antioch to whō Origē resorted and staying a while with the Emperor and his mother returned again to Alexandria Thus hauing raigned xiij yeres at a cōmotion in Germany with his mother Mammea he was slaine After him succéeded Maximinus Maximinus although the church in the time of Alexander had no open persecution yet vnder Iudges there were many martyred because there was no edict to the contrary As vnder Almachus Calixtus Calixtus B. of Rome who succéeded Zephyrus aboue mentioned and after him Vrbanus who suffered vnder Alexander Seuerus Vincentius saith Calixtus was tied to a great stone and so out of a window was throwne into a ditch Eusebius saith he sat 5. yéeres Platina 6. Sabellicus 7. and so Damasus After Calixtus followed Vrbanus Vrbanus about the yéere 227. he died a martyr as Marianus Scotus Sabellicus Nauclerus doo hold in the dayes of Seuerus after he had gouerned there as Damasus Platina say foure yéeres as Marianus eight yéeres Damasus and Platina witnesse of him that hée conuerted diuerse Ethnicks among whome were Tiburtius Tiburtius and Valerianus Valerianus the husband of Cecilia which being both noble men of Rome remayned constant vnto martyrdome Vnder the same Alexander suffered also one Agapitus Agapitus of the age of fiftéene yéeres who beyng condemned at Preneste in Italie because he would not doo sacrifice after other torments was beheaded The executor of these punishmēts was one Antiochus who while the torments were executing fell suddenly from his Iudiciall seat crying out that all his inward bowels burned within him died Vnder him also suffered Calepodius Calepodius a minister of Rome who was drawen through the citie cast into Tiber after him suffered Pammachus Pammachus a Senator of Rome with
his wife children and other men and women to the number of 42. and with them also another noble Senator named Simplicius Simplicius all which together in one day had their heads smitten of their hands hanged vp in diuerse gates of the citie Vnder him also suffered Quiritius Quiritius a noble man of Rome with his mother Iulia Iulia. with a great number besides also Tiberius Tiberius and Valerianus Valerianus citizens of Rome and brethren suffered the same time being first beaten with bats and after beheaded Also one Martina Martina a virgin suffered at the same time but these martyrs are rather to be thought to suffer vnder Maximinus or Decius The sixt Persecution Maximinus MAximinus succéeded Alexander as is aforesaid the yéere of our Lord 237. Who for the hatred he had to Alexander raised the sixth persecution especially against the teachers of the Church he raigned but thrée yéeres In the time of this persecution Origen wrote his booke De Martyrio After him succéeded Gordian Gordian who was milde towards the Christians raigned six yéeres and was slaine of Phillip Phillip who succéeded him In the dayes of these Emperours aboue recited was Pontianus Pontianus bishop of Rome who succéeded next after Vrbanus about the yéere 236. in the twelfth yéere of Alexander according to Eusebius declaring him to sit six yéeres Damasus and Platius write that hée was Bishop nine yéeres and a halfe and with Phillip his priest was banished into Sardinia and there died But it séemeth he was rather banished vnder Maximinus and died in the beginning of the raigne of Gordianus In these times notable men were raised vp to the church as Philetus Philetus Bishop of Antioch who succéeded Asclepiades aboue mentioned anno 220. and after him Zebenus Zebenus bishop of the same place anno 231. To these may be added Ammonius Ammonius the Scholemaster of Origen and kinsman of Porphiry the enemy of Christ In the same times was also Iulius Aphricanus Iulius Aphricanus the scholer of Origen To these may be ioined Natalius Natalius who had suffered for the truth and was seduced by Asclepiodotus and Theodotus who were the disciples of Theodorus to take vpon him to be the Bishop of their sect promising him euery moneth 150. pieces of siluer wherto he yéelded But the Lord in a vision admonished him whereto he taking no héed was in a night scourged with Angels and so confessed his fault and declared that which had happened vnto him to Zephirinus the Bishop who with the rest of the congregation admitted him againe After Pontianus succéeded Anterius Anterius Cōcerning his time writers doe greatly vary Eusebius and Marianus Scotus affirm that he was Bishop but a moneth Damasus twelue yeeres and one moneth Volateranus Bergomensis Henricus Erford thrée yéeres one moneth Nauclerus one yere and one moneth Next to this Bishop was Fabianus Hippolitus Hippolitus was a martyr and as Gelasius saith was bishop of an head Citie in Arabia Nicephorus that he was Bishop of Ostia a port towne néere to Rome He was a great writer and was about the yéere 230. Prudentius in his Peristephanon maketh mention of great heapes of martyrs buried by thréescore together and saith that Hippolitus was drawne with wild horses through fields dales and bushes After Gordianus succéeded Philippus who with Philip his sonne gouerned about the space of sixe yéeres ann 246. These Emperours with their families were christened and conuerted by Fabianus and Origen He with his sonne was slaine of Decius one of the Captaines by hatred as it is thought because the Emperours had committed their treasures vnto Fabianus then Bishop of Rome The seuenth Persecution DEcius hauing slayn the former Emperours inuaded the crowne the yéere 250. by whom through enuie hatred as is aboue said was moued a terrible persecution against the Christians Fabian Fabian aboue mentioned was made Bishoppe of Rome after Anterius by the flying and lighting of a Doue vpon his head in the congregation which was minded to elect some noble personage of Rome He sate 13. yeres or as other say 14. was put to death by Decius who also caused to bée proclaimed in al quarters the destruction of Christians To this Decius Origen wrote of the rightnesse of his faith he continued two and fifty yéeres in great labours of teaching and writing and sustained diuers gieuous persecutions but especially vnder Decius vnder whom hauing suffred bands torments rackings with bars of yron dungeons besides terrible threats of death and burning at length was brought to an altar where a foule filthy Ethiope was appointed to be and there this choise was offered him whether he would sacrifice to the Idoll or haue his body polluted with that foule and ougly Ethyope Origen made choyse rather to doe sacrifice Origen sacrificeth for the which impietie hée was after excommunicated by the Church Epiphanius writeth that he being vrged to sacrifice to Idols and taking the bones in his hand wherewith the heathen were wont to honour their goddes called vpon the Christians to carrie them in honour of Christ which fact the Churche of Alexandria misliking remooued him from their communion Origen excommunicated Wherevpon Origen driuen away with shame went into Iurie where being in Hierusalem among the congregation and there requested of the ministers to make some exhortation in the Church refused a great while so to doe but at length through importunitie he turned the booke as though hée woulde haue expounded some place of Scripture and read the verse of the 49. Psalme But God saide to the sinner why doest thou preach my iustifications and why doest thou take my testament in thy mouth c. Which verse hauing read hée shut the booke and sate downe wéeping and wayling the whole congregation also wéeping and lamenting with him Origen repenteth Suidas saith Origen was buried at Tirus Eusebius saith he died vnder the Emperor Gallus about the yéere two hundred fiftie and fiue and the thrée score and ten yeares of his age in great miserie and pouertie In the time of Antoninus Carocalla Origen had a notable man Heracleas Heracleas his vsher in the schoole of Alexandria who after in the tenth yeare of Alexander Origen departing vnto Cesaria succéeded him in the gouernment of the schoole of Alexandria This Heracleas also succéeded after the death of Demetrius to be Bishop of Alexandria in the tyme of the Emperour Gordianus in which function he continued sixtéene yéeres After Heracleas succéeded Dyonisius Alexandrinus Heracleas was no martyr but died thrée yéeres before Decius anno 250. vnder whom Dionysius Alexandrinus Dionysius Alexandrinus suffered much The persecutions vnder Decius were so cruel that Niceph. faith it were as possible to number the sand of the sea as to recite their names that suffred Cruel persecution Of the which persecution vnder the Emperor
him martyred in the way of Appius first beyng beaten with plumbats Eusebius saith he sat two yéeres in another place he saith thrée yéeres Damasus giueth him onely two yéeres Vnder this tyrant suffered as Cyprian reporteth two yoong men the one Aurelius Aurelius who was twise tormented the other Mappalicus Mappalicus who in the middest of his torments sayd to the Proconsull to morrow you shall sée the running for a wager meaning his martyrdome which he constantly did suffer Decius death This Decius raigned but two yéeres and with his sonne was slaine of the Barbarians Pomponius affirming that he warring against the Gothians to auoid their hands ran into an whyrlepit where hée was drowned and his body neuer found Immediatly after the death of Decius God sent a plague tenne yéeres together A plague of ten yeeres which made diuerse places of the world desolate especially where the persecution most raged Where might appeare great difference betwéene the Christians and Gentils one comforting and ministring to the necessities of their brethren the other forsaking their neighbours and friends left them destitute Cyprian de mortalitate and voyd of succour Vpon this plague Cypr. wrote his book de mortalitate After the death of Decius succeded Vibias Vibias Gallus Gallus Volusian Volusianus his son both by treasō about the yéere 255. cōtinued 2. yéers Gallus at the first was quiet The teachers of Christianity banished but anon after published edicts against the Christians which was chiefly of banishmēt of the guides of the church In whose time Cyprian B. of Carthage was banished Other were condemned to the mynes as Nemesianus Nemesianus Felix Felix Lucius Lucius with their bish priests deacons to whom Cyprian wrote cōsolatory epistles He wrote also consolatory Epistles to Seagrius Seagrius Rogatianus Rogatianus being then in bonds for the trueth In the time of this Gallus was Lucius B. of Rome sent into banishment who next succéeded Cornelius in the yéere 256. wherin he continued but a while and returned to his Church Lucius sate but 8. moneths as saith Eusebius Damasus Marianus Scotus and Nauclerus say he sate 3. yéeres and was beheaded the second yéere of Valerian and Galienus After Lucius came Stephanus Stephanus sate 7. yéers 5. months died a martir as saith Damasus Platina Sabellicus Eusebius Volateranus giue him which is more likely but 2. yeres Betwixt this Stephanus and Cyprian fell a contention Contention about rebaptising of heretikes Next to the former Emperors succéeded Emilianus Emilianus who slue the former and succéeded himself After that he had reigned but thrée moneths he also was slaine Next Valerianus and Galienus Valerianus Galienus his sonne were aduaunced to the Empire and succéeded Emilianus Valerianus thrée or foure yéeres was so curteous and gentle to the Christians as no Emperour before him no not such as professed Christ so that his Court was full of Christians But being seduced by an Egyptian magician Valerianus seduced who was hindred by the Christians from practising his charms he fell to idols and sacrificed young infantes and raised the eight persecution The eight Persecution THe chief ministers of this persecution were Emilianus President of Egypt Paternus and Galerius maximus Proconsuls in Africa Paternus Vicegerent in Rome Perennius Nicetus and Claudius Presidents Disordered life of Christians The cause of this persecution besides the Egyptian aboue mentioned was the dissention and disordered life of Christians euen of those that had béen confessors as Cyprian in his fourth booke and fourth Epistle doeth declare to whom it was shewed in a vision of the Lord before it came There was a certaine aged man sitting A Vision at whose right hande sate a young man very sadde and pensiue as one with an indignation sorowfull holding his hande vppon his breast his countenance heauie and vnchéerefull On the left hand sate another person hauing in his hand a nette which hee threatned to lay to catche the people that stoode about and saide vnto him the young man whom thou séest sad sorowful is for that his precepts bee not obserued but he on the left hand daunceth and is merrie for that occasion is giuen him to haue power of the aged father to afflict men Cyprians Apologie for Christians Cyprian doth defend the Christians and confute the false accusations laid against them as among the rest to be the causes of all calamities that happened of warre or plague whatsoeuer writing contra Demetrium as Tertullian had before writing contra Capulam Cyprian was an African borne in Carthage and first was an idolater Cyprian once a Magician altogether giuen to the practise of magical artes and a worthie Rhetorician He was conuerted to the saith by Cecil a priest whose name after hee bare through occasion of hearing the history of the Prophet Ionas Cecilius conuerteth Cypr. And immediatly vpon his conuersion he distributed all his substance to the poore and being ordayned a Priest was not long after made Bishop of Carthage But whether hée succéeded Agrippinus Agrippinus which was the first author of rebaptization it is vncertaine Such were his giftes and vertues that he had the gouernment of the whole East Church and Church of Spaine and was called the Bishop of Christian men He was much geuen to reade Tertullian and called him his master In the time of Decius and Gallus he was first banished Cyprian banished and after returning againe out of exile in the time of Valerianus he was also the second time banished by Paternus the Proconsull of Africke into the Citie of Thurbin or into a Citie called Furabilitana or Curabilitana But when Paternus the Proconsul was dead Galienus Maximus succéeded him who finding Cyprian in a Garden caused him to be apprehended and after many raging words his head to be stricken of Xistus being then Bishop of Rome Cyprian beheaded in the yere 259. It is to be noted that there were more Cyprians Diuers Cyprians one of whom Nazianzen writeth to be a Citizen of Antioch and afterward Bishop of that Citie and martired vnder Dioclesian There was also a third Cyprian in the time of Iulianus Apostata long after both the former About this time vnder the same Valerianus suffered Xistus or Sixtus the second of that name Bishop of Rome who with vi of his Deacons Sixtus with six of his deacons Nemesius being one was beheaded At which time also one Laurence a Deacon séeing the Bishop led to execution cried out vnto him saying O deare father whither goest thou without the companie of thy deare sonne meaning himselfe To whom he answered with a fatherly discourse that within thrée dayes hee should suffer after a more painfull manner which in déede followed according as he had said for Laurence hauing distributed of the goods of the poore by the
victorie had his image set vp holding in his right hand the signe of the crosse with this inscription with this wholesom sign the true token of fortitude I haue rescued and deliuered our citie from the yoke of the tyraunt After this Constantinus with Lycinius Liberty to the Christians gaue liberty by proclamation to Christians to professe their religion Diocle. dieth Dioclesian being at Salona and hearing of the proceedings of Constantine and this his edict either for sorow died or as some say poysoned himselfe Now remained onely Maximinus in the West who although he raged against the Christians yet was hee appaled at the edict before mentioned and caused Sabinus to publish a certaine releasement to Christians and yet wrote another countermaund howbeit shortly after he making warres and fighting with Lycinius lost the victory Wherevppon he caused his charmers to be killed Maxim glorifieth the God of the Christians that perswaded him to the warres and shortly after being oppressed with a certaine kind of disease glorified the God of the Christians and made a most absolute law for their safety This was Ann. 319. Now yet remained Licinius who was also a persecutor notwithstāding at the first he dissembled the matter and ioyned with Constantine He was a man euerie way vitions he named Learning the poyson of the common Wealth Learning named by Licinius the poyson of the common weale Licinius a great persecutor and counted learning in a prince to be a great vice The knowledge of the lawes he did most abhorre For he himself was vnlearned He became a Persecutor pretending against the Christians that they prayed for Constantinus onely and not for him First he began to persecute in his court then he stretched vnto his prouinces with as great crueltie as any that went before him and hated Constantine who gaue him his sister Constantia to wife Churches raced to the groūd and had bestowed many benefites vpon him About Amasia and other Cities of Pontus he rased the churches euen to the ground Among those that suffered Nicephorus first speaketh of Theodorus Theodorus who being hanged vpon a crosse had nayles thrust into his armepits and after that his head striken of Also of one Theodorus B. of Tyre a man of Pergamus Likewise Basilius Basilius B. of Amasenus Nicholaus Nicholaus B. of Mirocus Gregorius of Armenia the great After that Paul Paul of Neocesarea who by Licinius him selfe had both his hāds cut off with a searing Iron Besides these aforesaid were in the citie of Sebastia xl Christian Souldiers Fourty christian souldiers in the vehement colde time of winter drowned in a horseponde when Lycias as yet Agricolaus executing the sherifes office vnder Licinius were in the east part of great reputation Inuenters of torments for inuenting of new and strange torments against the Christians The wiues of those 40. were caried to Heraclea a citie in Thracia and there with a certaine deacon whose name was Ammones were after innumerable torments slaine with the sword Diuers battels were fought betwéene Licinius Constātinus First in Hungarie Licinius vanquished where Licinius was ouerthrowen Then againe in Macedonia whither he fled and repayred his armie And finally being vanquished both by sea and lande at Nicomedia he yelded himselfe to Constantine and was commanded to liue a priuate life in Thessalia where he was slaine by the souldiers He was killed an 324. Licinius slaine Constantius the father of Constantine being a good and godly Emperor died the iij. yere of the persecution an 310. and was buried at Yorke Constantius dieth is buried at Yorke Alban the first martir in England Now among an infinite number of speciall men of name that suffered were these that follow in this 10 persecution At what time Dioclesian and Maximinian had directed out their Letters for the persecuting of Christians Alban the first that suffered martirdome in England for Christ receiued into his house a persecuted Clarke named Amphibalus Amphibalus by whose continuall praying day and night and godly life he became a Christian It was infourmed the Prince that he lodged the Clarke Whereupon search being made by the Princes commandement Alban by and by putting on the apparell of the Clark his master offered himself in stead of the other to the souldiers who brought him to the Iudge that was euen then sacrificing vnto deuils at the Altar Which Alban refusing to doe at the commandement of the Iudge after he had béene gréeuously scourged was beheaded The Clarke flying into Wales was fet also againe to the same Towne of Verlancaster where he was martired hauing his bellie opened and made to runne about a stake while all his bowels were drawen out then thrust in with swords and daggers and at last stoned to death With Alban suffered Aaron Iulius Aaron and Iulius ij citizens of Verlācaster beside a great nūber mo Albans martirdome might séem to be about the ij or iij. yere of the x. persecutiō vnder the tirāny of Dioclesiā and Maximinianus Herculeus thē bearing rule in England about an 301. before Constantinus came to his gouernmēt England only touched with the tenth persecution It is to be noted that Englād was not touched with any of the ix persecutions but only with this tenth in which almost al christianitie was in the Ilād extinguished Pitiles Galerius with his grand captain Asclepiades inuaded Antioch threatning the christiās whom one Romanus a noble man confirmed encouraged to be constāt Wherfore he suffered many strange torments with great constancy and reasoning with the tirant of the truth required a child to be presented vnto him which was doone of whō he asked whether it were more reasonable to worship one God rather thē innumerable considering God could be but one To whom the child answered before the tyrant according as his Christian parents had instructed him that one god was to be worshipped A child tormented Wherefore the child was grieuously scourged the skin of his head pulled of hayre and all the mother standing by exhorting the child to patience and constancie he was put to death with Romanus the child was beheaded A myracle and Romanus cast into the fire Which whē it would not burne him he was brought from the same and strangled in prison Gordius Gordius was a citizen of Cesaria a Centurion who gaue ouer his charge liued in the desert a long time but vpon a certaine day when a solemne feast of Mars was celebrated with games in the Theator of Cesaria he came thether gat vp to the highest place of the Theator and vttered himselfe a Christian in the hearing of all the people whereupon after he had endured many gréeuous torments the shiriffe assayed by flattery which when it would not preuayle hée caused him to be had out of the Citie to be burned which was accomplished and suffered of
him with patience Likewise suffered Menas an Egyptian souldier after that in like sort with Gordius hée had declared himselfe to be a Christian in the citie of Cotis where after diuerse torments by the commaundement of Pirrhus the President he suffered the losse of his head Basilius mentioneth of 40. martyrs 40 martyrs in a Sermon which were gentlemen yoong all that professed themselues christians and went boldly vnto the Marshall declared vnto him their names wherat he was first astonied not preuailing with flattering words faire promises deuised a new torment and caused them to stand all night in the winter in a great pond which was in the midst of the citie and lay full vpon the cold Northwind In the morning they were found starke and stiffe yet hauing breath were brought to the fire to be burned Now one of them more liuely then the rest was pitied of the tormentors who said to his mother standing by that they would saue him aliue but shée with her owne handes brought him to the pile of wood where the rest lay A notable mother admonishing him to accomplish the blessed iourney he had taken in hand The like story reporteth Nicephorus of fortie martyrs Fortie martyrs that were maried men which were killed in a ponde at Sebestia a towne of Armenia In this persecution suffered also Cyrus Cyrus a Physition borne in Alexandria who flying into Egipt in the persecution of Dioclesianus and Maximinianus led a solitary life in Arabia vnto him resorted one Ioannes Ioannes borne in the citie of Edessa beyond Euphrates leauing his souldiers life which before time he had exercised Now these twaine hearing of the inprisonment of Athanasia with her thrée daughters Theoctiste Theodota and Eudoxa at the persecution of Canope a citie in Egipt came to confirme them at which time Sirianus was the chiefe Captaine and Lieftenant of Egipt who was very cruell especially against women and maydens whereof they being accused and in no sort yéelding to doo sacrifice were put to death by the sword with Athanasia and her thrée daughters Athanasia and her three daughters Sebastian Sebastian beyng borne in that part of France which is called Gallia Narbonensis was Lieftenant generall of the vauward of Dioclesian the Emperour and encouraged many martyrs of Christ by his exhortations whereof beyng accused to the Emperour was commaunded to bée brought into the opē field where of his owne souldiers he was shot through with innumerable arrowes and after his body was throwne into a Iakes With him suffered others as Nicostratus with Zoe his wife Tranquillinus with Martia his wife Traglianus Claudius Castor Tiburtius Castullus Marcus and Marcellinus with other moe Barlan Barlan a noble man mentioned in a sermon of Basilius hauing abode all torments was laid vpon the altar where they vsed to offer vp sacrifice and fire and frankincense put into his right hand wherin he had yet some strength thinking he would haue scattered the incense vpon the altar and haue sacrificed but the flame eate round about his hand and the the same endured as though it had bin couered with hot embers he saying the Psalme Blessed is the Lord my God who teacheth my hands to fight c. Vnder Dioclesian Maximinian suffered Agricola Agricola and Vitalis his seruant Vitalis Vitalis died in extremity of torments Agricola was fastned to the crosse and so died But most lamentable was the martyrdome of Vincentius a Spaniard Vincentius lamentable martyrdome who suffered martirdom at Valence vnder Darianus the President of whom he was so racked that all the ioynts of his body cracked then was his body indented with many deadly wounds and thirdly his flesh was torne with yron combes sharply fyled and that the tormentors should be the more egar they were also scourged Tormentors scourged This done they laid his body vpon a grate of yron and hauing opened it with hookes they seared it with fiery plates sprinckling the same with hotte salt And last of all they drew him into a dungeon sprinckled with sharpshelles and locked his feet in the stockes At Alexandria Philoromus hauing great possessions forsooke all for Christ and was beaded and could not be moued with respect of friends wife or children Also Procopius Procopius in Palestine after his conuersion brake his siluer images and gaue them to the poore and after most grieuous torments had his head smitten off hauing first his body dismembred both of hands and feete In like manner suffered Gregorius a young man of Cappadocia besides a number of others as Sergius and Bacchius c. Panthaleon Panthaleon a Phisition in Nicomedia Theodorus in the citie of Amasia in Hellespontus Gerion with 318. fellow martirs 318. martyrs which suffered about Colon. Hermogenes President of Athens being conuerted by the constancie and patience of one Menas and Eugraphus Item Samonas Gurias and Abilus Hieron also with certaine his confessors vnder Maximinus Indes and Dominas at Nicomedia with 2000. martyrs 2000. martirs Enelasius and Maximinius whom Fausta the virgin conuerted in her torments Also Thirsus Lucius Callinicus Apollonius Philemon Asilas Leonides with Arrianus president of Thebaide Cyprian Bishop of Antioch before his profession being a filthy magician suffred with Iustina a virgin Item Glicerius at Nicomedia Felix a minister Fortunatus Achilleus deacons in the citie of Valent Arthemius of Rome Ciriacus deacon to Marcellus the Bishop Caryophorus Priest at Thuscia with Abundus his deacon Item Claudius Cyrinus Antonius which suffered with the Bishop Marcellinus Cucusatus in the citie Barcimona Felix Bishop of Apulia with Audactus and Ianuarius his priests Fortunatus and Septimus his readers who suffered in the citie Venusia vnder Dioclesian Cassianus Cassianus was stabbed in of his schollers with bodkins or yron pennes wherewith they did vse to write Now the constancie of the womē Constancy of women was also marueilous especially of a virgin named Eulalia Eulalia of the towne of Emerita in Portugal who beeing shut vp of her Christian Parents that for desire of martirdome feared least shée should be cause of her own death brake out in the night came before the Gouernor of the town of Emerita being distant frō the village where she was kept confessed her selfe to be a Christiā reproued the cruelty of the iudge the vanity of Maximinius the worshipped Idols throwed the idols down which shée was brought to worship scattered the incense Wherfore after many vain perswasiōs she had one ioynt of her body pulled from an other and her flesh and sides scratched with talents of wilde beastes to the bones shée in the meane time reioysing and praysing God They seared her brests with torches which when they had caught her hayre which hanged downe to her féete couered her shame shée swallowed the flame opening her mouth and so died Like was the constancy of Agnes of Rome of
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
had wrought the Quéene hurt by Charmes for which they were both cut in sunder with Sawes and their quarters hanged vpon stakes the Quéene going betwéene them thinking thereby to be healed This Trabula being beautiful was promised deliuerance by one of the Magicians if she would yelde to his pleasure Which she constantly refused and suffered patiently Now vpon the Proclamation against the teachers great persecution rose against them by the malice of the Magicians especially in the Countrey of Diabener which was most Christened where Acepsimas there B. with a great number dismissed and onely depriued of liuing was taken and whipped of the Magicians To whom one Iacolus Iacolus a minister of the Church ioyned himselfe to serue the necessitie of the aged Bishop At the same time also Athalas a minister Aradanes and Abdiesus Decius were imprisoned and miserably scouraged for the testimony of Christ and afterward were more tormented of the Arch-magician The Archmagician to whom the King had giuen liberty to vse his pleasure on them vnlesse they would worship the Sunne which when they refused to doo they were put to most bitter torments in which Acepsimas died the other yet remayning maruelously aliue were turned againe into pryson Of whom Athalas Athalas in time of his whipping was so racked with pullings that both his armes were pulled out of ioynt and hung downe that he had no vse of them Innumerable were the slaughters of bishops ministers Innumerable slaine and deacons in this persecution vnder Sapores The names of certaine thus recited of Zozomen and Nicephorus Barbasines Paulus Gaddiabus Sabinus Mareas Marcus Iohannes Hormisdas Papa Iacobus Romas Maares Agas Bothres Aldas Abiesus Ioannes Abrianus Agdelas Sapores Isaac Dausus Bitor 250. martyrs xv thousand martyred among the Persians also with Mameanda his fellowe Bishop and the rest of his Churches vnder him to the number of 250. persons In summe the number of those that the Persians themselues were able to recite commeth to fifteen thousand men and women Now these troubles comming to Constantines eares mooued him to consider how to redresse the Persecution and there being at Rome Embassadors of Sapores with requestes to the Emperour hee graunted them all thinking thereby Constantine to Sapores for mitigation of the persecution to moue him to be fauourable to the Christians And wrote also vnto him a letter requiring him to take compassion vpon those Innocents and shewed how the hand of God had béen against tirants of the Church as Valerianus c. What successe his letter had it is vncertaine But likely it is that it did somewhat mitigate the heate thereof Of other troubles it is recorded to haue béene in Persia vnder Isdigerdes the king in the time of the Emperour Theodosius at which time suffered Andas Andas the bishop and Homisda Homisda a great noble mans sonne of great reputation among the Persians whom the king condēned to kéepe his Elephants naked and seing him a distance of time after tanned with the Sunne promised him if he would deny Christ a shirt to couer himselfe withall which whē he refused he was banished the country There was also one Suenes Suenes that had vnder him an hundred men and because he would not denie Christ the vilest of his seruaunts was appointed ouer him and the rest and coupled with his Maisters wife Beniamin Beniamin also the deacon after two yéeres imprisonmēt was let loose at the request of the Romaine Embassadour but afterward preaching contrary to the kings commandement was thrust vnder the nailes with xx sharpe prickes Wherat when the martyr laughed a sharpe réede was put vp into his yard and a long thornie stalke thrust vp into his bodie and so he died These persecutions were about the yéere 425. Likewise vnder Iulianus Iulianus the Apostata certaine suffered martirdome by Idolaters as Emilianus Emilianus who was burned in Thracia and Domitius who was slaine in his caue Theodorus also for singing a Psalme at the remouing of the bodie of Babylas was tormented from morning till night and hardly escaped with life The martirs comforted and being asked how hee coulde abide the torments said at the first he felt some paine but afterwarde there stoode by him a yong man who as he was sweating refreshed him in such sorte that being let downe from the Engine it gréeued him more than before Artemias also the Captaine of the Egyptian Souldiers lost his head for Christ Also Eusebius and Nestabus two Brethren with Nestor also were murthered by the people of Gaza Euspicius a noble man in the Countrey died among thē of Cesarea whereof some were banished some slaine for pulling downe the temple of Fortune But speciall was the crueltie of the Arethusians Arethusians a people of Syria against a company of Christian virgins whome they first set out naked to be scorned of the multitude then shaued them then couered them with swill and draffe and caused them to be deuoured of Swine It is thought their crueltie was the greater because Constantine restrained them of the exposing their virgins to filthy lust and destroyed the temple of Venus in Heliopolis Among the rest The temple of Venus destroied Marcus Arethusus Marcus Arethusus their Bishop was most cruelly handled because at the commaundement of Constantine hée pulled downe a temple of Idols and builded a Church for Christians in the place Now they considering how he was not fauoured of Iulianus accused him of treason who first fled then hearing there were taken other for him hée returned againe offered himselfe whom when they had gotten they first stripped naked and beate him gréeuously then they put him into a filthy sinke from whence againe they tooke him and caused boyes to trust him in with sharpe sticks Lastly they put him into a basket annointed him with hony and broth and hong him before the sunne as meat for waspes flies to féed on All this they did vnto him that he might be brought either to build again the temple or giue mony to the building which he refused But at the last taking him to be a poore man they required but a small summe which he also would not yéeld vnto answering that it were as great impietie to confer one halfepeny to a matter of impietie as a great summe thus they being not able to preuaile against him let him downe And thus much of the persecution in the primitiue church The persecutiō of the primatiue Church endeth A moneth for a saboth of yeeres which agréeth with the time of the Apocalips taking euery moneth for a saboth of yéeres 42. Monethas that make vp iust the time frō Christes death to the last yéere of persecutiō by Maxentius which were 294. six yéeres vnder Licinius in Asia in all 300. yéeres reckoning from the death of Iohn Baptist to the end of Maxentius and Licinius all which time Sathan from
the time of Licinius till Iohn Wickliffe was bound vp Sathan bound vp til Wicliffe Constantine deferred baptisme till his old age because he determined a iourney into Persia and thought in Iordan to haue béene baptized He entered into the Empire Anno 311. and raigned 30. yéeres as Letus saith 32. lacking two moneths Constantine borne in England Helena daughter of king Coilus Constantines mother He was borne in Brytaine His mothers name was Helena daughter of king Coilus He greatly trauelled for the peace of Christians and before hée had conquered Licinius wrote to his subiects inhabiting the East in their fauour He set also peace among the Bishops in the Church who were at dissention and made prouision for ministers and teachers of the people and caused all to be restored vnto the Christians that had béene taken from them in the persecutions Constantine a father of the Church writing to Syluius his chiefe Captaine to that end and commaunded him that in Affrica where he had to doo and where Cecilianus was bishop that Clarkes and ministers should be freed from all manner publike duties burthens He was greatly studious in taking vp causes among the bishops and wrote to that end to diuers as to Miltiades bishop of Rome to Crescēs bishop of Siracusa to Cecilianus bishop of Carthage also to Eusebius for the edifying of new Churches And after he had gathered the Nicene Councell Nicene councell for the vnitie of the Church he writeth to Alexander and Arrius to the same entent He prescribed a certaine prayer for euery one of his souldiers in stead of a brief Catechisme caused them to learne the same Constantine teacheth his souldiers a prayer which is this Wée acknowledge thée onely to be our God we confesse thée onely to be our king we call vpon thée our onely helper by thée we obtaine our victories by thée we vanquish our enemies to thée we attribute whatsoeuer commodities we presently enioy and by thée we hope for good things to come vnto thée we direct all our suits and peticions most humbly beséeching thée to kéepe Constantine our Emperour and his noble children to continew in long life and to giue them victory ouer all their enimies through Christ our Lord. Amen He graunted great immunities to the ministers that they might appeale from the ciuil iudge to their bishop Appeale granted by Constantine whose sētence was of as great value in such cases as if the Emperour himselfe had pronounced it He prouided also maintenance for liberall artes and sciences for the professors Prouision for learning their wiues and children and gaue thē great immunities He wrote also to Eusebius the B. of Nicomedia to procure 50. volumes of parchment wel boūd and cause to be written out of the scripture therein in a legeable hand The scriptures written for the vse of the church such things as were profitable for the instruction of the Church and allowed him two ministers for the businesse Finally he was a father to the Church and enforced himselfe euery way to set forth the Gospel and euery good thing and endeuoured to suppresse the contrary Constantine baptised a little before his death He was baptised at Nicomedia of Eusebius Bishoppe of Nicomedia in the 31. yéere of his raigne a little before his death The end of the ten persecutions The rest of this history concerneth chiefly the affaires of the Church of England and Scotland The rest of this history concerneth chiefly England and Scotland England receiued the Gospel in Tyberius time GIldas affirmeth that Britain receiued the Gospel in the time of Tiberius the Emperor vnder whom Christ suffred and that Ioseph of Arimathea after the dispersiō of the Iews was sent of Philip the apostle out of France into Britain ann 63. And here remained al his time and laid the foundation of the Gospel Easter kept in England after the maner of the East church The Gospel came into Enland from the Cast and not from Rome In the time of Bede almost a thousand yeeres after Christ as he testifieth Easter was kept after the manner of the East Church in the full moone what day of the wéeke soeuer it fell and not on the sunday as we doe now Wherby it may appeare that the preaching of the Gospell came into this land from the East and not from Rome About the yéere 180. King Lucius sonne of Coilus king of Britains which now are called English men hearing of the miracles done by Christians in diuers places K. Lucius the first Christian K. of England Fugatius and Damianus at that time wrote to Eleutherius B. of Rome to receiue of him the Christian faith who sent him therevpon certain preachers Fugatius or by some Faganus and Damianus or Dimianus which conuerted first the king and the people of Britain and baptized them and subuerted the temples and monuments of idolatrie And the 28 Flamines they turned to bishops and thrée Achflamines to thrée Archbishops hauing their seates in thrée head cities London Yorke and Glamorgantia by Wales This king also sent to him for the Romane lawes to frame his people therafter who answered that the lawes of God was to be his direction for lawes and not the Romanes that might be reproued the other being without exception Thus was the Christian faith confirmed in this lande by the meanes of Eleutherius Eleutherius and therein it continued two hundred and sixtéene yeres till the comming of the Pagane Saxons King Lucius raigned 77. yeres and died without issue the yere of our Lord 201. the xiiij yere after his baptisme some say the iiij and some the tenth and was buried at Glocester By reason that the king died without issue the Lande was spoyled and the Romanes inuaded and became sometimes masters When they raigned Gentilisme was aduaunced and when the Britaines the Gospell Albeit no persecution touched the Britaines that is read of Almost all Christianitie destroyed in England before the last persecution of Dioclesian and Maximinianus Herculeus At which time all Christianitie was almost in the whole land destroyed Now the Britanes being greatly distressed and brought to miserie the Archbishop of London called Gnetelinus procured helpe out of lesse Britanie and brought ouer Constantinus the kings brother by whose meanes the state of Religion and Common-wealth was in some quiet all the time of Constantine and the Archbishop till Vortiger cruellie caused his Prince to be slaine and inuaded the Crown Gnetelinus Archb. of London And fearing the other two brethren of Constantine his Prince Aurelius and Vter in litle Britaine he caused aide to be sent for to the Saxons being then Infidels and married him selfe also with Rowen an Infidel the daughter of Hengist Which Hengist depriued him and his people and droue the Britaines out of their Countrey after that the Saxons had slaine of their Nobles two hundred thrée score and eleuen some say foure
should extend ouer them of Britaine The ninth containeth diuers points whether a woman with child ought to be baptized after she hath had a childe whether she ought to enter the Churche c To which all Gregorie maketh answere with resolution Nowe Gregory after he had sent these resolutions sendeth mo coadiutors and helpers as Mellitus Iustus Paulinus and Ruffianus with bookes and such other things as he thought necessary for the Church He sendeth also to Austen a Pall with letters A Pall from Rome containing an order betwéen the two Metropolitane seates of London and Yorke Notwithstāding he graunteth to Austen during his life to be the onely chiefe Archbishop in all the lande and after his time that to returne againe to London and Yorke Hee sendeth also another letter to Mellitus willing him to let the Idolatrous temple stand and alter the vse He admonisheth Austen also not to be puffed vp with pride for his working of miracles Moreouer he wrote to king Ethelbert willing him to continue constant and sendeth him presents Now Austen of a monke being made an Archbishop after he had baptized a great part of Kent made two Archbishops by the commandement of Gregorie Mellitus Mellitus was specially sent to the East Saxons in the prouince of Essex where afterward he was made B. of London vnder Sigebert K. of Essex which Sigebert together with his vncle Ethelbert first built the Church of S. Paul in London and appointed it to Mellitus for his Bishops seat Austen associate with this Mellitus and Iustus through the helpe of Ethelbert assembled the Doct. of Britain in a place which taking the name of Austen is called Austens oake Austens oake In which assembly he charged the Bishops to preach with him to the English men the word of God to baptise after the maner of Rome Brittains and Scots refuse the Easter of Rome kéep Easter after the same maner which the Britains Scots refused to doe Then he gathered another synode to the which came 7. bish of Britons with the wisest men of that famous abbey of Bangor Abbey of Bangor who first taking counsel of an holy wise mā were aduised that if he were humble thē to agrée vnto him Austens pride offendeth the Britains as the seruant of God The B. thus counselled entred into the counsel Austen after the Romane manner kepeth his chaire of pride wherat after some heat of words the Brittains disdaining departed To whō thē Austen spake and said that if they woulde not take peace with their brethren they should receiue warres of their enimie c. 1100. monks of Bangor slaine Which not long after fell out according as he had said for Ethelfride being yet a pagane slue 1100. monks of the Abbey of Bangor which consisted of 2100. monkes that liued with the sweat of their brows that came to Chester praied and fasted thrée daies for the good successe of Brockmayl against the Saxons Whereat Ethelfride being offēded slue 1100 only 50. fled away They came to their chiefe Gouernour one named Dinoe Dinoe This Ethelfride was afterwarde slaine of the christian king Edwin who succéeded him as he had slaine the Christians before which was 610. Austen after that he had baptised a thousand Christians of Saxons in one day in the West riuer that is called Swold beside Yorke on Christmas day hee perceyuing his ende to drawe neere Gregorie dieth ordained Laurentius Laurentius to rule after him the Archb. Sea of Canterbury In the meane season about this time died Gregorie of whom it is said that of all the Bish that were afore him he was the basest of al that came after him the best About which time died also in Wales Dauid Archb. of Kaerleion who then translated the sea frō thēce to Meuenia therfore is called Dauid of Wales Not long after this also died Austen Austen dieth after he had set 15. or 16. yéeres This Gregory denied any B. to be lawfully called vniuersal bish declaring that he that shold take that vpon him is the forerunner of Antichrist For this matter hee had much adoo with the Emperour and Patriarch of Constantinople who was extolled by Mauricius to the Patriarchie of Alexandria and would be called vniuersall Patriarke of Alexandria would be vniuersall Patriarch Strife about Primacy requiring the Emperour that hée would obtaine Gregories consent herein but Gregory refused so to doo wherevpon grewe greate troubles to Gregory that purchased thereby the displeasure of the Emperour This Gregory brought in the title among the Romaine bishops to be called Seruus seruorum Dei The title Seruus seruorum Dei Sabinianus first vniuersall Bishop After Gregory succéeded Sabinianus a malitious detractor of Gregory and his workes He continued scarse two yéeres after whome succéeded Bonifacius the third who raigned but one yere yet did much hurt he obtained of Phocas the wicked Emperour that he and his succcessos Phocas giueth first title of vniuersal bishop should be called vniuersal Bishops and head of the rest This Phocas to obtaine the empire killed his maister Mauritius and his children but he was rewarded thereafter For hauing his hands and féete cut of by Heraclius that succeded him he was cast into the sea King Ethelbert did many Christian actes Ethelb dieth and died when he had raigned 56. yéeres ann 616. whom stories say to be slaine in a fight betwéene him and Ethelfride the king of the North Saxons who also after he had raigned foure and twentie yéeres was slaine in the field of Edwin that sucded in Northumberland after him This Edwin the sonne of Alba was conuerted by Paulinus and was the first christian K. of Northumberland although his wife were a Christian woman K. Ethelbertes daughter Who although he was much laboured with by his wife yet was he hard to be woon to the faith till a certaine trouble fell vpon him which was the cause of his calling for his death being conspired by the K. of Westsaxons Quincelinus with Kinegilsus his brother he was woūded by one that was suborned to kill him About whitsontide after the K. assēbled his host entended to make war against them vowed to Christ if he would giue him victory that he would be christened and in token therof caused his daughter borne of Edelburgh the same Easterday when he was wounded named Eufled to be baptized with twelue other of his familie by Paulinus So he obtained the victory and yet with much adoo forsooke his Mahometrie at the preaching of Paulinus and denied to be christened till a time after This Edwin before he maried the daughter of Ethelbert fell into some displeasure with him and fled to Redwald king of the East Angles which Redwald being corrupted intended to betray him wherefore being pensiue and not hauing whether to fly there appeared suddenly to him a straunger who said vnto him with other spéeches wilt
thou doe after his counsell that shall deliuer thée and follow him if hee shewe thée a better way of life to whom he promised faithfully so he would Then he laying his hand vppon his head when saith hée this token happeneth vnto thée A vision then remember this time of thy tribulation and the promise which thou hast made and sodainly he vanished out of sight Now Paulinus séeing the king to hard to beléeue praied for him and God reuealed vnto him the vision aboue mentioned Wherevppon Paulinus comming vnto the king vpon a time and laying his hand vpon the Kings head asked him if hee knew that token the king hearing this and remembring the token was readie to fall downe at his féete But Paulinus would not suffer that and declared vnto him the victories he obtained by Christ and put him in minde of his former promise Whereupon the king conferring with his Nobles was by him baptized in Yorke with many of his Subiects In so much that Coysi the chiefe of the Idolatrous prelates with others of that kinde Edwine baptized destroyed the Idoles with their Temples which was at Godmunham not farre from York And this was the eleuenth yere of his Reigne This Edwine after he had first brought in the Faith into the North partes continued after his baptisme vi yeres At length he was slaine in battaile by Ced walla king of the Britaines and by wicked Penda king of the Mercians with his sonne and Offricus in the field called Hatfield This Paulinus was the first Archbishoppe of Yorke and ordeyned by Iustus Archbishoppe of Canterburie After whose decease he ordeyned Honorius Archbishop of Canterburie Paulinus after the death of Edwin fled from the vnmercifull Cedwalla and the wicked and Idolatrous Penda who had neither regarde of Sexe nor age by water into Kent with Edelberge the Quéene and Eufled her daughter Where he remayned Bishop of Rochester the space of xix yeres And so the Church of Northumberland lacked a Bishop the space of xxx yeres Notwithstanding he left one Iames a Deacon in those quarters Paulinus the first archbishop of York who continued there preaching til peace was recouered and the Church brought againe to a stay By the meanes of this Edwine Erpwaldus king of the East-angles sonne to Redwaldus aboue mentined was brought to the faith After Edwin and his sonne reigned Osricus and Eaufridus the one in Deira who were first christened in Scotlād but after they were kings reuolted to Idolatrie and in the yeres following were slaine one after another by Cedwalla and wicked Penda After whom succéeded in Northumberland the second sonne of Ethelfrede named Oswaldus hauing rule ouer both the prouinces as wel Deira as Bernicia He by prayer made vnto God ouercame Cedwalla or Cadwallo the Britaine king which sent Penda with an armie against him that was ouerthrowen after hee had reigned ouer the Britaines 22. yeres leauing after him a sonne wohm Gaufridus called Cadwalladius Oswald a notable king the last K. of Britans This Oswald was very religiously disposed and sent for a certain bishop out of Scotland named Aidanus to preach to his people And as he preached in Scottish so the K. did interprete it hauing learned the Scottish tongue in his banishment there By the meanes of Oswald Kinigilsus K. of the Westsaxons was conuerted to Christs faith especially through the godly labor of Berinus who was sent by P. Honorius to preach in England then made Bishop of Dorcester Kinigilsus conuerted To whom Quincelinus brother to the foresaid Kinigilsus after he had receiued baptisme of Berinus Bernius gaue to him the said citie therein to make his Sea and gaue after to the B. of Winchester The Sea of Winchester 7. miles compasse of land to buyld there the bishops Sea which was accomplished finished by Kenwalcus his sonne This Bernius was driuen by the weather to the Coast of the West-saxons where Kinigilsus and his brother Quincelinus did raigne and were baptized with their people It so fell out that Oswaldus King of Northumberlande was there present and the same day married Kinigilsus his daughter and was also Godfather to the king Oswald after he had raigned ix yeres was at the length slaine in the field called Maxfield by wicked Penda king of Mercians Which Penda likewise was ouercome slaine by Oswy brother to Oswald the next king of Northumberland after Oswald not withstanding hee had himselfe as many people as Oswy had Penda had iij. sonnes Wolferus Weda and Egfridus The second sonne Weda Oswy had before time maried his daughter Weda conuerted by consent of Penda his father Who also by the helpe of Oswy was made king of Southmercia and promised when he married his daughter he would become a christian which thing he perfourmed after the death of Penda And within thrée yeres following by reason of his wife he was slaine Wolferus conuerted After him the kingdome fell to Wolferus the other brother who being wedded to Armenilda daughter to Ercombert K. of Kent was afterward christened so that he is accounted the first christian king of Mercia This Wolferus conquered Kenwalcus K. of Kent and gat the I le of Wight which after he gaue to Sigbert king of the East-angels vpon condition he would be christened Sigbert baptized And thus the East-angles which before had expulsed Mellitus their B recouered againe the christian faith vnder Sigbert their king who was baptized by Finanus Finanus the bishop Now to Oswy was ioyned Oswinus his cosin ouer the prouince of Deira there raigned with Oswy seuen yéere a Prince gentill liberall and deuout but not long after Oswy the king of Bernicia disdaining at him caused him traiterously to be slaine and so Oswy with his sonne Egfride raigned in Northumberland alone In that time and also in the house of Oswy and his sonne Egfride was Butolphus the abbot who builded in the East part of Lincoln an abbey Also Aidanus Finianus and Colmannus with 3. scottish Bishops of Northumberland holy men that held with the Brittains against the Romish order for kéeping of Easter Moreouer Cuthbertus Iarmuannus Cedda and Wilfridus liued at the same time About this time or not much before vnder the raigne of Oswy and Oswine the question of Easter The questions of Easter and hauing of other ceremonies was debated in the Abbey called Sternehalt Of which Hilda Hilda a deuout woman was abbesse to the which place came both the kings the father and the sonne Bishop Colman with his Cleargy of Scotland Aigelbert with Agathon and Wilfride Priestes Iames and Roman were on their sides Hilda the Abbesse was on the Scottish part with her companie And the reuerend Bishop Cedda Cedda was appointed Prolocutor for both partes in that parlemēt Now there was much debating of the matter on both partes one standing to the custome of Iohn the Euangeliste to be kept according to the
his father Ethelgora was made a Nunne the other two were maried the one in Merceland the other to the Earle of Flaunders He raigned 29. yéeres six moneths he departed this life v. Kal. Nouemb. lieth buried at Winchester an 901. Wheresoeuer he was or whether soeuer he went he bare in his bosome or pocket a litle booke cōtaining the Psalmes of Dauid Dauids psalms alwaies with the king and certaine other prayers of his owne collecting wherevpon he was continually either reading or praying whensoeuer he had leasure therevnto Pleymundus schoolemaister to Alfred succéeded Etheredus in the Bishopricke of Canterburie and gouerned that sea 34. yéeres After him succéeded Athelmus and sat 12. yéeres after him came Vlfelmus and sat 13. yéeres him followed Odo a Dane borne and gouerned 20. yéeres After the death of Pope Stephen the fifth was much broyle in the election of the Bishops of Rome one contending against another in so much that in the space of nine yéeres there were nine Popes of the which first was Formosus who succéeded Stephen being made pope against the minde of certaine in Rome that would rather Sergius then Deacon of the Church of Rome should bée Pope not withstanding Mars and mony preuayled on Formosus part by the aid of king Arnulphus who came to Rome and beheaded Formosus aduersaries whom the Pope in recompence blessed crowned Emp. This Formosus had once sworne neuer to reiterate or take to him againe ecclesiasticall order but was absolued againe of Pope Martin who sat foure or fiue yéeres after whom in 9. yéeres there were nine Popes In nine yeeres nine Popes After him succeded Boniface the 6 who continued 25. daies then came Stephen the 6. who abrogated all the decrées of Formosus and taking vp his body after it was buried Pope Stephen rageth against the dead bodie of Formosus cut two fingers of his right hand and commaunded them to bée cast into Tiber and then buried the bodie in a Laye mans sepulchre He raigned one yéere and him succéeded Rhemanus sate 3. months repealing the decrées of his predecessor against Formosus next whom came Theodorus the 2. who like wise taking part with Formosus raigned but 20. daies then sate Pope Iohn who fought against the Romans and to confirme the cause of Formosus more surely did hold a synode at Rauenna of 72. Bishops with the French king Endo and his Archbishops present at the same where all the decrées of Formosus were confirmed and those of Stephen the 6. burned This Pope liued not Pope full twoo yéeres after whom succéeded Benedictus the fourth who kept the chaire thrée yéeres after whom Leo the fift was Pope who within 40. daies of his papacie was with strong hand taken and cast in prison by one Christopher his owne housholde Chaplaine whom he had long time nourished in his house which Christopher being Pope about the space of seuen moneths was also horsed from his seate by Sergius as hée had done to the other before who after hée had thrown downe Christopher shore him monke into a monasterie and occupied the sea seuen yéeres This Sergius a rude man Sergius baebarous cruelty against Formosus now dead and buried and vnlearned very proude and cruell had before time beene put backe from the Popedome by Formosus aboue mentioned by reason whereof to reuenge himselfe of Formosus againe béeing nowe in his papacie caused his bodie to bée taken vp and afterward setting it in the Papall sea as in his Pontificalibus first disgraded him then commaunded his head to bée smitten off with the other thrée fingers which were left which done he caused his body to be throwne into Tiber deposing also all such as had béene inuested by Formosus By this Pope Sergius first came vp the bearing of candles on Candlemas day Candles on Candlemas day for the purifying of the blessed virgin After Sergius entred Pope Anastasius who after he had sate 2. yéers folowed pope Lando the father as some think of pope Iohn which Iohn is said to haue beene Paramour of Theodora a famous harlot of Rome A pope set vp of Theodora a famous harlot set vp by the same harlot either against Lando or after Lando his father to succéede in his roome There is a story writer called Liuthprandus who writing de imperatoribus lib. 2. cap. 13. maketh mention of this Theodora and Iohn the eleuenth and saith that this Theodora had a daughter named Marozia which had by Pope Sergius aboue mentioned a sonne who afterwarde was pope Iohn the 12. The same Marozia afterward married with the marques Guido of Tuscia through whose means and his friends at Rome she brought to passe that this pope Iohn the eleuenth was smothered with a pillow laid to his mouth Pope smothered after he had raigned 13. yéeres and so Iohn the 12. her sonne raigned in his stéed but because the cleargie and people of Rome did not agree to the election therefore was Pope Leo the 6. set vp in his roome Thus pope Iohn the sonne of Sergius and Marozia being reiected raigned pope Leo 7. moneths after him pope Stephen 2. yéeres who being poisoned Pope poisoned then was pope Iohn the 12. aboue rehearsed set vp againe where hee raigned néere the space of 5. yeeres After Iohn the twelfth followed pope Stephen thrée yeeres Leo thrée yéeres and foure moneths Stephen the eight thrée yéeres foure moneths Martine 3. yéers 6. moneths After him Agapetus eight yéeres and sixe moneths about whose time or a little before beganne the order of monks called Ordo Cluniacensis The Monkes Cluniacenses It may appeare in those times that the authoritye of bestowing bishoprikes in England and also in prescribing lawes to Churchmen was in the hands of the kings of the land and not onely in the handes of the Pope as it is manifest by King Alfredus lawes If any one lie with an other mans wife c. If any that hath taken orders steale c. After Alfred succéeded his sonne Edward called the elder giuing also testimonie of the same Who with Pleymundus archbishop of Canterbury and with other Bishops in a Synod assembled elected seuen Bishops in seuen Metropolitane churches whose names were 1. Freidstane 2. Adelstane 3. Werstane 4. Addlelin 5. Edulphus 6. Dernegus 7. Kenulphus In which election the kings authority alone séemed then sufficient The kings authority in electing of bishops sufficient This Edward raigned 24. yéers his daughters he set to spinning The K. daughters set to spinning and to the néedle his sonnes he set to the studie of learning to the end that they being Philosophers first might bee made more expert to gouerne the common wealth The king maketh his sonnes first Philosophers and then Gouernours Ethelstane succéeded his father in the kingdome and being base born of Egwin before the king was married to her and fearing his next brother Edwine being rightly borne caused
rather then of the Clergie and councelled him to lay downe that apparell and to enter in with his owne habite till he had his election by them which he did confessing his fault and was called Leo the ninth By him Hildebrand Hildebrand was made a Cardinal and put in great authoritie Vnder this Pope were twoo councels one kept at Vercellis A councell at Vercellis A councell at Laterane where the doctrine of Berengarius touching the real presence was first condemned although Berengarius as yet recanted not but afterward in the councel of Laterane vnder Nicholas 2. Anno 1060. The other was kept at Maguntia where was enacted that Priests should be excluded vtterly from marriage Priests may not marrie and that no lay man shoulde giue benefice or any spirituall promotion This Leo being at Wormes with the Emperour on Christmas day did excommunicate the subdeacon because in reading the Epistle he did it not in the Roman tune hee being there present The Archbishop moued therewith departed from the Altar being at masse saying The pope and Archb. fal out at masse he would not procéed in his seruice vnlesse his Subdeacon were restored Whereupon the Pope commanded him to be released and so they went forward in their seruice Brazutus the poysoner After the death of Leo whom Brazutus poysoned the first yere of his Popedome Theophilactus did striue to be pope But Hildebrande to defeate him went to the Emperor that assigned another a German Victor 2. Who hauing a Councell at Florence depriued many bishops for Simony and fornication that is for being maried In the second yéere of his popedome he was also poysoned by Brazutus thorough the procurement of Hildebrand and his Maister After him succéeded Stephen the 9. by the election of the Clergie of Rome contrary to their othe made to the Emperour By this Stephen the Church of Millain was first brought vnder the subiection of the Romish Church and shamed not to accuse the Emperour of heresie for minishing the authoritie of the Romane sea and at that time it was counted simonie to enioy any spirituall liuing at a temporall mans hand Which Stephen hearing to raigne in diuerse churches especially of Burgundie and Italy sent foorth the Cardinall Hildebrand to reforme the matter hée himselfe also earnest therein In the meane while Stephanus tasting of Brazutus cup fell sicke whereof Hildebrand hearing hasted to Rome assembling the orders of the Clergie together made them sweare that they should admit none bishop but such as should be by the consent of all This doone Hildebrand taketh his iourney to Florence belike to fetch the B. of Florence to enstall him the clergy hauing sworne vnto him that none should be chosen B. before his returne but the people in his absence elected one of their owne citie called Benedictus the 10. Whereof Hildebrand hearing was greatly offended returning without Gerardus B. of Florence caused the clergy to procéed to a new election whervpon they being afraid to doo it at Rome went to Sene and there elected Gerardus bishop of Florence named Nicolaus 2. who holding a councell at Sutriū through the helpe of duke Godfride and Gilbert and other bishops in Italie deposed the other Pope Benedictus vnderstanding himselfe to be set against by Hildebrād vnpoped himselfe and went and dwelt at Velitras Nicholas being thus set vp against the mind of the Emperour or consent of the people of Rome after his fellow Pope was driuen away brake vp the Synod of Sutrium and came to Rome where he assembled another Councell called Lateranum in which first was sette forth the terrible sentence of Excommunication The terrible sentence of excōmunication mentioned in the decrées and beginning In nomine Domini nostri c. The effecte of the Councell was that a few Cardinals and certaine Catholike persons might choose the Pope without the Emperour The Pope to be elected only by the cardinall Secondly against these that créepe into the seate of Peter by simonie without consent of the Cardinals In the same Councell also Berengarius Andeuangensis Berengarius recanteth an Archdeacon was driuen to recant his doctrine agaynst the reall presence In the same Councell was also hatched the new found tearme of transubstantiation Transubstantiatiō hatched This Pope made Robert Guichard displacing the right heire Duke of Apulia Calabria Sycilia and Captaine generall of Saint Peters landes that through his force hee might subdue those that rebelled against him At length hee met with Brazutus cup after hee had set thrée yéeres and an halfe Anno 1062. At the beginning of this Nicholas or somewhat before An. 1057. was Henricus 4. made Emperour after Henricus the third and raigned fiftie yéeres In the raigne of this Nicholas An. 1060. Alredus bishop of Worcester after the decease of Knisius his predecessor should be made archbishop of Yorke who comming to Rome with Toctius Earle of Northumberland for his pall was depriued till the Pope beyng threatned by Toctius The Pope threatned by Toctius with the losse of S. Peters tribute was cōtent to send home Aldredus with his pall After the death of Nicholas the Lombards being oppressed before of him desired to haue a Bishop of their company and so elected the bishop Parmen called Cadolus to be Pope with the Emp. licence to whom they sent concerning the same Hildebrādus hearing this setteth vp another Anselmus afterward called Alexander the 2. so that the two popes met fought together Two Popes fight Alexander getting the vpper hand The Emp. hearing of this sēt his Embassador Otho Archb. of Collen to Rome who did chide the pope for taking so vpon him without the emperors leaue Against whō Hilbrand on the other side very stoutly behaued himselfe in the maintenance of the cleargy so that Otho was content to be perswaded onely requiring in the Emperors name a counsel to be had to decide the matter whereat the Emperour should bee present himselfe and so hee was In which Councel kept at Mantua Alexander was declared Pope and the other had his pardon granted him In this Councel it was concluded that priests should haue no wiues such as had Concubines to say no masse priests children not to be secluded from holy orders no benefices to be sold for money Alleluia to be suspended out of the Church in time of Lent c. It was also decréed that no spiritual man should enter into any Church by a secular man and that the pope should be elected onely by the Cardinals Benno Cardinalis writeth that Alexander being at masse hauing perceiued the fraudes of Hildebrand as he was preaching told him hée would not sit in that seat without the licence of the Emperour Wherevpon after masse Hildebrand by force had him into a chamber and pummelled the pope with his fistes The pope pummeled by Hildebrand rating him for that he would séeke fauour of the Emperour Thus he was kept in
citie bearing a grudge to the Emperor perswaded the pope that he was cōming against him with a mighty power willing him to prouide for himselfe wherevpon the pope beyng afraid returned to Canusium or Canusus a citie subiect to Matilda a Countesse in Italie Whereof the Emperour vnderstanding incontinent comming out of Spires with his wife his yoong sonne in the déepe and sharpe winter resorted to Canusus without any company for they were al afraid of the popes curse and laying apart his regall ornaments came barefooted with his wife and child to the gate of Canusus The Emperor brought vnder the Popes foote where he from morning to night all the day fasting most humbly desired absolution crauing to be let in to the speach of the Pope which could not be graunted of thrée daies At last it was aunswered that the Pope had no leasure to speake with him yet notwithstanding through his importunate sute and intreatie of Matilda the Popes paramour and of Aleranus Earle of Sebaudia and the Abbot of Cluniacke it was graunted that hée should be admitted to the Popes spéech On the fourth day being let in for token of true repentance he yéelded to the Popes handes his crowne and all his imperiall ornaments The Emp. yeldeth his crown to the Pope and confessed himselfe vnworthy of the empire if euer he doe so againe against the Pope and humbly required absolution The pope answered hée would not release him but vpon conditions First that hée shal be content to stand to his arbitremēt in the Couecel to take such penance as he should appoint him that he should be readie to appeare in such place and time as the P. should appoint him Moreouer being content to take the P. as Iudge should answere in the said Councel to all accusations laide against him that he should neuer seeke any reuēge hereafter Also though he were quit cléered therein should stād to the P. minde whether to haue his kingdome restored or to lose it Hard conditions Finally that before the triall of his cause he should vse no ornamēts of his crown or empire nor to gouerne or exact any oath of his subiects These things being promised of the Emperour by oth He onely released him of excommunication afterward fearing least the Emperor should hereafter Henricus 4. deposed when he had obtained peace among his people make reuenge they concluded to deriue the Empire to Rodolphus a great state of Germanie and sent into France to declare the Emperour to be rightly excommunicated and to require the consents of the French men to elect Rodolphus to whom the pope sent a crowne with this sentence The Rock gaue this crowne to Peter Petra dedit Petro. Peter giueth it to Rodolph and gaue in commaundement to the archbishop of Mentz and Collen to elect this Rodolphus for Emperour Which newes being brought to Henricus the Emperour he mustereth his men to defend his right and trusting vpō the league betwéene him and the Pope sendeth to Rome requiring him to procéed with his sentence against Rodolphus for the rebellious inuasion of his empire The pope refused to denounce Rodolphus Rodolph chosē emperor and after they had tried twise with the sword much bloodshed he sendeth downe a commission by Otho Archbishop of Treuers Bernardus deacon and Bernardus Abbot of Massilia to whom he gaue charge to call a Councell in Germanie and there to define whether should be Emperour promising that he would ratifie him whome they should choose but the Emperour would not permit the Legates to holde any councel in Germany except they wold first depriue Rodolphus of his kingdome Whereupon the Legates returned againe without their purpose which moued the Pope once againe to thunder out his excommunication against him thinking thereby to further Rodolphus Also he enditeth and deposeth Gimbertus Archb. of Rauenna for taking the Emp. part and sendeth to Rauenna an other Archb. with ful authority Vpon this they fought againe where Rodolphus Rod. wounded to death hauing his deaths wound was carried to Hyperbolis where he commaunded the Bishops and chiefe doers of his conspiracie to be brought vnto him who when they came he lifted vp his right hand in which he had taken his deadly woūd and said this is the hand that gaue the oath and Sacrament to Henricus my Prince and which through your instigation hath so oft fought against him in vaine Now go and performe your first oath to your K. for I must goe to my fathers and so died After this the Emperor hauing subdued his enemie called a Councell of diuers Bishops of Italie Lombardie and Germanie at Bryxia an 1083. Where hee purged himselfe and accused the Pope of diuers crimes Crimes against the P. as to be an vsurper periured a Negromancer a sorcerer and sower of discord c. When notwithstāding he swore with others in the the time of his father Henricus the third that during his time and his sonnes they would suffer none to aspire nor they themselues to the seate of Papacie without the consent of the Emperours Wherefore that Councell condemned this Gregorie to be deposed and sent the tenor to Rome and elected Gimbertus Archbishop of Rauenna named Clemens the thirde whom the Emperor by force of armes placed in that Sea Not long after this Hildebrand died in exile Hildebrand deposed dieth in banishment and as Antoninus wryteth lying on his death bed he bewayled his faults and sent a Cardinall to the Emp. desiring forgeuenes absoluing also him his part-takers quicke dead from the sentence of excommunication About the death of Pope Hildebrand or not long after followed the death of K. William Conqueror W. Conqueror dieth anno 1090. after that he had reigned xxvij yeres x. moneths who setting on fire the Citie of Meaux in Fraunce and being busie thereabout ouer heat himselfe fell sick and died He was so hard to Englishmen that as there was no English Bishop remayning but onely Wolstane of Worcester who being commanded of the K. and Lanfrank to resigne vp his staffe partly for inhabilitie partly for lack of the French tongue refused otherwise to resigne it but only to him that gaue it and so went to the tombe of K. Edw. where he thought to resigne it but was permitted to enioy it stil so likewise there was almost no Englishmā that bare office of honor or rule In so much that it was halfe a shame at that time to be called an Englishman Yet was he somewhat fauorable to the Citie of London and graunted them the first charter that euer they had written in the Saxon tongue and sealed with gréene waxe He was much geuen to maintain peace in his land The conqueror geuen to make peace in his land so that a mayden loded with gold might haue traueled safely through the same He builded two monasteries one at Batel in Sussex where he wan the field
of England and commādeth him to reuest Anselme The Pope cōmandeth the K. of England which the K. woulde not obey but sent message and letters contrary to the great discontentment of the pope threatning him again with excommunication but the messenger so handled the matter that whē the councel came which was then holdē at S. Peters church in Rome the K. tooke no harme onely the sentence of excommunication was pronounced against Lay persons that gaue inuesture of Churches and them that were so inuested and against such as giue themselues in subiection to Lay men for Ecclesiasticall thinges The Counsel being finished Anselme went to Lyons and stayed there till the death both of Pope Vrban and also of the king who in hunting by chance was wounded to death by an arrowe The K. slaine shot of a knight named Walter Tyrrell and was buried at Westminster Vrbanus ruled the Church of Rome xij yeres excommunicated the Emperor Henricus who had bin also before excommunicate by Hild. Victor and after by Paschalis After the time of this K. William K. of Wales cease the name of kings ceased in the Countrey of Wales among the Britaines since King Rice who in the raign of this K. an 1093. was slaine in Wales Anno 1100. Henrie the first succéeded Rufus for wante of issue who was the 3. sonne of the Conqueror Hee for his knowledge in liberall artes was called Beauclarke Hée reformed the state of the Cleargie released the grieuous payments and reduced againe K. Edwards lawes K. Beauclarke K. Edwards lawes restored with correction thereof He reformed Country measures and made a measure after the length of his owne arme c Soone after he was K. he married Mawde daughter of Malcolin king of Scots and of Margaret his wife daughter of Edward the Outlaw being a professed Nunne in Winchester Whom notwithstanding without dispensation of the Pope he married by the consent of Anselme By which Mawd he had two sonnes William and Richard and two daughters Mawd and Marie About the third yeare of this kings reigne Little S. Bartholmewes founded by meanes of a minstrell Priestes sequestred from their wiues the hospital of S. Bartholmew by Smithfield was founded by meanes of a Minstrell belonging to the K. named Raier and was after finished by Richard Whittington Alderman and Mayor of London In his time by meanes of Anselmus Priestes were first in England sequestred from their wiues Also it was decréed that Monkes and Priestes should beare no rule ouer lay persons c. This king called home againe Anselme Anselme restored that was at the Councell of the king at Westminster where the K. in the presence of the Lords as wel temporall as spirituall inuested ij bishops Roger B. of Salisburie and Roger B. of Herford During which Councel Anselmus in his Conuocation deposed diuers Abbots and other Prelates At this Councel and the other before set forth by Anselmus Herbert B. of Norwich had much trouble with the Priestes of his Dioces for they would neither forsake their wiues Priests would not forsake their wiues nor leaue their Benefices And requiring Anselmus councell therein was willed by him to account them as rebels and to perswade the people to driue them foorth of their Countrey and to place monkes in their roomes Like busines also had Gerard Archb. of York which notwithstanding his excommunications he could hardly bring to passe Anno 1103. about the end of the iij. yere of the K. reigne a debate fel betwéene Anselme and the K. for those Bishops whom the K. had consecrated whom Anselmus disdayned and otherwise behaued himselfe very insolently against the king Anselm insolent against the king And Messengers being sent to Paschalis the pope for allowance of the kings inuesting he would in no case yéelde to the same but held himselfe fast in the steppes of Vrbane in so much that the Embassadors of the King hauing said that he would not lose the authoritie of inuesting Prelates for the crowne of his Realme the P. answered before God with an oath nor I for the price of his head For the price of his head A proud P. will lose the geuing of spirituall promotions in England Yet at that same time it was brought to passe that certain customes in such matters were released vnto the king and that the K. onely who had inuested them being excepted they that were inuested should be excommunicated the absolution and satisfaction of whom should be lefte to Anselm Thus Anselm was dismissed whether he went to complaine from Rome and in his returne was charged by the Ambassador of the K. either to consent vnto him or els to beware how he presumed to enter into the land againe Wherevpon he remained at Lions a yéere and a halfe writing diuerse letters vnto the king and séeing no way to preuaile with him he went about to reuenge himselfe by excommunication wherof the king hearing desired Anselmus to come vnto him into Normandie The king reconciled to Anselme where reconcilement was made Anselmus restored againe yet deferred he his comming into England because he would not communicate with those whom the king had inuested and made his abode at the abbey of Beck The king yet sent againe Embassadors to Rome where it was agreed that he should take homage of the Bishops elect but should not deale with inuesting them by staffe and ring c. Now in the absence of Anselme Priestes Priestes pay mony for their wiues to the king and Chanons tooke them to their wiues againe paying a certaine mony to the king for the same whereat Anselmus beyng very angrie writeth to the king and rebuketh him for the same and afterward méeting with him at the abbey of Becke Anselme yeelded to in all points agreed vnto him in all pointes he desired First that all Churches which were made tributary to the king before should be made frée Item that he should require nothing of the said Churches the seates beyng vacant Item that those married Priestes that had giuen mony to the king should surcease from ecclesiasticall function thrée yéeres and that the king should take no more after that manner and that all the goods that had béene taken away from the Archbishoprike should be restored at his returne into England Anno 1106. The sixt yéere of the Kings raigne Anselme by the permission of the King assembled a great councell at Westminster of the prelates and Clergie where by the Popes authoritie he so wrought with the king that it was enacted that no temporal man after that day should make inuesture with crosse or with ring or with pastorall hooke besides many other decrées against priests mariages sodomitry But the decrée curse against that was called backe againe by the suite of certaine who perswaded Anselmus that the opening of that vice did giue more occasion of committing the same and so it was taken away but the
decrée against marriage remained still Pope Paschalis Pope Paschalis entered his papacie the same yéere that king Henry began his reigne an 1100. and being brought into Laterane vpon a white palfray a scepter was brought him The Popes ornaments and a girdle put about him hauing seuen keies with seuen seales hanging therevpon in token of his seuenfold power Popes seuenfold power according to the seuenfold grace of the holy Ghost of binding loosing shutting opening sealing resigning and iudging c. This Pope did depose all those Prelates that the Emperour set vp also banished Albertus Theodoricus Maginulphus they striued the same time for the papacie and made an army against Guybert whom the Emperour had made Pope who being put to flight not long after died About the same time Anno 1101. the Bishop of Florence began to preach to teach Antichrist then to be borne and to be manifest That Antichrist was borne Married priests condēned for Nicolaitans as Sabellicus testifieth wherevpon Paschalis assembling a councel put to silence the said bishop and condemned his bookes In this Councell at Trecas married priests were condemned for Nicolaitans This Paschalis renewed the excommunication of Hildebrand against the Emperour and set vp his sonne Emperour against him caused the archbishop of Mentz of Collen and of Wormes at Hilgeshen to depriue the Emperour The Emp. deposed by the Pope and to take from him all the ornaments of his Empyre wherevpon the Emperour beyng left desolate he pronounced Let God see and iudge Let God see and iudge Thus they left him and went and confirmed his sonne and caused him to driue out his Father who then beyng chased of his owne sonne hauing but nine persons about him did flie by the Dukedome of Lymbrough Where the Duke beyng then a hunting and hearing of him followed after him The Emperour looking for nothing but present death for he had displaced the same Duke before out of his dukedome submitted himselfe and craued pardon the Duke pitying his case receiued him to fauour and into his castle And gathering together his men of war brought him to Collen where he was well receiued His sonne hearing of this besieged the citie but the father by night escaping fled to Leodium where he assembled a power and pitched a field desiring his friends The pope setteth the Emperors sonne against him that if he got the victory they would spare his sonne In fine the Father had the victory and the sonne was put to flight but shortly after they renewed battel againe and the sonne got the field and the father taken who being vtterly dispossessed of his kingdom was brought to that state that comming to Spire he was faine to craue of the Bishop there to whom he had done much good before to haue a prebend in the Church The Emperor craueth to be aprehend of a Church but could not obtaine it and for that he had some skil of his book he desired to serue in our Ladies quire yet hée could not obtain so much at his hands who sware by our lady he should haue none there Thus he came to Leodiū there for sorow died after that he had raigned 50. yéeres whose body Paschalis after his funerall caused to be taken vp again and to be brought to Shires The Emp dieth for sorow where it remained fiue yéeres vnburied After the decease of Henricus the 4 his sonne Henricus the 5. raigned 20. yéeres who comming to Rome to be crowned of the Pope could not obtaine it No Emperour to haue to doe with the elect of the Pope The Emp. had been slaine at Rome before it were by him fully ratified that no Emperor should haue any thing to doe with the election of the B of Rome or with other bishopricks and such a stirre there was at Rome that the Emperor if he had not defended himselfe with his owne handes he had béene slayne yet gotte hée the victorie and tooke the Pope and leadeth him out of the Citie where he indenteth with him vppon diuers conditions The pope faine to agree to the Emperour both of his coronation and recouering againe his title in election of the Pope and other Bishops Wherevnto the Pope assented and agréed to all so the Emperour being crowned of Paschalis returned againe to Rome The pope breaketh couenant But so soone as the Emperour was returned into Germany the Pope forthwith calling a synod reuoked al that hée had granted to before excomunicated Henricus the Emperour whereof he hearing being in France and there hauing married Mathild daughter to K. Henry returned with a power and putteth the pope to flight and placeth another in his stéede The Germans rebell In the which time the States of Germany rebelled in so much that it grew to a foughten field ann 1115. Wherfore the Emp. séeing no end of troubles was faine in the end to giue ouer all his right in Churchmatters The Emp. giueth ouer to the Pope In the time of this Paschalis liued Bernardus called Abbas Clarauallensis ann 1118. of whom sprang the Bernardine monkes Bernardine monkes After the death of Paschalis succéeded Gelasius Gelasius chosen by the Cardinall without the consent of the Emperour whervpon grew great great variance in Rome and at length another pope was set vp by the Emperor called Gregorie the 8 Gregorie 8. and Gelasius driuen away into Fraunce and there died After whom came Calixtus Calixtus the 2 chosen by a fewe Cardinals without the consent of the Emperour who comming vp to Rome to inioy his seat first did excommunicat the Emperour Hee then hauing diuers conflicts with his fellow pope Gregorius at length draue him out of Rome At which time by this occasion great cōtrouersie was betwixt the emperors the popes court for the preeminence but in cōclusion The Emp. fain to yeeld the Emp. was faine to condiscend to the vnreasonable conditions of the pope first to ratifie his election notwithstanding the other pope was aliue whom the Emperour set vp and that in matters of the popes election and inuesture of the Bishops hee should resigne his right Which being graunted A shamefull vsage of a pope the Pope maketh out after his fellow pope and taketh him at Sutrium and set him vppon a Camell his face towardes the Camels tayle and the tayle held in his hand in stéede of a bridle and so brought him to Rome thorough the stréetes and afterward hauing shorne him thrust him into a monastery This Pope did first establish the papall decrées against the Emperour he brought in the foure quarter fastes cal-called Imber daies Imber daies and brought in the order of monks called Premonstratensis Premonstratensis also was hot against priests wiues After the death of Anselme who deceased An. 1109. After he had béene in the sea 16. yéeres the church of Canterburie stood void 5. yéeres Canterbury 5.
this Realme an 1180. Anno 1187. Baldwinus Archbishop of Canterburie began to buyld his new house and church at Lambeth but by letters of Pope Clement the third he was forbidden to procéede any further It is written also that Henrie 2. gaue to the Church of Rome for the death of Becket 40000. markes of siluer and 5000. markes of gold an 1187. In the fiue and thirty yeare of his reigne the king died at the Castle of Whiuen in Normandie at whose death they that were present were so greedie of the spoile that they left the body of the king naked and not so much could be found as a cloth to couer it till a Page comming in and seing the king lie so ignominiously threw his cloke vpon his neither partes Anno 1189. Richard the eldest sonne of Henry the 2. succéeded his Father at which time Pope Clement Pope Clement sat at Rome succéeding Gregory that died a little before for sorrow Iewes destroyed In the time of the Coronation of the king the Iewes were destroied almost all the land ouer The king in part of satisfaction for his trespasse against his father agreed with Phillip the French king to take vpō them the recouery of the holy lande and for the same solde and let out much and gathered diuers waies great treasures for the iourney Besides by the commaundement of Pope Clement the third a tenth was exacted of the whole Realme in such sort as the Christians should make to the King 70000. A Bish Chancellour A Bish chiefe iustice of England pound and the Iewes sixe thousand For the gouernment of his Realme in his absence the King set ouer principall in his absence the Bishop of Ely his Chauncellour and the the Bishop of Durham whom he ordained to be chiefe Iustice of England the one to haue the custody of the Tower with the ouersight of all other partes of the land on this side of Humber The other which was the bishoppe of Durham to haue charge ouer all other his dominions beyond Humber sending moreouer to Pope Clement in the behalfe of William Bishoppe of Ely to bée made the Popes Legate through all England and Scotlande which also was obtained These thinges thus ordered The iourney for the holie land the K. about the time of Easter sayled into France there deferred their iourney til after Midsommer They confirmed their agréemēt of the enterprise by oath the forme of which oath was this That either of thē should mainteine the honor of the other The forme of the oath for the holy land and beare true fidelitie of life members and worldly honor and that neither of them should faile one the other in their affaires c. But these couenants were not performed on the French kings part for at Messana hée suffered the kings part to be abused The French breaketh his oth by the inhabitants of the citie and picked quarrels against the Englishmen and wrought treason against the king by sending letters to the king of Cicill Tancredus by the duke of Burgundy the contents whereof were that the king of Englād was a false traitour and would neuer keepe the peace that was betwixt them and if the said Tancredus would warre against him or secréetly by night would inuade him hée with all his power would assist him and ioine with him to the destruction of him and all his armie which letters Tancredus shewed vnto king Richard at Cathmensium a citie where the king found Tancredus who gaue him very good intertainment thrée daies thrée nights and at his departing gaue him foure great ships and 15. gallies and furthermore he himselfe would néeds accompany him the space of two daies iourney to a place called Tauernium After the king of England had vnderstood so much by Tancredus and had also receiued of him the very letters he would shewe the French king from thenceforth no louing countenance as before King Richard hauing won Cipres departed with the French king toward the siege of Achon the 6. of Iune crossing the seas he met with a great barke fraught with men of warre being Saracens and furnished with wild fire and vnknowen serpents to the defence of Achon whom he vanquished and the 7. of Iune came to Achon which in short space after was rendered vnto the christians the 12. of Iuly and the captaines of the Pagans vpon agréement resorted vnto the tents of the Templars to common with the king touching peace giuing vp of their citie The sum of which peace was this that the kings should haue the citie of Achon fréely fully deliuered vnto them with all that was therein and 500. Captaines of the Christians should bée restored which were in Achon also the holy crosse should be rendered vnto thē 1000. christian captains with 200. horsemen whom soeuer they thēselues would choose out of al them that were in the power of Saladine Moreouer they should giue to the kings 200000. bysants so that they themselues would remaine as pledges in the K. hands for performāce hereof that if within 40. daies these couenaunts were not accomplished Achon wonne by the Christians they would abide the kings mercy touching life and lims These couenaunts beyng agréed vpon the kings sent their souldiers and seruants to the citie to take an 100. of the richest and best in the citie to close them vp in towers vnder strong kéeping The 13. day the two kings deuided the spoile of the citie betwixt them whereat the souldiers grudged and with somewhat adoo were appeased The 20. of Iuly K. Richard desired the French king that they with their armies would bind themselues by oth to remaine there still in the land of Ierusalē 3. yéeres for the recouering of those coūtries but he would sweare he said no such oth about the beginning of August the French K. departed from Achon to Tirus leauing his halfe part of the citie of Achon to Cōradus the Marques After whose departure the Pagans refused to kéepe their couenants made and neither would restore the holy crosse nor the monie nor the captiues sending word that if king Richard did behead the pledges left with him at Achon they would chop of the heads of such christian captiues as they had in their hands Shortly after this the Saladine sending great gifts to king Richard requested the time limited for the beheading of the captiues to bée proroged but the King refused to take his giftes or to graunt his request Wherevpon the Saladine caused all the Christian captiues within his possession forthwith to be beheaded which was the 18. of August And albeit the king vnderstood it yet he would not preuent the time limitted for the execution of his prysoners beyng the twentith day of August vppon which day hée caused them openly in the sight of the Saladines army to bee beheaded to the number of 2500. sauing hée reserued certaine of the principall for purposes especially to make
in one day by the P. did holde that euery day was frée for eating of flesh so it be done soberly Also that they did wickedly which restrayned Ministers from their lawfull wiues For which cause this Pope and his Bishops caused an hundred of them to be burned in one day Nauclerus reporteth that at the same time many were in the Citie of Millan of the said doctrine which vsed to sende Collects vnto the foresaid Saints of Alsatia The Rablement of Religious Orders in the Popish Church AVstinians Ambrosians two sortes 490 Antonians heremites 324 Austines heremites 498 Austines obseruants 490 Armenians sect Ammonites and Moabites Basilius order 384 Benets order 324 Bernardes order 1120 Barefooted friers 1222 Brigets order 1370 Beghart or white Spirites 1399 Brethren of Ierusalem 1103 Brethren of S. Iohn de ciuitate black friers 1220 Brethren of wilful pouertie Cluniacensis order 913 Canons of S. Augustine 7080 Charterhouse order 1086 Cistercian order 1098 Crossebearers or Crossed friers 1216 Carmelites or white friers 1212 Clares order 1225 Celestines order 1297 Camaldulensis order 950 Crostarred brethren Constantino politanish order Crosse-bearers Chapter monkes Duch order 1216 Dominick black friers 1220 Franciscans 1224 Grandmontensis order 1076 Gregorian order 594 Georges order 1407 Guilhelmites 1246 Gerundinesis order Galileans Heremites Helenes brethren Humiliati 1166 Hospitall brethren Holy Ghost order Ieroms order two sorts 1412 Iohns heremites Iustines order 1432 Iohannites or knights of the Rhodes 380 Iniesuati 1308 Ieromes heremites 1365 Iosephs order 490 Iacobites sect Iames brethrens order Iames brethren with the sword Indians order Katherin of Senes order 1455 Keyed mōks K. of the Rhodes Lazarites or Marimagdalins or our Ladies brethren 1034 Lords of Vngarie Minorires which be deuided into Conuentuales Obseruants Reformate Collectane De Capucio De Euangelio Amedes Clarini c. Minorites 1224 Maries seruants 1304 Monks of mount Oliuet 1046 Marouinies sect Monorites sect Monache Monachi Morbonei Merestei Menalaish Iasonish sect New chanons of S. Austin 1430 Nestorini Nalhart brethren New order of our Ladie Nazarei Paules heremites 345 Premonstratensis order 1119 Preachers order or black friers Peter the Apostles order 1009 Purgatorie brethren Rechabites Sarrabites Sambanites 1199 Scourgers the first sect 1266 Souldiers of Iesus Christ 1323 Scopenites or saint Saluators order 1367 Specularii or Glasse order Sepulchres order Shere order Swerds order Starrid monkes Starrid friers Sclauonie order Scourgers the second secte called Niniuites Stoole brethren Scotland brethren order Sicarii S. Sophis order Templars order 1110 Templar knights 1120 The vale of Iosaphats order Vallis Vmbrosae 1400 Waldensis sect Wentzelaus order Wilhelmes order White monkes of mount Oliuet 1406 Zelotes order IN the daies of pope Innocent the 3. began the two sects of Friers one called the Preachers order Dominicks Minorits friers or blacke friers of S. Dominicks the other called the Minorits of S. Francis The Preachers order began of one Dominicke a Spaniard about the partes of Tholouse who after he had laboured 10. yéeres in preaching against the Albingenses afterward comming vp to the Councell with Fulco B. of Tholouse desired the pope to haue his order of preaching cōfirmed which the pope a great while refused till at length thorough a dreame he dreamed he perswadeth the Pope His dreame was that Laterane Church was ready to fall he with his shoulders was faine to hold it wherevpon Dominick had his petitition granted The rule which they folow séemeth to be taken out of S. August Their profession stādeth vpō 3. special point 1. Hauing charity 2 Holding humility 3. Possessing wilful pouerty their habit clothing is blacke The minorities descend from one Francis an Italian of the citie of Assissium who hearing that Christ sent forth his disciples to preach thought to imitate the same in himselfe his disciples and so left of shoes had but one coate The perfection of the Gospel and that of a coorse cloth in stéed of a latchet to his shoe and a girdle tooke a Hempen cord and apparrelled his disciples teaching them as he said the perfection of the Gospel to apprehend pouerty and to walke in the way of holy simplicity He left in wryting to his Disciples and followers his rule which he called the Rule of the Gospell He was very seuere in outward chastising of him selfe so that in Winter he couered his bodie with I se and snowe He called pouertie his Ladie He kept nothing ouer night So desirous he was of martirdome that he went into Siria to the Souldan who receiued him honorablie for he tolde him not the trueth as Iohn Baptist did to Herod Many sectes of Franciscans The Franciscans be deuided into many Sectes some goe in tréene shooes or pattins some barefooted some regular Frāciscās or obseruāts some minors some minimi other of the gospel other de caputio About the same time sprang vp the Crooched friers Crooched friers taking their originall of Innocent the 3. who raised vp an army signed with the crosse on their brest to fight against the Albingenses whom the Pope and his sect accompted for heretiks about the part of Tholouse The Albingenses denied the Popes authoritie and his traditions they were against Images pardons purgatorie and chiefly they were abhorred of the Pope because they set vp a contrary pope against him in the coastes of Burgarorum Of these Albingenses were slaine at times and burned a great multitude by the meanes of the Pope and Simon de monte forti with other more About this season or not not much before died Pope Innocent the third in the 19. yéere of his Popedome to whose custody Fredericus the nephew of Fredericke Barbarossa being yong was committed by the empresse his mother After this Innocent succéeded Honorius 3. and after Honorius when he had gouerned ten yéeres followed Gregorius 9. which popes were in the raigne of Henry 3. About the yéere 1218. Becket 50. yeeres after his death was taken vp and shrined for a new Saint made of an olde rebel Becket shrined after his death to whose shrining came such resort of people of England and France that the countrey of Kent was not sufficient to sustaine them About the yeare 1220. the young king was the seconde time crowned againe at Westminster About which time was begun the new building of our Lady Church at Westminster By reason the Realme through king Iohn was made tributarie to the Pope the exactions vpon all estates from the Sea of Rome especiallie vpon beneficed men Incredible exactions from Rome and such as held any thing of the church were incredible so that certaine of the Nobles assented with the king to make a restraint of such rents and exactions The Pope required by Cardinall Otho of all the churches two prebends one for the bishops part one for the chapter also of the monasteries where be diuerse portions The Popes request in England one for the Abbot another for
the treasure vnder Peter Riuall so that by these all the affaires of the realme were ordered wherof the nobles cōplaining through the bishops means could haue no audience So that they sent word to the K. that vnlesse he would without al delay seclude from him Peter B of Winchester and other Alians of Pictauia they would with the cōmon cōsent of the realme displace him of his kingdome They would displace the king At which message the king was much perplexed but Winchester wrought so with him that the king warred vpon the Marshall with other of the Nobles néere two yéeres The same yéere the king builded a monastery of cōuerts A monastery of conuerts at London for the redemption of his soule and the soule of king Iohn his father and the soules of all his ancestors c. Ex Math. Paris pag. 86. After the election of Iohn Prior of Cāterbury was disanulled one Iohn Blund was elected who trauelling vp to Rome An 1233. to be confirmed of the pope was vnchosen againe for that he had receiued of Peter B. of Winchester 1000. marks and had another 1000. promised him of the said Winchester thinking by his mony to make him of his side also wrote to the Emperour to helpe forward his promotion in the court of Rome but all was in vaine After whom by the commandement of the Pope one Edmund Chanon of Salisbury was ordained Archb. and had his pal sent him from the pope which Edmund Edmund after for his vertues was canonized for a Saint Robert Grosted about which time also Robert Grosted was made bishop of Lincolne This Edmund with other bishops An. 1234. declared boldly in the name of the Lords the king being in counsell at Westminster that the counsell which then he followed was daungerous A bad counsell followed of the king both to him and the realme Adding moreouer except he would in short time reforme himselfe they would procéed by censure of the Church against him these wordes of the Bishops beyng spoken the king required a little time of respite to aduise him saying that he could not of a sudden remoue his councell from him before he had entred his accompt with them of his treasures cōmitted vnto them and so the assembly brake vp Not long after this Edmund the archb was inuested in the church of Canterbury who shortly after his consecration about the moneth of Aprill cōming with his Suffragans to the place of counsaile where the King with his Barons and Earles was assēbled put him in mind of his promise touching the reforming of matters denouncing that except hée would spéedily so doo Reformation they would procéede to the sentence of excōmunication against him those that should shew themselues enemies wherevpon the king within few daies after commaunded Winchester to leaue the court and to go to his Bishopricke moreouer hée commaunded Riuall the Bishops coosin some stories say his sonne to render vnto him his castels and to giue accompt of all his treasures and so to voyd the realme The kings courage swearing moreouer vnto him that if he were not beneficed and within orders of the Church hée would haue caused both his eies to be pulled out of his head He expelled also the Pictauians sent Edmund Pictauians expelled the Archbishop with Chester and Rochester to intreate of peace with Leolin and Richard Earle marshall and others But in the meane time while these things were doing in England Richard Earle marshal by the falshood of the Bish of Winchester and Peter Riuall forging the kinges letters to the Irishmen against him and partly by the conspiracie of Gilbert de Morisco was circumuented by the Irishmen in warre and there taken and wounded and by them through the meanes of his Surgion slaine About this time great slaughter was of thē which are called Catini about the parts of Almaine Catini in Asmaine slaine they were estéemed of pope Gregorie and the papistes for heretikes but what their opinions were it is not certaine Parisi In like sort Albingenses slaine the Albingenses in great number were slain by pope Gregory in a certaine plain in Spaine Paris fo 87 The king hearing of the death of the Earle marshal made great lamentation for him At Glocester the Archb. with the bishops declared to the K the conditions of peace desired that he would be reconciled to the Nobles those hée had banished the Realme Whervpon the King directed his letters and gaue safeconduct to all the exiles that they shoulde repaire to him about the beginning of Iune at Glocester Wherevppon first commeth to the King Hubert Hubert commeth to the K offering himselfe to the kinges goodwill and fauour whom the king with chéerefull countenance embraced restoring vnto him all that hée had taken from him of liuing and possessions and after him came others that were imbraced of the king and receiued into fauour againe Reconciliation and those that were before high in the Kinges fauor reproued and reiected and among other matters for the death of the Earle marshal The same yéere the peace grew in England Dissention betwixt the pope the Romans dissentiō fel at Rome betwixt the Pope and the Romanes for that the Citizens claimed by olde custome that it was not lawfull for the pope to excommunicat any citizen The Pope greater then any man nor suspend the citie with any interdiction for any maner excesse The Pope answered that he is lesse thā God but greater than any mā therefore greater then any Citizen yea greater then King or Emperor and forsomuch as he is their spiritual father he ought and lawfully may chastise his children For this and other controuersies such dissention arose that the pope with his cardinals remoued to Perusium but the Romans ouerthrew diuers of his houses in the citie Wherefore he did excommunicate them The Romanes then flying to the Emperor desired his aide but he gathered an army and to pleasure the Pope went against them and ioyned with the Popes army whose Captains were the Earle of Tholouse to purchase the popes fauour and Peter the foresaid B. of Winchest who ioyning together with the emperour vexed the citizens greatly who with the nūber of a hundred thousand without order issuing out with purpose to destroy Viterbium the popes cities were destroied thēselues in great number of their enimies On both partes were slaine 30. Romans slayn thousand But the most part were of the Citizens This dissention continued long after In the time of this Gregory 9. ann 1230. the schisme of the Church brake out into a plaine diuision Schisme of the East Chhrch from the West vtterly disseuering the East Church from the West vppon this occasion There was a certaine Archbishop elected to a Bishopricke among the Grecians who comming to Rome to bée confirmed could not be admitted without a great summe of money which when he refused to pay and
visiō to the pope and with a seuere countenaunce and terrible voice speaketh vnto him beyng in his rest and smiteth him on the side vehemently with his crossestaffe saying O thou scurffie lazie old bald lowsie wretched doting Pope hast thou purposed to cast my bones out of the Church to the slaunder and shame of mée how came this rashe wilfulnesse into thy head it were more méete for thée to make much of the zealous seruantes of God although departed Grosted striketh the Pope with other wordes of reproofe and so departed from him leauing him stroken and halfe dead so that hée neuer enioyed anie prosperous day or could haue anie quiet night til the morning vnto his death which happened shortly after hee being at Naples ann 1255. or as N. Treuet recordeth 1254. After Innocent the 4. succéeded in the Popedome Innocent dieth Alexander the 3. Alexander 3. After this about the yéere 1260. fell debate betwixt the King and his Nobles but so was it compounded that the King and the Lords did sweare at Oxford that what lawes and decrées in the same assembly shoulde bée prouided to the profit of the King and the Realme the same vniuersally shoulde be kept and obserued to the honour of God and peace of the Realme Besides the king and the Lordes there were also 9. Bishops which swearing to the same end excommunicated all such as should gainstand the said prouisions there made Wherevppon diuers wholesome lawes Wholesome lawes were enacted which misliked the King in such sort that he required of the Pope for himselfe and his sonne Edward to be dispensed with of their othes Anno 1261. Which being easily obtained The Pope dispenseth with othes Pope dieth the king steps back from all that was before concluded The same yéere died pope Alexander after whom succéeded Vrban the 4. who also reuiued and renewed the releasement of the kings oath aforesaid wherevpon grew war betwixt the king and the Barons P. Vrban 4 War betwixt the king and the Barons Anno 1264. died Pope Vrban and after him succéeded Clement 4. Clement 4. who as Nicholas Riuet affirmeth was first a married man had wife and children and was the sollicitor and Counseller to the French K. then after the death of his wife was Bishop intituled Padiensis after that Vrban dieth Archb. of Narbourn and at last made Cardinall who being sent of Pope Vrban in legacie for reformation of peace in his absence was elected Pope by the Cardinalles Thomas of Aquine Bonauenture About this time florished Thomas of Aquine Reader at Paris among the Dominick Fryers and Bonauenture among the Franciscan Friers ex Nichol. Riuet Anno 1265 the pope graunted that the Church of England should pay tenthes of all reuenewes as well temporall as spiritual to the King to continue thrée yeares space the yeare after Tenthes to the Kinge the popes Legate Octobonus caused to be proclaimed a new graunt of pope Clement to the King and Quéene of all the tenthes for 7 yeares to come Anno 1267 peace was concluded betwéene the King the Barons and Octobonus departed the land This Octobonus enrolled to perpetuall memorie Peace betwixt the K. and the Barons the valuation of all the Churches in the realme of England so narrowly as by any meanes he might enquire the certainty thereof Cathedrall churches popes pensions The same was he that made al the Cathedral conuentuall churches to pay pensions so that those churches that gaue not the vacancie of their benefices to their Clerkes and straungers should pay vnto them a certaine yearly pension during the vacancie of the benefices they should haue Clement 4. dieth The same yeare dyed pope Clement the 4. after whose death the church of Rome was vacant 2. yeares and then was chosen an Archdeacon Pope whose name was Theardus as he was taking his iourney into the holy land and called him Gregory the tenth Gregory 10. During the raigne of King Henry the 3. Edward the Kinges sonne was one that made a generall expedition against the Saracens Against the Saracens to Ierusalem and in the yeare 1270 in the moneth of May he set forward in his iourney About the time when Prince Edward was preparing his iourney towardes Asia Boniface the Archb of Canterbury ended his life in the countrie of Sebaudia going belyke to Rome or comming thence In whose stead Gregory the tenth placed Robert Kilwardly neither according to the minde of the Monkes who agréed vpon the Prior of their house named Adam Chelendine nor of the king who spake in the behalfe of Robert Burnell there Chancellor About this time came out the great Concordances Great Concordances by an English frier called Derminghton Ex Eulogio Anno 1273. Pope Gregory the tenth called a generall Councell A generall Councell at Lions about the controuersie betwixt the Gréeke Church and the Latine and for the vacancie of the sea apostolicall This yéere in the moneth of Aprill Richard King of Almaigne died at the Castle of Barthamstéed and was buried at the Abbey of Hailes Abbey of Hailes King dyeth which hée buylded from the ground This yeare 1273. dyed King Henry the 16. day before the calendes of December in the 56. yeare of his raigne Westminster church was buryed at Westminster The stéeple and church wherof in his life time he began to build but did not fully finish the same before his death After Henry the 3. succéeded his sonne Edward and was crowned anno 1274. Anno. 1276. began the foundation of the Black fryers by Ludgate Blackfryers by Ludgate And in the yeare 1285. the new worke of the church of Westminster that began in the 3. year of Henry the third was finished which was 66 yeares in edifying An. 1291. The Iewes were vtterly banished the realm for which the Commons gaue to the K. a Fiftéene King Edward had sharpe warre with the Scottes Iewes banished the realm vtterly and subdued them thrée times who séeing they could not make their partie good against the King sent priuilie to P. Boniface for his ayde and councell who immediatly sendeth downe his precept to the king that he should herafter cease to molest the Scottes for that they were a people exempt The Scots pertain to the Popes chappell and properly pertayning vnto his Chappell and therefore it coulde not otherwise bee but that the Citie of Ierusalem must néedes defende her owne Citizens and as the mount Sion maintaine such as trust in the Lord. Wherevnto the king made answere with an oth that hée would mainteine that which was his right euidently knowne to all the world The next yéere after which was the 29. of the kings raigne the Pope directeth his letters to the king againe wherein he chalengeth the kingdome of Scotland to be proper to the Church of Rome and not subiect to the king of England and therefore it was
London to haue their former acts confirmed at which time came two Cardinalles from Rome with letters sent vnto the nobles from the pope The nobles answered to the message of the Cardinals that as touching themselues they should be at all times welcome vnto them but as for their letters forasmuch as they were men vnlettered and onely brought vp in feats of warre therfore cared they not for séeing the same neither would they speak with the Legates concerning their busines Yet at the last through the mediation of the Archb and the Earle of Glocester the matter was taken vp betwixt the King and the Nobles Anno 1313 Robert Winchelsey died in whose roome Robert Cobham was elected by the King and Church of Canterbury but the Pope did frustrate that election and placed Walter Renald Walter Renald Bishop of Worcester About this time died Pope Clement the 5. Clement 5. dieth who kéeping in Fraunce neuer came to the sea of Rome after whose death the Papacie stood voide two yeares Papacie voide two yeares After Clement succéeded pope Iohn the 22. who sent two Legates from Rome vnder pretence to set agréement betwixt the king of EnglaÌ„d and the Scots they for their charges and expeÌ„ces required of euery spiritual person iiii d. in euery mark Iohn 22. Pope maketh profite of the variance of princes but all in vaine For the legates as they were in the North partes about Derlington with their whole familie and traine were robbed spoiled of their horses treasure apparel and whatsoeuer else they had and so with an euil fauoured handling retired backe againe to Duresme where they staied a while waiting for an answere from the Scots But when neither the popes legacie neither his curse would take any place with the Scots they returned againe to London where they first excommunicated and cursed as blacke as soote all those arrogant and presumptuous robbers of Northumberland Secondly for supplying of the losses receiued they exacted of the clergie to be giuen vnto them 8. pence in euery marke But the Clergie thereunto would not agrée séeing it was their owne couetousnes as they said that made them venture farther then they néeded viii d. in euery marke only they were contented to relieue them after 4. pence in the marke further they would not graunt And so they departed to the popes court againe Michael house founded in Cambridge In the time of this king the Colledge in Cambridge called Michaell house was founded by Sir Henry Stanton knight About the same time also was Nicholaus de Lyra Nicholaus de lyra which wrote the ordinarie glosse of the Bible also Guilielmus Occham Guilielmus Occham a worthie deuine of a right sincere iudgement as the times then would eyther giue or suffer Among others which the King did trouble and take reuenge of for the rebellion of the Barons was one Adam Adam Bishoppe of Hereford who beyng appeached of treason with other more was at length arrested in the Parlement to appeare and answere to that should be layd against him To which the Bishop answered I an humble minister and member of the Church of God and Bishop consecrate albeit vnworthy can not neyther ought to answere to these so high matters without the authoritie of the Archbishop of Canterbury my direct iudge and next vnder the high Bishoppe of Rome whose suffragane also I am and the consent likewise of other my fellow Bishops After which woordes the Archbishop and other Bishops made humble sute for him to the King But when the King would not be woon nor turned with any supplication the Bishops together with the Archbishops and Clergie comming with their crosses tooke him away chalenging him for the church without any further answere making charging moreouer vnder the censures of the church and excommunication none to presume to lay any further handes vpon him The king commanded notwithstanding to procéede in iudgement and the iurie of twelue men to goe vpon the inquisition of his cause who finding and pronouncing the bishop to be guiltie the king caused immediatlie all his goods and possessions to be confiscate to himselfe Moreouer made his plate and all his houshold stuffe to be throwen out of his house into the streete But yet he remayned still vnder the protection of the Archbishop This Archb. was called W. Winchelsey after whom succéeded S. Mepham Anno one thousand thrée hundred Simon M. and twentie seuen R. Auesb. After P. Clement v. by whose decease the Romane Sea stood vacant two yéeres and thrée moneths Next was elected pope Iohn 22. Clement 5. a Cistercian Monke who sat in the papacie 18. yéeres a man so stout inflexible and giuen much to heaping vp of riches A great heresie that he proclaimed them Heretikes that taught that Christ his Apostles had no possessions of their owne in the world At this time was Emperour Ludouicus Bauarus Ludouicus Bauarus Emperour a worthy man who with this Pope and other that followed him had no lesse contention then had Fredericus before Contention betwixt the pope Emp. 24. yeeres in somuch that this contention continued 24. yéeres The cause thereof rose of the constitution of Clement 5. predecessor to this Pope by whom it was ordeined that Emperours elected by the Germanine princes might be called kings of the Romanes but might not enioy the title and right of the empire without their confirmation giuen by the pope Wherfore this Emperour because he vsed the imperiall dignitie in Italie before he was authorized by the P he excommunicated him and notwithstaÌ„ding the Emperour did oftentimes offer vp himself to make intreatie of peace Pope hath full power to create and depose Emperors at his pleasure yet the inflexible pope would not bend mainteining that he had full power to create and depose kings and Emperours at his pleasure In the same time were diuers learned men who did greatly disallow the B. of Romes doings among whoÌ„ was Guilielmus Occham whose Tractations were afterwarde condemned by the Pope for writing against the Temporal iurisdiction of their Sea and another named Marsilinê° Patauinus Marsilius Patauinus who wrote the booke called Defensor pacis Defensor pacis giuen vp to the handes of the Emperor wherein the controuersie of the Popes vsurped iurisdiction in thinges Temporall is largely disputed the vsurping authoritie of the same sea set foorth to the vttermost At length when the Emperor after much suite at Auinion could not obteine his Coronation CoÌ„ming to Rome he was there receaued with great honor where he with his wife were both crowned by the ful consent of all the Lords and Cardinals there and another Pope there set vp called Nicholas the fifte After which things Pope Nicholas v. the Pope not long after died at Auinion in France whome succéeded Benedictus the twelft Benedict xii a Monke of Benedictus order and reigned vij yeres Who by
truthes side c. Ex Godfrido de Fontanis About this time anno 1354. the Townes men of Oxford spoyled the schollers The townes men of Oxford spoile the schollers and brake vp twentie of the doores of their halles and wounded many of them and slew and threw into priuies and cutte their bookes and billes into pieces and carried away much of their goodes this was done the twelfth of February wherefore the whole Towne was interdicted by the Bishoppe of Lincolne At which time also was graunted to the Vicechauncelour or Commissarie to haue the assise of Bread Ale Wine and all other victualles the Mayor of the towne béeing excluded Also it was decréed that the Commons of the towne shoulde giue vnto the Studentes 251. poundes starling in part of satisfaction reseruing notwithstanding to euerie one of the Students his seuerall action against any seuerall person of the Towne c. The cause of the broyle was for that a Student powred the wine on his hostes head and broke his head with the pot in a certayne brawle Simon Islip archbishop of Canterbury mentioned before with his letters patent directed to all parsons and Vicars within his prouince straightly charged them and their parishioners vpon payne of excommunication not to abstaine from bodily labour vppon certaine Saintes dayes Idle holidaies which were woont before to bée hallowed and consecrated to vnthriftie idlenesse A priests wager Item that no Priest should haue giuen vnto him more than three 3. pounds sixe shillings eight pence for his yéerly stipend which made diuers of them to robbe and steale Anno 1362. After Simon Islip succéeded in the sea of Canterbury Simon Langham then William Wittlesey after whom succéeded Simon Sudbury About the yéere 1360. the Nunnes of Saint Brigets order beganne S. Bridgets Nunnes Queenes colledge in Oxford about which time also was buylded the Quéenes Colledge in Oxford by Quéen Philip of England wife to K. Edward the the third Also in the time of this Pope Innocent Frier Iohn Bishop of Elie moued with certain iniuries as he thought done vnto him by the Ladie Blanche made his complaint to the Pope who sending downe his curse to the Bishop of Lincolne and other Prelates to be executed vpon the aduersaries of the Bishop of Elie commaunded them that if they did know any of the said aduersaries dead and buried yet they shoulde cause the same to be taken vp which also they perfourmed accordingly Of whom some had béene of the kings Councell Wherewithall the king being sore displeased did molest againe the said Prelates which comming to the popes hearing certaine were directed downe from the court of Rome in the behalfe of the Bishop of Elie who méeting with the Bishop of Rochester the Kings Treasourer deliuered vnto him Letters from the Pope the tenure whereof was not knowen Which done they incontinently auoyded away But certaine of the kinges Seruantes pursued after and did ouertake them of whom some they imprisoned and other some they brought to Iustices and so were condemned to be burned This Pope Innocent ordeyned the feast of holy speare Holy speare and holy nayles Holy nayles The names of the Bishops of Canterburie from Lanfrancus and their continuance was this The order of the Bishops of Cant. 34 Lanfrancus ninetéene yeares 35 Anselmus twentie 36 Radulphus eight 37 Guilielmus Curboyle thirtéen 38 Theobaldus twenty foure 39 Becket nine 40 Richardus tenne 41 Baldwinus seuen 42 Hubertus fourteene 43 Stephanus Lancthon two and twentie 44 Richardus foure 45 Edmond of Abenden seuen 46 Bonifacius fiue and twentie 47 Kilwarbie Frier sixe 48 Pecham Frier thirtéene 49 Winchelsey ninetéen 50 Reinold The order of the bishops of Cant. fiftéene 51 Stratforde twentie nine 52 Offord tenne moneths 53 Bradwarden one 54 Islep fourtie seuen About this time beginneth the losing of Sathan who had béene shutte vp now 1000. yeares The ende of the fift Booke The fifth Booke THe first persecution of the primitiue Church beginning at the 30. yéeres of Christ was prophecied to continew two and fortie moneths that is 294. yéeres The ceasing of the last persecution of the primitiue Church by the death of Licinius the last persecutor began Anno 324. begun from the Natiuitie of Christ which was from the 30. yéere of his age 299. The binding vp of Sathan after peace giuen to the Church counting from the thirtie yéere of Christ began anno 294. And lasted a 1000. yéeres that is counting from the 30. yéeres of Christ to the yéere 1294. About which yéere pope Boniface sat in the sea of Rome and made the sixt booke of the Decretals confirmed the order of Friers and priuiledged them with great fréedomes Anno 1294. Vnto the which count of yéeres doth not much disagrée that which Maister Fox saith A prophecie hée found in a certaine old Chronicle prophecied and written in the latter end of a booke which booke was written as it séemeth by a Monke of Douer and remayneth yet in the custody of William Cary citizen of London alledging the Prophecie of one Haynchardus Haynchardus a Grayfrier grounded vpon the authoritie of Ioachim the Abbot prophecying that Antichrist should bée borne the yéere from the Natiuitie of Christ 1260. which is coūting after the Lords passion the very same yéere when the orders of Friers both Dominickes and Franciscans began first to be set vp by Honorius the third and Gregorius the 9. which was the yéere of our Lord counting from his passion one thousand two hundred and twentie six and counting after the Natiuitie of the Lord one thousand two hundred and thrée score whereof the verses in the author are written anno 1283. A prophecie of Antichrist Cum fuerint anni completi mille ducenti Et Decies seni post partum virginis almae Tunc Antichristus nascetur Daemone plenus As diuerse other before times opposed themselues against the Pope so now about the yéere one thousand thrée hundred thrée score agaynst the Pope and his Clergie was set out a Prayer A complaint of the Ploughmā against the clergy complaint of the Ploughman faithfully set foorth by William Tindall against auricular confession shrift penaunce long praier masse singlenesse of priests Images c. Not much before this Iohannes de Rupe Scissa vttered a propheticall parable against the clergie of Rome complaining it to be a byrde decked with the feathers of other foules The church Rome a bird decked with other birds fethers whereof because she was prowd and did not acknowledge the benefit nor from whom she had it the foules pulled euery one their fethers and left her naked and so said he it will befall to the church of Rome About the same time also God raysed vp Armachanus agaynst Antichrist which Armachanus was Primate and Archbishop of Ireland Armachanus Archb. of Ireland who in the time that hée liued had no man that excéeded him eyther in life
or learning his name was Richard Fitzrafe Richard Fitzrafe he was brought vp in the vniuersitie of Oxford vnder Iohn Badenthorp Iohn Badenthorp who was a great enemy to begging Friers whose steps also the scholer following began to doo the like and being called vp to London made seuen or eight Sermons wherein hée propounded nine Conclusions against the Friers 9. Conclusions against the Friers for the which hée was by the Friers cited vp before Pope Innocent the sixt before whom he valiantly defended himselfe and continued constant therein vntill his dying day his sufferings and deliuerances were maruellous great The controuersie for the Friers helde very long in the church they had of popes some mainteiners A long controuersie of the Friers Their fauourers some aduersaries Mainteiners Honorius 3. Gregory 9 Alexander 4. Clemens 4. Boniface 8. Clemens 5. Against them Innocētius 3. Innocentius 4. Martinus 4 Benedictus 11. The learned men that disputed against the Friers Their assistants were these which either were condemned by the Popes or caused to recant Guilielmus de sancto amore Bernardus super capitulum Omnis vtriusque sexus Godfridus de fontibus Henricus de Gandauo Guilielmus de Landuno Iohannes Monachus Cardini Iohannes de Poliaco who was caused by the Pope to recant at Paris Armachanus who wrote a Booke Defensorium Curatotorum Defensorium Curatorum and for his defense of Curates against the Fryers hée was banished besides other vexations seuen or eight yéeres and died in the same banished at Auinion of whose death a certaine Cardinall hearing openly protested that the same day a mighty piller of Christes Church was fallen Against this Armachanus Armachanus a mighty pillar of Gods church wrote diuers Friers After the death of Pope Innocent was Pope Vrban 5. who by the fathers side was an Englishman he mainteyned and kindled greate warres in Italie sending Egidius his Cardinall and Legate and after him Ardiminus a Burgundian his Legate and Abbot with a great puisance and much money against sundry cities in Italie by whose meanes Cities and townes which before had broken from the pope were oppressed Also Bernabes Galeaceus princes of Millaine vanquished by whose example others béeing feared submitted themselues to the church of Rome How Rome commeth by her patrimony and thus came that wicked Church by her great possessions which her patrones would néedes father vpon Constantine the godly Emperour In the time of this Pope and in the second yéere of his raigne about the beginning of the yéere 1364. vppon the euen of the natiuitie of the Lord the fourth Sunday of Aduent one Nicholaus Orem Nicholaus Orem preached a Sermon before the Pope and his Cardinalles in which he rebuked the Prelats priestes of his time and threatneth their destruction not to be far off by certain signes taken from their corrupt life c. His Text was out of the sixe and fifty of Esaie My sauing health is neere at hand to come and my righteousnes to be reuealed Iesuits begin In the fift yéere of Pope Vrban began first the order of Iesuites Vnto this time which was about the yeare 1367. the offices here in England as the L. Chancelour L. Treasurer and of the priuy seale were wont to be in the handes of the Cleargy Offices remoued from the Cleargie to the Laity but about this yéere through the motion of the Lordes in the Parlement and partly for hatred of the Cleargie all those offices were remooued to the Lords temporall The P. remoueth from France to Rome againe After the death of Vrban succéeded Gregorie the eleuēth who among his other actes first reduced agayne the papacie out of Fraunce vnto Rome which had nowe beene from thence the space of seuentie yeres being therto mooued as Sabellicus recordeth by a Bishoppe who being blamed by the Pope for long absence from his charge answered and why are you so long absent from the place where your Church doth lye Wherevpon the pope sought all meanes after that to remoue his Court out of Fraunce into Rome This Pope Gregorie 9 in a certaine Bull of his sent to the Archb. of Prage maketh mention of one named Melitzing a Bohemian Melitzing a Bohemian and saith in the same that he should teach Anno 1366. that Antichrist was alreadie come and that the same Melitzing had certayne congregations following him and in the same congregations certaine harlots who being conuerted frō their wickednes were brought to a godly life which harlots hee vsed to prefer before al the holie religious virgins wherefore he commaunded the Archb. to excommunicate and persecute the said Melitzing which hée did and also imprisoned him King Edward the third holding a Parlement in the third yéere of this Pope sent his Embassadours to him desiring him that hée from thencefoorth would abstaine from his reseruations of benefices vsed in the court of England and that spirituall men within this Realme promoted vnto Bishoprickes might fréely enioy their elections within the Realme and be confirmed by their Metropolitane according to the auncient custome of the land whereto the Pope sent an answere but when it is not recorded sauing that the yeare following Anno 1374. there was a tractation at Bruges vppon certaine of the said articles betwixt the King and the Pope which did hang two yéeres in suspence so at the length it was thus agréed betwixt them that the Pope should no more vse these reseruations of Benefices in Englande The P. should no more vse reseruations of benefices in England and likewise the King shoulde no more giue Benefices vppon the Writte Quare impedit c. But nothing was touched concerning the fréedomes of elections confirmed by the Metropolitanes As touching these reseruations prouisions and collations with the elections of Archbishops Bishops beneficed men c. wherewith the Pope vexed the lande the king in the fiue and twentie yere of his reigne enacted according to the Statute made in the thirtie yeare of the reigne of his Grandfather king Edward the first against the like pillage and rauening but not put in practise reuiued it and inlarged the same adding moreouer thereunto other straight and sharpe penalties against such as offended in any parte of the same And in the Parlements holden the 27. and 28. yeares of his reigne it was decreed that whosoeuer for any cause of controuersie in law either Spirituall or Temporall whether they were personall or reall Premunire to make appeale to Rome for any cause should appeale or consent to any appeale to be made to the sea of Rome should incur the daunger of a Premunire About this time beyng the yéere of our Lord 1370. liued holy Brigit whom the Church of Rome hath not onely canonized for a Saint Holy Brigit a great rebuker of the popish clergy but also for a prophetesse yet in her bookes of Reuelations she was a great rebuker
of the pope and of his filthie clergie calling him a murtherer of soules a spiller The Pope compared and a piler of the flocke of Christ more abhominable then the Iewes more cruell then Iudas more vniust then Pilate worse then Lucifer himselfe she prophecieth that the sea of Rome shall be throwne downe into the déepe like a milstone c. And that the Cleargy haue turned the ten commandements into two words Da pecuniam The x commādemēts turned into 2. words da pecuniam that is giue money About the same time also 1379. liued Catherina Senensis Katherina Senensis which hauing the spirite of prophecie much cōplained of the church of Rome prophecied before of the great schisme which then followed in the Church of Rome and endured al the councel of Constance the space of 39 of yeres and declared also before of the reformation of religion that nowe is Mathias Parisiensis of Antichrist Also about the yéere 1370. liued Mathias Parisiensis a Bohemian who wrote a large booke of Antichrist and prooueth him alreadie come and noteth the Pope to be the same besides other abuses in the Romish Church against which he doeth inueigh Shortly after anno 1384. liued Iohannes Mountziger I. Mountziger Rector of the Vniuersitie of Vlme who preached against the worshipping of the Sacrament and was resisted by the Friers till the Senate and Councel of the Citie was faine to take vp the matter betwixt them About this time liued Nilus Archbishop of Thessalonica Nilus Archb. of Thess and wrote a large worke against the Roman Church and layeth the fault of the Schisme betwixt the East and West Church vpon the Pope and very copiouslie reprooueth manie pointes of Poperie as his Supremacie c. About the yere 1371. liued Henricus de Iota H de Iota whome Gerson doth much commend and also his companion Henricus de Hassia H. de Hassia who in a certaine Epistle which he writeth to the Bishoppe of Normacia Iacobus Cartusiensis doth greatly accuse the Spirituall men of euery order yea and the most holiest of all the Pope himselfe of many and great vices He citeth also out of the prophecie of Hildegardis The deuils bellie full of the Popes voluptuousnes these wordes Therefore doeth the deuill himselfe speake vnto you Priestes daintie bankets and feastes wherein is all voluptuousnesse doe I finde among these men In so much that mine Eyes mine Eares my bellie and my veynes are euen filled with the froath of them and so foorth About the yere 1390. there were buried at Bringa 36. Citizens of Maguntia for the doctrine of Waldenses as Brushius affirmeth and Masseus recordeth of diuers 36. burned for the trueth 140. suffered for refusing the decretals to the number of an hundred and fourtie which in the Prouince of Narbone chose rather to suffer whatsoeuer gréeuous punishment by fire then to receue the decretals of the Romish Church contrarie to the vpright trueth of the Gospell Also foure and twentie suffered at Paris 24 suffer at Paris in the yere of our Lord 1210. And in the same author is testified that in the yere there were 400. vnder the name of heretikes and fourescore beheaded Prince Armericus hanged and the ladie of Castile stoned to death In the seuentéene yere of Edw. the third the Commons found great fault at prouisiōs comming from Rome wherby Strangers were dishabled within this land to enioy ecclesiasticall dignities and shewed how the Pope had graunted in most couert wise to two new Cardinals and namely to Cardinall Peragoth aboue one thousande markes of yearelie taxes They therefore required the king and Nobles to finde some remedie for that they neuer coulde nor woulde leaue those oppressions c. or els to helpe them to expel the popes authoritie by force Whereupon the king Lords and commons sent for the acte made at Carlil an 35. of the reigne of king Edward the first vpon like complaint thereby forbidding that any thing should be attempted or brought into the realme that should tend to the blemishing of the kinges prerogatiue or preiudice of the Lords The Act of prouision made or Commons And so at this time the statute called The act of Prouision was made by common cōsent which generally forbiddeth the bringing in of bulles or any such trinkets from the Court of Rome or vsing allowing or enioying of any such bill processe instrument c. The penaltie of which statute was as folowed in the next Parlement anno regni 18. the transgressors thereof to lie in perpetuall prison or to be forbidden the land and that all Iustices of Assise Gaole deliuerie or Oier and determiner may determine the same required withall that the same act and prouision should continue for euer And notwithstanding the bishops were neither named nor expressed with the other Lords of the Parlement yet it stood in full force notwithstanding In which Parlement were also diuers points enacted touching presentments of Ecclesiasticall dignities An act to continue for euer Decrees against the oppression of the Pope and Benefices Also in the Parlements the 20. 25. 38. 40. 50. 51. of the kings reigne were enacted decrées against the oppression of the Pope and his filthie and rauenous Cleargie besides diuers other against them Moreouer in the booke of the actes and rolles of the king it appeareth that he sent Iohn VVickliffe Reader at that time of the Diuinitie Lecture in Oxforde with certaine other Lordes and Ambassadors to treate a marriage betwéene his Daughter and Leonell Sonne vnto king Edward whereby is to be noted the good will which the King bare to Wickliffe and what small regard he had of the sea of Rome This Wickliffe liued in the raigne of King Edward the third in the yéere of our Lord one thousand thrée hundred thée score and eleuen and then withstood greatly the popes procéedings and the Popish clergy Hée was a man very well learned as testifieth of him Walden his most bitter and cruell enemy who in a certaine Epistle written to Pope Martin the fifth saith that hée was wonderfully astonished at this his most strong arguments with the places of authoritie that hée had gathered and the vehemencie and force of his reasons c. In Wickliffes time In VVickliffes time the worlde was in worst case was the worlde in most desperate state and in greatest blindnesse and ignoraunce both of the power of the Gospell and all other good learning and the Churche of Rome most cruell and voyde of all good gift and grace of GOD and religion turned to superstition Wickliffe first of matters of religion began with the Idolatrie committed in the Sacrament VVickliffe against images which he did not so soone attempt but the whole glut of monkes and begging Friers made against him and after them Simon Sudburie Archbishop of Canterbury tooke the matter in hand and for the same cause depriued Wickliffe of his benefice at
Popes letters 18. hereticall opinions against Wickliffe that were held for erroneous were about 18. as first none hath power but Christ to ordaine that Peter and all his ofspring should politikely rule ouer the world for euer 2. God cannot giue to any man for him and his heires any ciuill dominion for euer All writings of men as touching perpetuall inheritance are impossible 4. Euery man being in grace iustifying hath right ouer all the good thinges of God 5. A man cannot but onely ministratoriously giue any temporall or continuall gift either to his naturall sonne or to his sonne by adoption 6. The temporall Lordes may lawfully take away the riches from the church when they do offend habitualiter 7. The Pope cannot any way make able or disable any man 8. A man cannot take hurt by excommunication except he be principally excommunicate by him selfe 6 No man ought but in Gods cause to procéed to any ecclesiastical censure 10. An excommunication doth onely binde when it is against the aduersary of Gods law 11. Ther is no power giuen to excommunicate any subiect for denying any temporalites 12. The Disciples of Christ haue no power to exact by any ciuill authoritie temporalities by censures 13. It is not possible by reason of the absolute power of God that any can bind or lose the people or whatsoeuer christian he be 14. The vicar of Christ doth onely binde and loose when he worketh conformably by the ordinaunce of Christ 15. any priest duly ordained hath power to minister the sacramentes and consequently absolue any man confessing his faultes being penitent for the same 16. Agréeth with the 6. 17. Whosoeuer haue endued any church with temporalities it is lawful for them to take them away by way of medicine for to auoide sinne notwithstanding any excommunication c. For as much as they are not giuen but vnder a condition 18. The Bishoppe of Rome or any Ecclesiasticall minister may lawfully bée rebuked of his subiects and for the profite of the Church bée accused eyther of the Cleargy or of the Laitie These letters made the Bishops maruellous bolde and bragge but God by a small occasion did lightly ouerthrow their deuises for the day of examination being come a certaine personage of the Princes Court of no great noble byrth named Lewis Clifford entring in among the Bishoppes commanded them that they should not procéede in any definitiue sentence against Iohn Wickliffe By which wordes they were amazed and durst not procéede and thus escaped Wickliffe the second time Wickliffe escapeth the second time and was by them cléerely dismissed with a certaine declaration made of his articles and protestation that hée woulde while hée liued mainteyne the lawe of Christ and if through ignoraunce c. Iohn Wickliffe was greately supported by the Londoners Wickliffe greatly supported by the Londoners by whose meanes hée escaped the handes of the Bishoppes the second time and procéeded publishing and preaching the trueth whom also it greatly helped because in the same yéere or the next following Gregorie the Pope dyed Pope Gregory dieth After whom ensued such schisme betwixt two Popes that it continued in the Church nine and thirty yéeres till the time of the councell of Constance A schisme betwixt 2. Popes 39. yeere the occasion of which schisme was through the pride of Vrban the sixt From whome about the same cause of his Cardinalles the most part and other Princes shronke and set vp another French Pope against him named Clement Clement who raigned eleuen yéeres and after him Benedictus 13. Benedict 13 that raigned sixe and twentie yéeres Again of the contrary side after Vrbanus 6. succéeded Boniface 9. Innocentius 8. Gregorius 12. Boniface 9. Innocent 8. Gregory 12. Alexander 5. Iohn 13. in this order Vrban 6. eleuen yéeres and eight moneths Boniface 9.14 yéeres 9. moneths Popes and Antipopes Antipopes Clement 11. yéers Benedictus the 13. 26. yéeres Pope Innocentius the 8. two yéeres Gregorius the 12. two yéeres 7. moneths Alexander 5. 11. moneths Iohannes 13. fiue yeres tenne moneths In which miserable schisme fell out many horrible tragedies as sheding of bloud imprisonment of priests Crueltie among the clergie during the Schisme murthering of Otho Duke of Brunswike Prince of Tarentū Ioan Quéene of Ierusalem and Sicilia his wife strangled in prison racking of Cardinals on gibets to death the beheading of fiue Cardinals together after long torments the slaughter of fiftie thousand slaine in battaile on both sides with a number of other cruelties practised among them which Theodorick Niem who was present at P. Vrbanus death doeth most largely discourse About thrée yeres after there fell a dissention betwéene the nobilitie and commons of the land in which tumult the rude people tooke and beheaded Simon Sudburie S. Sudburie beheaded by the rude people Archb. of Canterburie In whose place succéeded William Courtney who was very diligent in rooting out Heretikes notwithstanding in the meane season Wickliffes parte increased priuilie and dayly grew to great force vntill the time that William Barton Vicechancellor of the Vniuersitie of Oxford about the yere 1380. had the whole rule of that Vniuersitie who calling together eight Monastical Doctors with foure other and the rest of his affinitie W. Barton Vicechanceler of Oxford enemie to Wickliff putting the common seale of the Vniuersitie to a certaine writing set foorth an Edict declaring vnto euery man and threatning them vnder gréeuous penalty that no man should be so hardie hereafter as to associate themselues with any of Wickliffes sauourers and vnto Wickliffe himselfe he threateneth the greatest excommunication and further imprisonment and to all his fautors vnlesse that they after thrée dayes canonicall admonition did repent and amend Which thing when Wickliffe vnderstoode forsaking the Pope and all his Cleargie he thought to appeale vnto the Kinges Maiestie But the Duke of Lancaster forbad him that and counselled him to submitte himself to the censure and iudgement of his Ordinarie whereto he granted and made such qualifying of his assertions that he did mitigate the rigour of his enemies Wickliffe mittigateth his enemies The next yeare after 1382. by the commaundement of William Archb. of Canterbury there was a cōuocation holden at London where Iohn Wickliffe was commaunded to be present but whether he appeared personally or not it is not in stories certainly recorded In which councell Wickliffes articles were some of them condemned for heretical and other for erronious The articles condemned for hereticall are these Articles of Wickl condemned 1 There is no transubstantiation after the wordes of conconsecration 2. The accidentes remaine not without the substaunce after the wordes 3. Christ is not corporally present in the Sacrament 4. If a B. or Priest be in deadly sinne he can not order consecrate or baptize which article seemeth to be falsly taken 5 A man truly penitent needeth not outwardly to be confessed 6. Christ did not
Anno 1387. the tenth yeere of the raigne of King Richarde the second Ex Chron. Monast Albon At the same time Anne the kings wife had the Gospels in English The K. wife hath the Gospel in English with the foure Doctors vpon the same She was a Bohemian borne Sister of Vincelaus king of Boheme which care of knowledge in her Thomas Arundell Archbishoppe of Yorke preaching at her funerall the 18. yéere of the Kinges raigne greatly commended and praised for hauing them in the mother tongue and blamed sharply the negligence of the Cleargy Notwithstanding this Tho. Arūdel Tho. Arundell after this sermon became the most cruell eniury that could be against English bookes and the authors therof for shortly after the death of the Quéene he with the B. of London Robert Braybrock crossed the seas into Ireland there desired the kings aide against the heresie of Wickliffe Anno 1393. at Westminster was called a Parlement by the Kinges commaundement to that purpose in which parlement certaine articles were put out in the behalfe of the gospel to the number of twelue were fastned vpon the Churchdoore of Paules at London Articles in the be halfe of the Gospel and also at Westminster 1. The first was against the appropriations and pride of the Cleargie 2. Against Papisticall priesthoode 3 Against singlenes of Priestes 4 Against Transubstantiation Against exorcismes and blessings of priests 6 Against ciuill iurisdiction of Ecclesiasticall persons 7 Against masses for the dead 8 Against pilgrimages and oblations 9 Against auricular confession 10 Against the purchasing of indulgences and pardons a poena culpa by Lords vnto such as doe helpe their armies to kil Christians in forraine Countreyes for temporall gaine 11 Against Nunnes and widowes which vow a single life 12 Against multitude of artes not necessarie Multitude of artes not necessarie vsed in the Church To these articles were adioyned reasons in reproofe of the practise of the Church of Rome therein And vnto the articles these verses were thus adioyned The English Nation doth lament of Sodomites their sinne Which Paul doeth plainly signifie by Idols to begin But Gersitis full ingrate from sinfull Simon sprong This to defend though priestes in name make Bulwarkes great and strong Rime against popish priests After these articles were thus set foorth the King not long after returned out of Ireland and at his returne called certaine Nobles vnto him Richard Sturie Lewes Clifford Fauourers of the gospel Thomas Latimer Iohn Montacute c. Whō he did sharplie rebuke and terriblie threaten for that he heard them to be fauourers of that side and tooke an oath of Richard Sturrie that he should neuer fauour any such opinions swearing that he should die a shamefull death if he brake his oath Ex Chron. D. Alb. Now Pope Vrban was dead sixe yeares before P. Boniface 9. whom succéeded Boniface the ninth that laboured by all meanes against the Gospell and had written sundrie times to King Richard as wel for the repealing of actes of Parlement against his prouisions Quare impedit and premunire facias as for the persecuting of the professors of the truth which letter he wrote to the king anno 1396. which was the yere before the death of William Courtney Archbishop of Canterburie after whom succéeded Th. Arundel brother to the Earle of Arundel first B. of Elie then archb of Yorke and Lord Chancellor of England and lastly archb of Canterb. about the yere 1397. Anno 1398. the ninth yere of the Pope K. Richard 2. wrote a certaine letter to the Pope full of vertuous instruction to the quieting of the schisme and a godlie admonition very pithilie The K. writeth a christian admonition to the P. and copiouslie in the ende whereof the rest being of like sort he beséecheth him to receiue his councel effectuallie that in doing thus the waters may returne to the places from whēce they came and so the waters may begin to be made sweete with salt least the axe swimme on that water and the wood sinke and least the fruitfull Oliue degender into a wilde Oliue and the leprosie of Naaman the Nobleman cleaue continuallie to the house of Gehezie and least the Pope and the Pharisies crucifie Christ againe Christ the spouse of the Church which was wont to bring the chiefe bishop into the holiest place increase your Holinesse or rather restore it being lost c. Ex lib. cuiusdam Dunelmen But the Popes being little moued with good councell neither of them would geue ouer to the quiet of the Church but prosecuted their titles to the vttermost Notes of certaine Parlementes holden in the reigne of K. Richard 2. making against the Pope Parlements holden against the P. IN the first yere at Westminster that first fruites be no more paid to the P. Item that no prouision be made from Rome to procure any Benefice That none farme any Ecclesiasticall liuing of a stranger In which bill it was rehearsed that Frenchmen had six thousand pound a yéere that way in England Against the Popes reseruations of dignities electiue in the second yéere agaynst Aliens who had the greatest part of Church dignities in their hands Item that the benefices of rebels to Pope Vrbane should be seised into the kings hands That Vrbane was true pope and who soeuer fought for any prouision but from Vrbane should be out of the Kings protection In the third yéere the Prelates and Clergie made a protestation against a certaine new graunt to wit their extortion But the King notwithstanding their protestation would not stay to graunt to his Iustices in all cases as was vsed to be doone in times past c. In the 4. yéere against the popes collectors that all priors aliens might be remooued and Englishmen placed in their roomes In the ninth yéere that redresse might be had against such religious persons as vnder licence to purchase 10. pound a yéere doo purchase 80. or an 100. That clerkes should pay to the king first fruites as they doo to the Pope The 11. yéere against impositions gathered of the popes Buls of Volumus Imponimus and that they might be bestowed vpon the kings wars against the Schismatikes of Scotland that such as bring into the realme such may be reputed for traitors In the 13. yéere that the Popes collector should be commanded to auoid the land within 40. daies or else to be taken for the kings enemy and that euery such collector from henceforth should be an Englishman and sworne to execute the statutes made in this parlement c. and in the 14 15 17 20 21 25. Decrées were made agaynst some one point or other of the Popes authoritie and power in England and abuses of the Clergie In the fiue and twentith yéere Thomas Arundell archb of Canterburie in the parlement was proued a traitor Tho. Arundell proued a traytor in that he procured the Earles of Arundell Warwicke
but hée giueth full remission of all manner of sinnes whatsoeuer to all them that would bestow any thing to the Monastery of S. Bartholmew by Smithfield resorting to the said Church any of these daies following On maundy thursday goodfriday the feast of the Annunciation from the first ensuing to the latter But within the same yéere hée died and after him succéeded Iohn 23. Pope Iohn 23. In the time of Alexander great trouble grew in Bohemia by reason of the bookes of Iohn Wickliffe which were embraced of diuerse but specially of Iohn Husse Iohn Husse by whose means the people began to grow to great knowledge wherof complaint was made to Alexander 5. that caused by by Iohn Husse to be cited vp to Rome when he came not directed his letters to the archb Swinco charging him to forbid that way condemne such as he should apprehend for heretikes except they would recant Against which Bull Husse obiected many things shewed how it stood against the word of God An appeale to the same better aduised and therefore saith he from this mandate of pope Alexander I doo appeale to the said Alexander being better aduised And so as he was prosecuting his appeale immediatly Alexander died Then Swinco when he saw that Iohn Husse contemned the bull and had no hope in Vinceslaus the king of redresse he wēt to complaine to Sigismund king of Hungary and brother to Vinceslaus with whom after hée had spoken immediatly he died for sorrow By reason of whose death the Gospell tooke roote among the Bohemians Pope Iohn 23. bendeth all his power against the Bohemiās which held not long for Iohn the 23. bent all his might against the Bohemians About the yéere 1412. Thomas Arūdell brought into England the tolling of Auies in honor of our lady with certaine Auies to bee saide The tolling o Auies and daies of pardon to bee giuen for the same and for the ratifying hereof he directeth his mandate to the B. of London He graunted to euery one that shoulde say the Lords praier and salutation of the Angel fiue times at the morning peale with a deuout mind totiens quotiens 40. daies of pardon for saying Auies how oft soeuer 40. daies of pardon This Archb. was so proud that because the bels of London did not ring at his comming to the citie Bels steeple organs suspended by a proud Bishop he suspended both belles stéeple and organs til the ministers of such churches might attaine to the benefite of grace and mercie For this cause of ringing belles debate also fel betwéene the B. of Worcester and Pryor of the towne insomuch that the Archb. was saine to take vp the matter betwixt them such was the pompe and pride of Prelates in those daies Not vnlike was the dealing of William Courtney Predecessour to Arundell who because certaine poore men did not bring litter for his horse in cartes but in sackes did call and cite them before him sitting in his tribunal seate Pro littera A contention pro littera for litter that is for litter after his owne Latine and after their submission enioyned them penance that they going leisurely before procession Penance for bringing litter in sacks not in Carts euery one of them should carry openly his sacke or bagge stuffed with hay and straw so that the hay and straw might appeare hanging out of the mouths of the sacks being open the names of the poore men were Hugh Pennie Iohn Forestall Iohn Boy Iohn Wanderton William Hayward and Iohn White tenaunts to the Lorde of Wingham In this kings time diuers actes were established against the authoritie of the Pope and excesse of his Cleargy In the first yéere it was obiected against Richard 2. that he procured letters Apostolicall from the Pope to confirme certaine statutes of his which seemed to the Parlement to tend to the disgrace of the crowne and dignity and against the liberties of the land In the 2. yéere it was required in the Parlement that all such persons as should be arrested by force of the statute made against the Lollards in the 2. yeere of king Henry the the fourth may bée bayled and fréely make their purgation In the eight yéere it was propounded that none shoulde sue to the Church of Rome for anie Benefice collation or presentation of the same vnder paine of the statute of Prouisoes made in the 13. yéere of Richard the 2. whereunto the king graunted Item in the same parlement it was put vp in petition that the King might enioy halfe of the profites of anye Parsons benefice not resident thereon wherevnto the king answered that Ordinaries shoulde doe their dueties therein or els he woulde prouide further remedy or staye their pluralities The 9. yéere of the kings raigne the commons required the king that none presented be receiued by any ordinarie to haue any benefice of any incumbent for any cause of priuation or inhabitation wherof the processe is not foūded vpon Citation made within the realme and also that such incumbents may remaine in all their benefices vntil it be proued by due inquest in the court of the K that the citations whervpon such priuations inhabitations are granted were made within the realme if such ordinaries do or haue presented or others doe present to the contrary that thē they and their procurators c. incurre the pain conteined in the statute made against prouisoes ann 13. Richard 2. Also that no Popes collectour shoulde from thenceforth leuie any money within the realme for first fruits of any ecclesiastical dignitie vnder paine of incurring the statute of prouisoes A bill in Parlement to take the temporalties from the Cleargy Besides in the same parlement the commons of the land put vp a bill vnto the king to take the temporalties out of the spiritual mens hand The effect of the bill was that the temporalties disorderly wasted by men of the Church might suffice to finde the king fiftéene Earles fiftéene hundred knights sixe thousand two hundred Squires and an hundred houses of almes more then were in those dayes in the land And ouer all these charges the K. might put yerelie in his Cofers 20000. l. Prouided that euery Earle should haue of yerelie rent 3000. markes euery knight 100 markes and foure Plow land euery Squire 40. markes by the yere with two plow land and euery almes house with ouersight of two true Seculars to euerie house and also with prouision that euerie Township should kéepe al poore people Towne-dwellers which might not labor for their liuing with condition that if mo fell in a towne than it was able to mainteine the said almes houses to reléeue such townes And to beare these charges they alledged by their bill that the Temporalties being in the possession of Spiritual men amounted to thrée hundred and two and twentie thousande markes by the yere whereof they affirmed to be in the sea
multitude for a time neither did it euer come to the hands of the L. Cobham The L. Cobham after he had a certaine space remained in the Towre sentence of death being giuen vpon him hée escaped it is not knowne by what meanes and fled into Wales The L. Cobham fleeth and escapeth where he continued by the space of foure yéeres Anno 1413. After the common computation of our English counting the yéere from the Annuntiation but after the Latine writers from Christes Natiuitie 1414. in the moneth of Ianuary sir Roger Acton knight Master Iohn Browne and Iohn Beuerley the preacher suffered martyrdome as some say in the field of S. Giles with other more to the number of 36. 36. martyrs if the stories be true they suffered before the Lord Cobham thrée yéeres They were hanged and burnt Some say Sir Roger Acton was hanged naked at Tyborne sauing that certaine partes of him were couered and after certaine daies a Trumpetter of the kings called Thomas Cliffe gate graunt of the King to take him downe and to bury him After the decease and martirdome of these aboue mentioned in the next moneth following in the same yéere the 20. day of February God tooke away the great enimie of his worde Thomas Arundell dieth and rebell to the king Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterburie who was so stricken in his tongue that he could neither swalow nor speake for a certain space before his death He continued Archb. eightéene yeres After him succéeded H. Chichesley an 1414. and sate 25. yeres a great enemie to the gospel About the same yere the king began the foundation of ij Monasteries one of the Friers obseruants on the one side of Thames H. Chichesley and theother on the other side of the same riuer called Shene and Sion dedicated vnto the Charterhouse Monkes with certaine Brigette Nunnes or Recluses to the number of 60. dwelling within the same precinct So that the whole number of these with priestes monks deacons and nunnes should equall the number of 13. apostles and 72. disciples The order of these was according to the description of the Apostle Coloss 1. Eate not taste not touche not c. Eate not taste not touch not To eate no flesh to touch no money to weare no linnen and so forth About Michaelmas the same yere the king began his parlement at Leicester in which the Commons put vp their bill againe which they had put vp before anno 11. Hen. 4. that the Temporalties wasted so disorderly by the Clergie might be conuerted to the vse of the king and of his Earles and knights c. In feare of which bill least the king should geue therunto his comfortable audience as testifyeth Robert Fabian and others certaine of the Prelates and other of the head Churchmen put the king in minde to clayme his right in France Wherupon Hen. Chichesley made a long Craft of the Cleargie and solemne Oration to the king to perswade him thereunto offering to him in behalfe of the Cleargie great and notable summes by reason whereof the bill was againe put of Now about this time Io. Husse preaching at his church of Bethlehem was accused therefore by some Husse accused to P. Iohn the xxiij for an heretike The Pope committed the whole matter to Cardinall Columna who hauing heard the accusation appointed a day for Iohn Husse to appeare in the court of Rome But the king Vinceslaus sent his Ambassadors to Rome to desire the bishop to quitte and cléere deliuer Iohn Husse from that sentence and iudgement In the meane season Iohn Husse also sent before the day appointed his lawfull procurations to the Court of Rome who with strong reasons did proue his innocencie till Columna woulde accept no reasons and so his Procurators appealed vnto the high Bishop H. excommunicated for an heretike But the appeale preuayled not but that he would excommunicate Iohn Husse as an obstinate heretike because he came not at his day appointed to Rome notwithstanding by reason of the appeale they had other Iudges appointed vnto them as Cardinall Aquildianus and Cardinall Venetus c. Which Iudges after they had deferred the matter a yere and a halfe they confirmed the sentence of Cardinall Columna and because his Procurators being commanded would not yeld to giue ouer their suite certaine of them were cast into prison and gréeuouslie punished the other leauing their businesse vndone returned againe into Boheme The Bohemians notwithstanding little cared for this but increased more and more in knowledge and lesse regarded the Pope Now after the death of Swinco the pope placed one Cōradus chiefe generall who with the doctors and diuines of the Vniuersitie of Prage greatly conspired and laboured against the trueth and drewe out articles whereunto they would haue Iohn Husse to consent Whereof when I. Husse and his adherents had word they also drewe out articles in his purgation Now in the meane time of this altercation betwéene them Pope Iohn raysed warre against Ladislaus king of Naples who had besieged the Popes townes and territories and gaue full remission of sinnes to all that would war on his side to defend the church Which Bul when it came into Boheme the king that fauoured the Pope gaue commandement that none should attempte any thing against those Indulgences But certaine of the faithfull could not abstaine but called the Pope Antichrist and spake against him Wherefore they were taken and beheaded Their names were Persecution in Boheme Iohn Martin and Stascon The people after their death tooke their bodies and with great solemnitie brought them vnto the Church of Bethlehem at whose funeralls diuers priestes fauouring that side song on this wise These be the saints which for the testament of God gaue their bodies c. And so they were sumptuously buried in the church of Bethlehem I. Husse preaching at the funerals and much commending them for their constancie Thus the citie of Prage was deuided Prage deuided the Prelates with the greatest part of the clergie most of the Barons which had any thing to loose helde with the Pope especially Stephen Paletz being the chiefe doer of that side on the contrary part the commons with part of the clergie and students of the vniuersitie went with Iohn Husse Vinceslaus the K. fearing the matter would grow to a tumult caused I. Husse to be remoued out of the citie and assented to the Popish Clergy in the 18. articles against Iohn Husse for the maintenance of the sea of Rome I. Husse now departing out of the citie went to his countrey where beeing protected by the Lord of the soyle he cōtinued preaching neither yet was he so expelled Prage but that somtimes he resorted to the church of Bethlehem and there also preached to the people Moreouer against the decrée of the Doctors Iohn Husse with his fellowes replied againe answering their articles with contrary articles and obiections wherto the Catholike
Doctors answered againe with a long and tedious processe the scope whereof principally tended to the defence of the principality of the pope Thus then maister Ioh. Husse being driuē out of Prage and moreouer being excommunicated that no masse might be said where he was present the people began mightely to grudge and crie out against the Prelates laying great and horrible vices to their charges The K. seing the inclination of the people The people against the Prelates being also not ignorant of the vices of the cleargie began to require great exactions of such as were knowen to be wicked liuers Whereupon such as fauoured Iohn Husse begā to accuse many In so much that by this meanes None controleth Husse Husse began to take vnto him more libertie and to preach in his church at Bethlehem and none to controll him Now Steuen Paletz and Andreas de Broda chiefe doers against Husse wrote vnto him sharpe and cruell letters The Pope also writeth letters to Vinceslaus the King for suppressing of Iohn Husse and his doctrine which was in the last yéere of his Popedome An. 1414. This yéere Sigismund the Emperour and Pope Iohn 23. Councell of Constance To pacifie the Schisme of three Popes called a sinod for the pacifying of the Schisme at Constance which was betwéene the thrée popes The first wherof was Iohn whom the Italians set vp the second Gregory whom the Frenchmen set vp the third Benedict whom the Spaniards placed This councell endured foure yéeres and had in it 45. A Councell that lasteth foure yeeres and had 45. Sessions Sessions In this councell all the matters were decided chiefly by foure nations English Germaine French and Italian out of which foure nations were appointed and chosen foure presidents to iudge and determine all matters of the Councelles the names of which foure were these Iohn the patriarch of Antioch for France Anthonie Archb of Rygen for Italy Nicholas Archb. of Genesuensis for Germany and Nicholas Bishop of Bath for England In this Councel nothing was decréed worthy of memorie but this onely that the Popes authority is vnder the Councell The Councell ought to iudge the Pope and that the councel ought to iudge the Pope and as touching the Communion in both kindes although the Councell did not denie it yet by the same Counsell it was decréed to the contrarie In this Councell Iohn did resigne his Papacie for the quiet of the schisme and the Emperor geuing him thanks kissed his féete Afterward the same Iohn repenting him that he had so done sought meanes to flie whereunto Frederike Duke of Austrich did assist him and when hee was nowe comming to Schafezonse P. repenteth of wel doing to goe into Italie the Emperour pursuing tooke him and proclaymed Frederike traytor and for that cause tooke away Cities from him but was at last reconciled againe The Pope being thus deposed was committed vnto the County Palantine and by him caried to the castle of Manheim where hée was kept prisoner by the space of 3. yéeres and afterward he was againe by Pope Martin admitted to the number of the Cardinals This pope Iohn was deposed by the decrée of the councel more then 40. most grieuous crimes proued against him 40. articles against Pope Iohn as that he had hired Marsilius Parmensis a physicion to poison Alexander his predecessor that he was an heretike a simoniake a lier an hipocrite a murtherer an inchanter a dice-player an adulterer a sodomite finally what crime was it wherewith he was not infected c. In the 14. Session came in the resignatiō of P. Gregory 12. The 37. Session did publish definitiue sentence against the 3. pope Benedict in the 39. they procéeded to elect a new pope on S. Martins éeuen they chose one Pope Martin therfore named him Martin who according to the custome was honorably brought by the Councell and the Emper. into the church of Constance vnto the monastery of S. Austine to be crowned The Emperor leadeth the popes horse the Emp. on foot leading his horse by the bridle on the right hand the marques of Brandēburgh prince elector also leading his horse on the left hand the P. himselfe riding in the midst on his palfrey The Councell being dissolued a cardinall was sent by the P. named Anthony to declare his Indulgēce vnto them who granted to euery point in that coūcel ful absolution once in their life so that euery one within 2. moneths after the hearing of this Indulgence should procure the same in forme of writing Also an other Indulgēce was graunted of full remission at the houre of death that was aswel vnderstood of the houshold as the Maisters thēselues but vnder this condition that from the time of notification of the same The popes Indulgence they should fast euery Friday for the space of one whole yéere for absolutiō in their life time And for absolution in the howre of death that they should fast an other yéere in like sort except some lawfull impediment so that after the second yéere they should fast out their liues end or els do some other good worke This beyng proclaimed the Synode brake vp and euery man departed 3940. Prelats at the Councell The nūber of prelates at this councell was 3940. wherof the number of B. Archb. was 346. Abbots doctors 564. Secular mē princes dukes erles knights esquires 16000. Common women belonging to the councell Common women belonging to the councell 450. 450. Barbers 600. Minstrels cookes iesters 329. So that the whole multitude which were viewed to be in the towne of Constance betwéene Easter Whitsontide where nūbred to be 60500. Now although this councell was thought principally to be called to appease the schisme yet a great part of the cause was the Bohemians and especially for Iohn Husse For before the Councell began the Emperour Sigismund sent certaine gentlemen Bohemians which were of his owne houshold giuing them in charge to bring Iohn Husse bacheler of Diuinitie to the Councell and that vnder his safeconduct to the entent he should purge himselfe of that which they had to lay against him Iohn Husse trusting vpon the Emperours safecōduct sent word to the Emperour that he would come to the Councell and with all caused certaine bils to be written in Latine Bohemian and Almaine language that if any one had to obiect ought against him hée should come to the councell and there he would answere him The same time also Iohn Husse sent his Procurators to the lord Bishop of Nazareth ordained by the Apostolicke sea inquisitour of heresie in the cities and dioces of Prage requiring that if he found any errour in him he would declare it openly The Bishop giueth good testimony of Husse But the Bishop gaue good testimonie of Iohn Husse and signified the same by his letters Iohn Husse also required of the Archbishop of Prage that if he knew any errour
the Secular power the Emperor commanded Ludouicus Duke of Bauaria that he should take Husse of the Bishops hands and deliuer him to those that shoulde doe the execution The place appointed for his execution was before the gate Gothebian betwéene the gardens and gates of the suburbes When Iohn Husse was come thether knéeling vpon his knées and lifting his eyes vp to heauen he prayed and said certaine Psalmes and specially the 51. and 31. psalmes and they which stoode by heard him oftentimes in his prayer with a merie countenance repeate this verse Vnto thy handes O Lord I commend my spirite c. Which thing when the Lay people behelde which stoode next vnto him they said what he hath done before we know not but now we sée and heare that hee prayeth very deuoutly and godly When as by the commandement of the tormentors hée was risen vp from the place of his prayer with a loud voice he said Lord Iesu Christ assist and helpe me that with a constant and patient minde by thy most gratious helpe I may beare and suffer this cruell and ignominious death whereunto I am condemned for the preaching of thy most precious word and holy Gospel So he was tied to a stake toward the West because said they he was not worthie to looke towarde the East The behauiour of Husse at his death and strawe and fagots being put to him Ludouicus Duke of Bauaria before fire was put vnto the wood with another with him the sonne of Clement came and exhorted him that he would yet be mindfull of his safetie and renounce his errors To whom he said what errors should I renoūce when as I know my selfe guiltie of none This was the principall ende and purpose of my doctrine that I might teach all men penance and remission of sinnes according to the veritie of the gospell of Christ and the exposition of holie Doctors Wherefore with a cherefull mind and courage I am here redy to suffer death When he had spoken these words they left him and hauing shaken hands they departed Then was the fire kindled and Iohn Husse began to sing with a loude voice Iesu Christ the sonne of the liuing God haue mercie vpon me and when he began to say the same the third time the wind droue the flame so vpon his face that it choaked him yet notwithstanding he moued a while after by the space that a man might say almost thrée times the Lordes prayer The bodie being burned to ashes with great diligence they gathered them together and cast them into the riuer of Rhine They cast the ashes of Husse into the Rhine that not so much as any memorie or remnant of him might be left Cocleus in his second booke contra Hussitas thinketh that the author that writte this historie of I. Husse was called Iohannes Prizibram a Bohemian who after succéeding in the place of Iohn Husse at Prage at last is thought to haue relented vnto the Papistes And thus much concerning the death of I. Husse who was burned at Constance an 1415. about the moneth of Iulie Being in prison Treatises of H. in prison he wrote diuers treatises of the commandemēts of the Lord of prayer of mortal sinne of matrimonie of the knowledge and loue of God of thrée enemies of mankind the flesh the world and the deuill of repentance of the sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ of the sufficiencie of the law of God to rule the church c. He had also many prophetical visions An. 1415. April iiij M. Ierom of Prage gréeuously sorowing for the slanderous reproach and defamation of his coūtrey of Boheme also hearing tell of the manifest iniuries done vnto the man of worthie memorie I. Husse fréely and of his own accord came to Constance Ier. of Prage commeth to Constance there perceiuing that I. Husse was denied to be heard and that watch and ward was laide for him on euerie side hee departed to Iberlinge a Citie of the Empire vntil the next day which Citie was a mile from Constance From thence hee wrote his Letters to Sigismund king of Hungarie and his barons requyring him of safeconduct which being denied him the next day he wrote certain intimations which he sent to Constāce to be set vpon the gates of the citie of the churches monasteries and houses of Cardinals and other Nobles and prelates requiring that if any had ought to charge him with of Heresie they would repaire thether where he should be ready to satisfie them requiring also in the same safeconduct and frée accesse which when it would not be graunted the Nobles Lords Knights c. especially of Boheme present in Constance gaue vnto Maister Ierome their letters patentes confirmed with their seales for a witnesse and testimonie of the premisses wherewith Ierome returning againe into Boheme Treason against Ierome of Prage was by treason of his enemies taken in Hirssaw by the officers of Duke Iohn and was brought backe againe to the presence of the Duke In the meane time Palletz and de Causis such as were enemies to Iohn Husse required that Hierome might be cited before the Councel which was accordingly performed maister Hierome cited by reason of his intimation and the Duke brought him bound vnto Constance with a great and long chaine to whom after they had obiected certaine friuolous matters they deliuered him being bound vnto the officers of the citie of Constance to be caried to prison for that night where he was comforted of Peter the Notary and one Vitus Hierome carried to prison Peter the Notary Vitus Which being knowne when it drew towardes euening the Archb. of Rygen sent certaine of his seruants which ledde away Hierome being strongly bounde with chaines both by the handes and by the neck and kept him so for certaine houres When night drew on they caried him vnto a certaine tower of the citie in S. Paules Churchyard where they tying him fast vnto a great block and his féete in the stockes his hands also being made fast vpon them left him The block was so high that he could by no meanes sit there upon but that his head must hang downward where he lay none of his friendes knowing of his conueyāce away two daies ij nights reléeued only with bread water wherof M. Peter hauing knowledge by one of his kéepers desired that he might haue leaue to prouide him meat which was granted Within 11. daies after so hanging by the héeles he vsed so smal repast Ierom falleth sicke that he fell sore sicke euen vnto death whervpon he desired to haue a confessor which was hardly and with great importunitie graunted him Now he had béene in prison one yéere lacking but seuen daies After they had put Iohn Husse to death about the feast of the Natiuitie of Mary the virgin they brought foorth M. Ierom whom they had kept so long in chaines vnto the church of
vpon Vigill dayes Who after their purgation made escaped more easilie away Whose names followe here subscribed Robert Skirring of Harlestone William Skirring Iohn Terry of Ersham Iohn Aibre of Ersham Iohn Middleton of Haluergate Iohn Warde of Ersham Richard Clark of Sething Thomas VVhite of Bedingham Master Robert Beert of Berrie and Richard Page of Clepslie The other were more cruellie handled and some of them burned among whome speciall mention is made of these 3. Father Abraham Father Abraham William White priest I. Wad priest burned of Colchester VVilliam VVhite Priest and Iohn VVaddon Priest The residue abiured and suffered penance as Iohn Beuerley I. VVardon Io. Middleton Iohn Baker I. Knight Margerie Baxter Iohn Skillie Iohn Godhold Tomas Albeck Iohn Pierce Nicholas Canon of Ey Thomas Pie Iohn Mendham Io. Middleton Thomas Chatris Thomas VVade VVilliam Taylour Iohn Capper Vicar of Tunstall with thrée score and two other The articles which they held were these Against auricular confession That there remayneth bread and wine after the wordes of consecration and that no priest can make the bodie of Christ That euery true Christian is a Priest to God Articles That no man is bound to Lent or any dayes prohibited by the Church of Rome That the pope is Antichrist That necessitie vrging it is lawfull to doe bodilie labour on holie-daies That Priestes may marrie That Ecclesiasticall censures of the Prelates are not to be regarded Against swearing in priuate causes Against Pilgrimage Against honouring of Images Against holy water That the death of Becket was neither holy nor meritorious That Relikes ought not to be worshipped That prayers in all places are acceptable vnto God That no Saint is to bée prayed vnto That Bel-ringing was ordeyned to fill Priestes purses That it is no sinne to withstand the Ecclesiasticall processes That the Catholike Church is only the congregation of Gods elect In these articles they all agréed and it séemeth Williā White scholler to Wickliffe they had the doctrine from William White who was scholer and follower of Iohn Wickliffe This William White gaue ouer his priesthood benefice and tooke vnto him a godly woman to his wife named Ione yet ceassed not he from his dutie of teaching but preached continually wrote and instructed the people at Canterbury Before time he had recanted these points That men should séeke for the forgiuenes of sinnes onely at Gods hands That the wicked liuing of the pope and his holy ones is a diuelish and heauy yooke of Antichrist That men ought not to worship images nor holy men after they be dead That the Romish church is the fig trée which Christ accursed That such as weare coules or be annointed or shorne are the launceknights of Lucifer c. Which articles he abiured An. 1424. before Henry Chichesly at Canterb. but now being stronger in the truth endured to the end was condemned of 30. White burned in Norwich articles was burned at Norwich in the moneth of September 1428. hauing labored diligently before in teaching the people of Norfolke He was a man very godly deuout in somuch that all the people had him in great reuerence were woont to desire him to pray for them When he was come vnto the stake thinking to open his mouth to speake vnto the people to exhort and cōfirme them in the truth one of the Bishops seruāts stroke him on the mouth Crueltie thereby to force him to kéepe silence and so there patiently he ended his course being made a witnes of Christ Iesus His wife Ione followed her husbands footesteps and confirmed many in the truth and therefore suffered much trouble punishment at the Bishops handes the same yéere About the same time also suffered by burning father Abraham of Colchester and Iohn Waddon priest for the like articles Iohn Beuerly alias Batild was enioyned that the Friday and Saturday next after his dismission he should fast bread and water and vppon the Saturday to be whipped from the Palace of Norwich goyng round about by the Tomlands and by S. Michaels Church by Cottell Row and about the market hauing in his hand a waxe candle of two pence to offer to the Image of the Trinitie after hée had doone his penance c. and this doone hée should depart out of the Dioces and neuer come there any more Besides the same yéere diuerse did penaunce and abiured and the yéere following 1429. diuerse did the like penance to the number of 16. or 17. An. 1430. R. Houedon Rich. Houedō a woolwinder citizen of Lōdon was burnt at the Towrehill for the doctrine of Wickliffe Anno 1431. Thomas Bagley Thom. Bagley a Priest vicar of Monenden beside Malden beyng a valiant disciple of Wickliffe was condemned of Heresie by the Bishops at London about the midst of Lent was disgraded and burned in Smithfield The same yéere also Paule Craw Paule Crawe a Bohemian was takē at S. Andrewes by the Bishop Henry deliuered ouer to the secular power to be burnt for holding against the faith of Rome touching the sacrament of the Lords supper worshipping of Saints auricular confession with other of Wickliffes opinions Tho. Rhedon at Rome An. 1436. Th. Rhedon a Frenchman and a Carmelite frier was burned at Rome for these articles which notwithstanding they gathered falsly against him That the church lacketh reformation and that it shall be punished and reformed Articles That Infidels Iewes Turkes and Mores shall be cōuerted vnto Christ in the later daies That abominations are vsed at Rome That the vniust excommunication of the Pope is not to be feared Eugenius at this time was Pope Eugenius Pope and succéeded Pope Martin a litle before After sundry torments he was condemned for an heretike and was burned He was accused by William of Roan cardinall of S. Martins in the mount vicechancellor of the court of Rome About the same time Persecution about Germany diuers other suffered in the places about Germany as Henry Grunfelder priest of Ratispone ann 1420. Henry Rodgeber priest in the same citie anno 1423. Ioh. Draendorf a priest of noble birth at Wormes ann 1424. Peter Thraw at Spire ann 1426. Mathew Hager also suffered at Berline in Germany not long after Ex Basilei Centur. sept After the death of pope Martine who reigned 14. yéeres succéeded Eugenius the fourth about the yeere 1431. He began first to celebrate the Councel at Basill Eugenius beginneth the Councel at Basill which Councel Martine had before intended In the 39. session of the councel of Constance it was decréed prouided Order for the times of general councels concerning the orders and times of such general councels as shold after folow The first that shold next ensue to be kept the 5. yere after the councel of Cōstance The 2. 7. yeres after that so orderly al other to folow successiuely frō x. yere to x. yere Wherfore according to this
of Sigismund when Eugenius was deposed and Felix Duke of Sauoy elected Pope greate discordes arose and much practise was wrought but especially on Eugenius part who béeyng nowe excommunicate by the Councell of Basill to make his part more strong 18. new Cardinals made eightéen newe Cardinalles Then hée sent his Oratours vnto the Germanes labouring by all meanes to dissolue the Councell of Basill The Germans were at that time so deuided that some of them did hold with Felix the coūcell of Basill others with Eugenius the councell of Ferraria some were neuters After this the French K. being dead which was Charles the 7. about the yéere 1444. the Pope began to stirre vp the Dolphin of Fraunce by force of armes to dissipate that councell collected against him Who leading an armie of fiftéene thousand men into Alsatia The Dolphin of France against the coūcell of Basill is vanquished did cruelly wast spoile the countrie after that laid siege vnto Basill to expell and driue out the Prelates of the Councell But the Heluetians with a small power did vanquish the Frenchmen and put them to flight Although Basill by the valiātnes of the Heluetians was thus defended yet the Councel could not continue by reason of the Princes Ambassadors which shronke away would not tarie so that at length Eugenius brought to passe partly through the helpe of Fredericke labouring for the empire and partly by his Orators in the number of whom was Eneas Siluius among the Germanes that they were content to giue ouer both the Councel of Basill and their neutralitie This Frederick of Austrich being toward the Empire brought also to passe that Felix which was chosen of the councel of Basil to be Pope was contented to renounce and resigne his papacy to Pope Nicholas the 5. Pope Nicholas the 5. successor to Eugenius Of the which Nicholaus Frederike was confirmed at Rome to be Emperor and there crowned an 1451. As these things were doing in Basil in the mean season Eugenius brought to passe in his Conuocation at Florence that the Emperour and Patriarch of Constantinople with the rest of the Grecians then present were perswaded to receiue the sentence of the church of Rome The Greekes abhorre the Romanes concerning the procéeding of the holy Ghost Also to receaue the communion in vnleauened bread to admitte Purgatorie and to yeld themselues to the authorttie of the Romish Church Wherunto notwtstāding the other churches of Grecia would in no wise consent at their comming home In so much that with a publike execration they did condemne afterward all those Legates that had consented to those articles that none of them should be buried in Christian buriall which was Anno 1439. Ex Gas Pencer 11. battels wonne by the Protestants against the Papists Thus much concerning the councell of Constance Basill and the Bohemians who in the quarrell of Iohn Husse and Hierome of Prage fighting vnder Zisca their captaine had eleuen battels with the popes side and euer went away victors Ex paral Abb. Vrsp in Epitap Ioh. Zisc Moreouer in the history of Pencer it is testified that Pope Martin the 5. sending for the Bishop of Winchester the Cardinal had leuied thrée maine armies intending to ouercome all the Bohemians one armie of th Saxons vnder the Prince elector The second of the Francons vnder the Marques of Brandenburg The third of Renates Bauarians and Swechers vnder Otto Archbishop of Treuers With these Sigismund also the Emperour and Cardinall Iulian the Popes Legate who at last was slaine in warre and béeyng spoyled of all his attire was left naked in the fielde ioyned all their force who ioyning together fiue times sayth the storie with fiue sundrie battailes inuaded the Bohemians At euery which battel 5. times the said aduersaries daunted with a sodain feare ran away out of the field before any stroke was geuē Fiue times the papists ran away before any stroke was geuen Gasp Peucer lib. 5. And so they continued inuincible during the life of Zisca and Procopius after whose death Maynardus a captaine and a traytor to the Bohemians found meanes by a Proclamation made as though hee would warre against other Countreys of their enemies bordering about them craftely to traine all them which were disposed to take wages Crueltie and treason against the Bohemians into certaine barnes and houels prepared for the same purpose and so shutting the dores vpon them set fire to them and burnt of them diuers thousandes and so brought the rest by that meanes vnder the subiection of the Emperor during his life time which lasted not long Ex Aen. Sil. About the yere 1439. the eightéene yere of the reigne of Henrie the sixt one Richard Wiche R. Wich Priest was burned at Tower hill It is testified of him that he before his death prophecied that the Posterne of the Tower shoulde sinke which afterwarde came to passe In so much that the people counted him for an holie man and made their prayers to him after he was dead and reared a great heap of stones and set vp a crosse there by night so that a great clamor ran vpon those that put him to death For appeasing of which rumor the king gaue commandement to punish all such as went thether on Pilgrimage And by that meanes the concourse of people was stayed He was burnt about the Moneth of Iune In the same yere about Nouember Henrie archbishop of Canterburie called a Conuocation wherein the Prelates tooke aduisement to make a Supplication to the king for abolishing the law of Premunire facias To which supplication the king made answer he would pause vpon the matter and in the meane time hee woulde send to all his Officers and Ministers in the Realm that no such brief of Premunire should passe against any of them til the next Parlement an 1439. About the yere 1440. Eleanor Cobham Dutchesse of Glocester and Roger Only Priest were condemned the one to perpetuall Prison Duches of Glocest condemned to perpetuall prison R. Only burned Articles of D. Humfrey against the Cardinall which was the Duchesse for the profession of the trueth and the other vnto death although treason were pretended against thē of practising the kings death which was not likelie but rather their profession and the malice which the Cardinal of Winchester bare vnto the good Duke Humfrey Duke of Glocester who complayned of the Cardinal to the K. in 23. articles as also of the archb of Yorke That Winchester presumed to be Cardinall against the mind of K. Henrie the fift That he was in danger of Premunire for bringing a Bul from Rome to hold his Bishoprike though he were a Cardinal That he entended himself to be the Kings gouernor That hee defrauded the King of his iewels c. The hearing of which accusations the K. committed vnto his Councel whereof the most part were spirituall persons The destructiō of D. Hūfrey so that
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
at euening the bel to toll the Auies as it was vsed in the popish time to helpe the souldiers that fought against the Turkes Auies doth helpe thē that fought against the Turkes for which cause he ordained the feast of the transfiguration of the Lord The feast of transfiguratiō solēnising it with like pardons and Indulgences as was Corpus Christi day Also this pope procéeding contrary to the councels of Constance and Basil decréed that no man should appeale from the Pope to any Councell by whom also S. Edmund of Canterbury with diuers others were made Saints S. Edmund of Canterbury made Saint Next vnto Calixtus succéeded Pius Secundus Pius Secūdus Pope otherwise called Aeneas Siluius who wrote the 2. bookes of cōmentaries vpō the councell of Basill This Aeneas at the writing of these his bookes séemed to be a man of indifferent tollerable iudgement and doctrine from the which afterward being Pope he séemed to decline and swarue séeking by all meanes possible to abolish the bookes which before he had written wheras before he preferred generall councels before the P. now being P. he did decrée Pope Pius altered his former iudgemēt that no mā should appeale from the B. of Rome to any councels likewise for priests mariages whereas before he thought it best to haue their wiues restored yet afterward he altered his mind otherwise There was great discord betwixt this P. Dorotheus archb of Mentz vpō the same betwene Frederike the Palatine the duke of Wittenberg with others by occasion wherof Mentz looseth his freedome besides the slaughter of many the citie of Mentz which was before frée lost the fréedome became seruile The causes of the discord betwixt Pius and Dorotheus Discord betwixt P. Pius Dorotheus were these 1. Because that Dorotheus would not consent vnto him in the impositiō of certaine tallages taxes within his countrie 2. For that Dorotheus would not be bound vnto him requiring that the said Dorotheus being prince elector should not call the electors together without his license 3. Because hée would not permit vnto the Popes legates to conuocate his Clergie together after his owne lust This Pius began Anno 1458. After Pius 2. succéeded Paulus Secundus a pope wholy set vpon his belly Paulus Secundus Pope and ambition and a hater of all learned men This Paulus had a daughter begotten in fornication whom because he saw her to be therefore hated began as the stories report to repent him of the lawe of the single life of Priestes The pope for mariages of Priestes Pope Sixtus 4. Stewes at Rome The yeere of Iubile altered once againe and went about to reforme the same Ex Stanisl Rutheo After this Paulus came Sixtus the 4. which builded vp in Rome a stewes for both kinds getting thereby no smal rēts reuenewes This pope among other his acts reduced the yéere of Iubile from the 50. to the 25. He also instituted the feast of the conception and of the presentation of Marie and Anna her mother and Ioseph also he canonized Bonauenture and S. Francis for Saints By this pope also were brought in beades Beades Ladies Psalter and he instituted to make our ladies psalter through the occasion of one Alanus and his order who were wont by putting beades vpon a string to number their praiers This pope made 32. Cardinals in his time of whom Petrus Renerius was the first who A prodigall Cardinall for the time he was Cardinal which was but 2. yéers spēt in luxurious riot 200000 Florens and was left 4000. in debt Weselius Groningensis in a certaine treatise of his de indulgentijs Papalibus writeth of this pope Sixtus that at the request of this Peter Cardinal and of Hierom his brother he graunted vnto the whole family of the Cardinal S. Lucy in the 3. hot moneths Iune Iuly August Liberty for Sodomitry frée liberty to vse Sodomitry with this clause Fiat vt petitur That is Be it as it is asked Next after this Sixtus came Innocentius the eight Innocentius 8. Pope a man verie rude and farre from all learning Amongest the noble actes of this Pope this was one that in the towne of Paulus Equicolus hée caused 8. men and 6. women with the Lord of the place to be apprehended and iudged for heretikes because they said that none of them were the Vicars of Christ which came after Peter but onely they which followed the pouerty of Christ Also he condemned of heresie George the K. of Boheme King of Boheme condemned of the P. and depriued him of his kingdome and procured his whole stocke to be vtterly reiected giuing his kingdom to Matthias king of Pannonia Anno 1461. king Henry the 6. was deposed by Edward the 4. after he had raigned 38. yéeres and an halfe Henry the 6. founded the colledge of Eaton Colledge of Eaton and another house hauing then the title of S. Nicholas in Cambridge and now called the kings Colledge Ex scala mundi This king Henrie reiected the popes buls which graunted to Lewes Archb. of Roane the profites of the Bishopricke of Ely after the death of the Bishop by the name of the administration of the said bishopricke Anno 1461. Henry the 6. being deposed Edward the 4. was crowned king An. 1471. Vpon the assentiō eue K. Henry being prisoner in the tower departed this life was brought by Thames in a bote to the abbey of Chertsey there buried Polydor after he had described the vertues of this king recordeth that king Henry the 7. did afterward translate the corpes of him from Chertsey to Windsore and addeth moreouer that by him certaine miracles were wrought Henry the 6. to be canonized a Saint for successiue change for the which cause Henry the 7. laboured with pope Iulius to haue him canonized for a Saint but the death of the king was the let Edward Hall writing of this matter declareth that the cause of the let was the excessiue fées which were so great of canonizing a king aboue any prelat that the king thought best to kéepe his money in his chest About the yéere 1465. There was here in England a Frier Carmelite who preached in Michalemas terme at Paules crosse in London that our Lord Iesus Christ was in pouertie and did begge in the world Which question was so stirred here that it came to the Popes eares Paulus 2. the next yere following who eftsoons sent downe his bul signifying to the Prelates that this heresie that pestiferously doth affirme An heresie to hold the Christ was a begger that Christ did openly begge was condemned of old time by the Bishop of Rome and his Councels and that the same ought to be declared in al places for a dangerous doctrine and worthy to be troden downe vnder all mens féete Anno 1473. in August one Iohn Goose or Husse was
Masses and praying for the dead and supremacie of the Pope hée held that the Pope might erre hée disalowed the great riches of the Clergie that the Popes keyes doo not open but shut heauen gates c. Not long after the death of this Weselus an 1494. and the 9. yéere of Henry the 7. the 28. of Aprill was burned a very old woman Ione Boughtō martyr named Ione Boughton widdow and mother to the Lady Young which Lady was also suspected to be of the same opinion that her mother was Her mother was foure score yéeres of age and held eight of Wickliffes opinions for the which she was burned in Smithfield The night following that she was burnt the most of her ashes were had away of such as had loue vnto the doctrine for the which she suffered An. 1497 the 17. of Ianuary beyng Sunday two men one called Richard Milderall and the other Iames Sturdy bare faggots before the procession of Paules Fagots borne and after stood before the preacher in the time of his Sermon And the Sunday following stood other 2. men at Paules crosse all the sermon time one garnished with painted and written papers the other hauing a faggot on his necke After that in Lent season vppon Passion Sunday one Hugh Glouer bare a faggot before the processiō of Paules and after-with the faggot stood before the preacher all the Sermon while And on the next sunday following foure men stood did their open penance at Pauls and many of their books were burnt before them at the crosse Anno 1498. in the beginning of May the king béeing then at Canterburie there was a Priest burnt A priest burnt which was so strong in his opinion that all the Clearks and Doctours béeing there present could not remoue him from his faith whereof the King béeing informed caused the priest to be brought before his presence who by his perswasions coulde not cause him to reuoke and so he was burnt immediatly Anno 1499. a certaine godly man and constant martir of Christ named Babram Babram martyr was burnt in Norfolke in the moneth of Iuly as Fabian reporteth yet the printed Fabian reporteth it to be the yéere 1500. In the yéere next folowing the 20. day of Iuly was an olde man burnt in Smithfield An old man burnt Sauanorola burnt This yéere Hieronimus Sauanorola a monke in Italy with two other Friers named Dominicke and Siluester which fauoured Sauanorolas learning were condemned to death at Florence the articles wherefore they suffred were these 1. Frée iustification by faith 2. Articles The communion vnder both kinds 3. Indulgences pardons of the pope are of no effect 4. For preaching against the filthie life of the cleargy 5. For denying the Popes supremacie 6. The Pope Antichrist The keies were not giuen to Peter alone but vnto the vniuersall Church 7. That the Pope was Antichrist because he did attribute more to his own indulgences and pardons then to Christs merites 8. That the Popes excommunication is not to be feared 9. That auricular confession is not necessary 10. That he had moued the citie to vprore 11. That he contēned the Popes citation 12. That he had slandered the Pope 13 That he said Italy must be cleansed with Gods scourge for the manifold wickednes of the Princes and Cleargy They were first hanged vp openly in the market place and after burnt to ashes and the ashes cast into the riuer of Arum the 25. day of May Ex Catalogo testium Illirici Spirit of prophecy in Sauanorola This Ierome Sauanorola had the spirit of prophecie and foreshewed many things to come which fel out accordingly He suffered vnder pope Alexander 6. About this time was one Philip Norice Philip Norice an Irishman professor at Oxford long vexed and troubled for his profession of the trueth The Germanes had twise before sued to Fredericke the Emperour Suite of the Germans to the Emperour against the church of Rome to be a meanes to ease them of their manifolde grieuances from the Church of Rome and were repulsed now againe made the same suite to Maximilian his sonne vnto whom they deliuered x. grieuances Ten grieuances whereby the Germanes had béen long oppressed shewing also remedies against the same with certaine aduisements how the Emp. might auoide the popes subtleties The grieuances were these 1. That the Bishops of Rome do at the request of euery vile person withstand the couenants of their predecessors buls priuiledges c. 2. That elections of Prelates are oftentimes put backe 3. That election of Presidentships are withstood notwithstanding the graunts haue béene purchased before to the Chapter houses 4. That greatest ecclesiastical dignities are reserued for Cardinals and head Notaries 5. That expectatiue graces called Vowsons are graunted without number 6. That yéerely reuenewes are exacted without delay or mercy and oftentimes more extorted then ought to be 7. That rule of Churches is giuen at Rome to such as are more fitte to kéepe mules then to gouerne and instruct men 8 That new pardons with reuocation of the olde are granted to scrape money 9. That tēths are exacted vnder pretence of making warre against the Turkes when as no expedition doeth followe therevppon 10. That causes which might be determined in Germanie are indistinctly carried to the Court of Rome After these grieuances propounded they subscribed the remedies and aduertisementes to the Emperour wherevppon the Emperour set foorth an Edict against certaine abuses of the Clergie Edicts of the Emperour against certaine abuses of the Clergy That none should haue two Canonships c. Against the couetousnesse of the Clergie concerning which reformation the Emperour required as it séemeth aduise of Iacobus Selestadiensis Iacobus Selestadiensis who wrote vnto him concerning the matter After Innocetius 8. succéeded Alexander 6. Pope Alexander 6. which Alexander among other horrible things when he was cōpelled to send Gemes or Demes brother to Baiazetes the great Turke to Lewes 11. the French king for a pledge because the Frēch king should not procure the great Turkes fauour by sending his brother Gemes to him to be slaine Pope hyred by the Turke to poison his brother The P. procured the Turke to fight against the French K. he béeing hired by the Turke caused the same Gemes to be poisoned who in his iourney going toward the French king died at Terracina Ex Hieronymo Marcis And the same Alexander the 6. taking displeasure with Lewes the French king about the winning of Naples sent to Baiazetes the Turk to fight against Lewes Ex eodem Moreouer this pope caused Antonius Mancinellus hāds and tongue to be cut off because he wrote an eloquent oration against his horrible life At length as he was sitting at Rome with his Cardinalles and other rich Senatours of Rome The P. and his Cardinals poisoned his seruaunts at vnwares brought to him a wrong bottle whereby both he was
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
comming to Rome booted and spurred set vp 90. Picus Mirand to dispute in the same with any in Christendome whosoeuer would come against him Of the which diuers were touching the matter of the Sacrament against whom none in all Europe was found to dispute But the Prelates appointed by the Pope consulted to enquire vpon his Conclusions 90. Conclusiōs to be disputed on by Picus Whereupon they did articulate against him for suspition of heresie He died being of the age of 32. of great learning In his sicknes Charles the eight French king moued with the fame of his learning came to visit him The furniture of Mirandulas Studie The furniture of his bokes cost him 7000 Florens A little before his death he was minded to geue al away and to take a Coule to goe about and preach With two Popes that is with Pope Innocent and Alexander 6. he had much vexation The names of the Archbishops of Canterbury in this sixt booke continuing 62 Iohn Stratford eight yeres 63 Iohn Kemp thrée 64 Thomas Burchier thirty thrée 65 Iohn Morton fourtéene 66 Thomas Langton ws elected Archbishop and died before he was confirmed 67 Henrie Dene two 68. William Warrham twenty eight A briefe note of Ecclesiastical Lawes ordeyned by certaine auncient kings of this land for gouernment of the church before the Conquest Lawes of K. Iuas or Iua That Ministers should frame their conuersation according to the forme in lawes prescribed That Infants should be baptised within thirtie dayes That no man should labour on the Sunday Also hée established immunitie of Churches and Sancturarie and tooke order for the true payment of Church duties and of the first fruites of all that was sowen to be paid at the day of S. Martin Anno 712. Lawes of king Alured or Alfred He enlarged the priuilege of Sanctuarie hée laid double paine vppon such as committed offences in the solemnities of certaine feastes also against them that committed Sacriledge hée made a law against Priestes committing murder also he made a law against whoredome adultery and fornication he appointed daies of fasting and ceasing from labour Item he set order for making and kéeping of vowes Ecclesiasticall lawes of king Edward the Elder and Githine the Dane king They agréed vpon the sanctuary they forbad paganisme they laid punishment vpon the Clergie committing theft periurie or murder fornication or any capitall crimee they made a law against all buying selling and labour vpon the Saboth Item that no execution be doone on the Sunday also against witches and sorcerers Lawes of king Ethelstane Anno 924. He commaunded that euery village of his owne should giue a mōthly Corrody to a poore person That 50. psalmes should be soong daily for the king c. He also ordained punishment for witches and sorcerers c. Lawes of king Edmund Anno 94. He prouided lawes against the vnchast liuing of churchmē He made lawes cōcerning tithes first fruites of euery mans crop and almesse mony duely to be paid that Bishops of their owne charges should repayre churches and admonish kings for furnishing of the same For periurie also and fighting within the Church Lawes of King Edgar Anno 959. He ordained that Sunday should be kept holy from Saterday at noone till Munday morning also concerning fréedome and liberties of the Church tithes first fruits of corne and paying of Peter pence For holydaies and fastingdaies That Synodes should be kept twise euery yéere whereat as well the Bishop of the Dioces as the ciuill magistrate should be present King Canutus 1016. That ecclesiasticall persons beyng accused of fighting murder or any other offence should answere to their purgation therein That Priestes should be disgraded for periurie and put in sureties of good behauiour hée limited the degrées of marriage he commaunded touching the Sabbath day that which Edgar did before he commaunded euery christian to come to the housell thrise euery yéere at least That they inquire and search after Gods lawe and commaundementes That euerie Christian vnderstand the points of his faith at least that he learne perfectly the Lords prayer and Créede els to be excluded from the Eucharist and vndertaking for others at Baptisme That Bishops and Priestes should doo their duties That at the court of euery shire the Bishop of the Dioces shall be present with the Sheriffe and that the one shall teach them Gods lawe and the other mans King Henry 7. finished his course of life 1509. after whō succéeded his sonne Henry 8. Henry 8. and shortly after married Lady Katherine the daughter of Ferdinandus K. Henrie 7. dieth his late brother Prince Arthurs wife by the dispensation of pope Iulius and the requests of Ferdinandus her father At this time was renewed the old strife betwixt the Dominicke fryers the Franciscans Old strife betwixt the Dominicks and Franciscans about the conception of the the virgin Mary the Franciscans held that the virgin was without original sinne the Dominicks were of the contrary mind Ann. 1476. Pope Sixtus 4. ioyned with the Franchiscans The feast of the virgin Maries conception ordayned a solemnization of the feast of the virgins conception offering all men women which would heare masse seruice from the first euensong of the same feast to the Octaues of the same as many daies pardon as Pope Vrban 4 and Martin 5 did graunt for hearing seruice of Corpus Christi day He made also an addition to the Aue Marie An addition to the Aue Mary graunting pardon of sins to all that would with the same addition pray vnto the Virgin The addition is and blessed is Anna thy mother of whom thy virgins flesh hath procéeded without blotte of original sinne This did pope Sixtus afterward that the Dominicks might conforme themselues thereto confirme with a bull dated 1483. whereby the Dominicks were compelled to giue to the virgin euery night an Antheme in praise of her conceptiō and to subscribe to the Franciscane doctrine The virgin Mary conceiued without sinne Although the greatest number of the schoole Doctors were of the contrary faction Petrus Lombard Thomas Aquinas Bernardus Bonauenture c. After the renewing of this dissention ann 1509. certaine of the Dominicks deuised a certain image of the virgin that they might make to stirre to make gestures to complain Sleight of Friers to wéep to grone by their deuises to make answere to them that asked for which déede the false friers were taken burned at Bernes the same yéere Peucer Munster Carion c. Their names were Iohannes Vetter Franciscus Vliscus Stephanus Balisthorst and Henricus Steinegger Pope Iulius was condemned an 1510. in the councel of Turon in France an 1512. being vanquished of Lewes the French K. about Rauenna on Easter day the next yere died Pope Leo. after whom succéeded Leo the 10. It appeareth by the registers of Richard Fitziames in the dioces of London that betwixt the yéere 1509.
1527. deuers persons were compeleld to abiure for denying to worship the Crucifix for transubstantiation holy daies pilgrimages Abiuration adoration of images speaking against the immoderate riches of Churchmen the reading of English bookes for denying a priest to haue two benefices c. Ann. 1511. the 18. of October William Sweeting Iohn Banister who before had recanted receiuing farther strēgth from God William Sweeting and Iohn Banister martyrs were burned in Smithfield for the testimony of the trueth which was concerning the reall presence Ann. 1517. one Ioh. Brown who had born a fagot before in the daies of K. Henry 7. was burned at Ashford for the profession of the truth Iohn Browne martyr condemned by Archb. Warrham first hauing had his féet burned to the bones by Warrham Fisher bishops to compell him to deny the trueth Ann. 1514. one Richard Hunn merchant tailor in the city of London was priuily made away and hanged in the Lollards tower Rich. Hunn for the trueth and after his death to make him more odious they picked certaine articles against him out of the preface of his English Bible This was done by one Doct. Hedd The 20. of Decemb. the dead corps of Richard Hunn was burned in Smithfield first hauing condēned it of heresy after they had hanged him in prison secretly is bodie was burned 16. daies after his murdering But the matter hauing bin fully examined by the councel iudges and iustices of the realme it was found by good proofe and sufficient euidence that D. Horsey the Chancelor D. Horsey the Chancelor Charles Ioseph the Summer and Iohn Spalding the hel-ringer had committed the murther But by the suited of the Bishop of London vnto the Carinall Woolsey at the gaole deliuery the next Sessions the kings attourney pronoūced the iudgement against Horsey to be fales and him not to be guilty of the murther An. 1518. the 24. of September Iohn Stilman who had before recanted 11. yéeres past was apprehended brought before Richard Fitz-Iames B. of London and the 25. Iohn Stilman burned of October was condemned for a relapse and burned in Smithfield Doctor Hedd vicar generall reading the sentence It was obiected that he spake against pilgrimages that he vsed to read bookes of Wickliffe at his wicket c. That he called the Pope Antichrist c. and that the inferiour were the synagogue of Sathan c. The same yéere the 29. of March Thomas Man martyr Tho. Man was burned in Smithfield who had before abiured ann 1511. the 14. of August against auricular confessiō the sacramē of extreme vnction against worshipping of images that the popish church was not the church of God c. Doct. Hedd pronoūced likewise sentence against him deliuered him to the sheriffe of London to be presently burned Pilate washeth his hands with this protestatiō made before that he might not consent to the death of any therfore he desired the sheriffe not to punish him with rigour This yere was the great abiuration at Amersham The great abiuration at Amecsham 700. conuerted by T. Man Knowne men Iustfast men Tho-Man confessed of himself as it appeareth by the register that he had conuerted 700. from popery to the trueth In those dayes those that were professors of the trueth were called knowne men and Iustfast men After T. Man was Robert Cosin also condemned and burned at Buckingham for holding against pilgrimages confession to priests and worshipping of Images c. Anno 1511. William Sweeting alias Clerke was condemned and burned for a relapse He was taken at Chelsith where he kept the Towne beasts and was their Netheard His articles were against Pilgrimages reall presence worshipping of Images He had dwelt 16. yeres and more with the prior of Saint Osich named George Lawne where hée so turned the Prior that hée was afterward compelled abiure which also William himselfe through frialtie had doone before Hée beyng asked what cause hée had why he should not be iudged as relapse said he had nothing else but onely that hée committed himselfe to the mercie of God With William Sweeting was also condemned the same time Iames Brewster of the parish of Saint Nicholas in Colchester Anno 1505. He had béene abiured by William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury They were burned togither in Smithfield at one fire the 18. of October his Articles were against images pilgrimages worshipping of Images the sacrament of the altar c. Anno 1518. Christopher Shoomaker Christopher Shoomaker was burned at Newbery for like articles afore For then the Churche of Rome was chiefely withstoode for Pilgrimages adoration of Saintes the Scripture in English and real presence William Smith Bishop of Lincolne died an 1515. who builded the Colledge of Brasen-nose in Oxford Colledge of Brasen-nose in Oxford after whō succéeded Iohn Longland a Frier and cruell vexer of poore Christians who propounded such captions interrogatories that he forced one brother to detect another One brother detecteth another the husband the wife c. the husband the wife the brother the sister the son the father Yet notwithstanding all crueltie the number did so encrease that the B. séeing the matter almost paste his power was faine to require ayde of the king for the suppressing of them Whereto the king graunted and sent downe his letters to the Sheriffes Baylifes Officers c. to ayde the Bishop in that behalfe Whereupon a great number abiured anno 1521. in the Dioces of Lincolne and did sharpe panaunce Among which there were certain A great number abiure who because they had abiured vnder Bishop Smith were now condemned for relapse and were burned T. Bernard burned whose names are these Thomas Bernarde Iames Morden Robert Raw Iohn Scriuener Ione Norman and Thomas Holmes which had detected many of the brethren yet escaped hee not the relapese Iohn Scriueners owne children were compelled to set fire to their Father Vnnaturall crueltie as Ione Clarke was before compelled to doe to her Father William Tilsworth About this time D. Collet D. Collet was troubled of B. Fitziames Bricot and Standish but found fauor with the king Paules schole builded He erected the Schoole of Paules The firste Schoolemaster of his Schoole was W. Lilius This Collet was very lerned He died anno 1519. After Pope Iulius 2. succéeded Leo 10. who vnder pretēce of warring against the Turkes sent a Iubile with his pardons through all Christian Regions Dominions whereby he gathered innumerable riches and treasures The gatherers whereof perswaded the people that whosoeuer would geue x. s̄ should at his pleasure deliuer one soule out of purgatorie but if it were one iotte then then shillings Pardonous sold they preached that it would profit them nothing Ex Christ Mess li. 20. Chro. This filthie marchandise was brought into Germanie by a Dominike Frier called Tecellius whereupon Tecellius Frier Luther a Frier Augustine then
abhorring this shamelesse practise anno 1517. vp openly the Temple ioyning to the castle of Wittemberge the morrow after the feast of all Saintes certaine propositions concerning Indulgenes Luther an augustine fier Whereupon the Frier Tecellius inueighed against Luther in his sermons calling him heretike and worthie to be persecuted with fire and burned Luthers Propositions opēlie and a Sermon which he wrote of Indulgences This rage of the Frier caused Luther to intreate more amplie of the matter Luther accused to the B. of Rome wherefore he was accused to the Bishop of Rome and minding as yet no further indeuoured to get the popes fauour writing vnto him for the same with all submission in these wordes Most holie Father Luther writeth to the P. I offer my selfe prostrate vnder the feete of your holinesse with all that I am and that I haue Saue me kill me call me recall me approue me reproue mee as you shall please your voice the voice of Christ in you speaking I will acknowledge If I haue deserued death I shall be contented to die c. This was in the yéere of our Lord one thousand fiue hundred and eightéene Dialogues against Luther Eckius against Luther Not long after the impudent dealing of Frier Tecellius steppeth out one Siluester de Priero a Dominike Frier which published rayling dialogues against Luther Vnto whom Luther made answere againe Next after this Siluester stepped vp Eckius and impugned the conclusions of Luther With whome encountred D. Andreas Bedensteme Archdeacon of Wittemberge making his apologie in the defence of Luther Afterwarde Martin Luther was cited vp the 7. day of August by one Hieronimus Bishop of Ascalon to appeare at Rome The Vniuersitie of Wittemberg hearing therof directed vp their letters with their publike seale to the P. in Luthers behalfe Duke Frederike also by his letters sued to Cardinall Caietanus who was then at Augusta that the cause of Luther might be fréed from Rome and remoued to Augusta to the hearing of the Cardinall The Cardinal at the Dukes suite wrote to the Pope and receiued answere that hee shoulde call Luther before him at Augusta and if he foūd him obstinate that he should interdict him with al his adherents and mainteiners whosoeuer the Emperors person only excepted The Pope also directeth other letters at the same time to Duke Fred. complayning with many gréeuous words against Luther P. cōplaineth against Lut. About the beginning of October M. Luther came to Augusta at the charges of the prince Elector and hauing obteined safeconduct from the Emperor Maximilian presented himself to the cardinal who propounded vnto him 3. things 1. That hée should reuoke his errours 2. That he should promise from that time forward to abstaine from the same 3. That hée should abstayne from any thing that might trouble the Church whereunto hée answered that he was perswaded it was sound and Catholike which hée had said and that he was ready to answere to that should be obiected against the same and that concerning the matters he would heare the iudgement of the vniuersities of the Empyre Basill Friburg and Louane After this Luther prepareth an answere by and by to Caietanus teaching that the merites of Christ are not committed to men that the Pope may erre that hée ought to bee reprehended that authoritie of Scriptures ought to leade in matters of faith that the extrauagant containeth vntrueths c. The Cardinall woulde heare no Scripture but commaunded Luther to come no more in his presence except hée woulde recant yet Luther abode there still and departed not The Cardinall sent for Iohannes Stupitius Vicar of the Augustines and mooued him earnestly to bring Luther to recant of his owne accord Luther tarried two daies after and nothing was saide vnto him Luther submitteth himselfe the third day hée deliuered his minde in writing submitting himselfe and promising that he would haue more moderation and that touching the matter of pardons hee would procéede no further Onely he saide he could not retract his sentence before defended for so much as he had said nothing but with a good conscience and that was agréeable to the testimony of the Scriptures This wryting the Cardinall lightly regarded Which when Luther sawe and tarrying yet two dayes longer vnderstanding that the Cardinall had saide that he had commaundement to imprison Iohn Stupitius and Luther after he had made and set vp his appeale he departed from the Cardinall After Luthers departure the Cardinall writeth a sharp letter vnto duke Fredericke declaring the dangerous doctrine of Luther and exhorteth the Duke to tender his owne honour and safetie and to expell Luther out of his dominions Whereto the Duke answereth both purging himselfe and Luther desiring the Cardinall to be a meanes to the Pope that innocencie and truth be not oppressed before the errour be lawfully conuicted This doone the Duke sendeth the letter of the Cardinall to Luther Luther writeth again to the duke and declareth how he was dealt with at Augusta what he offered and how he attended offering also him selfe to banishment to auoyde the malice of his enimies no doubt both the Duke and Luther were brought into a streight In which meane time the Vniuersity of Wittenberg wrote their letters in defence of Luther which caused the Duke now seriously to hearken to his cause This was ann 1518. about the beginning of December In the mean time in the moneth of Nouember the pope sendeth forth new indulgences into Germany New pardons and into all quarters with a new edict wherein he declareth that the bishop of Rome hath power to release dispense and to grant indulgences auaileable aswell for the liuing as the dead lying in the paynes of purgatorie Luther in the meane time hearing how they minded to procéede against him at Rome appealeth from the Pope to a generall Councell which the Pope vnderstanding practiseth with the Duke by flatterie and by secrete letters to Noblemen of the Dukes Councel that they might remoue the Dukes minde from Luther But before Melitus his ambassador approached Germanie Maximilian Maximilian died an 1519. in the moneth of Ianuarie and through the meanes of Frederike Prince Elector the Empire fel to Carolus v. surnamed Prudens about the end of August In the moneth of Iune before there was a publike disputation ordained at Lypsia a citie in Misma A disputation of Lipsia vnder the dominiō of George duke of Saxonie vncle to duke Frederick At that disputation Eckius and Carolostadius disputed of frée will and thether came Luther and Phillip Melancthon to heare what was doone Luther not minding nor purposing to dispute but there beyng prouoked he disputed with Eckius of the Popes supremacie of Purgatorie of Indulgences and of Penance This was in the moneth of Iuly an 1519. About the beginning of which yéere Zuinglius Zuinglius came first to Zurich and taught who at Zurick withstood Sampson a Frier that
their Councel béeing asked by the Duke did confirme and councelled the Duke to put downe the vse of the masse in his dominions About the same time king Henrie the 8. bare the name of a certaine booke written against Luther Booke against Luther Defender of the Christian faith in which he defendeth the Popes pardons his authoritie and the matter of the sacrament For which the pope added to his stile and title Defender of the Christian faith Within the compasse of the same yere P. Leo died reioysing of 3. blessings that God had bestowed vpon him First that hee being banished out of his Countrey was restored againe with glorie 2 That he deserued to be called Apostolike 3 That he had driuen the Frenchmen out of Italy After that he had spoken these words he was striken with a sodaine feuer and shortly after died being of the age of 47 yeres albeit some suspected he died of poyson After him succéeded Hadrian 6. In whose time the Turkes wanne Rhodes Pope Hadrian 6. A meeting at Noremberge He liued not much aboue one yere and a half in his Papacie In the time of this Hadr. the councell of Wormes brake vp and another meting appointed by the Emp. and States at Noremberge an 1522. To which méeting the Pope sent his letters and beside gaue his Legate Cheregalius instructions against Luther To whom the princes answered again geuing reason why as yet the Emperors Edict was not executed against Luther and requiring also that his holinesse with the consent of the Emperor would summon a generall Councell with as much spéed as might be wherein matters might be fréelie debated for the benefite of the Church and reformation of the same and that the assembling of that Councel might not be deferred longer then one yere In the meane time they promised to take reasonable order c. At the same time also at Noremberg 100. greeuances of Germanie against the pope the states propoūded an hundred gréeuances of the Germans which they did sustaine from the Sea of Rome as forbidding of marriage in degrées not forbidden by the law of God forbidding of meates not forbidden by God restraint of marriage at certaine times selling remission of sinnes for money innumities of clergy men excommunication abused number of holie dayes ouer burthenous suspending halowing of churchyardes against Officials and ecclesiasticall Iudges that ecclesiasticall Iudges annex lay matters vnto their iurisdiction c. These greeuances they deliuered to the popes legat an 1523. 1523 P. Hadrian dieth P. Clement 7. and so the assemblie of Noremberge brake vp and was proroged to the next yere following In the mean time Hadrian died after whom succéeded Clement 7. who the next yere after sent his Legat Cardinal Campeius vnto the assemblie at Noremberg with many faire petitions sharpe complaints against Luther c. but not a word of the gréeuāces or of any reformation While Luther was absent from Wittemberg Carolostadius And. Carolostadius stirred vp the people to throw downe images in the temples besides other thinges mo which Luther returning to Wittemberg misliked because it was not done orderly by the magistrate to whom it did belong Ex Ioh. Sleid. lib. 3. 1546 L. dieth Luthers praier at his death An 1546. in the 63. yere of his age L died after he had continued writing and preaching 29. yeares Before his death he prayed thus My heauenly Father eternall mercifull God thou hast manifested vnto me thy deare Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ I haue taught him I haue loued him as my health my life and my redemption whom the wicked haue persecuted maligned and with iniurie afflicted Draw my soule vnto thee After he had thus prayed he said as insueth thrise I cōmend my spirit into thy hands thou hast redemed me O god of truth God so loued the world that he gaue his only sonne that all that beleeued in him might haue life euerlasting Frederike prince Elector died before Luther an 1525. 1525 L. fulfilled Ierome of prages prophecie Thus Luther fulfilled the prophecie of Ierom of Prage I cite you al to answere before the most high and iust Iudge after 100. yeres Ierom was burnt 1416. and Luther began to write anno 1516. An. 1524. At the diet of Noremb was much reasoning cōcerning the mariage of priests which cardinall Cāpeius impugned and concerning the liberties of the citie of Strausburgh which the B. would haue infringed taking into his hands the cause of maried priests from the magistrate of the towne against ancient custome agréement betwixt them After the councell of Noremberg immediatly followed another sitting at Ratisbone A councell at Ratesbone where were present Ferdinandus Campeius Cardinall of Salisburgh the two dukes of Bauarie the Bishops of Trent and Ratisbone c. and made many popish Decrées and actes against Luther Actes against Luther which Campeius laboured to haue enacted in a full councell and with the consents of all the Empyre but the mindes of diuerse were gone from the Pope and he was faine to get the same ratified in this particular conuenticle An. 1519. Vldricus Zuinglius 1519 Zuinglius first abiding at Glocrona in a place called our Lords hermitage remoued to Zuricke and there began to teach dwelling in the Minster among the Canons or Monks of that close vsing the same rites with them the space of two or thrée yéeres because Leo the same yéere had renewed his pardons againe he cōtinued by the space of two yéeres more detecting of the abuses of the same till Hugo B. of Constance to whose iurisdiction Zurick did then belong wrote letters to the senat of Zuricke cōplaining greatly of Zuinglius to whom certain of the citie made answere desiring the B. that he would do nothing preiudiciall to the libertie of the gospell Zuinglius hauing referred his cause to the Senate This was An. 1522. Zuinglius also wrote a letter to the whole natiō of the Heluetians monishing them not to hinder the course of the gospell and not to molest priestes that were married and exhorted them to withdraw the libertie of concubines Thus Zuinglius continued certaine yéeres Dominicks against Zuinglius at the last the Dominicke friers opposed themselues wherevpon the Senate of Zuricke sent forth their commaundement to all Priests Ministers to repaire to Zurick against the 29. of Ianuarie next ensuing Anno 1523. That matters touching religion might be fréely disputed of directing of their letters to the B. of Constance that hée would either repaire thether himself or send his deputie At the day came Iohānes Faber Iohannes Faber against Zuinglius the Bishops Vicegerent Zuinglius had before contriued his doctrine into thrée score and seuen Articles and published thē abroad that they that minded to dispute might be better prepared Faber he denieth to dispute the matter and said it was méeter for a generall Councell which said he was néere
and were contented onely with their yerely pension which the K. payeth to euery page of the Heluetians to kéep peace The day and yere when this reformation began with them they caused to be engrauen in a piller with letters of golde A monument of their reformation 1528 for a perpetuall memorie to all posteritie to come This was an 1528. By these examples the ministers of Strausburgh began also to affirme and teach that the masse was naught The P. clergie laboured on the contrary part The Senat would haue brought it to a disputation but the Priests would agrée to no reasoning wherevpon the magistrates commaunded them silence The Bishop desired the Senate to perseuer in their old religiō but not preuailing they did sollicite the assembly of the Empire at Spires who sent a solemne Embassade to Strausborough requiring them to alter nothing but to refer all things to a generall Councell In like manner the Bishop of Heldessem hauing béene with them a litle before exhorted them in the name of the Emperour But the Senate of Strawsborough seing the matter did now hange in controuersie two yéeres the preachers dayly calling vpō them for reformatiō also suite being made by other Citizens assembled their great Citizens to the number of 300. in which the most voyces went against the masse Wherevpon immediatly the twentith of February ann 1529. 1529 Masse put downe in Strawsborough Basill reformed a decrée was made that the masse should be laid downe til the contrary part could proue it to bee lawfull by the scriptures Anon after at Basill also the masse was excluded and twelue Senatours fauouring popery displaced by the commons and the images throwne out of the churches and a decrée made that the masse and images should bee abolished through their whole iurisdiction in this citie taught Oecolampadius A memorial of their reformation The day of burning their images which was Ashwednesday they doe with mirth and pastime solemnise at this day Anno 1529. Ferdinando the Emperors brother and his Deputie in Germanie decréed against the Protestantes at Spires and refused to admitte the Ambassadors of Strausburgh because they had reiected the masse The other princes which were receiued as the Duke of Saxonie George of Brandenburgh Ernesus and Franciscus Earles of Lueburgh Lantgraue Anhaldius did withstād the decrée and shewed their cause in a long protestation written which done all such Cities as subscribed and consented to the Protestation of the Princes ioyned themselues in a common league with them whereupon they were called protestāts The names of the Cities were these Strausburgh The name of Protestants Norembergh Vlmes Constance Ruteling Winsenium Mēning Lindania Campodinum Hailburnim Isua Wesseburgum Norling and Sangallum The other Pages on the contrarie side made like confederacie which were especially fiue Lucernates Vrani A diuision of the Pages for religion Suicences Vnterualdij and Tugiani purposing to ouerrun the religion of Christ who also despitefully hanged vp the armes of the Cities Zurich and Berne vpon the gallowes In so much that Berne and Zurich raysed a power against the Suitzers aforesaid But as they were both readie to encounter through the meanes of the Citie of Strausburgh and other Intercessors they were parted at that time and so returned Which peace continued two yeares betwéene them till by reason of contumelies against the reformed cities the Tigurins and Bernates stopping al passage suffered no corn nor vitle to passe one to the other this was 1531. The French king with the Glarians Friburnians and Soliturnians endeuored to make peace betwixt them vpō certaine conditions which the other fiue Pages refused and armed themselues and approching néere Surich ouermatched them of Zurich with multitude and discomfited the armie among whom at that time Zuinglius was slaine Zuinglius slaine also the Abbot of Capella and Commendator Cunacensis with 13. other learned men as it is thought being falsly betrayed and brought into the hands of the enemie The maner of the Suitzers is when they goe to warre the chiefe Minister of their Church goeth with them which was the cause why he was present at the warre The minister goeth with the armie After he was slaine they burnt his bodie being dead Ex Sleid. li. 8. Zuinglius was 44. yeres of age when hee died They tooke the Abbot Capellensis being slaine and put out both his eyes and cloathed him in a Monks coule and so set him in a pulpit to preach rayling on him in most despitefull maner This battle was the xi of October The Bernats hearing of this ouerthrow armed themselues to make reuēge and attempting to take Tugie were ouermatched of the Page-men At the last through mediation a league was made betwéene them A league betwixt the Canons D. of Saxon dieth 1532 that the Tigurins Bernats and Basilians should forsake the league made with Strausburgh and the Lantgraue and likewise the v. pagemē their league with Ferdinandus And hereof were obligations sealed the last of Nouember Oecolampadius hearing of the death of Zuinglius departed this life also the last of Nouember being of the age of 49. The next following in the yere of our Lord 1532. in the moneth of August died Iohn Frederike Duke of Saxonie a great mainteiner of the trueth After whom succéeded Iohn Frederike his sonne 1533 H. Voes I. Ech burned Anno 1527. Two young men were burned at Bruxels one named Henrie Voes of the age 24. The other Ioh. Ech which were before of the order of Augustine Friers they were persecuted by Egmondanus the Popes Inquisitor the diuines of Louane The examiners were Lochestratus and others The cause was that they denied it was deadlie sinne to transgresse the decrées of the fathers and of the B. of Rome They were burned the first of Iuly marueylously ioying at their death in so much that one of them séeing fire kindled vnder his féete said me think you strowe roses vnder my féete The courage of the martir After their death their Monasterie was dissolued the President thereof called Iacobus Lutherianus after diuers afflictions was forced to recant at Bruxels but afterward being deliuered departed and fled to Luther An. 1524. About the citie of Diethmar was H. Sutphen monk burned wtout al order of iudgement or iust condēnation He was preacher at Breame greatly wtstoode by the chanons and prelates but mainteined by the senat people in so much that being sent for to the Archbishop and to a prouinciall councell at Burstade they refused to send him thether foreseing the malice of the councell But when the time came that the Lord would haue him witnes his truth an 1524. he was set vpon on a sudden at Meldorph in Diethmar whether he went to preach by the rude multitude through the instigatiō of the Frāciscane friers associated with certaine presidēts of the country who to the intent the husbandmen of the country should be more couragious gaue
stones like a dogge With that the hangman with a pike thruste him through the belly and guts and so burned him to ashes scattering his ashes afterward with the wind Ex Crisp Anno 1542. Constantinus 1542 Constantinus a citizen of Roan with thrée other were burned for the testimony of the truth Crisp The next yéere Iohn du Beck Iohn du Beck priest abode the torment of the fire for the truth in the chiefe citie of Champaine The same yéere Aymond de lay voy Aymond de lay voy a preacher beyng accused by the parish priest of S. Faith in Angeow other priests was taken when he might haue fled and was also by his friends exhorted therevnto hauing béene tormented thrée houres that he sounded therewith beyng a man of a weake nature he was condemned to be burned at Bourdeaux After sentence giuen he conuerted a Carmelite frier who was his cōfessor He was burned for denying purgatorie with other points of popish superstition when hée was brought to the place of execution he sang the psalme When Israell came out of Egypt c. and as he was oft repeting O Lord my God I cōmend my soule the hangman haled him vpon the steps in such sort that he strangled him after his body was consumed with fire Before his death A notable saying my flesh saith he striueth maruelously against the spirit but shortly I shall cast it off Anno 1544. Frauncis Bribard 1544 Francis Bribard Wil. Russen the chiefe secretarie to the Cardinall of Bellay his tongue first cut out was after consumed with fire The same yéere W. Russen an Apothecarie was burned at Roan for scattring bookes against popery First because he would not doo reuerence to the Image of our Lady his tongue was cut out The māner of the execution was he had his hands féet bound behind his backe with a pully was lifted vp into the aire when the fire was kindled he was let downe into the flame where the blessed martyr with a smiling chéerefull countenance looked vp to heauen neuer moouing nor stirring till he gaue vp his spirit some said he had a diuel others said nay for then he would haue fallē into dispaire The Carmelite who moued him going to executiō to doo homage to the idol was called De Lauda De Lauda he was afterward conuerted and preached the gospell Crisp lib. 2. Anno 1545. Iames Cobard 1545 Iames Cobard a schoolemaister was burned in the citie of S. Michaell in the dukedome of Barens in Lorraine for disputing with thrée popish Priestes and mainteyning that the Sacraments doo not auaile without faith and for other his confessiōs which he sent of his owne accord to the iudges by his mother Crispinus An. 1546. Peter Clerke Peter Clerke brother to Iohn Clerke burnt before Stephanus Mangius Iames Bomplack Iohn Brisebar Henry Hutmotes Thomas Honorate Iohn Bardoninus Iohn Flesch Iohn Pitquer Iohn Mattheston Phillip Little Michaell Chailow Frauncis Clerke Couberon a weauer were burned at Melda or Meaux 10. miles from Paris were William Briconetus W. Briconetus B. of the place did much good and reformed the Church but being straitly examined relented and there enterteined a priuate congregation in Mangius house chose Peter Clerke to their minister The congregation grew shortly to 400. and complaint beyng made thereof to the Senate of Paris thrée score two men women were brought bound to Paris singing Psalmes by the way 14 Christian martyrs especially the 79. psalme of these 62. fourtéene were stedfast constant endured first racking to bewray other of their brethren but vttered none the rest were scourged and banished the other persisting still in the profession of the truth were sent in a cart from Paris to Melda to be executed In the way thrée miles from Paris a certaine weauer méeting them cried alowde bidding them to be of good chéere and to cleaue fast to the Lord who also was taken and tied fast to the cart Comming to the place of execution which was before Mangius house it was told them that they which would be cōfessed should saue their tōgues so 7. to obtaine to speake were confessed the other 7. would not As they were in burning the people song psalmes The priests also séeing that song O Salutaris hostia and Salue Regina while the sacrifice of these holy martirs was finished The priestes sing at the death of martyrs Their wiues being compelled to sée their husbands in torments were after put in prison from whēce they being promised to be let go if they wold say their husbands were dāned they refused to say so The accusers wer Frācisc friers Anno 1546. Peter Chapet 1546 Peter Chapet was first strangled and then burnt at Paris for scattering bookes of religion and farther confession of his faith His accuser was Iohn Andre promoter to Liset the President Going to execution he praied O L. Iesu son of Dauid haue mercy vpon me Then said D. Malliard who was one that disputed with him before was appointed to be present at executiō say Iesus Maria or els saith he thou shalt be burned quick which he refused to do and afterward being strugled withal to vtter the same did let scape out of his mouth Iesus Maria vnawares but he by by repressing himself O God saith he what haue I done pardon me O Lord to the truth I haue sinned Then was he strangled yet so that somewhat he felt the paines of the fire After this Malliard full of anger went to the iudgement house and much blamed the iudges for suffering the heretikes to haue their tongues wherevppon a decrée was made that all that went to be burned vnles they would recant at the fire shold haue their tongues cut out Their tongues cut out which law was afterward diligently obserued Crisp lib. 6. Anno 1546. Sauitinus Sauitinus Niuet a lame créeple of the towne of Meaux as they were examining him of certain points of religion asked him whether he would stand to that hée had said or no to whom he answered againe I aske you Lord Iudges dare you be so bold to deny that which is so playn and manifest by the open words of the scripture At last he suffred death with cruel tormēts through the means of Peter Liset a great persecutor Henric. Pantal. Gallic hist The same yéere Stephen Polliot Steph. Polliot was apprehended at Fera burned at Paris hauing his bookes hanged about his necke Pantal. after hee had a long space béene kept in a foule and darke dungeon Anno 1547. Iohn English 1547 Ioh. English was condemned by the high Court of Paris for the profession of the trueth Crisp Adrian The same yéere Michael Michelot Michael Michelot was burned at Wēden by Turney who being asked whether he would recant and be beheaded or persist be burned He answered that
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
put downe in England In this Parlament also the decrées and prouinciall constitutions were committed to be examined of 32. persons chosen by the king out of the higher and lower house and at their discretions to be abrogated or to stande in strength Also it was decréed that the Cleargie of this Realme submitting themselues to the king should and did promise in verbo Sacerdotij neuer to assemble their Conuocations without the kings writte No Conuocations without the kings writ nor to enact or to execute such constitutions without his Royall assent Moreouer that no person should appeale prouoke or sue to the Court of Rome vnder paine of prouisures prouisure or premunire Item that no Annuales and first fruites of Bishops and Archbishops should be paid to Rome for any Bulles Bréeues Palles c. Item that the king should nominate the person to be elected into any Ecclesiasticall dignitie and so the Prior and Couent Deanrie Chapter of those Cathedrall Churches where the Seate was vacant by the vertue of the kings letters missiues shoulde within 12. dayes choose that person nominated by the king c. Moreouer it was decréed against all intollerable exactions of the Bishop of Rome in pensions Peterpence procurations fruites c. And finally in this Parlament it was consulted concerning the lawfull succession of the Crowne in ratifying it to the heires of the kings body and Q. Anne In which Parlament also the degrées of marriage were plainly set out according to the word of God Not long after the king required an oath of the Spiritualty to be made vnto him abolished that which they were woont to make to the Pope In which only they acknowledged the king to be Supreme head Which oath Sir Thomas Moore misliking was enforced to resigne vp his Chauncellorship The oath of the Cleargie to the Pope abolished Moore resignth the Chauncellourship and to deliuer vp the great Seale of England into the K. hands After whom succéeded Sir Th. Awdley knight who fauourably inclined to the doctrine of the Gospell Not long after the king procéeded to marrie the Ladie Anne Bulleine who was a speciall fauourer of the gospell The K. renoūceth the Pope and so was diuorced both from the Lady Dowager and the Pope together The Princesse Dowager after the diuorce procured from the Pope an interdictment of the king and the whole Realme Anno 1533. 1533. Lady Elizabeth borne Quéene Anne was crowned and not long after her coronation the 7 of September she was brought a bed and deliuered of a faire Ladie named at the Font Elizabeth the Archbishop of Caunterburie being Godfather and the olde Dutches of Norfolke and the olde Marchionesse of Dorcet widowes Godmothers After this the Monkes and Friers and other euill disposed persons feigned that God had reueyled to a Nunne Elizabeth Barton whom they called the holy maid of Kent The holy maid of Kent that if the king procéeded in that diuorce he should not be K. of this Realme one moneth after and in the reputation of God not one day nor houre This dissimulation was found out by the diligence of the Archbishoppe of Caunterburie the Lord Cromwell and Master Hugh Latimer and she condemned and put to death with certaine of her counsell in the moneth of Aprill anno 1533. as Henrie Golde Bacheler of diuinitie Richard Master Parson of Aldington Edwarde Bocking Monke of Caunterburie Iohn Dearing Monke of Caunterburie Hugh Ritch Frier Warden of the Graye friers of Caunterburie Richarde Risbie attaint of treason by acte of Parlament and so put to death Others of the same conspiracie as Fisher bishop of Rochester Thomas Golde Thomas Laurence Edward Thwates Iohn Adeson and Thomas Abell being conuicte and attainted of mesprision were condemned to prison and forfeyted their goods and possessions to the king This yere 1533. one Pauier or Pauie Towneclarke of the Citie of London a notorious enemy of Gods trueth and a verie busie fellow about the burning of Rich. Bayneham hanged himselfe Gods iudgement he saide rather than he woulde sée the scripture in English to be read of the people he would cutte his owne throate but hee made his choise rather of an halter About this time also died Doctor Foxforde Chauncellour to the B. of London a common butcher of Gods saints who was the condemner of all those which were put to death troubled or abiured vnder Stokesley throughout all the Dioces of London He died sitting in his chaire sodainlie his belly being burst his guttes falling out before him About the same time also died Wil. Warham Archbishop of Canterburie whom succeeded Th. Cranmer Tho. Cranmer Archbishop of Canterburie This yere at Dunkirke in Flaunders a writte of Excommunication was set vp against the king for the diuorce which beeing knowen vnto the king hee caused to be discharged a great sort of the princesse Dowagers seruaunts and they that remained still were sworne to serue her as a Princesse onely and not as Quéene and because she refused to be serued of such she remained with a very few liuing after this sort the space of two yéeres An. 1534. Vpon the iij. of February the parliament was assembled againe wherein was made an act of succession whereto euery person should be sworne Preaching against the popes supremacie During this parlament time euery Sunday preached at Paules crosse a bishop which declared the pope not to be head of the Church Iohn Fisher bishop of Rochester sir Thomas Moore and Doctor Nicholas Wilson parson of S. Thomas Apostles in London refused the oath to the Act of succession made then wherfore they were sent to the Tower In the end the Doctor was content to dissemble the matter and so escaped but the other two remained obstinate The third of Nouember this parliament was again assembled in which the Pope and Cardinals with his pardons and indulgences were wholly abolished The Popes pardons wholly abolished to the abolishing whereof and to the ratifying of the kings title of supreme head Stephen Gardiner gaue his othe so did Iohn Stokesley B. of London likewise Edward Lee Archbishop of Yorke Cuthbert B. of Duresme and all the rest of the Bishops in like sort to this title agréed also the sentence of the Vniuersitie of Cambridge Also Ed. Bonner then Archdeacon of Leicester Gardiners booke de obedientia with Bonners notes was of the same iudgemēt and prefixed his preface to Steuen Winchesters booke de obedientia of the same argument To this also agreed the whole Cleargie of the Church of England and subscribed with the handes of the Bishoppes and other learned men to the number of 46. doctors of diuinitie and of both lawes Anno 1535. Fisher the Bishop of Rochester and Sir Thomas Moore were executed for refusing the oath of supremacie which all the other Bishoppes and Cleargie yéelded vnto one was executed the xxij of Iune the other the vj. of Iulie The ruine of Religious houses
incontinent after the suffering of Quéene Anne the king within iij. daies after married Ladie Iane Seimer About this time Paule iij. Bishop of Rome appoynted a generall counsell at Mantua in Italie requiring all kinges and princes to be there present in person or to sende their Ambassadours pretending to suppresse heresies to reforme the Church and to warre against the Turke To this Councell the king refused either to come The king refuseth the general counsel at Mantua or to send Ambassadour and made his protestation against the sea of Rome A litle before the death of Quéen Anne there was a parlament at Westminster wherein was giuen to the king by generall consent of the Abbots all such houses of religion as were vnder iij. hundred marks Certaine houses of religion giuen to the king which did prognosticate what would befall the rest Shortly after the marriage of the king with the Ladie Iane Seimer in the moneth of Iune during the continuance of the Parlament by the consent of the Cleargie in the Conuocation house in Paules Church a booke was set out containing certain Articles of religion necessarie to be taught to the people Articles of religion to be taught the people wherein they treated specially but of thrée sacraments baptisme penance and the Lordes supper where also diuers things were published concerning alteration of certaine points of religion and certaine holie daies forbidden many Abbeies agréed on to be suppressed For the which cause a Monke named Doct. Mackrell naming himself Captain Cobler stirred vp to rebell the number of xxvi thousand in Lincolne shire Rebellion suppressed which was quietly suppressed Also he raysed an other of xl thousand Yorkshire men by stirring vp of Monkes and priestes They called their rebellion an holy pilgrimage which was also by the great prouidence of God quieted without bloodshed At that time diuers priests which were stirrers vp of the people were executed Anno 1537. 1537 Prince Edward borne Queene Iane dieth The moneth of October was borne Prince Edward shortly after whose birth Quéene Iane his mother the second day after died in childbed and left the king a widower who so continued the space of two yéeres together By reason of the kings departure from the pope the Emperour the French king and Scottes beganne to ruffle against him but hearing of the byrth of Prince Edwarde and vnderstanding of the death of Quéene Iane whereby the king was a widower Ruffelings against the K. easily calmed and the bruite béeing that hée would matche with the Germanes they began to be calme againe Anno 1536 The king began with a little booke of articles The K. articles for the instruction of the people bearing this title Articles deuised by the kings highnes to stablish christian quietnesse vnitie among the people It contained the Créede iij. sacraments how images might safely be worshipped and how saints departed ought to be reuerēced that the parsons should teach their people that Christ is their only mediator how the ceremonies of holy water holy bread candles c. shoulde without superstition bée vsed It tooke away also the abuses which rose vpon the imagination of Purgatory as Masses for soules departed pardons c. Not long after these Articles certaine other Iniunctions were also geuen out about the same yere Whereby a number of holidayes were abrogated A number of Holidaies abrogated and especially such as fel in haruest time After these Iniunctions other mo followed afterward geuen out by the king concerning Images Reliques and blinde miracles For abrogating of Pilgrimages deuised by superstition and mainteined for lucres sake Scripture in English Also for the Lords prayer beléefe and tenne commaundements and the Bible to be had in English Anno 1538. yet againe other Articles were set out whereby both the Parsons of Churches and the Parishes together were bound to prouide in euery Church to buye a Bible in English Also for euery Parishioner to be taught by the Minister to vnderstand say the Lordes prayer and Créede in their owne vulgar tongue with other necessarie and most fruitfull Iniunctions As for the frée preaching of the word of God against Images pilgrimages for a Register booke in euery Church A Register booke in euerie Church against Beckets day knelling Auies Suffrages of Saints c. This yere was Frier Forrest burned quicke hanging in chaines in Smithfield He denied the kinges supremacie and was conuict of diuers other damnable articles He was an obseruant Frier With this Forrest was Daruell Gatheren an abhominable Idoll of wales burned and it fulfilled a blinde prophesie that it should set a Forrest on fire He tooke his death very vnpatiently In the moneths of October Nouember the same yere the religious houses by the speciall motion of the L. Cromwell were from the very foundations rooted vp Religious houses from the foundation rooted vp Immediatly after the ruine and destruction of Monasteries the same yere in the moneth of Nouember followed the condemnation of Iohn Lambert the faithfull seruant of Iesus Christ This Lambert Ioh. Lambert being borne and brought vp in Norfolke was first conuerted by Bilney and studied in the Vniuersitie of Cambridge from whence through the violence of the time he departed to the partes beyonde the Seas to Tindall and Frith and there remayned the space of a yere and more being Preacher to the English house at Antwerpe till he was disturbed by Sir Thomas Moore and through the examination of one Barlowe was carried from Antwerpe to London where he was brought to bee examined First at Lambeth then at the Bishops house at Oxforde before Warham Archbishop of Caunterbury and other aduersaries hauing 45. Articles layde against him 45. Articles against Lābert concerning the Sacraments of orders of penance of confession cōcerning vnwritten verities purgatorie prayer to Saintes pilgrimage lent fast Images praying for soules departed preaching without licence of Bishops the Popes excommunication Scripture in the mother tongue iustification by faith onely concerning the Councell of Constance the number of Sacraments the power of Peter the power of the pope c. Whereto Iohn Lambert made a large and learned answere and constantly testified the trueth of the same points agréeable to the Scriptures He was moreouer required to bewray his fellowes which hee refused to doe with great boldnesse These answeres of Lambert were deliuered to Doctor Warham Archbishop of Canterburie about the yere 1532. at what time he was in custodie in the Bishops house at Oxford from whence the next yere through the death of the Archbishoppe he was deliuered After Warhā succéeded D. Crāmer Lambert in the meane time being deliuered returned to Lond. taught childrē about the Stocks Anno. 1538. It happened that Lambert was present at a Sermon in Saint Peters Church in London preached by Doctor Taylor who after was a Cōfessour of Iesus Christ with whom after the Sermon Lambert went and talked
and vttered his diuerse argumentes where hée desired to be satisfied The matter was concerning the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ Tailor desired him to deferre the matter till another tyme and to wryte his minde whiche hée did and at last it brake out to bée a publicke matter so that he was sent for by the Archbishop of Canturbury and was forced to defend his cause openly In that disputation it is said that Lambert did appeale from the Bishops to the king and the rumour of the disputation was spred to the court Now at this time Stephen Gardiner then bishop of Winchester A wicked persuasion was in authoritie among the kinges Counsellours and perswaded the kinge by the burning of Lambert to quiet the people who grudged at diuerse of his dooinges bothe touchyng his diuorce and pullinge downe the Popes pride and thereby to declare how stoutly he would resist Heretikes whereby the people might take some contentment So by these perswasions a day was set Lambert brought forth where besides he had the kings fierce countenance against him Lambert disputeth he had x. disputers against him frō xij of the clocke till v. at night among which were the archbishop Stephen Gardiner Tunstall B. of Durham Stokesley bishop of London In fine through Winchesters perswasion to gratifie the people the king himselfe condemned Lambert and commanded Cromwell the chiefe friend of the gospellers to read the sentēce The king condemneth Lambert Cromwell readeth the sentence against Lambert Cromwell craueth pardon of Lambert Vpon the day that was appointed for this holy martyr to suffer he was brought out of the prison at viij of the clocke in the morning vnto the house of the L. Cromwell so caried into his inner chamber where as it is reported of many Cromwell desired him of forgiuenes for that he had doone from thence he was brought into the hall and so into Smithfield where he suffered most terrible torments for after his legges were burned vp to the stumps that the wretched tormentors had withdrawē the fire from him so that but a small fire was left vnder him two that stood on each side of him with their halbards pitched him vpon their pikes as farre as the chaine would reach then he lifting vp such handes as he had and his fingers euer flaming with fier cried vnto the people in these wordes Lambert a worthy martyr None but Christ none but Christ and so beyng let downe againe from their Halbards he fell into the fire yéelded vp the ghost Lamberts treatice of the Sacrament During the time that he was in the Archbishops house he wrote a treatise to the king touching the Sacrament wherein he prooued that the bodie could be but in one place and that the Sacrament was a mysticall matter The same yéere 1538. Robert Packington Mercer brother of Austen aboue mentioned because he little fauoured the clergie being a man of courage and a burges of the parliament house for the Cittie and was thought to haue had some conference with the king to the disaduauntage of the clergie at fiue of the clocke in the morning as he was woont going from his house in Cheapside to prayers at a church called S. Thomas of Acres but nowe Mercers chappell he was slaine with a gun by an Italian Robert Packington slaine going to prayers whome D. Incent Deane of Paules had hired for lx crownes to doo that feat as he himselfe afterward on his death bed confessed The same yéere was Collins a mad man and his dogge burned Collins his dogge burned together because as the priest lifted his God so Collins in the Church at the same time lifted his dogge ouer his head his dogge was burnt also with him Likewise another mad man called Cowbridge Cowbridge was burned at Oxford the same yéere who what euer his madnesse was before yet in the middes of the flame he lifting vp his hand to heauen soberly and discréetly called vpon the name of the Lord Iesus and so departed About the same time and yéere Putdewe Putdewe was put to death for saying merily to a priest after he had drunke the wine he blessed the hungrie people with the emptie Chalice At the same time also was condēned W. Letton Williā Letton a moonke of Aye in the Countie of Suffolke was burned at Norwich for speaking against an idoll that was vsed to be carried in procession at Aye and for holding that the Sacrament ought to bée ministred in both kindes Somewhat before the burning of these men Nich. Peke Nicholas Peke was burned at Ipswich and when the firres were set on fire he was so scorched that he was as blacke as pitch Doctor Reading standing there before him with Doctor Heirre and Doctor Springwell hauing a long white wande in his hand did knocke him vpon the right shoulder and sayde Peke recant and beléeue in the Sacrament The notable courage of the martyr to whom Peke answeared I defie thée and it also and with greate violence hee spatte from him blood which came by reason the veynes brake in his bodie for extreme anguish Which when hée saide Doctor Reading graunted by the authoritie of the Bishoppe of Norwich fourtie dayes of pardon to so many as should cast a sticke to burne the heretike wherevpon Baron Curson Sir Iohn Audley knight and others were moued so to do and cutte downe boughes and threw them into the fire This yéere the king was againe required by the Emperour and other States to be a sender to the generall Counsell at Vincence For the Duke of Mantua woulde suffer none there The king againe refuseth the Counsell except the pope would with a sufficient armie gard this city The king again refused and sendeth his protestation in way of defence for himselfe to the Emperour and other Christian princes which he concludeth with this farewell Thus mighty Emperour fare yée most heartely wel and you Christian princes The kings farewell to the princes Anno Reg. the pillers and stay of Christendome fare ye heartily wel also you what people soeuer you are which doe desire that the Gospel and glory of God may flourish fare ye heartily well As Thomas Cromwell fauoured the Gospel so Stephan Gardiner B. of Winchester practised all he coulde against the same and wrought so with the king that the yéere 1539. seuere Iniunctions were set out by the kinges authoritie against English scripture bookes without examination against translations Search iniunctions without the authors name were put to it against sacramentaries that no man should dispute of the sacrament with the rest the canon of Becket rased c. and in fine so was he nusled by Winchester that Anno 1540. 1540. The king nusled by Winchester The whippe with vi strings The vi Articles He summoned a parlament to be holden at Westminster the xxviij of Aprill also a synode of
prelates in which the sixe articles were concluded touching matters of religion which were commonly called the whippe with sixe strings The first article was concerning transubstantiation 2 Against the communicating in both kindes 3. That priestes might not marry after the order of priesthood receiued 4. that the vowes of chastity made aboue 21. yéeres of age of widowhood aduisedly made should be obserued 5. The establishing of priuate masses 6. Auricular confession to be expedient The punishment for breach of the first article was burning without any abiuration with losse of all goods lands as in case of treason Treason Felonie the default against the other fiue articles was fellony without any benefit of cleargy c. Against these articles only D. Cranmer Cranmer disputeth against the vi articles Archbishop of Canterbury stood vp and thrée daies disputed against them with such strength of reason that the king who euer bare especall fauour vnto him well liking his zelous defence onlie willed him to depart out of the parlament house vnto the Counsell chamber for a time for safegarde of his conscience till the Act shoulde passe and bée graunted which hée notwithstanding with humble protestation refused to doe After the parlament was finished the king sent the Lord Cromwell who in few dayes after was apprehended the twoo Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke and all the Lordes of the parlament house to dyne with the Archbishoppe at Lambith and to comfort him and within few daies also vpon the same required that hee woulde giue a note of all his doings and reasons in the said parliament which Cranmer eftsoones accomplished accordingly and sent the copie thereof to the king Besides these sixe Articles in the same parliament was ordained that if Priestes were taken in Adultery or Fornication and duely conuict for their not Caste nor Caute at first tyme they shoulde forfaite their goods Against adultery and fornication of priests and for the second faulte be taken and executed as fellons this was brought in by the Lord Cromwels aduise Who if he might haue had his will the firste crime of these concubinarie Priestes aswell as the second no doubt had béene punished with death but so Gardiner did barre that article with his shifts that the first was losse of goodes and the second death and the next yéere he so prouided that the paine of death by Act of parlament was cleane repealed So that by this statute it was prouided Death for adulterie repeated for all such votaries as liued in whordome and adultery For the first offence to lose his goodes and all his spiritual promotions except one For the second to forfeite all that he had to the king For the third conuiction to sustaine continual imprisonment Anno 1541. The eight and twentith day of Iuly the noble lord Cromwell the maule of the Pope and Papists in this land and the great fauourer of the gospell was put to death at Tower hill 1541. Cromwell the maule of the P. put to death The crimes obiected against him were first heresie and that he was a supporter of Barnes Clarke and many other whom by his authoritie and letters written to Sheriffes and Iustices in diuers Shires he had discharged out of prison Also that hee did disperse bookes of heresies among the kinges Subiects Item that he caused to be translated into English diuers bookes that conteined matter against the Sacrament c. Besides all this there were brought in certaine witnesses which charged him with wordes that he should speake against the king in the Church of S. Peter the poore in the xxx yere of the kings reigne In the moneth of Iuly during the Parliament being in the Counsell chamber he was sodainly attainted and carried to the Tower the xix of the moneth of Iulie the xxviij day put to death He was borne of a simple parentage at Putney or there abouts being a Smiths sonne his mother married after to a Sherman Cromwell The life of L. Cromwell being ripe of yéeres was at Antwerp retained to be secretarie to the merchants there From whence being procured by Geffery Chambers with another companion whom the men of Boston sent to Rome for the renewing of their priuiledges to go to Rome and aid them in their suite he departed and accompanied the Boston mens Ambassadours to Rome where he aduised with himselfe how he might haue best accesse vnto the pope and best dispatch of his busines and hauing knowledge how that the popes holy tooth greatly delighted in new fangled strange delicates it came into his mind to prepare certaine fine dishes of gelly made after our countrey maner here in England which to them of Rome was not knowen nor séene before This done Cromwell obseruing his time as the pope was newly come from hunting into his pauiliō hée with his companions approched with his English presents brought in with a thréemans song as we call it in the English tongue and all after the English fashion The pope sodainly marueiling at the strangenes of the song and vnderstanding that they were Englishmen and that they came not emptie handed willed them to be called in Cromwel there shewing his obedience and offring this iolie Iunkets such as kings Princes onely vsed said he in the Realm of Englande to féede on desired that to be accepted in good part which he his companions as poore Suters vnto his Holinesse had there brought and presented as Nouelties méete for his recreation Pope Iulius so liked their Iunkets that he desired to know the making of their daynties And vnderstanding their suites without any more adoe stamped both their pardons both the greater and the England the king also wrote in like manner to Boner his Ambassadour to assist the doers thereof in all their reasonable suites whereto the king of Fraunce gaue licence Boner shewed himselfe very diligent about the worke The Bible in English printed at Paris So the booke was printed euen to the last part then was quarrels picked to the printer who was sent for to the inquisitors of the faith there charged with certaine articles of heresie Then were sent for the Englishmen that were at the cost charge therof Richard Grafton and Whitchurch the corrector Miles Couerdale but hauing warning what would follow the Englishmen posted away leauing behind them their Bibles to the number of 2500. called the Bibles of the great volume and neuer recouered any of them sauing the Lieuetenant criminal sold foure great dryfats of them to an Haberdasher to lap in caps and those were brought again but the rest were burnt at the place called Maulbert in Paris But notwithstanding the losse after they had recouered some part of the foresaid books and were comforted and incouraged by the L. Cromwell the same men went agayne to Paris and there got the presses letters and seruants of the foresaid printer and brought them to London and there they became
had where Doctor Barnes continued halfe a yéere at length was deliuered and committed to be frée prisoner at the Austen friers in London Where being vndermined and complained of it was determined he shoulde be remoued to the Austine friers in Northampton there to be burned he himselfe knowing nothing thereof but by the aduise of Maister Horne who brought him vp he made escape came to London and by long Seas went to Antwerpe and so to Luther D. Barnes escapeth out of prison and there fell to studie till hée had made answere to all the byshoppes of the Realme and had made a Booke entituled Acta Romanorum Pontificum Acta Romanorum pontificum and another Booke with a supplication to King Henrie And such fauour God gaue him in fight of the Duke of Saxonie and the King of Demarke that the king of Denmarke sent him with the Lubeckes as Ambassadour to King Henrie the eyght and was lodged with the Lubeckes Chancellour at the Stillyarde Syr Thomas Moore the Chauncellour would faine haue entrapped him but the king woulde not suffer him For Cromwell was his great friend and ere he went the Lubeckes and he disputed with the Bishoppes of this Realme in defence of the trueth and so departed with them agayne without resistaunce and afterwarde hauing set forward in Germanie his woorkes in print that hée had begunne hée returned againe in the beginning of the reigne of Quéene Anne and after that was sent Ambassadour by king Henrie the eight to the Duke of Cleue for the marriage of the Ladie Anne of Cleue betwéene the King and her and was well accepted therefore vntill the time that Stephen Gardiner came out of Fraunce after which time neyther religion prospered nor the Queene nor Cromwell nor the Preachers for not long after Doctour Barnes with his brethren were apprehended and carryed before the Kinges maiestie at Hampton Court and there was examined Where the Kinges maiestye séeking the meanes of his safetie and desirous that Winchester and he might agrée graunted him leaue to go home to conferre with the Bishop but they not agréeing through certaine complaints Barnes and his fellowes were inioined to make thrée sermons the next Easter following at the spittle In which not satisfying the Prelates they were sent for to Hampton Court again D. Barnes sent to the tower and from thence to the Tower by Sir Iohn Gostwicke from whence they came not out til they came to their death And thus much concerning Doctor Barnes About the yéere 1526. Maister Garret Curate of Honie lane in London came to Oxforde and dispersed there certaine Bookes in Latine not agréeable to the Romish superstition with Tindalles Testament and had not long béene there but hée was searched for in London to bée apprehended for an Heretike and afterwarde a priuie searche was made in Oxforde whereof Garret béeyng warned by Maister Cole of Magdalene Colledge who after was crosse bearer to Cardinall Wolsey he departed out of Oxforde in the morning before Shrouetide towards Dorcetshyre where hee woulde haue for a time hidde himselfe But altering his mynde on the Friday night next hée returned to Oxforde and laye in Radlies house where by the priuie searche the same night hee was taken and kept prisoner in Doctour Cotfords chamber maister of Lincolne Colledge then being Commissary of the Vniuersitie from whence when the Commissary and his company was at Euensong Garret putting backe the locke of his doore with his finger escaped againe and chaunging his apparrell by the helpe of Anthonie Delaber scholer of Alborne hall departed but afterward was againe taken by maister Cole or his men going Westward at a place called Hincksey a little beyonde Oxeford and so being brought back agayn was committed to ward that done hee was conuented before the Commissarie Doctor London and doctor Higden Deane of Frisewides now called Christes Colledge into Saint Maries Church where they compelled him to carrie a Fagot in open Procession and Delaber with him and after were sent to Osney there to be kept in prison till further order was taken Yet againe after this M. Garret flying from place to place Barnes Garret and Hierom burned together escaped till the time he was apprehended and burned with Doctor Barnes with whom also W. Hierome sometime Vicar of Stepney was likewise drawne into Smithfield and together with them endured constantly martyrdome in the fire This Hierome for preaching at Paules the 4. Sundays in Lent and saying that all that were of the Fréewoman Sara were freely iustified for preaching that wee are not bound to princes lawes further than according to the word of God and that workes are no part of our saluation was committed to the Tower and the xxx of Iulie two daies after the death of the Lorde Cromwell An vniust proceeding not comming to any answere nor yet knowing any cause of their condemnation without any publike hearing processe being made out against them by the kings Counsel in the Parlament time Barnes Hierome and Garret were brought together from the Tower into Smithfield and by constant suffering the rage of the fire they gaue testimonie to the trueth After they had made confession of their faith and prayed there was one asked Doctor Barnes if the Saintes prayed for vs he said he would referre that vnto God and if they did then I trust said he to pray for you within this halfe houre M. Sheriffe and asked the Sheriffe if he had any Articles against him for which he was condemned The Sheriffe answered no Then said he is there any man els that knoweth wherefore I die or that by my preaching hath taken any errour let them now speake and I will make them aunswere And no man answered So praying earnestly for his persecutors hee gaue himselfe to suffer and required master Sheriffe to haue him commended vnto the king and to shew him that he required of his grace foure requestes First Doctor Barnes his 4. requestes to the king that he would bestowe parte of the Abbey possessions on the reliefe of the poore Secondly that he woulde sée matrimone to be had in more reuerence Thirdly that swearers might be punished Fourthly that he woulde set vp Christes true religion The same yere and day and in the same place were foure Papistes executed for denying the kings Supremacie Foure papists executed for denying the knigs supremacie which brought the people to a marueylous admiration Their names were Powell Fetherstone and Abel All 3. drawen hanged and quartered It fell out thus by reason the kings Counsell was deuided in Religion the one side hastening the execution of the Papistes and the other of the Protestants The fauourers of the trueth in king Henries dayes The patrones of poperie in those dayes The fauourers of the trueth were these Caunterburie Suffolke Vicount Beauchampe Vicount Lisle Russell Treasourer Paget Sadler Awdeley The fauourers of the Papistes Winchester Duresme Norfolke Southhampton Anthonie Browne William
also was put to death for incontinency with Tho. Culpeper The same yéere in the moneth of August 1541 sixe were executed at Tiborne for the matter of supremacie Sixe put to death for the supremacie The Prior of Dancaster Giles Horne a monke of the Charterhouse of London Thomas Epsame a monke of Westminster who was the last in king Henries daies that ware a monks wéede the fourth one Philpot the fift one Carew the sixt was a Frier The king after the death of his first wife now more and more he missed his olde Counsellour Cromwell The king misseth Cromwell and partly smelling the waies of Winchester beganne a little to set his foote in the cause of religion and now the want of Cromwell did more mightely knit his affection to Cranmer whō he alwaies before loued wel And in the same yéere the moneth of October after the execution of this Quéene the king vnderstanding some abuses yet to remaine vnreformed namely about pilgrimages and idolatrie c. directed his letters to the Archb. of Canterburie for spéedy redresse of the same this was Anno 1542. The yeere 1543. 1543. Whitemeates permitted in Lent in the moneth of Februarie followed another Proclamation giuen out by the Kinges authoritie whereby whitemeates were permitted to be eaten in Lent Anno 1544. Anthony Parson priest Henrie Filmer Iohn Marbeck were sent from London to Windsor by the Sheriffes men the Saterday before S. Iames day and laid fast in the towne gaole Robert Testwood who had kept his bed was brought out of his house vpon crowches and laide with them Robert Bennet was the fourth apprehended with them and being sicke of the pestilence and a great sore running vpon him he was left behind in the Bishop of Londons gaole whereby he escaped the fire Now these being brought to Windsor there was a session specially procured to be holden the Thursday after which was S. Agnes day Against which sessions by the counsell of Doctour London and Simons a cruell Persecutour were all the Farmers belonging to the Colledge of Windsor warned to appeare to be the iurers The Iudges were these Doctor Capon bishop of Salisbury sir William Essex knight sir Thomas Bridges knight sir Humfrey Foster knight Franckelen Deane of Windsore and Fachell of Readyng Robert Ockam occupied the clarke of peaces roume who called Anthony Parson and read his indictement whiche was preachyng agaynst the reall presence Thomas Testwood whom they alleadged against that hée mocked the Priest at the lifting c. Next Filmer whome his owne brother accused for the matter of the reall presence there being none but his owne brother to witnes against him whom Doctor London flattered and entertayned in his owne house to that ende Lastly Iohn Marbecke béeyng called was charged to haue resembled the lifting vp of the Sacrament to the setting vp of Ieroboams calues and for speaking agaynst the Masse In which Articles they were founde guiltye by the Quest one Hyde dwelling beside Abington in a Lordeshippe belonging to the Colledge of Windsor spake in the mouth of the rest Then the Iudges beholding the prisoners a good while some with waterie eyes made curtesie who shoulde giue iudgement which when Fachell that was the lowest in the benche perceyued if no man will doe it then will I said Fachell and so gaue iudgement So were they had away who with comforting one another prepared themselues to die the next day All the night till dead sléepe tooke them they continued still calling on the name of the Lord and praying for their persecutors On the next morowe which was Friday as the prisoners were all preparing themselues to suffer the Bishop of Sarum and others had sent a letter by one of the Sherifes Gentlemen called master Frost to the bishop of Winchester the Court being then at Oking in the fauour of Marbecke Marbecke pardoned at the sight of which letter the Bishop straight way went to the king and obtained his pardon which was to the end he might betray others On the Saturday morning the other thrée were had to suffer and all thrée beyng bound to the post a certaine yong man of Filmers acquaintance brought him a pot of drinke asking him if he would drinke Yea quoth Filmer I thanke you and so they encouraging themselues drancke one to another Filmer reioycing in the Lord said be merie my brethren and lift vp your hearts to God for after this sharpe breakefast I trust we shall haue a good dinner in the kingdome of Christ our Lord and redéemer Filmer Testwood Porson burned at which wordes Testwood lifting vp his hands and eies to heauen desired the Lord aboue to receiue his spirite And Anthonie Parson pulling the strawe vnto him laide a good deale thereof vpon the toppe of his head saying This is Gods hatte nowe am I dressed like a true souldier of Christ by whose merites only I trust this day to enter into his ioy Notable martyrs and so they yéelded vp their soules vnto the Lord with such patience as it was marueilous to the beholders The meaning of Gardiner was after this to haue dealt with great personages had not the Lord preuented his cruell practises On the Munday after the men were burnt it was determined by the Bishoppe of Salisburie that Robert Ockam should go to the Bishop of Winchester with the whole processe done at the Sessions the thursday before And also had writings of those that were priuilie endicted whereof one of the Quéenes men named Fulke hauing knowledge gat to the Court before and tolde Sir Thomas Cardine and other of the priuie Chamber how all the matter stoode Whereupon Ockam was laide for passing the stréetes by the Earle of Bedfordes lodging was pulled in by the sleeue and kept secrete at my Lorde priuie Seales till certaine of the priuie Counsel had perused all his writings Among which they found certaine of the priuie Chamber endicted with other the kings Officers and their wiues That is to say Sir Thomas Cardine Sir Philip Hobbie with both their Ladies Master Edmund Harmon Master Th. Weldowe with Snowball and his wife All these they had endicted by the force of the vi articles as ayders helpers and mainteyners of Anthonie Parson And besides them they had endicted of heresie a great number mo of the kings true and faithfull Subiectes Whereof the kings Maiestie being certified gaue vnto them his gratious pardon The king pardoneth And so had Benet a discharge withall and being certified of the sheriffe and Sir Humfrey Foster of the death of the poore men at Windsor the king turning from them to depart sayde Alas poore Innocents And after this withdrew his fauour from Winchester caused Doctor London Winchester cast out of fauour and Simons the Lawier and a fierce persecutor of them to be apprehended and brought before the Counsell and examined vpon their oath of alleigeance who for denying their wicked fact were found periured and were
the L. Graie Sir George Carew and Sir Richard Greenfield who purged the town of the slander although for a time they were in displeasure yet wtin a while after they came into greater fauor then before and were rewarded with xx l. a yéere a péece at the least Rockwood one of the fearcest persecutors fell into dispaire Rockwood a persecutor despaireth Gods iudgements and at the last breath cried he was vtterly damned for that he said malitiously he sought the death of such good men The Vndermarshall also another persecutor suddenly fell downe in the counsell chamber and neuer spake worde and the rest of the persecutors had the reuenging hand of God following after them Adam Damlip Adam Damlip taken againe who before escaped lay hid in the West-country teaching a schoole about a yéere or two by the miserable inquisition of the six articles was againe taken and brought vp to London where he was by St. Gardiner commanded to the Marshalsea there lay the space of other two yéeres where thinking he had béene forgotten he in the Latine tongue wrote an epistle to the B. of Winchester wherin he said he would write his obedience submission for said he I had rather die then here to remaine and not to be suffered to vse my talent to Gods glorie This he said to M. Marbecke then prisoner in the Marshalsea This epistle he deliuered to his kéeper about Saturday in the morning which was about the ij wéeke before Whitsontide desiring him to deliuer it at the court to the B. of Winchester which he did The B. made such quicke dispatch that the kéeper came home at night very late brought with him a precept for the executiō of Adam Damlip So vpon munday early in the morning the kéeper other of the knight Marshals men cōueied Adam vnto Calice vpon the Ascension euen there cōmitted him to the Maiors prison because they could not burthen him with any thing within a sufficient cōpasse of time to condemne him they laid to his charge he had receiued a French crowne of cardinall Poole at Rome where before his first comming to Calice he was requested to read thrée lectures a wéeke in Cardinall Pooles house therefore they condemned him and executed him for treason Adam Damlip put to death which death he most méekely and hartely tooke Iohn Butler and sir Daniell the curate before mentioned after ix moneths imprisonment were with much labour permitted to returne to Calice againe William Steuens aboue mentioned who had remained all this time in the Tower was condemned also of treason with his guest Adam Damlip pardoned by the king Adam Damlip had sometimes béene a great papist chaplaine to Fisher B. of Rochester after the death of his maister trauelled France Dutchland and Italie and came to Rome where he would not for the wickednes of the place abide to remaine though cardinall Poole offered him maintenance to read iij. lectures a wéeke in his house which he refused for receiuing onely a French crowne he was condemned and executed for treason he receiued it at the Cardinals hand to drinke and beare some charge of expence By the preaching of Adam Damlip in Calice among others there was a poore mā whose name is not yet certainly knowne who was conuerted to the truth therfore condemned by one Haruey there being cōmissarie whom this Haruey in time of his iudgement called Hereticke and said he should die a vile death the poore man aunswered againe and said that he was no hereticke but was in the faith of Christ and whereas thou saidest said he that I shall die a vile death thou thy self shalt die a viler death and that shortly And so it came to passe for within half a yéere after Haruey was hanged Gods iudgement drawne and quartered for treason in the same towne of Calice After the burning of this poore man there was also a certaine other schooler coūted to be a dutchman named Dodde who comming out of Germany was there taken with certaine Germane bookes about him being examined standing stoutly to the doctrine of the gospell he was burned A little before this time Will. Bolton alias Crosbowmaker for saying the Pope wanted Charitie if he could and would not release soules out of Purgatorye by Doctor Darlie parson of our Ladies Church in Calice then Commissarie for Archbishoppe Warham was made to beare a fagotte and lost his wages which was vi pence a day who complaining thereof to the king and declaring vnto his maiestie the cause sent him to Calice againe and after that gaue him viij pence a day As for the vi articles many good men were put to death so for the Popes supremacie diuerse suffered And about this time Larke a priest of Chelsey for the supremacie and Germine Gardiner néere kinseman to Stephen Gardiner and his secretarie for practising for the Pope against the King were put to death By an act of parlament holden An. 1544. 1544. The rigour of vi articles mitigated the rigour of the vi articles was asswaged a little at the first time it was permitted that they which offended against them might recant which if they refused to doe and offended againe they should beare a fagot and should be admitted to abiure if the third time they offended then they should sustaine punishment according to law Notwithstanding this Parlament had thus mittigated the rigor yet remained the poison and all manner of bookes bearing the name of Williām Tindall or what other booke soeuer contained any thing against the vi articles were debarred In this Parlament also it was permitted onely to noblemen and gentlemen Noblemen and Gentlemē permitted to reade the scripture to reade the scriptures to their edifying so they did it without discussing or vrging therevpon In this Parlament also it was permitted to the party detected to trye his cause by witnesses as many or more in number as the other which deposed against him Anno 1545. 1545. Sixe articles more qualified the vi articles were yet much more qualified by Act of Parlament whereby it was also decréed that the king should haue full power to appoint 32. persons to wit sixetéene of the Cleargie and sixetéene of the temporaltie to peruse and ouersée examine the Canons constitutions and ordinances of the canon law aswell prouinciall as synodall and so according to their discretions to establish an order of ecclesiastical lawes such as should be thought by the king most conuenient This yeere 1544. Iohn Heywood recanted the Popes supremacie and Iohn At h the trueth of the sacrament About the yeere 1546. 1546 Saxy hanged one Saixe a priest was hanged in the porters lodge of Stephen Gardiner not without the consent of the Bishop as it is supposed there was also a seruant in Colchester named Henrie burned for the testimony of the trueth Henry burned This yeere 1546. One Kerby Kerby was
burned in Ipswich for the testimony of the truth and the matter of the real presence at whose death the Lord Wentworth who gaue sentēce against him with others wept bitterly He was burnt the Saterday before Gang munday and at the same barre also was condemned one Roper Roper Clearke of Mendesham was burned at S. Edmundsbury the Gang munday after He suffred great pains tormēts in his burning for the wood was gréen so that he was choked with smoke and moreouer being set in a pitch barrell was therewith sore payned at length one standing by took a fagot stick and striking at the ring about his neck stroke him belike vpon the head so he sunke down and was dissolued The other Kerby being disswaded by maister Robert Wingfield A notable speech of the constant seruant of Christ that declared vnto him the painfulnes of the death said vnto him Ah Maister Wingfield be at my death and you shal say there standeth a Christian souldier in the fire At the later end of this yéere 1545. in the moneth of Nouember was granted vnto the king besides other subsidies of money al Colledges Chauntries Frée chappels hospitals Fraternities brotherhoods guildes perpetuities of stipendarie priests to be disposed at his pleasure The next Lent following D. Crome D. Crome recanteth made a dilemma against priuate masses but the Prelates did so handle the matter that on Easter next they made him to recant Anno 1546. About the moneth of Iune Anne Askewe Iohn Lacels gentleman of the Court Iohn Adams a Tailor Nicholas Belleman a priest of Shropshire were burned at one fire in Smithfield Anne Askew 1545. Anne Askewe in the moneth of March was first examined by C. Dare Inquisitor at sadlers hall touching the Sacrament of the Altar Masses confession the kings booke and afterward committed by him to be examined of a Priest who propounded also concerning the sacrament to whom she would make no answere neither vnto the Inquisitor touching that matter He enquired also concerning priuate Masses which shee said was idolatrous From thence they had her to my Lord Mayor who examined her as they had done before to whom she made such answere as she did to the quest before which was in some things directly in other some by question Againe because she said she would not cast Pearles among swine From thence the L. Mayor commanded her to ward without baile so she remained in the Counter xi daies and no friend admitted to speak with her sauing a priest was sent vnto her by the B. to examin her of his points of superstition The xxiii of March her Cosen master Britaine went to my Lord Mayor desiring of him shee might be bayled who said he would not do it without the consent of the Spiritual Officer Whereupon he went to the Chauncellour but the matter was so haynous that he durst not do it without the B. of London were made priuie to it So from him he went to Bonner who said to master Britaine that hee was well contented that she should come foorth to a communication and appointed her to appeare the next day at iij. of the clocke at after noone but sent for her at one of the clock and by flattering wordes endeuoured to perswade her to declare her whole minde without feare and promised her that no vauntage should be taken of any worde she should there speake but she would declare nothing Wherwith the bishop being offended charged her with words she should be reported to speake against the sacrament of the altar against the masse with other such like questions some true some false wherto she made such answere as was not to the B. contentmēt yet subtilly he drew out a circumstance as it were a recantation required her to subscribe to it which she saide shée would do so far foorth as the holy scripture doth agrée vnto Frō thence she was caried againe to prison vntil the next morow at which time she was cōmanded to appeare at the guild hal from whēce againe she was commited to prison neither could she yet be bayled Thē were her sureties cōmanded to come before thē the next morow in Paules church where with much a do they took a bond of them of recognisaunce for her foorth comming and so she was deliuered Anno. 1546. she was examined againe before the kings counsel at Gréen wich to whō she answered in many things parabolically Anne Askew answereth parabolically when the B. of Winchester bad her make a direct answere she said she would not sing a new song of the Lord in a strāge land The next day she was again brought before the Counsel and as before was questioned with touching the Sacrament of the altar to whom she boldly and roundly with some checke vnto the aduersaries made aunswere in such sort A. Askew answereth boldly and roundly as they could take no direct vauntage against her On the sunday after she fel sore sick desired to speake with M. Latimer which might not be permitted After that she was sent to Newgate in her extremitie of sicknes Anne Askew condemned from thence they brought her to the guild hall where she was condēned for the article of the real presēce in the sacramēt After her condemnation on Tuesday she was sent from Newgate to the signe of the Crowne where M. Riche the Bishop of London and N. Shaxton laboured to perswade her to recant by faire words but it would not preuaile then M. Rich sent her to the tower where she remained till 3. of the clock then came M. Rich one of the counsel charged her vpon her obedience to shew vnto them if she knew any man or woman of her Sect and asked of the Lady of Suffolke of Sussex of Hertforde my Lady Dennie and my Lady Fitzwilliams which she would not disclose nor any other Then they put her on the racke Anne Askew racked till she was nigh dead because she cōfessed no Ladies nor Gentlewomen to be of her opinion and thereon they kept her a long time and because shée lay still and did not crie my Lord Chancellour and Maister Rich tooke paines to racke hir with their owne handes till she was nigh dead then the Liefetenant caused her to be loosed from the racke which doone incontinently she souned Then they recouered her againe and after that she sat two long houres reasoning with the lord Chancellour vpon the bare floore who with flattering woordes perswaded her to leaue her opinion Then was she brought to an house and layd vpon a bed with painefull bones after which the lord Chancellour sent her word that if she would leaue her opinion she should want nothing if she would not she should to Newgate and thence to the fire To whom she sent word againe that she would rather die then breake her faith The king vnderstanding by the Liefetenaunt of her cruell racking The king displeased with
indignation that their olde doctrine should be impugned and stirred vp a Gray fryer called Frier Toyttes to teach the people to pray yet to Saints A controuersie in Scotland whether the Lords prayer should be said to Saints or not Whereupon fel such a schisme that not only the Cleargie but also the people were deuided among themselues for the matter in so much that there rose a prouerbe to whom say you your Pater noster And the cleargie for to decide the same controuersie to put the people out of doubt assembled thēselues yet notwithstanding it so depended that it was thought good to call a principal coūsel to decide the matter which being assēbled at Edēburgh the papists wāting reason brast out into vnséemly spéech as frier Toyt being asked to whom he should say his pater noster The Fryer biddeth say the pater noster to the deuil answered say it to the deuil knaue In the end they that were called churchmē were deuided for some of the bishops and diuines consented that it should be said to saints but the B. of S. Andrewes Caitenes and Athenies refused vtterly to subscribe to the same Finally it was declared vnto the people that it should be said vnto God with certeine restrictions and so by little and little the bruite ceassed Anno 1558. W Mill 1539. Walter Mill. was the last that was burned in Scotland for the doctrine of the gospel the xx day of April before the B. of S. Andrewes Murray Brechin a number of other prelates He was brought to the metropolitane church where he was put in a pulpet before the bishops to be accused his weakenes partly of age ill vsage being such as it was thought he should not be able to be heard speake But when he began to speake he made the church ring sound againe to the confusion of the aduersaries and comfort of the godly And being long in his praiers sir Andrew Oliphant one of the Bishops priests called him sir Walter Mill arise and answeare to the Articles for you hold my Lord here ouer long In déede said he I haue béene ouer long one of the Popes knights for he had béene before a Papist but I am called Walter and not Sir When neither threates nor allurements could preuaile they condemned him for the article of Priestes marriages the seuen Sacraments the sacrament of the Altar pilgrimage Before sentence was pronounced Oliphant asked him wilt thou not recant thine erroneous opinions and if thou wilt not I will pronounce sentence against thée I am accused of my life saide hée againe I knowe I must die once friend therfore as Christ said to Iudas doe it quickly yée shall knowe that I will not recant the truth for I am corne I am no chaffe I wil not be blown away with the wind nor burst with the flaile but I wil abide both A notable speech of the martyr Such was his maruellous boldnesse constancie which did so moue the hearts of many that the B. steward of his regaltie prouost of the towne called Patrike Learmend refused to be his temporal Iudge to whom it appertained Also the Bishoppes Chamberlaine being therewith charged would in no wise take vpon him so vngodly an office Yea the whole town was so offended with his vniust condemnation that the bishops seruāts could not get for their money so much as one corde to tie him to the stake or Tarre barrell to burne him but were constrayned to cut the cords of their masters owne Pauilion to serue their turne So being tied to the stake hauing exhorted the people and praied fire being put vnto him he ended in the Lord with such chéerfulnes and constancie enduring his martyrdome that he was the last martyr in Scotland this was in the time of Mary Longawale Quéene regent of Scotland and Iohn Hamelton bishop of Saint Andrewes and primate of Scotland Anno 1511. Vnder William Warrham Archb. of Canturburie certaine martyrs that were omitted whiche suffered at that time with him because they are not to be forgotten are to be referred to that yéere They suffered for deniyng the Sacrament of the Altar c for auricular confession the extréeme vnction images pilgrimages prayer to saints holy bread holy water c. They denie all that they had vttered any thing against those popishe pointes yet witnesses who had partly abiured before and others against nature as the husband against the wife and children against the mother being brought forth they were condemned and put to death Their names were William Carder of Tenderden Weauer Agnes Grebill of the same towne of thréescore yéere old Robert Lawson of Halden of the age 60. Iohn Browne of Ashford Edward Walker of Maidston Cutler who all notwithstanding they promised to submitte themselues yet were they condemned The cause why the good woman so stood as she did to the deniall of those articles obiected against her was for that she neuer thought that her husband and her owne children who only were priuie of her religion would haue testified against her which when she perceiued she repented the time that euer she bare those children of her bodie So notwithstanding that she offered conformitie she was condemned and put to death Her husbandes name was Iohn Grebill her sonnes Christopher and Iohn Besides these which were put to death a number vnder Warren were forced to abiure the trueth against the reall presence confession sacrament of matrimony vnction pilgrimages Images Saintes holie water holie bread c. Also omitted before anno 1539. Iohn a Painter and Giles Germaine who were accused and condemned for heresie at London before the Bishop and other Iudges where by chaunce comming in one of the kings seruaunts named Lancelot a very tall man and séeming by his countenance and gesture to fauour the cause of the poore men was also examined and condemned with them and the next day at fiue a clocke in the morning was carried with them into Saint Giles fieldes and there burned Also about the latter end of Tonstals time bishop of London one Stile was burned in Smithfield with the Apocalips whereon he vsed to read about his necke Stile burned with the Apocalips about his necke Which booke when he saw fastened to the stake with him hée lifted vp his voice and said O blessed Apocalips how happie am I that I shall be burned with thée and so with the booke was he consumed with fire Also ouerpassed before about the second yéere of the raigne of king Henry the eight Iohn Browne of Ashford after xl daies imprisonment when the Archbishop and Doctor Fisher had burned his féete with hote coles to the stumps to make him recant On Friday before Whitsunday he was sent to Ashford where he dwelt the next day to be burned and a yoong maide of his house espying him in the stockes told hir mistresse who ranne and sat by him also all night to whome hée gaue exhortation and declared
how hée had béene tossed to make him denie his Master which he would not doo for all their tormentes The cause of his death was because he said to a Priest bragging hée was a soule Priest where finde you the soule when you go to Masse and where doo you leaue it when you go from Masse when the Priest said he could not tell how can you then saue the soule said he For this hée was complayned of to William Warham Archbishop of Canturburie and suddainely was taken in his owne house the same day when his wife was churched as he was bringing in a messe of pottage to the borde seruing in his guestes and his féete bound vnder his owne horses belly was caried away to Canterbury neither hée nor any of his friends knowing whether he went where after he had continued in prison fortie daies from Low-sunday till Friday before Whitsontide he was sent to Ashford and there put to death as hath béene declared comfortably and chéerefully giuing testimonie to the truth The end of the eight Booke The ninth Booke AFter the death of king Henry succéeded king Edward King Edward reigneth his sonne being of the age of 9. yeres He began his reigne the 28. day of Ianuary a most happy patrone of the Gospel In his daies Carolus the Emperor made request to the king his counsel to permit Lady Mary to haue masse in her house without preiudice of the law Wherto the king being required by his counsel to giue his consent woulde in no case yéelde to it The K. refused the Emperors suite to permit Lady Mary to haue masse notwithstanding they laide before him what danger might insue to him by breach of amity with the Emperour they being more vrgent vpon him the King séeing their importunate sute in the ende his tender heart bursting out into bitter wéeping and sobbing desired them to be content and so refused to yéelde vnto the Emperours request in that behalfe Because he was young and of tender age he was committed to xvi Gouernours amongst whom especially the L. Edward Seimer the Duke of Somerset his vncle was assigned vnto him protector by whose endeuour the vi articles were abolished Sixe articles abolished whereby the practises of Winchester began to decay This king restored the holy Scriptures in the mother tongue masses he abolished Religion restored and such as were banished were receiued home he chaunged the most part of Bishops of dioces and Churches and compelled the dumbe dogges to giue place to those that would preach Besides other also out of forrein countries were sent for entertained Peter Martyr at Oxford Bucer Paulus Phagius at Cambridge as Peter Martyr who taught at Oxford Martin Bucer Paulus Phagius at Cambridge The old Bishops who were obstinate were committed toward Boner to the Marshalsea Gardiner Tonstal to the tower where they remained thrée yéeres together In this kings time all persecution ceassed and the professors of the Gospel were in all places relieued Only one Thomas Dobbe Tho. Dobbe a student master of artes of Cambridge of S. Iohns Colledge in the beginning of this kings reign was cast in prison for speaking against the masse died in the Counter in Londō being thither committed by the Archbishop of Canterburie whose pardon notwithstanding was obtained by the Lord protector and should haue béene brought him if he had continued The king vntill such time as by consent of the whole estate of parlament hee might establish a more perfect order of religion purposed by the aduise of his counsel of his owne authority somewhat to prosecute his godly purpose Whervpon he chose out certaine wise and learned men to bée his commissioners Commissioners in that behalfe and so diuiding them into seuerall dioces to bée visited appointing likewise vnto euery companie one or two godly learned preachers who all euery session should instruct the people in the true doctrine of the Gospell To those Commissioners were deliuered certaine Iniunctions and Ecclesiastical lawes the which they should both inquire of and also command in his maiesties name or behalfe all tending to the abolishing of popish superstition and establishing of the trueth of the Gospel besides which generall Iniunctions for the estate of the whole Realme there were also certaine others particularly appointed for the Bishops only whereby they were inioyned to sée the other put in due execution besides others which did more particularly confirme them During the time that those Commissioners were occupied abroad the king desiring a farther reformation appointed a parlament the 4. of Nouember in the first yéere of his reigne Ann. 1547. 1547. A Parlament which continued vnto the 24. day of December next following wherein al Acts made before that tended against the Professors of the Gospel were abrogated In the same parlament also it was decréed that the Sacrament should be ministred to all vnder both kindes then also were candles on Candlemas day forbidden ashes on Ashwednesday About the same time also al Images were vtterly taken away and anno 1548. one vniforme order of prayer was instituted in the second yere of his reigne at a Parlament holden the fourth of Nouember that lasted till the fourtéenth of March next ensuing At the same parlamēt was it lawfull also for priests to haue wiues To all these at the first Bonner séemed to yelde but at length bewraied himselfe by suffering dayly to be song the Apostles masse and our Ladies masse c. in diuers of his chappels in Pauls cloking them with the names of the apostles and our ladies communions whereof the Counsell being enfourmed caused him to reforme the abuse To al these good orders diuers priests and popish Iustices shewed themselues vntoward so that the cōmon praier booke was long after the publishing of it either not knowen at all or els very vnreuerently vsed throughout the realm for which the king with his Counsel prouided redresse Bonner yet séeming not to dislike openly of these godly procéedings yet his minde appeared by his negligent putting in execution of those Iniunctions in his owne Dioces Wherupon the xj day of August anno 1549. he was called for before the Counsel and rebuked according to his offence and enioyned to preach at Paules Crosse on the Sunday thrée wéekes ensuing There were deliuered also vnto him Articles whereon he should entreate as they thought most méete with priuate Iniunctions for himselfe to obserue as to preach once a quarter at the Crosse and to be present himselfe at all the Sermons made there to celebrate himselfe the Cōmunion and to administer the same c. About this time through the setting on of the popish Priestes diuers quarters of the Land rebelled as in Cornwall and Deuonshire Rebellion and Yorkshire for their popish religion which were all suppressed The Scots also and French king attempted against the land and were also ouerthrowen The Scots at Muskelborough field and the
the ende being found peruerse and stubborne and not able to iustifie himselfe or his doings after he had taken exceptions and cauilled against the witnesses he was depriued of his Bishopricke by the authoritie of the king and sentence geuen by the Archbishop of Canterburie Winchester depriued among other bishops and Iudges appointed for the cause From this sentence Gardiner appealeth to the king but all in vayne As S. Gardiner was the professed enemie of the Gospell so was Doctor Redman Doctor Redman a fauourer of the gospell in those dayes for his learning famous a fauourer of the same and at his death which was anno 1551. made profession thereof in the presence of M. Yong and others Anno 1552. W. Gardiner a Marchants seruant of Bristow the first day of September in the very solemnization of a marriage betwixt the sonne of the king of Portingall and the Spanish kings daughter in the presence of the princes and Cardinals and Bishops determined to haue stepped to the Cardinall at the Altar and to haue wroong the chalice out of his hands and to haue defaced their popish God but that the prease of people did hinder him So the next sunday where like pompe was vsed and no lesse Idolatry than before W. Gardiner W. Gardiner in the presence of the king and all his Nobles and Citizens with the one hand snatched away the cake from the priest and trode it vnder his féete and with the other ouerthrew the chalice which made them all amazed Then one drawing out his dagger gaue him a great wound in the shoulder and as he was about to haue stricken him againe to haue slaine him the king twise commaunded to haue him saued So by that meanes they abstained from murther After the tumult was ceased he was brought to the K. by whom he was demaunded of his Countrey and how hée durst doe such a déede To whom he declared that he was an Englishman and that for gréefe to sée such Idolatrie hée could not abstaine When they heard that he was an Englishman they were more earnest to know the Procurour The Idolatrie he answered wherwith they prophaned the Lords Supper only procured him They not content therewith vrged him with torments and caused a linnen cloth to be sowed round like a ball the which they with violence put downe his throte vnto the bottom of his stomach tyed with a small string which they helde in their hands and when it was downe they pulled it vp againe with violence so plucking it vp and downe They cast also into prison all the rest of the Englishmen amongst whom one Pēdegrace Pendegrace because he was his bedfellowe was gréeuously tormented and examined more then the residue and scarcely was deliuered after two yeres imprisonment the other were much sooner set at libertie by the intercession of a certaine Duke At the last when al torments and tormentors were weried they asked him whether he did not repent his déede He answered as touching the déed if it were to do he should do it againe But he was sorie it was done in the Kinges presence to the disquiet of his minde After they had vsed al kinde of torments and saw there could be nothing more gathered of him and also that through his wound and paines he could not long liue they brought him thrée dayes after to execution And first of all bringing him vnto the Vestrie cut of his right hand which he taking vp with his left hand kissed Execution done vpon W. Gardiner with all manner of crueltie Then he was brought into the Market place where his other hand was cut of which he knéeling downe vpon the ground also kissed These things thus done his armes being bound behinde him and his féete vnder the horse bellie he was carried to the place of execution where there was a certaine engine from the which a great rope cōming downe by a Pulley was fastened about the middle of the Christian martyr which first pulled him vp then was there a great pile of wood set on fire vnderneath him into the which he was by little and little let downe not with his whole bodie but so that his féete onely felt the fire in which fire the more terribly he burned the more feruently hée praied At last when his féete were consumed the tormentors asked him if he did not repent exhorting him to call vpon our Lady and the Saints whereto he answered that he had doone nothing to repent of and that when Christ did cease to be our Aduocate then he would pray to our Lady The marueilous constancie of William Gardiner said Eternall God father of all mercies I beséech thée looke downe vpon thy seruant c. And when they sought by all meanes to stop his praying he cried out with a loud voice rehearsing the 34. Psalm Iudge me O Lord and defend my cause against the vnmercifull people He was not come to the latter end of the Psalme when the rope being burnt asunder he fell into the fire and so gaue ouer The very same night one of the kings ships was burned in the hauen being set on fire by a sparke of Gardiners fire driuen thither with the winde and the kings sonne who then was married died within halfe a yéere after the death of William Gardiner Anno 1552. 1552 Protector put to death for fellonie the 22. of Ianuarie in the sixt yéere of the reigne of Edward the Duke of Somersette Lord Protector was executed on Tower hill for felonie being accused and quitte of treason And the next yere after deceassed the king him selfe about the moneth of Iune Anno 1553. A Prince of such towardnesse as the worlde neuer had the like before by whom the remnants of Popish Idolatrie and superstition were abolished and the church restored to her sinceritie which died again with him and popery restored in the time of Mary who succéeded him The end of the ninth Booke The tenth Booke WHat time King Edward began to appeare more féeble and weake during the time of his sicknesse a marriage was concluded and also shortly also vpon the same solemnized in the moneth of Maie betwéene the lord Gilford sonne to the duke of Northumberland and the Lady Iane L. Gilford and Lady Iane maried together the duke of Suffolkes daughter whose mother then being aliue was daughter to Marie king Henries second sister And when no hope séemed of recouery of the King it was brought to passe by the consent not onely of the nobility but also of the chiefe Lawyers of the Realme that the King by this Testament did appoint the aforesaid Lady Iane to be Inheritrice to the crown of England passing ouer his two sisters Marie and Elizabeth To this order subscribed all the Kinges Counsell and chiefe of the nobilitie the Mayor of the citie of London almost all the iudges and chiefe Lawyers of this Realme sauing onely Iustice Hales of Kent Iustice
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
and therefore hath not God graunted your desire But I am a poore simple man as you sée and God hath heard my complaint and I trust he will strengthen me in his owne cause When their prayer would not preuaile they aduised to say a masse to sée what that would worke In the meane time Rawlins be tooke him to prayer in a secrete place till such time as the Priest came to the sacring When Rawlins heard the sacring bell ring he rose out of his place and came to the quire dore and standing a while turned himselfe to the people speaking these wordes Good people if there be at the least but one brother among you the same one shall beare witnesse at the day of iudgement that I howe not to this Idoll meaning the host that the Priest helde ouer his head Masse being ended and Rawlins persisting constant the Bishoppe procéedeth to sentence and hauing condemned him dismisseth him to be carried againe to Cardiffe there to be put into the prison of the towne called Clockemacell a very dark lothsome and most vile prison where Rawlins passed the time in singing of Psalmes About thrée or foure wéekes after he hauing intelligence that his tyme of death drewe néere sendeth foorthwith to his wife and willeth her by the messenger that in any wise she should make readie Rawlins wedding garmēts and send vnto him his wedding garments meanyng a shirte which afterwarde hée was burned in Whiche was accomplished accordyng to his mynde Now apparelled in his wedding garments when the houre was come and he passed to his death in the way his poore wife and children stood wéeping and making lamentation which so pearced his heart that hee let fall teares from his eyes but soone after as though he had misliked his infirmitie beganne to be angry with himselfe insomuch that striking his brest with his hande hée vsed these wordes Ah flesh stayest thou me so wouldest thou faine preuaile Rawlins a worthy martyr Well I tell thée do what thou canst thou shalt not by Gods grace haue the victorie By this time hée came to the stake and going towards it he fell down vpon his knées and kissed the ground and in rising againe the earth a little sticking on his face he saide these words Earth vnto earth and dust vnto dust thou art my mother and to thée shall I returne Then went he cherefully and very ioyfully to the stake and set his backe close thereunto and when hée had stoode there a while he cast his eye vpon the Reporter of this History calling him vnto him and sayde I féele a great fighting betwixt the Fleshe and the Spirit and the Fleshe woulde very fayne haue his swinge and therefore I pray you when you séeme any thing tempted holde your finger vp to me and I trust I shall remember my selfe After the Smith had made him fast to the Stake according as hée had required him being afrayde of his infirmitie and the Officers began to laie wood to him with strawe and réede hée himselfe as farre as hée could reach would catcht the same and very chéerefully disposed it about his bodie When all thinges were readie then stept vp a Priest addressing himselfe to speake and to peruert the people Which when Rawlins Rawlins perceiued hée beckened with his hand to the people and said come hither good people and heare not a false prophet preach And then said vnto the preacher oh thou naughtie hypocrite doost thou presume to prooue thy false doctrine by Scripture Looke in the text what followeth did not Christ say doo this in remembrance of mée after which wordes the Priest beyng amazed held his peace Then some that stood by cried put too fire put to fire which being put to he bathed his handes so long in the flame till the sinewes shrunke and the fatte dropped away and once he did as it were wipe his face with one of them All this while which was somewhat long he cried with a loud voice O Lord receiue my soule vntill he could not open his mouth He was at the same time of his death about 60. yéeres of age About this time Anno 1555. the 28. of March Quéene Marie was fully resolued and declared so much to foure of her Counsell to restore the Abbey landes againe to the Church And the moneth before the 19. of Februarie the Bishoppe of Ely with the Lord Montague and viij score horse were sent as Ambassadors from the king Quéene vnto Rome very likely for the cause of Abbey landes as it appeareth by the sequele For it was not long after but the Pope did set foorth in print a Bull of excommunication for all manner such persons without exception that kept any of the Church landes The P. excommunicateth those that hold Abbey lands Pope Iulius the monster dyeth And also all such as did not put the same Bull in execution About the latter end of this Moneth Pope Iulius dyed a monster of nature who missing on a time his Porke and answere being made that his Phisition forbad it because of his goute bursting out into a rage he vttered these wordes bring me my porke flesh in the despight of God An other time missing his cold Peacocke Popes Peacocke most horribly blasphemyng God he brake into a rage Wherevpon when one of his cardinals sitting by labored to pacifie him what said Iulius the Pope if God was so angry for one apple that hée cast our first parents out of Paradice therefore A blasphemous Pope why may not I being his vicar be angry then for my Peacocke sithence a Peacocke is a greater matter then an apple Hée confirmed the idoll of Lauretane Vpon Shrouesunday which was about the iij. of March the same yéere a préest in Kent named Nightingall parson of Crondall besides Canturbury reioycing at the alteration of religion and reading to the people the popes Bull of pardon that was sent into England hée sayd hée thanked God that euer hée had liued to sée that daie adding moreouer that hée beléeued that by the vertue of that Bull hee was as cléere of sinne as the night that he was borne and immediatly vpon the same fell suddenly downe out of the Pulpit Gods iudgement and neuer stirred hand nor foot but so died Testified by Robert Austen of Cartham who both heard and saw the same and it is witnessed also of the whole country round about In the moneth of Aprill and the second day Iohn Awcocke died in pryson and was buried in the fieldes The first of Aprill Anno 1555. a letter was sent to the Shiriffe of Kent to apprehend Thomas Woodgate and William Maynard for preachyng secréetly and to send them vp to the Counsell The vij day of the same moneth was sent another letter to the said Shiriffe for the apprehension of one Hardwich who went about with a boy with him preaching from place to place The fiftenth of Aprill a letter was directed
if there came an Angel from heauen to teach him another doctrine then that which he was now in he would not beléeue him he was condemned committed to the secular power In the latter end of this month of Iuly Ioh. Aleworth Ioh. Aleworth died in prison at Reding being there in bōds for the testimony of Iesu About the end of Iuly Iames Abbes was brought before the B. of Norwich D. Hopton to whō through his threatnings in the end Iames yelded and now whē he was dismissed shold go frō the B he calling him again gaue him a piece of mony either xx or xl d which whē Iames had receiued was gone frō the B his conscience began to rob immediatly to accuse his fact In which cōbate with himself being piteously vexed he went immediatly to the B. again there threw him his money said it repented him that euer he gaue his consent to perswasions that he gaue his consent in taking money Whē no perswasions could auaile with him he was condēned to the fire which he endured patiently for the name of Christ the 2. of August An. 1555. in the towne of Berry Vpon the 5. of Iuly Ioh. Denley Iohn Denley gent. Ioh. Newman Ioh. Newman and Patrick Packingā Patrick Packingam were condēned in the consistory of Pauls to be burned for the testimony of Iesus The two first were met on the way by Edmond Tyrrel Esquier a most barbarous persecutor in those daies comming from the burning of certain godly martirs vpon suspicion he sent thē to Boner who after much trial and perswasion were condemned for the cause of Christ and afterward suffered for the same M. Denley at Vxbridge the 8 of August beeing set in the fire with the burning flame about him sang in it a Psalm Which D. Story being present hearing cōmanded one of the tormētors to hurle a fagot at him which was done so that the blood rā down vpō his face wherat he ceased singing a while and clapped his handes on his face and anon putting his hands abroad The martyr singeth in the fire sang againe At the last he yéelded his soule into the hands of his redéemer Story in the meane while saying that he that floong the fagot marred a good old song Not long after suffered Patrick Packingam in the same towne About the 28. of the same moneth Iohn Newman Pewterer dwelling at Maidstone in Kent was burned the last of August at Saffron Walden in Essex About the same time Richard Hooke Rich. Hooke gaue his life for the same cause at Chichester The same yéere 1555 about the latter end of August suffered 6. godly martyrs together in Canterbury Sixe godly martyrs in Canterbury for the testimony of Iesus being condēned by the bloody Suffragā M. Collins Faucet Their names were Williā Coker Williā Hopper Henry Laurence Richard Collier Rich. Wright William Stere. Coker had giuen him respite of 6. daies but refused them so was condemned The xi of Iuly Hopper séemed at the first to graunt vnto thē but repēted was afterward cōdemned The 16. of Iuly Laurence being required to set to his hand to the bil of his answeres wrote these words You are all of Antichrist and him foll And there they staied him and would not suffer him to procéed and wrote not follow So the second of August they read sentence against him Collier of Ashford was condemned the 16. of August After sentence giuen against him he sang a psalm the priest crying that he was out of his wits The same day Wright and Stere were condemned and the day aforesaid they constantly suffered for the testimony of Christ After the burning of these 6. aboue named next followed the persecution of ten other seruaunts of God Elizabeth Warne George Tankerfield Robert Smith Stephen Hardwood Thomas Fust William Hall Tho. Lewes George King Iohn Wade Ioane Laishford Elizabeth Warne Eliz. Warne in the moneth of August was burned at Stratford-bow she was widow late wife of Ioh. Warn Vpholster and Martyr who also was burned in the ende of the Moneth of May last past She had béene apprehended amongst others the first day of Ianuarie in a house in Bow Churchyarde in London as they were gathered together in prayer and at that present was caried to the counter where she lay a prisoner til the xj of Iune At which time she was brought into Newgate and remayned there til the ij of Iulie Then she was sent by the Commissioners to Boner who the vi day of the same Moneth caused her with diuers others to be brought before him to his Pallace Where after diuers vexations and allurements to forsake Christ after she had said to them threatning her do what you will for if Christ were in an error thē am I in an error shée was iudged to die The chéefe procuror of her death was D. Storie being as is thought of some alliance to her or her late husband G. Tankerfield George Tankerfield of Lōdon Cooke borne in the city of Yorke about the age of xxvij or xxviij yeares was in king Ed. dayes a papist til Q. Marie came in In whose dayes perceiuing the great crueltie that was vsed he beganne to doubt and fel to prayer and reading of the word which God did so blesse that he grewe in knowledge which so kindled him with zeale that he became an exhorter of others At the last he was found out and while he went into the Temple fieldes to refresh himselfe hauing béene sick before Bearde commeth home to his house and enquired for him pretending to his wife that he came to haue him dresse a banket at the L. Pagets She thinking no lesse went and tolde her husband who when he heard it said a banket woman indéede it is such a banket as wil not be pleasant to the flesh But Gods will be done And when he came home he sawe who it was And so Tankerfield was deliuered to the Constable and brought to Newgate about the last of Februarie 1555. by the said Beard yeoman of the Gard and S. Ponder peuterer Constable of S. Dunstans in the west He was sent in by sir R. Cholmley knight D. Man a bloudy persecuter And being brought before Boner constantly maintayning the trueth was by him condemned and suffered at S. Albōs the xxvi day of August for the testimonie of the trueth Going down to suffer at the signe of the crosse keyes where hée inned he desired the hoste that he might haue a good fire which was made according as he required Then he sitting on a fourme before the fire put off his shoes and hose stretched out his leg to the flame and when it had touched his foote he quickly withdrew it shewing how the flesh perswaded him one way A pretty saying of the martir and the spirit another After dinner the sherife came to him to cary him to the place
and behynde hym kneeled Maister Latimer as earnestly calling vppon GOD as hee Doctour Smith who recanted preached a Sermon scant in all a quarter of an houre against them in the meane while that they were a preparing to the fire M. Ridley being in his shirt stood vpon a stone at the stake and held vp his hands and saide Oh heauenly father I giue vnto thée most hearty thankes for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thée euen to the death c. Then the smith tooke a chaine of yron and brought the same both about D. Ridleyes and Latimers middles and as hee was knocking in the staple maister Ridley tooke the chayne in his hand and shaked the same for it did gyrd in his bellie and looking aside to the smith saide Good fellow knocke it in hard for the flesh will haue his course Then his brother brought both him and maister Latimer gunpowder which he said he would take as sent from God then brought they a fagot kindeled with fire and laide it downe at Ridleyes féete Latimer prophecieth at the stake To whom maister Latimer spake in this maner be of good comfort M. Ridley and play the mā we shal this day light such a candle by Gods grace in England as I trust shal neuer be put out And so the fire was giuen vnto them When Doctor Ridley sawe the fire flaming vp towardes him he cried with a woonderfull loude voyce In manus tuas Domine commendo spiritum meum Domine accipe spiritum meum And after repeated often in English Lorde Lorde receiue my spirite maister Latimer crying as vehemently on the other side Oh father of heauen receiue my my soule who receiued the flame as it were imbracing it and soone died M. Ridley by reason of the euil making of the fire had his nether partes all burnt before the vpper parts were touched and endured great torment with much patience so they both slept in the Lorde faithfull witnesses of his trueth Diuers letters and treatises Maister Ridley wrote diuers letters and treatises of exhortation The next moneth after the burning of Ridley M. Ridley and Latimer which was the moneth of Nouember died Stephen Gardiner Stephen Gardiner dieth a man of an vnconstant mind a man hated of God and all good men He was during the time of Queene Anne an enemie to the Pope but after her decease the time carried him away that hée became a Papist till agayne in King Edwardes time hée beganne to rebate from certaine pointes of poperie Agayne after the decay of the Duke of Sommerset he quite turned to poperie and became a cruell Persecutour Hée hauing intelligence of the death of Ridley and Latimer deferring his dinner til thrée or foure of the clock at after noone commeth out reioysing to the olde Duke of Norfolke who tarried for his dinner till then at Gardiners Gods iudgement vpon Gardiner house and said Now let vs goe to dinner And being set downe began merely to eate and had eaten but a fewe bittes when the sodaine stroke of Gods terrible hande fell vpon him so that immediatly he was taken from the table and brought to his bed where he so continued xv dayes and then died his tongue being blacke and swolne in his head When Doctor Day Bishop of Chichester came to him and began to comfort him with words of Gods promises with frée iustification in the bloud of Christ our Sauiour repeating the Scriptures vnto him Winchester Winchesters words at his death hearing that what my Lorde saide he will you open that gap now then farewel all together To me and to such other in my case you may speake it but open this window to the people then farewel all together Next after the death of Master Ridley and Master Latimer followed thrée other couragious Souldiers of Iesus Christ Iohn Webbe Gentleman George Roper and Gregorie Parke Iohn Webbe I Webbe G. Roper G. Parker Martirs was brought before the suffragan of Douer the sixtéenth day of September before the other two long after Which beside sundrie other times the the iij. day of October were all thrée together brought before the said Iudge and by him condemned And about the ende of October or in the latter end of Nouember as it is otherwise found they were brought out of prison to their martirdome who by the way said certaine Psalmes mournfullie Roper was a young man of a fresh colour courage and complexion The other two were somewhat more elderly Roper comming to the stake and putting off his gowne fet a great leape So soone as the flame was about him he putte out both his armes from his bodie like a Roode and so stoode stedfast continuing in that maner not plucking his armes in till the fire had consumed them and burnt them off And thus these woorthie Martirs at Canterburie gaue witnesse to the trueth The xiij of December died William Wiseman in the lolards Tower a Clothwoorker of London Some thought that through famine or other euill handling hee was made away After his death he was throwen into the fields and charge geuen that none should burie him But the brethren buried him in the night In the same yeare about the vij of September Iames Gore deceased in prison at Colchester being captiue for defence of the trueth Master Iohn Philpot after he had béene imprisoned by the Lord Chauncellour a yere a halfe for his frée spéech in the conuocation house was the second of October an 1555. called for before the Quéenes Commissioners M. Cholmeley Master Roper Doctor Storie and one of the Scribes of the Arches at Newgate Sessions Hall Where they had nothing particular to charge him with by the Lawe neyther would he otherwise answere So they sent him againe to prison Afterwardes hee was commaunded to appeare the xxiiij day of October which he did And after much railing against him and many threatenings they sent him to the B. of Londons Colehouse where he found Tho. Whittle Priest in the stockes who once through infirmitie had relented to the Papistes but féeling remorse and torment in his conscience went to the B. Register desiring to sée his bill againe Which as soone as he had receiued he tare in péeces and after that was ioyfull receiued comfort Whē the B. heard thereof he beate him and pulled a greate péece of his beard from his face and cast him into prison Which he endured ioyfully for Christes name Boner vnderstanding of master Philpots imprisonment sent him bread and meate and drinke with faire wordes and promise of fauour And within a while after one of his Gentlemen was sent for him and brought him to the presence of Boner Who vnderstanding by Master Philpot the cause of his trouble to haue risen by his speach in the cōuocation house said he would not as then burthen him with his conscience and said moreouer that he meruailed they were so merrie in prison
24. seruant in a mans house in Leicester was condemned and burned because hée said his maker was in heauen and not in the pixe About the same time the 11. of March Iohn Iackson was examined of Doct. Cooke concerning the Church and Sacrament of the altar In which quarrel the godly confessor behaued himselfe boldly and wisely against the Bishop Who when no other argument would serue he commanded him to prison againe but what became of him it is vncertaine The first day of August Anno 1556. Ioan Wast Ioan Wast a blind woman a blinde woman from her birth of the age of two twenty was condemned and burned in the towne of Darbie for maintayning the doctrine in King Edwardes daies They that sate vpon her were Sir Rafe Bayne Bishoppe of the dioces Doctour Dracot his Chauncelour Syr Iohn Port Knight c. Shée being prest and halfe astonied through their terrours and threates and desirous as it seemed to prolong her life offered vnto the Bishoppe then present if hée woulde before that companie take it vppon his conscience that the doctrine which hée would haue her to beléeue concerning the Sacrament was true and that he would at the dreadfull day of iudgement aunswere for her therein as Doctour Taylor in diuers of his Sermons did offer shée woulde then further aunswere them Her offer to the Iudges Which when it would not bée stood vnto the poore woman perceiuing the same answered againe that if they refused to take of their conscience that it was true which they would haue her to beléeue shée would answere no further but desired them to doo their pleasure And so after certaine circumstances they pronounced sentence agaynst her and deliuered her to the Bayliffes of the towne of Darbie to be put to death where chéerefullie she suffered in the fire for the testimonie of the truth whiche shée before had professed This poore blinde mayde would hyre with mony such as would not fréely do so much for to read certain chapters of the New Testament vnto her and would bargayne with them how often to read one chapter vpon a price Although shée was borne blind yet could shée without a guide goe to any Church in the towne or to any other place or person that vsed to reade vnto her or had anie godlie exercises The 8. of September suffered Edward Sharpe Edw. Sharpe borne in Wiltshire of the age of 60. yéers at Bristow where he constantly mainteined the quarrel of Christ against Antichrist to the death The 24. of September suffered 4 men Iohn Hart Foure at Mayfield in Sussex Tho. Rauensdal a Shoemaker and a Collier al foure together at Mayfield in Sussex for the testimony of Iesus c. The next day after was a young man put to death at Bristow for the like testimonie A young man at Bristow Not lōg after whose death suffered the xxvij of September Iohn Horne I. Horne and a woman and a woman at Wootton Vnder hedge in Glocestershire In the parish of Wootton Vnder-hedge William Dangerfield W. Dangerfield after he had béene a space from home for feare of the crueltie of the time being a professor of the Gospell repayred to his wife lying in childbed of the tenth childe who was not so soone come home but was espied and apprehended and had to prison by the cruel sentence of D. Brookes bishop In whose cruel handling he remayned so long till his féele were almost freited off with Irons After the apprehension of the husband the wife also was taken with hir yong borne childe being but fourtéene daies old out of her childbed and carryed into the common gaole and there placed among théeues and murtherers Great crueltie where both she and hir infant could neuer come to fire but shée was driuen to warme the clothes that she should put about the childe in hir bosome While they both lay thus inclosed the B. subtilly got promise of the husband to recant declaring vnto him that his wife had so done already which was vntruth So they suffered him vpon that promise to go to his wife To whom he declared with a sorrowful hart how hée had bin circumuented and pulled out of his bosome a copie of his recantation The wife encourageth her husband wherto he had granted his promise At the sight wherof his wiues heart claue asunder saying hath Sathan so preuailed c. So hee departed from hir with teares and praied GOD he might not liue so long as to call euill good and good euill so going homeward to his house he took his death and shortly after dyed according to his prayer After this Ioane his wife continued in prison with her infant which being starued in prison with cold and famine the milke of the mother failing through euill vsing was sent away when it was past all remedie and shortly after died And not long after the mother died also besides an old woman of 90. yeres mother of her husband being lefte alone in the house comfortlesse In the Moneth of October next following suffered a Shoomaker A Shoomaker at Northhampton at Northhampton for the stedfast professing of the trueth After whom not long in the same moneth died thrée godly Confessors in the Castle of Chichester and were buried in the fieldes In the same moneth was burned also one Hooke Hooke a true witnesse of the Lord at Chester As Boner was the cruellest among the bishops so Harpsfield among all the archdeacōs except Dunning of Norw was the cruellest by whose meanes there were now xv Professors of the Gospel together in prison in Canterburie Castle Whereof fiue were famished to death Fiue famished and x. burned at Canterbury and ten burned The names of the famished were these Iohn Clarke Dunstan Chittenden vncondemned Walter Foster of Stone Alice Potkins wife of Staplehurst Iohn Hurst of Cranbrock Weauer condemned to be burned Alice Potkins A wittie and godly answere of Alice Potkins being asked of her age said she was 49. yeres olde according to her old age and according to her young age since she learned Christ she was of one yeares age In the moneths of September Nouember and December in the Dioces of Couentrée and Lichfield much trouble fell to diuers persons for the profession of the Gospel through the crueltie of the Bishoppe named Rafe Bane and a more cruell Chauncellour called Doctor Draicotte By whose meanes many persons were driuen to beare fagots in those quarters Thus endeth the fourth yere of Quéene Maries Reigne In which yeare the number of the slaine for the Gospell The ende of the fourth yere of Q. Marie Eightie foure persons put to death in the fourth yere of Q. Marie came to 84. persons Besides such as fled and priuately by practises were made away About this time Sir Iohn Cheeke sometime Schoolemaster to King Edward the sixt being in Germanie out of all danger would néedes take his iourney with Sir Peter
Carewe to Bruxels with king Philips safe conduct to passe and repasse by the meanes of the Lorde Paget and Sir Iohn Mason who pledged for his safe conduct king Philippes fidelitie But in his returne when hee had brought the Lorde Paget on his way from Bruxels towarde England he with Sir Peter Carewe was taken by the prouost-marshall spoyled of their horses and clapped into a Carte their legges armes and bodies tied with halters to the bodie of the Carte And so shipped being blindfolded vnder the hatches and brought to the Tower of London Where at the length Sir Iohn Cheeke Sir I. Cheeke was brought to recant and was drawen vnwares to sitte in place where the poore Martirs were brought before Boner and other Bishops to be condemned The remorse whereof wrought such effect in him that not long after he left this mortall life repenting him greatly of his fall before his death The ende of the eleuenth Booke The twelfth and last Booke CArdinall Poole thrée yéeres after his returne into England aduised himselfe of the reforming of the Vniuersitie of Cābridge The vniuersitie of Cambridge to be reformed To performe which charge were chosen Cutbert Scot not long before cōsecrated B of Chester Nicholas Ormanet an Italian archpriest of the people of Bodalon in the dioces of Veron professed in both lawes bearing the name of Lord Pope his Datary T. Watson elected B. of Lincoln Iohn Christophorson elected B. of Chichester and Henrie Cole prouost of the Colledge of Eaton The 9. of Ianuary Anno 1556. Inquisitors came to Cambridge The inquisitors aforesaid came to Cambridge took vp their lodgings all of them in Trinity colledge with M. Christophorson maister of the Colledge The next day after their comming they interdicted two Churches namely S. Maries Q. Maries and S. Michaels Churches were interdicted where Martin Bucer and S. Michaels where Paulus Phagius was buried now thrée or foure yéeres past During which time vnto that day the Priests neuer ceassed to celebrate masses and other ceremonies in these Churches and that without scruple till the comming of these Commissioners Who commaunded hereafter that the assemblies which should be made for executing of holy ceremonies should be remoued to the kings Chappell On the xj day the Vicechancellor of the Vniuersitie with the Masters of houses and the rest of the Graduates were commanded to appeare before the Commissioners in their habites so did in the gatehouse of Trinitie colledge which was adorned for the Commissioners Where the vicechācellor aforesaid hauing on a tissue cope sprinkeled the Commissioners with holy water and purposed to cense thē but they refused it there Which notwithstanding afterward in the Quéenes Colledge and elswhere they refused not There M. Iohn Stokes oratour of the Vniuersitie welcomed them with an oration whereto the B. of Chichester answered with thankefull acceptation of the curtesie of the vniuersitie and so declared the cause of their commission From thence they were brought to the kinges Colledge where was songe a masse of the holy Ghost From thence they went to the interdicted Church of saint Maries wher Pecocke preached against heresie and heretickes naming Bylney Cranmer Latimer Rydley c. That being ended they procéeded to their visitation which Robert Brassey maister of kings Colledge a worthy aged man woulde not admit in his colledge Kings colledge refuseth the inquisitors because the visitation of his house was wholly reserued to the B. of Lincolne Which exception they tooke all in great displeasure The 12. of Ianuary they resorted to kings colledge for that Colledge time out of mind had béen counted neuer to be without an heretike or twaine The M. of that Colledge maister Brassey K. colledge neuer without an heretike Robert Brassey a good old man maister of K. Colledge maketh his exception againe to their visitaon but it would not serue In that Colledge some there were that refused to take their oath because they had giuen it to their Colledge before and also would not be brought thereby to accuse themselues yet at the length with much a doe they were contented to be sworne Thrée daies long lasted the Inquisition There after this it was aduised that the Vniuersitie should themselues first decrée against Bucer and Phagius and after make Supplication to the Commissioners for the confirming of this decrée So the Vniuersitie authorised their Vicechancellour to be the common factor for the Vniuersitie Which Supplication being put vp to the Commissioners the xiij day was of them graunted and afterwarde confirmed by the whole consent of the Vniuersitie and signed with the common seale the fourtéenth day by the Vice-Chaunceller by Doctor Yong Doctor Haruey Swineborne Marpetide c. After they had all dyned together at master Bacons maister of Gonwell hall by and by they carried it to the Commissioners to their Lodging Their condemnation being openly read then was it desired to send out processe to cite Bucer and Phagius to appeare or any other that would take vpon thē to plead their cause against the next mūday So the next day processe went out to cite the offenders But when neither of the parties accused would appeare at the time appointed although they might at the first haue condemned them yet a second processe was published and sentence deferred till the 26. of the same moneth On which day the Maior was also warned with his bretheren to bée present to behold what should bée determined When they had taken their places there was exhibited to the commissioners the processe that was lastly published to cite them This being done the B. of Chester maketh a spéech reciteth the sentence out of a scroll and condemned Bucer Phagius Bucer and Phagius digged out of their graues of heresie After sentence thus read he commaunded their bodies to be digged out of their graues first to be disgraded from holy orders he deliuered them to the secular power All this being ended they dispatch a purseuante to aduertise the Cardinall what they had done and required the writ de comburendo And while he went on his message they willed all suspected bookes to be brought for to be burned with the corps of Bucer and Phagius The purseuante being returned with the writ vpon the receipte thereof they appointed the 6 day of Februarie for the accomplishment of the matter So the Vicechanceller on that day taking with him Marshall the common notarie went first to saint Michaels church where Phagius was buried there he calleth foorth Andrew Smith Henry Sawyer and Henry Adams men of the same parrish and bound them with an oth to digge vp Phagius bones and to bring them to the place of execution Marshall tooke their othes receyuing the like of Roger Smith and William Hasell the towne Sergeants and of Iohn Capper warden of the same Church for doing the like with Bucer Their cofins being taken vp they were lincked with a chaine to a post on the market
down vpon his knées hauing his booke by him reading singing psalms continually without ceassing for 3. daies and 3. nightes together refusing meate and other talke to the great wonder of many Then one Iohn Crowch his next neighbour went to the Constables Robert Marsham and Robert Lawes in the night to certifie them thereof For Berrie the Vicar of the Towne did commaund openly to watch for him and the Constables vnderstanding the same tooke him by breake of day The two and twenty of Aprill when Hudson sawe them come in he saide nowe mine houre is come welcome friendes welcome You bee they that shall leade me to life in Christ Note I thanke GOD therefore and the Lorde enable mée thereto for his mercies sake So they ledde him to Berry the Commissary who wrote vnto the Bishop letters against him and sent him to Norwich bound like a théefe whither hee went with ioy and singing chéere In prison he was a moneth where hee did continually reade and inuocate the name of God After they had all thrée béene chained to the stake Thomas Hudson immediatly commeth foorth from them vnder the chaine fell downe vpon his knées and praied vehemently vnto the Lord for comfort for he was at the very stake distressed thē rose he with great ioy as a man new chaunged from life to death and said now I thanke God I am strong passe not what man can doo vnto me Note so with his fellowes gaue testimony to the truth in the flames of fire Somewhat before this time was one mother Seaman mother to Wil. Seaman persecuted for the gospell being of the age of 66. and was glad to liue sometimes in groues in bushes c. After she was dead the Lord taking her away by sicknesse one M. Simonds the commissary dwelling at Thornden gaue commaundement she should not come in Christian buriall so she was buried in a pit vnder a moats side Likewise one mother Bennet of the towne of Wetherset after her departure this life was laide in a graue by the high way side The 26. of May suffered at Colchester William Harris W. Harris Rich. Day Rich. Day Christian Gorge Christ Gorge a wife whose husband had another wife burnt before this Christian whose name was Agnes Gorge that suffered with the 13. at Stratford the Bow After the death of Christian he maried an honest godly woman and in the end being taken with his wife with her he remayned in prison till the death of Q. Marie was deliuered by our most gratious Quéene Elizabeth A sharpe proclamation against godly bookes In the moneth of Iune came forth a Proclamation very sharpe against godly bookes by the king and Quéene On the backside of the town of Islingtō were assembled xl godlie persons men and women vertuouslie applying thēselues in prayer and reading the worde Wherof 22. were by Sir Roger Cholmeley and the Recorder sent prisoners to Newgate where they lay eight dayes before they came to examination Of these xxij thirteene were burned seuen in Smithfield and six at Brainford In prison two died in Whitson wéeke the names of whom were Mathew Withers and T. Taylor Seuen of them which remained escaped with their liues hardly without burning whose names were these Iohn Milles Thomas Hinshaw Robert Bayly wolpacker Robert Willers Hudleys Thomas Ceast haberdasher Roger Sandey The 7. that suffered were brought before Boner the 14. of Iune to make answere to such articles as should be obiected Which when they constātly did according to the truth of the Gospell they were by Boner condemned and the 17. day of Iune were sent againe to Newgate where they remained til the 27. day On which day they chéerfully suffered in Smithfield in the fire Their names were these Henrie Pond Henry Pond Raynold Eastland Rain Eastland Robert Southam Rob. Southam Mathew Richarby Mat. Richarby Iohn Floyd Iohn Floyd Iohn Holiday Iohn Holiday Roger Holland Rog. Holland This Holland was a merchant taylour in London sometimes apprentice with one maister Kempton at the blacke boy in Watlingstréet Hee was before his conuersion a Papist and a very lewd yong man and was brought to the knowledge of the trueth by the exhortation of a sober maide that was seruant in the same house whom afterward he did marry and liued vertuously together til such time as the cruell Papists made separation by fire The same day they suffered Proclamation was made that none should be so bolde to speake or talke any word vnto them A straight Proclamation or receiue any thing of them or to touch them vpon payne of imprisonment without eyther Baile or mainprise Notwithstanding the people cryed out desiring God to strengthen them and they likewise prayed for the people the restoring of the word of God R. Holland at the stake At length Roger embracing the stake and the Réedes said these wordes Lorde I most humbly thanke thy maiestie that thou hast called me from the state of death vnto the light of thy heauenly word and now vnto the felowship of thy Saintes that I may sing and say Holy holy holy Lord God of Hostes and Lord into thy hands I commit my spirit Lord blesse the people saue them from idolatrie And so with the rest of his felowes ended his life lauding and praysing God The fourtéenth day of Iuly suffered other sixe at Brainforde seuen miles from London Their names were these Robert Milles R. Milles. Steeuen Wight S. Wight a Tanner Steeuen Carton S. Carton Iohn Slade I. Slade Robert Denis R. Denis and William Pikes W. Pikes or Pikers They were condemned by the Bishops Chauncellour D. Darbishire in the presence of Sir Edward Hastinges and Sir Thomas Cornwalles and suffered ioyfully for the testimonie of Iesus Of the sixe of that companie which escaped burning two were scourged by Bishoppe Boner in his Garden Thomas Hinshawe about the age of ninetéene or twentie yeares being Apprentice and dwelling in Paules Churchyarde with one M. Puggeson and Iohn Milles a married man on whom he spent two roddes and on Hinshaw one Hinshaw was deliuered by reason he fell sicke of a burning ague Boner not thinking he would liue when he had béene a yere in prison In which space Quéene Marie died and hee shortly after recouered health Iohn Milles was a Capper a right faithfull seruant of God The cause why he was scourged was because when Boner asked him what time he crept to the crosse he answered not since he came to the yeres of discretion nor woulde not but rather bée torne in péeces with wilde horses Boner ofttimes speaking to Iohn Milles would say they call me bloudie Boner a vengeance on you all I would fain be rid of you but you haue a delight in burning but if I might haue my will I would sowe your mouthes and put you into sackes and drowne you On a day
escaped the bloudie hands of the tyraunts To those aforesayd are to be added Gertrude Crockhey of S. Catherines William Maulden in the tyme of the six articles Robert Hornebey groome of the chamber to the Ladie Elizabeth Mistris Sandes now wife to sir Morice Bartlet then Gentlewomen waiter to the Ladie Elizabeth while shée was in the Tower Father Rose borne in Exmouth in Deuonshire after much affliction in King Henries daies and more gréeuous in Quéene Maries after his constant witnessing of the gospel escaped and passedouer seas and there liued till the death of Quéene Mary and of late beyng aged of 76. yéeres was preacher in the towne of Luton in Bedfordshire Doctor Sandes likewise Vicechauncellor of the Vniuersity of Cambridge who for his Sermon at Cambridge preached against Quéene Marie was imprisoned in the Tower and afterward in the marshalsea by the meanes of Syr Thomas Holcroft Béeing set at libertye hardly escaped beyonde the seas where hee liued all Queene Maries time in Germanie Anno 1556. there was a complaint against such as fauoured the Gospel in Ipswich exhibited to Quéene Maries Counsel sitting in commission at Beckles in Suffolke the 18. of May An. 1556. by Phillip Williams aliâs Foteman Iohn Steward and Mathew Butler sworne for that purpose The names of such as fled out of the towne Such as fled out of Ipswich for persecution and lurked in secret places were these Of S. Mary tower Rober Partridge Rose Nothingam daughter of William Notingam the elder Of L. Laurence Anne Fenne seruant to Robert Notingam Andrew Ingforby his wife and daughter Ipswich a good towne Thomas Tomson Shoemaker supposed to haue receiued but twise those 17. yéeres Martine Locksmith his wife Of Saint Margarets William Pickesse Tanner Iohn Woodles Couerletweauer and his wife William Harset Bricklayer Thomas Fowler Shoemaker W. Wrightes wife at the Windmill Laurence Waterward late Curate borne in Chorley in Lancashire Of Saint Nicholas widow Swanne Mathew Birde and his wife Stephen Greenwich and his wife William Coleman seruaunt to the sayde Stephen Robert Coleman and his wife Roger Laurence aliâs Sparrow Iohn Carleton Sadler William Colemam Iames Hearst his wife Of Saint Peters Richard Houer apprentise with Nicholas Notingham Richard Hedley a seller of hereticall Bookes Of Saint Stephens Iames Booking Shoemaker his wife Iohn Rawe late seruaunt to Iames Ashley William Palmer Richard Richman Shoemaker his wife daughter to mother Fenkell midwife Of Saint Clements mistres Tooley who departed to Darsham in Suffolke Agnes Wardall the elder Widowe Robert Wardall her sonne Of Saint Mathewes Iohn Shoemaker and his wife The names of such as had not receiued the Sacrament Of saint Clements Robert Braye Iohn Notingham Agnes VVardall wife of Robert VVardal Nich. Notingham Richard Michell William Iordan his wife Rich. Butler Robert Browne Of Saint Peters Iohn Reede Thomas Spurdance Iohn seruaunt to Stephen Greenleefe Of Saynt Stephens Robert Scolding Of saint Margarets Iohn Greenwich and his wife Of saint Nicholas Thomas Sturgeon mariner Iohn Fenne his wife Of saint Marie Kye Robert Branstone brother and seruaunt to William Branstone Of saynt Marie tower Martine Iohnson who lyeth bedredde Agnes his kéeper Benet Alceed seruants to Robert Nottinghā Of saint Laurence Robert Silke his sonne Of saint Marie at Ellens Iohn Ramsey and his wife in prison The names of such as obserued not ceremonies Of saint Clements some refused the Paxe Robert Brage his wife refused to suffer anie childe to bee dipped in the Font Ioane Barber widowe Thomasin her daughter refused to beholde the eleuation of the sacrament Mistresse Ponder mother to Ioane Barber in the same fault Tye a mariner his wife Of saint Marie Ellines Richarde Hawarde refused the Paxe at Masse in Saynt Laurence Of saint Peters Maister Lions at masse at saint Marie Stoke refused the Paxe mother Fentell Ioane Warde aliâs Bentley wife refused to haue their children dypped in the Font. At Saynt Stephens mother Beriefe refuseth to haue children dipped in fontes At S. Nicholas George Bush his wife reiected the host after receit of it Names of priests wiues that had accesse to their husbands RAfe Carletons wife Curate of S. Mathewes and S. Marie at Ellins Elizabeth Cantrell wife to Rafe Cantrell Iane Barker wife to Robert Barker priest late of Burie Latimers wife Curate of S. Laurence S. Stephens William Clarkes wife late curate of Barkham and S. Marie at Ellines The names of the mainteiners against this complaint RObert Stirrop Customer to Quéene Marie Gilbert Stirrop Deputie to Edward Grimstone for his butlerage Maister Butler the elder searcher mistresse Tooly Margaret Bray Ioane Barker widowe mistresse Birde Bastian Man his wife and himselfe Their requests to punish and conuent certaine for example TO conuent Richarde Byrde Iayler who by euil counsell doeth animate his Prisoners of his Secte Thomas Sadler for speaking certaine wordes to Iohn Bate the Crier of the towne that it might please the Bishop to wish his Commissarie and Officiall to be vpright and diligent in their office and to appoint a Curate of abilitie to féede his Cure with Gods worde That none might be suffered to be Midwiues but such as were knowen to be Catholikes That Rafe Carleton Curate might be conuented whether by corruption of mony he hath ingrossed his booke of any that are there named and hath not receiued in déed as it is reported The miraculous preseruation of Lady Elizabeth now our most gratious Queene of England QVéene Mary before she was crowned shewed great fauour to the Lady Elizabeth and would go no whether but would haue her by the hand and send for her to dinner and supper but after shée was crowned shée neuer shewed her any such kindnesse The affliction of Lady Elizabeth our most gratious Queene but kept her selfe aloofe from her After this it happened immediatly vpon the rising of Sir Thomas Wiat that the Lady Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney were charged with false suspition of Syr Thomas Wyats rising Wherevpon the next day after the rising of Wyat the Quéene sent for her from her house at Ashridge by thrée of her Counsellers Syr Richard Southwell Sir Edward Hastings then maister of the horse and Syr Thomas Cornwallis with their retinue and troupe of horsemen to the number of 250 who at the same time found her sore sicke in her bedde It was ten of the clocke at night before they came and they were so boisterous that being desired to stay and come in the morning to speake with her they came hastelie rushing into her Graces chamber as soone as the Gentlewoman that was to doe the message frō them to her And comming in vnto her they declared the Quéenes pleasure which was that she shoulde be at London the seuenth day of that present Moneth Adding moreouer vnto her that their Commission was such that they must néedes bring her with them either quick or dead And thereupon called for Phisitions Doctor Owen and Doctor Wendie
staires in the Cardinals chamber at Gréenewich after hée had receiued the Cardinals blessing One Grundwood of Hitcham who was procured by William Fenning to witnes salsly against a godly man one Cooper of Watsame that he should wish if God would not that the Diuell would take away Quéene Mary as hée was in his labour staking vp a gulphe of corne suddainly his bowels fell out and so he died The Parson of Crondall in Kent hauing receiued the Popes blessing from Cardinall Poole shrunke downe in the pulpet and was found dead D. Geffery Chancellor of Salisbury hauing appoynted the day before his death to call 90. persons before him to examination was preuented by Gods hand and so died Master Woodroof who was cruell against M. Rogers was stricken the one halfe of his body that he lay benummed and so continued seuen or eight yéeres till he died and scarse escaped any of them but the hand of God strangely was vpon them all before their death Popish prelates die thicke together about the death of Queene Mary that had defiled themselues with the blood of Gods children Especially it is to be noted how many of the popish prelates died not long before Quéene Mary or not longer after Before her died Coates B. of Winchester Parfew B. of Harford Glinne B. of Bangor Brookes B. of Glocester King B. of Thame Peto elect of Salsbury Day B. of Chichester Holyman B. of Bristow After her Cardinall Poole the next day of some Italian Phisicke as some did suspect then I. Christophorsen B. of Chichester White B. of Winchester Hopton B. of Norwich Morgan B. of S. Dauids Rafe Bayne B. of Liechfield and Couentrie Owine Oglethorpe B. of Carlill Cutbert Tonstall who was no bloudy persecutor B. of Durham Thomas Raynolds elect of Hereford after his depriuation died in pryson Doctor Weston Deane of Westminster after Deane of Windsore chiefe disputer against Cranmer Ridley and Latimer Maister Slythurst maister of trinitie Colledge in Oxford who died in the Tower Seth Holland Deane of Worcester and Warden of Alsoule colledge in Oxforde William Copinger monke of Westminster fell mad and died in the Tower Doct. Steward Deane of Winchester Such of the Popish Cleargie as escaped death and were committed to prison were these In the Tower Nicholas Heath Archb. of Yorke and Lord Chancellor Th. Thurleby B. of Ely Th. Watson B. of Lincolne Gilbert Bourne B. of Bath Welles Rich. Pates B. of Worcester Troublefield B. of Exceter Iohn Fecknam Abbot of Westminster Iohn Baxall Deane of Windsor Peterborow Godwel B. of S. Asse and Maurice elect of Bangor ran away In the Marshalsea Edmond Boner Tho. Wood B. elect In the Fléete Cuthbert Scot Bishop of Chester whence he escaped to Louain and there died Henrie Cole Deane of Paules Iohn Harpesfield Archdeacon of London and Deane of Norwich Nicholas Harpesfield Archd. of Canterbury Anthonie Dracot Archd. of Huntington William Chadsey Archdeacon of Middlesex Anno 1572. Iohn Whiteman Iohn Whiteman a notable martyr Shoemaker of Rye in Sussex a married man of 23. yéeres It being seruice time at Ostend in Flanders went to the Church and at the time of the heaue offering stept to the sacrificer and tooke from ouer his head his Idoll saying these wordes in the Duitch tongue Is this your God And so breaking it cast it down vnder his féete and trode thereon Forthwith he was taken and on Tuesday after had sentence giuen against him first to haue his hand cut off and his body scorched to death and after to be hanged vp Which sentence he tooke so patiently and the execution thereof with such willingnes that so soon as he was out of the prison to be carried to execution he made such haste and as it were a ranne to the place of execution that he drew the hangman after him There was prepared for his execution a post with spars from the top therof aslope down to the ground in maner of a tent to the end that he should be scorched to death and not burned When he was come to the place the hangman commanded him to lay down his right hand vpon a block which he immediatly with an hatchet smote of the goodman stil cōtinuing patient constant Then the hangman stept behind him bids him put out his tongue which he forthwith did as far as he could out of his head through the which he thrust a long instrument like a packnéedle and so let it sticke So being stript into his shirt he was put into the tent made fast with two chaines and fire put round about him which broiled him scorched him al black and when he was dead he was carried to be hanged vpon a Gibbet besides the towne Anno 1558. the last day of March was appointed a day of conference betwixt 9. priests and 9. protestants concerning matters of religion A conference for matters of religion The names of the Papistes were these Winchester Lichfield Chester Carlile Lincoln Cole Harpesfield Longdale Chadsey The names of the Protestants Story B. of Chichester Cox Whitehead Grindall Horne Sands Best Elmer Iewell Three propositions to dispute of The matter they should dispute of was comprehended in these propositions 1 It is against the word of God the custome of the ancient Church to vse a tongue vnknown to the people in common praier administratiō of the sacramēts 2 Euery Church hath authority to appoint take away and change ceremonies and Ecclesiastical rites so the same be to edification 3 It cannot be proued by the word of God that there is in the masse offered vp a sacrifice propitiatory for the quick and the dead It was decréed according to the desire of the papists that it should be in writing on both partes for auoiding of much altercation of words and each of them should deliuer their writings to other to consider what were improued therein and to declare the same againe in writing some other conuenient day This was agréed on of both parts The Lords also of the parlement made means to her maiesty that the parties of this conference might reade their assertions in the English tongue and that in the presence of the nobility and others of the parlement house for the better satisfaction and the better enabling of their owne iudgements to treate and conclude of such lawes as might depend therevpon This was thought very reasonable and agréed vpon the day being appointed the last of March the place Westminster church Notwithstanding this former order appointed cōsented vnto on both parts The assēbly being now made the B. of Winchester his collegues alleadging that they had mistaken that their assertions and reasons should be writtē so only recited out of a booke said that their booke was not then ready written but they were ready to argue dispute The Papists flee from the agreement and therefore they would for that time repeate in spéech that which they had
eadem Serapion eadem Egesippus eadem Miltiades eadem Heraclitus eadem Theophilus eadem Dionysius pag. 18 Penitus eadem Clemens Alexandrinus eadem Contention among the christians for Easter day eadem Pertinax eadem Seuerus eadem Hillarius pag. 19 Leonides eadem Origen eadem Origens bookes eadem Plutarchus eadem Serenus eadem Basilides pag. 20 Alexander eadem Narcissus eadem Andoclus eadem Asclepiades eadem Iraeneus eadem Victor eadem Tertullian pag. 21 Theophilus eadem Policrates eadem Zephyrinus pag. 22 Perp. c. eadem Bassianus eadem Varius Heliogabalus eadem Mammea eadem Maximinus pag. 23 Calixtus eadem Vrbanus eadem Tiburtius eadem Valerianus eadem Agapitus eadem Calepodius eadem Pammachus eadem Simplicius eadem Quiritius eadem Iulia eadem Tiberius pag. 24 Valerianus eadem Martina eadem Maximinus eadem Gordian eadem Phillip eadem Pontianus eadem Philetus eadem zebenus eadem Ammonius eadem Iulius Aphricanus eadem Natalius eadem Anterius pag. 25. Hippolitus eadem Fabian pag. 26 Origen sacrificeth eadem Origen excommunicated eadem Origen repenteth pag. 27 Heracleas eadem Dionysius eadem Alexandrinus eadem Cruel persecution eadem Alexander eadem Mezauanes eadem XL. Virgins pag. 28. Peter eadem Andrew eadem Paul eadem Nichomachus eadem Dionysia eadem Germanus eadem Theophilus eadem Cesarius eadem Vitalis eadem Polychronius eadem Nestor eadem Olimpiades eadem Maximus eadem Anatolia eadem Audax eadem Soothsayers eadem Metra eadem Apollonia pag. 29 Serapion eadem Reuolt eadem Iulianus eadem Cronion eadem Eunus eadem A souldier eadem Macer eadem Epimachus eadem Alexander eadem Ammonarion pag. 30. Mercuria eadem Dionysia eadem Heron eadem Isodrne eadem Dioscorus eadem Nemesian eadem Ammon eadem Zenon eadem Ptolomeus eadem Ingenius eadem Theophilus eadem Ischrion eadem Cheremon eadem Dionysius pag. 31 Alexandrinus eadem Timotheus eadem Gaius eadem Faustus eadem Petrus eadem Paulus eadem Christophorus eadem Menaitus eadem Agatha eadem Tryphon eadem Theodora pag. 32. Agathon eadem Paulus eadem Andreas ead Iustinus eadem Portius eadem Secundianus eadem Verianus 33 Marcellinus eadem Sore persecution eadem Children persecuted ead Pergentius eadem Laurentius eadem Reuolt eadem Nouatus 34 Cyprian eadem Cornelius eadem Aurelius eadem Mappalicus eadem Decius death eadem A plague of ten yeres ead Cyprian de mortalitate 35 Vibias eadem Gallus eadem Volusianus eadem The teachers of Christianity banished eadem Nemesianus eadem Felix eadem Lucius eadem Seagrius eadem Rogationus eadem Stephanus eadem Contention eadem Emilianus eadem Valerianus Galienus ead Valerianus seduced eadem Disordered life of christians 36 A vision eadem Cyprians Apologie for christians eadem Cyprian once a Magician eadem Cecilius conuerteth Cyprian eadem Agrippinus 37 Cyprian banished eadem Cyprian beheaded eadem Diuers Cyprians eadem Sextus with sixe of his Deacons eadem Laurence broyled on a grid-iron 38 Dionisius Bishop of Alexandria eadem The brethren visited eadē Eusebius eadem Faustus eadem Priscus 39 Marcus eadem Alexander eadem 300. martired eadem Three virgins ead Pontius eadem Gods iudgements eadem Zeno eadem Eugenia eadem Helenus eadem Victor 40 Victorinus eadem Claudianus eadem Bossa eadem Fructuosus eadem A vision ead Sapores eadem Gods iudgements eadem Earthquakes eadem Persecution moderated ead Marinus eadem Theodistus 41 Dionysius eadem Felix eadem Eutichianus eadem Gaius eadem Gregorius magnus eadem Claudius eadem 262. Martirs eadem Quintilianus eadem Aurelianus eadem The tirant terrified 42 Annius eadem Tacitus eadem Florianus eadem Aurelius Probus eadem Carus eadem Carinus eadem Numerianus eadem Cerillus martired eadem Dioclesian eadem 19. yeres quiet in the church eadem 44. yeres quiet the Church groweth eadem Church dissolute eadem Large Temples builded eadem The tenth persecution 43 Maximianus eadem Cesars eadem Dioclesian woulde bee worshipped as a God eadem Miracle eadem Churches burned eadem Scriptures destroyed eadem Siluanus 44 Pamphilus eadem Tirannion eadem Arnobius eadem Two maides of Antioch ea Siluanus eadem Tharatus eadem Probus eadem Andronicus eadem Peter of the houshold ead Dorotheus eadem Gorgonius eadem Anthonius 45 Lucianus eadem Serena the wife of the Emperor martired eadem Two thousand together in a temple burned eadem A whole citie of Christians burned eadem Eustachius eadem Peleus and Nilus eadem The B. with the elders martitired eadem A legion of Christians martired eadem Mauritius eadem 79. martired 46 Great persecutiō in Italy ea Victor eadem Lucian eadem 18. martyred eadem Persecution of Spaine ead Riuers died with bloud of Christians eadem In Britayne great persecution pag. 47 Strange torments ead The persecutors weried with slaughter eadem Reuolt eadem 17000. slayne in thirtie daies eadem 300. at Alexandria eadem 300. at Colen eadem Thebane Souldiers 6660. pag. 48 Constantinus eadem Constantius trieth his court who were christians pa. 49 Gods iudgement vpō Maximinus eadem Syluanus eadem Petrus pag. 50. Quirinus eadem Marcellus eadem Timotheus eadem 270. martired eadem Antheus a king with 37000. martyrs eadem 79. martyrs eadem Famine and pestilence eadē The villany of Maxentius pag. 51 A vision of the crosse eadem Maxentius drowned pag. 52 The last persecution eadem Libertie to the christiās ead Dioclesi dieth eadem Maxim glorifieth the God of the christians eadem Learning named by Lycinius the poyson of the cōmon wealth pag. 53. Lycinius a great persecutor eadem Churches rased to the groūd eadem Theodorus eadem Basilius eadem Nicholaus eadem Paule eadem 42. Christian souldiers ead Inuenters of torments ead Licinius vanquished ead Licinius slaine pag. 54 Constantius dieth is buried at Yorke eadem Alban the first martyr in England eadem Amphibalus eadem Aaron and Iulius eadem England only touched with the tenth Persecution eadem A child tormented pag. 55 A myracle eadem Gordius eadem 40. martyrs eadem A notable mother pag. 56 Fortie martyrs eadem Cyrus eadem Iohannes eadem Athanasia and her 3. daughters eadem Sebastian eadem Barlan pag. 57 Agricola eadem Vitalis eadem Vincentius lamentable martyrdome eadem Tormentors scourged ead Procopius eadem Panthaleon pag. 58 318. martyrs eadem 2000. martyrs eadem Cassianus eadem Constancie of women ead Eulalia eadem A miracle pag. 59 Katherine eadem Iulitta eadem Fausta eadem Succession of the bishops of Rome pag. 60. Lucina eadem Yet persecution in Asia vnder Sapores eadem 128. martyrs pag. 61. The magicians raise persecution eadem Simeon eadem Vsthazares eadem A notable historie eadem An hundred suffer eadem A cruel edict pag. 62. Magicians eadem Azades eadem The teachers onely put to death eadem Trabula eadem Iacolus eadem The Arch-magician pag. 63 Athalas eadem Innumerable slaine eadem 250 martirs eadem 15. thousand martired amōg the Persians ead Constantine to Sapores for mitigation of the persecution eadem Andas 64 Homisda eadem Suenes eadem Beniamin eadem Iulianus
against the Bohemians eadem Ambassadors from the couÌ„cell to Prage 376 The Bohemians haue liceÌ„ce to coÌ„municate vnder both kindes 377 Concord betwixt the councell and Bohemians ead The vniuersity to be increased with prebends ead The feast of the conception of the virgin 378 The feast of the visitation eadem Good lawes ordeined in the councel at Basill eadem 24. Cardinals ead Iewes to be conuerted eadeÌ„ Stipend for the tongues ead 18. new Cardinals ead The Doulphin of Fraunce vanquished 369 Pope Nicholas 5 eadem The Greeks abhorre the Romanes eadem 11. battels wonn by the protestants against the papists 380 The papists ranne away fiue times before any stroke was giuen eadem Cruelty and treason against the Bohemians eadem Richard Wich 381 Duchesse of Glocester condemned to perpetual prison eadem Roger Only burned eadem Duke Humfreys articles against the Cardinal ead Destruction of Duke Humfrey 382 Alsolne Bernard colledge in Oxford eadem Duke Humfrey imprisoned ead Duke Humfrey found dead in prison eadem The desperate cardinall 383 Mary Magdalen Colledge in Oxford ead Printing inuented eadem Printing later then Gunnes ead Constantinople taken by the turkes ead One neighbor destroyeth another for gaine 384 Crueltie of the turkes ead No Emperor but king of the Romans til the pope coÌ„firme him 385 A Iubile eadem pope Calixtus eadem Auies to help theÌ„ that fight against the turkes eadem The feast of Transfiguration ead Edmunde of made a saint ead P. pius Secundus ea pope altereth his former iudgement 386 Mentz loseth his freedome ea Discord betweene pius and Dorotheus ea p. paulus secundus ea The pope for priests mariage ea pope Sixtus 4. ea Stewes at Rome ea Iubile altered ea Beades and Ladies psalter 387 A prodigal Cardinal ea Liberty for sodomitry ea Innocentius 8. ea K. of Boheme condemned of the pope ea Colledge of Eaton ea Henrie 6. canonized for a Saint 388 An heresie to hold that christ was a begger ea Iohn Goose Martir ea Iohn a Neat-heard 389 Iohn de Wesalia recanteth ea Nominals Reals ea Reuenues of the pope from the stewes of Rome 390 Begging friers ea Alanus de Rupe ea Rosarie of our Ladies psalter Fraternitas coronarioruÌ„ ea Institution of the Rosarie ea Sixtus dieth for anger 391 Platina a shamefull flatterer of the pope ea Richard 3. vsurper ea K. Henrie 7 ea Maxim fouÌ„der of the vniuersitie of Wittemberg ea Learned men flourish in the time of Maximilian ea Veselus a learned man called Lux mundi 392 Ione Boughton martir ea Fagots borne ea A priest burnt 393 Babram martir ea An old man burnt ea Sauanarola burnt ea The pope Antichrist ea Spirit of prophecy in Sauanarola 394 Philip Norrice ead Germans sue to the Emp. against the romish church ead 10. greeuances ead Emperors edicts against the clergie 395 Iacobus Celestadiensis ead Alexander 6 ead Turkes hire the P. to poyson his brother ead P. procureth the Turk to war against the French King ead P. and his Cardinals poysoned ead Pope Pius 3 ead Pope casteth away the keyes of peter ead 200000. Christians slaine by the popes meanes 396 Councel at Pyse ead Questions against the P. ead Pragmatical function ead Pope curseth the French K. ead Persecution vnder the Turke 397 Saris 399 Ianizaries ead How Christian Captiues flie from their masters 401 Howe the Turke vseth the Churches of Christians that be vnder his subiecon 402 Christians pay tribute to the Turke ead Fagots borne 403 William Tilsley Martir eadem Crueltie against Nature eadem Penance ead William Page burned in the cheeke ead Father Roberts burnt 404 Thomas Bernard ead Iames Morden ead Father Riuer martir ead Thomas Chast ead Tho. Norrice martir ead Laurence Glest martir 405 A woman burnt ead Gods iudgement ead Iohannes Picus Mirandula 406 Picê° set vp 90. conclusioÌ„s to be disputed vpon ead Furniture of Mirandulas studie ead Ecclesiasticall Lawes before the Conquest 407 Death of king Henrie the 7. 409 Henrie 8. ead Strife between the Dominikes Franciscans ead The feast of the virgine Maries conception ead Addition to the Aue Maria. eadem The virgin Mary conceiued without sinne eadem Sleight of the friers ead Pope Leo 410 Abiuration eadem William Sweeting Iohn Banister martyrs eadem Iohn Browne martyr ead Richard Hunne ead Doctor Horsey the Chancellour eadem Iohn Stilman burned 411 Thomas Man martyr ead Pilate washeth his handes eadem Great abiuration at Amersham eadem 200. conuerted by Thomas Man eadem Knowen men iustfast men eadem William Sweeting eadem Iames Brewster 412 Christopher a Shoomaker ead Colledge of brasen-nose in Oxford ead Brother detecteth brother husband the wife ead Many abiure ead Thomas Barnard burned eadem Vnnaturall cruelty 413 Doctor Collet ead Paules schoole builded ead Pardon 's sold eadem Tecellius a Frier ead Luther an Augustine Frier ead Luther accused to the bishop of Rome eadem Luther writeth to the pope eadem Dialogues against Luther 414 Eckius against Luther ead P. complaineth against Luth. ead Lu. submitteth himself 415 New pardons 416 Maximilian ead Disputation at Lipsia 417 Zuinglius ead Yerely mony from Germany to Rome ead Luther burneth the popes decrees ead Pope curseth Luther ead Luth. appeareth at Wormes ead Courage of Luther 418 Questions of Eckius to Lut. ead Luthers bookes of 3. sortes ead Lu. answere to Eckius ead The Emperor purposeth to roote out the gospel 419 Luther returneth home 420 The Emperour outlaweth Luther ead The booke De Abroganda missa eadem Wittemberg fauoureth Luther eadem A booke against Luther 421 Defender of the Christian faith eadem Pope Leo dieth eadem Pope Hadrian 6. ead A meeting at Noremberge eadem 100. greeuances of Germany against the pope ead pope Hadrian dieth 422 Pope Clement 7. ead Carolostadius eadem Luther dieth eadem Lu. prayer at his death ead Luther fulfilled Ierome of Prages prophecie eadem A councel at Ratisbone 423 Acts against Luther eadem Zuinglius eadem Dominicks against Zuinglius 424 Io. Faber against Zuingl ead Traditions of men abandoned in zurike eadem Decree at Lucerna ead Cantons deuided eadem Images pulled downe 425 The Cantons that misliked Zuinglius eadem The masse banished eadem A disputation at Berne 426 Scriptures onely to decide controuersies eadem Ten conclusions eadem The Bishops refuse disputation eadem The disputation lasted 19. dayes 427 Berne reformed ead Geneua reformed ead The Bernats refuse the freÌ„ch kings league ea A monument of reformatioÌ„ ea Masse put downe in Strausborough 428 Basil reformed ea A memoriall of their reformation ea The name of protestaÌ„ts 429 Diuision of the pages for religion ea Zuinglius slaine ea Minister goeth with the armie ea League betwixt the CaÌ„tons 430 Duke of Saxon dieth ea Henrie Voes ea Iohn Ech ea Courage of the Martir ea Crueltie 432 Iohn M. eadem Maister George eadem Great cruelty and great patience 433 Iohn Castellane ead Constancie
third yere of Traianus and suffered the xij yere of his Raigne Alexander Alexander who succéeded Euaristus conuerted a great part of the Senators of Rome to the faith Among whom one Hermes Hermes a great man in Rome whose sonne being dead he raised to life and restored sight to his maide being blinde Which Adrianus the Emperor hearing of sent word to Aurelianus Gouernor of Rome to apprehend Alexander with Euentus Euentus and Theodulus Theodulus otherwise called Theodorus his two Deacons and Hermes Hermes to committe them to Warde with Quirinus the Tribune whose daughter named Albina Albina he cured which mooued Quirinus Quirinus with all his house to be baptized and suffred also for the faith of Christ In the second yere of Hadrian Aurelianus tooke Alexander with Hermes his wife children and whole housholde 1250. and threw them into prison and not long after burnt them all in a Furnace Whose crueltie being rebuked by Theodulus another Deacon of Alexander caused also vnto himselfe the same martirdome Quirinus the same time as saith Antoninus hauing first his tongue cut out then his handes and féete afterwarde was beheaded and cast to the dogges The thirde Persecution The third persecution BEtwixt the second persecution and the third was but one yere vnder the Emperor Nerua Nerua After whom succéeded Traianus Traianus who raysed the thirde persecution which was so grieuous that Plinius Secundus Plinius Secundus moued with compassion being himselfe an Infidel wrote to the Emperour and certified him that so many thousandes were put to death without cause sauing that they vsed to gather themselues together before day to sing hymnes to a certaine God whom they worshipped called Christ Whereupon the persecutions were greatly alaied The summe of Plinies letters to the Emperor Plinies letter for mitigation of the persecution THe summe of the Epistle was that the Emperour would resolue how long to inflicte the punishment with respecte of Age Sexe or Degrée Whether any Pardon might be graunted vnto such as would denie the faith or whether that offēce alone should so grieuously be punished or if other offences did aggrauate the fault who their Religion and excepted their worshipping of Christ els cōmitted they nothing against the lawes as euē such that had renoūced their faith confessed as he had made proofe by laying 2. christian maids on the racke to proue if they could haue extorted confession of further crime And that for asmuch as some although many of them encreased gaue their names to doo sacrifice with incēse vnto the image of the Emperor and sacrifices were more then before brought to be sold if space were granted they might be amended which else by great multitudes might run into daunger of condemnation To whom the Emperor made answere The Emperours answere that he would not haue the christiās sought for but if any were brought cōuicted such should suffer executiō such as vnfainedly denied the faith would do sacrifice in opē place should be receiued to mercy Certaine Sectaries there were of the Iewes that accused Simeon Simeon then B. of Ierusalem sonne of Cleophas to come of the stocke of Dauid and that he was a Christian Wherevpon he was scourged by Attalus Attalus commaundement then Proconsull during the space of many daies together being of the age of 120. and with great admiration giuen of his constancie he ended his course vpon the crosse Vnder this Traiane which next followed Nerua amōg others Phocas Phocas B. of Pōtus suffered whō Traianus because he refused to do sacrifice to Neptune cast into a hot furnace and after into a scalding bath Anton. Eginl fascic temporum In the same persecutiō suffered also Sulpitius Sulpitius Seruilianus Seruilianus two Romanes whose wiues are said to be Emphrosina Emphrosina Theodora Theodora whom Salma Salma did conuert to the faith and afterward were also martyred This Salma was beheaded of C. Lepidus the gouernour in the mount Auentine in the daies of Hadrian vnder whom also suffered Seraphia Seraphia a virgin of Antioch Moreouer in this time of Traiane suffered Nereus Nereus and Achilleus Achilleus at Rome about which time also one Sagaris Sagaris suffered martyrdome in Asia Seruius Paulus beyng then Proconsull in that prouince In this time suffered Ignatius Ignatius Some say that he being sent from Syria to Rome was giuē to wild beasts to be deuoured passing through Asia he confirmed the churches and cōming to Smirna where Polycarpus Polycarpus was he wrot diuerse epistles one to Ephesus an other to Magnesia Magnesia being at Meander another to Trallis He now being iudged to the beasts hearing the Lions roare I am the wheat or graine said he of Christ I shall be ground with the téeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread He suffered the 11. yéere of the raigne of Traianus Euseb Hieronimus About this time many thousands died for the faith among them one Publius Publius bishop of Athens Next to Traianus succéeded Hadrian Hadrian vnder whom suffered Alexander bishop of Rome with his two Deacons Euentius Euentius and Theodorus Theodorus also Hermes Hermes and Quirinus Quirinus with their families In this time of Hadrian Zenon Zenon a noble man of Rome with 10023 were slaine for Christ Henricus de Erfodia Bergomensis lib. 8. make mention of 10000. in the daies of this Hadrian to be crucified in the mount Ararat crowned with crownes of thorne thrust into the sides with sharpe darts after the example of the Lords passiō whose captains were Achaicus Achaicus c. Heliades Theodorus and Carcerius c. Vnder Hadrian suffered also Eustachius Eustachius a captaine whō Traianus had sent in times past against the Barbarians hauing now subdued them was honorably met in his iorney of Hadrian the Emperor himselfe who first by the way would do sacrifice to Apollo for the victory willing Eustachius to do also Which he refusing not withstanding all meanes to draw him to it was brought to Rome where with his wife children he suffered martyrdome vnder the same Hadrian Faustinus Faustinus Iobita Iobita citizens of the citie of Brixia suffered martyrdome with gréeuous torments At the sight whereof one Caelocerius Caelocerius seing their so great patiēce in such tormēts cried out with these words Verè magnus Deus christianorum Verily great is the God of the Christians Wherevpon he was presently apprehended and suffred with them Ex Ant. Equi One Anthia a godly woman who committed her sonne Eleutherius to Anicetus Bishop of Rome to be brought vp in the faith who was afterward B. of Apulia was there beheaded with her sonne Eleutherius Nicephorus Vnder this Hadrian suffered also Iustus Iustus and Pastor Pastor twoo
although they were sought for be heard of And many other taken of the barbarous Arabiās could scarcely be ransomed for money At the same time Dionisius Alexandrinus Dionisius Alexandrinus out of whose Epistle to Fabius Bishop of Antioch Eusebius recordeth these persecutions suffered much afflicton and had straunge deliuerance Once the messenger was stroken blind and could not find his house beyng a Farmer of Sabinus at length after thrée dayes he was commaunded of God to fly and so did but afterward comming to Ierusalem he was taken and brought by soldiours to Taposixis where Timotheus Timotheus being from home and returning finding Dionisius and others taken and all the rest fled he fled away also and méeting a neighbour of his and asked whether he went declared all the matter simply Which doone the man went on as he was purposed to a marriage and tolde the company what was done which they hearing burst out of the house in the night season as the manner of marriages was in that time making toward the prisoners with great showting whereat they that apprehended the prisoners being afraid left them ran away Then the cōpany willed them to depart which they did tooke Dionysius by the hands féet caried him out led him away There followed him Gaius Gaius Faustus Faustus Petrus Petrus Paulus Paulus who brought him out of the city and setting him vpon a bare Asse conueyed him away Vnder Decius suffered one Christophorus Christophorus a Chanaanite being 12. cubits hie Vnder him also suffered Meniatus Meniatus a Florentine Agatha Agatha an holy virgin in Sicily who suffered imprisonment with beatings racking famine rayling vpon sharpe shelles and hote coales Hauing moreouer her brestes cut from her bodie by the crueltie of Quintinianus the Proconsul About the same time suffered also amōg others xl virgins by diuers kindes of death Vnder this tyrant also suffered by the sword after diuers torments Tryphon Tryphon a man of great holines and constancie in the Citie of Nice by Aquilius At what time Decius had erected a tēple in the midst of Ephesus cōpelling al in the citie to do sacrifice there were found vij souldiers that refused their names were Maximianus Malchus Martialis Dionisius Iohannes Serapion and Constantinus Who when respite was giuen them to consider of the matter till the Emperours returne from the warre hid themselues in mount Celius in caues which the Emperour at his returne caused to be rammed vp with stones and so they were martyred There was as Hieronymus writeth in the life of Paulus the Heremite a godly souldier who could by no meanes be brought from his faith by the Pretor and was brought into a pleasant garden and laid on a soft bedde and an harlot sent to allure him who when she offered to kisse he bit of hir tongue and spit it in the harlots face The like is reported of Ambrose de virginibus of Theodora Theodora who was commanded to the stewes which a young man a Christian vnderstanding pressed in as though he had béene one of the lewde wantons and tolde Theodora what he was and councelled her to chaunge garments and to conuey her self away Which she did he offering himselfe to their violence and being found a man confessed himself a Christian was presently condemned to suffer Which Theodora vnderstanding of offered her selfe to the Iudge as the party guiltie and required the other might be discharged But the cruell iudge commanded them to be both beheaded and after cast into the fire At what time this befel it doth not appeare Agathon Agathon a man of Termes in the citie of Alexādria for rebuking those that derided the dead bodies of the Christians was condemned to lose his head The Proconsull of Troada gaue Paulus Paulus and Andreas Andreas being first scourged and after drawen through the Citie to be troden to death vnder the féete of the people In this time also of Decius suffered one Iustinus Iustinus a priest of Rome and Nicostratus a Deacon also Portius Portius a priest of Rome who is reported to haue conuerted the Emperour Philip aboue mentioned In that time there was also one Secundianus Secundianus who was accused to Valerian a captaine of Decius to be a Christian who as he was led by the souldiers to the gaile Verianus Verianus Marcellinus Marcellinus cried to the souldiers and asked whether they led the innocent Wherevpon they were also brought to a place named Contumcellas and there after torments beatings with wasters they were hanged on a gibbet with fire put to their sides but the tormentors some fell suddenly dead other were taken with euill spirites and the martyrs at length were beheaded with the sword Besides an infinite number that suffered vnder Decius Sore persecution these are registred Hippolitus and Concordia Hiereneus Abundus Victoria a virgin beyng noble personages of Antioch Bellias bishop of the citie of Apollonia Leacus Tyrsus and Galmetus Nazanzo Triphon in the citie of Egipt called Tanais Phildas bishop of Philocomus with many other in Perside Philochronius bishop of Babilon Thesiphon bishop of Pamphilia Nestor bishop in Corduba Parmenius a priest with diuerse other In the prouince called Colonia Circensis Marianus and Iacobus In Africa Nemesianus Felix Rogatianus priest Felicissimus at Rome Iouinius Basilius Ruffina Secunda virgins Tertullianus Valerianus Nemesius Sempromanus Olympius in Spaine Teragone at Verone Zeno bishop at Cesarea Marinus and Archenius in the towne of Milaine Priuatus bishop Theodorus surnamed Gregorius bishop of Pontus Haec Beda Also in the same persecution suffered certaine children Children persecuteth in a citie of Tuscia called Aretum their names are thought to be Pergentius Pergentius and Laurentius Laurentius The heat of this persecution was so sore that some reuolted Reuolt as Serapion an aged mā Nichomachus in the midst of his torments in the citie of Troada Euaristus bishop in Africa Nicostratus a Deacon whereof diuerse were punished by the hand of God some with euill spirites some with straunge diseases In this time rose vp the quarrell and Heresie of Nouatus Nouatus who disturbed Cyprian Cyprian bishop of Carthage afterward disturbed Cornelius Cornelius Bishop of Rome and beyng assisted with Maximus Vrbanus Sydonius and Celerinus allured vnto him thrée simple Bishoppes in the coastes of Italie by whose laying on of hands making them drunke before he made himselfe Bishop of Rome with Cornelius whom he went about by all meanes to defeat and caused the people that came to receiue the Eucharist at his hands to sweare they would stand with him But Maximus Vrbanus Sydonius and Celerinus perceiuing themselues abused forsooke him afterward Cornelius remained B. of Rome after the death of Decius to the time of Gallus but other affirme as Damasus that he was exiled vnder Decius and by
the Bishops conuocation First Articles that it should not be lawfull for any Christian to fight against the Heretickes of Bohemia That hée should kéepe companie with Maister Clarke aforesaid That hée should disperse certaine bookes of Wicklifs as Trialogus c. That he spake against the Popes Indulgences which points he refused to abiure and therefore by the Archbishop was condemned to perpetuall prison after whose condemnation the Sunday next folowing the recantation of Thomas Granter Recantation and Richard Monke priestes aboue mentioned was read openly at Paules church after which Granter was put to seuen yéeres imprisonment vnder the custody and charge of the Bishop of London Edmund Frith also recanted who was the butler of Sir Iohn Oldcastell Besides these many other who likewise for religion were greatly vexed especially in the Dioces of Kent in the townes of Rumney Tenterden Woodchurch Kent well affected Cranbrooke Staplehurst Beninden Halden Roylnenden and others where as whole housholdes both man and wife were driuen to forsake their houses and townes for daunger of persecution Among whom in the certificate of Burboth the Archbishoppes officiall these are named William White priest Thomas Grensted priest Bartholmew Chronemonger Iohn Waddon Ioan his wife Thomas Euerden William Euerden Steuen Robin William Chineling Iohn Tame Iohn Facolin William Somer Marian his wife Iohn Abrahā Robert Munden Laurence Cooke which persons because they would not appéere were excōmunicated by the Archbishop and what hapned after vnto them it doth not appéere but like it is they were at length forced to submit themselues About the yéere 1417. the L. Cobham hauing now béene in Wales the space of foure yéeres the King proclaiming a great summe of mony to him that could take sir Iohn Oldcastle either quicke or dead the L. Powes brought him vp to London The L. Powes taketh the lord Oldcastle in Wales about the moneth of Decēber At which time there was a Parlement assembled at London for the reléefe of mony to be sent to the K. whom the bishops had set to worke to fight in France the records of which parlement doo thus say that on tuesday the 14. of December and the 20 of the parlement sir Iohn Oldcastell of Cowling being outlawed in the Kings bench and excommunicated before the Archb. of Canterburie for heresie was brought before the Lords and hauing heard his said conuictions answered not thereto in his excuse vpon which record and processe it was adiudged that he should be taken as a traytor to the king and caried to the Tower of London The lord Cobham condēned and from thence drawne thorough the citie vnto the new gallowes in S. Giles without temple barre and there hanged and burned hanging After the martirdome of sir I. Oldcastle motiō was made in the parlement that the L. Powes might be thāked worthily rewarded for his great labour in apprehending him All mischiefe imputed to the Lollards In this time all horrible mischiefs and facts if any were doone were imputed to the poore Lollardes The nobles of Boheme which before wrote vnto the councell of Constance Bohemians cited to the councell of Constance were therfore cited vp to the councel The letter of Sigismund answereth in the name of the whole councell excusing himselfe of Husses death Secondly he requireth them to be quiet and to cōforme themselues peaceably vnto the orders of the Romish church Also the Councell hearing and fearing some stir to arise among the Bohemians did make lawes to bridle them to the number of 24. 24. lawes to bridle the Bohemians As that the king of Bohemia should bée sworne to giue obedience and defend the liberties of the church of Rome That all Masters Doctors Priests shall be sworne to abiure the doctrine of Wickliffe and Husse in that councell condemned the rest being of like sorte The Bohemians notwithstanding these cruell articles contemning the vaine deuises of the Prelates Fathers of the councell ceased not to procéede in their league purpose begun ioyning themselues more strongly together This yere after the deposing of Pope Iohn The Popes goods 75000. li. spoiling of his goods which came to 75. thousand pounds of golde and siluer Pope Martin was elected Now the Pope comming vppon his palfry trapped with scarlet down to the ground and the Emperour on the right side and the Prince Elector on the left playing the footmen and holding the horses bridle vnto the market place there the Iewes according to the manner offered vnto him their lawes and ceremonies which the Pope receiuing cast them behind him The Iewes offer their ceremonies to the Pope saying Recedant vetera noua sunt omnia that is Let olde things passe euery thing is new Ex histor Alba. Ex Paralip Vrsperg The Pope now confirmed threateneth very grieuously the Bohemians both with apostolicall and secular arme Pope thretneth the Bohemians A solemne yearly memoriall of the death of Husse and Ierome Monasteries suppressed Captaine Nicholas but the Bohemians nothing moued therewith assembled together and first agréed to celebrate a solemne memoriall of the death of Iohn Husse and Hierome decréeing the same to be celebrated yéerely and afterward obtained certayne Churches of the king where they might fréely preach minister the sacraments vnto the congregatiō This done they suppressed diuers monasteries beginning first with the great monastery of the blacke friers 7. miles distant from Prage driuing the vitious priests and monkes out of them and so their number encreased vnder their Captaine called Nicholas Their number encreasing now more and more they went vnto their K requiring to haue more ample churches the king séemed willingly to giue eare vnto Nicholas intreating for the people and commanded them to come again the next day The people being departed the king turned himselfe to Nicholas remayning stil behind said The King thretneth Nicholas Thou hast begun a web to put me out of my kingdome but I will make a rope of it to hang thée Whervppon the K. presently departed into the Castle of Visegarde and within a while after entred into a new castle which he himselfe had builded 5. stones cast from thence sending Embassadors to his brother to require ayde These protestants being assēbled in the town of Prage holding their conuentions the king sent forth his chamberlain with thrée hundred horsemen to run vpon them but he hauing respect vnto himself fled Whē the news was brought vnto the king his cupbearer standing by said I knew these things would thus come to passe for which words the king would haue slaine him with his dagger had not they which stood by disswaded him with much adoe Immediatly the K. being taken with a palsey fell sicke and within 18. daies daies after hauing marked the names of them whom hée woulde haue put to death The kings cruel determination disappointed by his own departed his life before the Princes vnto whome hee had
sent were come hauing raigned 55. yéeres and béeing of the age of seuen and fiftie yéeres Immediatly after the death of Wenceslaus there was a noble mā named Zisca Zisca borne at Trosnonia who gathering together a number of men of warre spoiled the Abbeies and monasteries and his number increasing to 4000. tooke the Castles of Vicegrade and Pelzina wan the bridge and the nether part of the lesser Prage which vpon conditions hée rendred againe About Christmas Sigismund the Emp came down and by reason of execution done at Vratoslania the head citie of Slesia was had in such iealousie that they stopped him from entring into the cities of Bohemia and counted him an enimie vnto the kingdome In the meane time Zisca tooke Ausca a Towne situated vpon the riuer of Lusintius and rased it and forasmuch as he had no fenced towne to inhabite chose a playne fenced by nature Tabor builded by Zisca about eight myles from Ausca and compassed the same with walles and there builded houses called the same Tabor Afterwarde hée surprised Nicholas maister of the Emperours Minte whom the Emperour had sent with 1000. horse into Boheme to set things in order In this meane time the Emperour gathering together the nobles of Slesia entered into Boheme and allured one Chenco with large promises who had before reuolted once to the Protestantes to render vp againe the castle of Prage vnto him and there placed himselfe to annoy the towne Which doone the citizens sent for Zisca who went with his Taborites and receiued the citie vnder his gouernement which the Emperour did besiege Zisca putteth the Emperour to flight but was compelled to raise it and to be short Zisca put the Emperour to flight subuerts the abbey of Pelsina and as he layed siege to Raby hauing but one eye before to sée Zisca loseth his other eye hée lost the same beeing stricken with an arrow which yet notwithstanding he woulde not forsake his army but after that tooke diuers townes caused the Saxons his enimies to retire and againe puts the Emperour to flight and tooke Broda At these troubles the consuls of Prage being grieued Iohan. Premōstratensis and his companions put to death called for Iohannes Premonstratensis and nine other of his adherents whom they supposed to bee the principalles of of this faction into the Councel house as though they wold conferre with them of the common wealth and when they were come they slue them and departed home euery man to his owne house thinking they had made the citie quiet But their seruantes not circumspect inough washing the houses did wash down with all the bloud of those that were slaine into the sinkes and chanels The which being once séene the people knew what was done By and by there was a great tumult the Councell house was straight way ouerthrowen and eleuen of the principall Citizens which were thought to be the authors thereof were slaine and diuers houses spoyled Zisca in the meane while very valiantly behaued himselfe But betwixt him and the Citie of Prage at the length fell great dissention In so much that they prepared an armie against him and caused him to flie who at last finding opportunitie of place caused his standard to stand still Dissention betwixt Prage and Zisca and sought with them of Prage and slue 3000. of them and put the rest to flight and went to besiege Prage but by the wisedome of one named Iohannes de Rochezana reconciliation was made betwixt Zisca and them of Prage Reconciliatiō Which when the Emperour vnderstood perceiued all things fell out according to the mind of Zisca and that vpon him alone the whole state of Boheme did depend he sought priuy meanes to reconcile and get Zisca into his fauour promising him the guiding of all his army the gouernante of the whole kingdome and great yéerely reuenewes if he would proclaime him king and cause the cities to be sworn vnto him vpon which conditions when as Zisca for the performance of the couenants went vnto the emperor in his iourney at the castle of Prisconia he was stricken with sicknes Zisca dieth and there died It is written that beyng demaunded in the time of his sicknes where he would his body should be buried he commaunded his skinne to be plucked off his dead carkase and the flesh to be cast vnto the foules and beastes and a drum to be made of his skinne which they shoulde vse in their warres affirming that when the enimies shoulde heare the sound of the drumme they woulde not abide but take their flight The Taborites despising all other images yet set vp the picture of Zisca ouer the gates of their Cities The Epitaph of Iohn Zisca the valiant Captaine of the Bohemians I Iohn Zisca not inferior to any Emperor or Captaine in warlike policie The epitaph of Zisca a seuere punisher of the pride and auarice of the Clergie and a defender of my Countrey do lie here The same which Ap. Claudius in geuing good councell and M. Furius Camillus did for the Romans in valiantnesse the same I being blinde haue done for my Bohemians I neuer slacked oportunitie of battaile neither did fortune at any time faile me I being blinde did foresee all oportunitie of well ordering my businesse Eleuen times in ioyning battell I went victor out of the fielde I seemed worthilie to haue defended the cause of the miserable and hungrie against the delicate fatte and gluttonous priestes and for that cause to haue receiued helpe at the handes of God If their enuie had not let it without doubt I had deserued to be numbred amongest the most famous men Nōtwithstanding my bones lie here in this halowed place in despite of the Pope In despite of the P. Iohn Zisca a Bohemian enemie to all wicked and couetous priests but with a godlie zeale Ex Aen. Sil. All this while the Emperor with the whole power of the Germanes were not so busie on the one side but Martin the Pope was as much occupied on the other who about the same time directed out a most terrible Bull against all those that tooke part with Wickliffe Husse or Ierome A Bull. and set foorth certaine articles whereof examination was to be had with a certaine manner also how they were to be dealt withall set downe Not long after Ziscas death certain Bohemians set forth another contrarie writing against the pestiferous Sea of Rome bearing the names of Procopius Conradus Procopius Conradus Captains of the Bohemians Now after the Zisca was dead immediatlie followed diuision in the hoste the one parte choosing Procopius surnamed Magnus to be their Captaine the other part saying there was none worthie to succéede Zisca Whereupon they choosing out certaine to serue the warres named themselues Orphanes Orphans And albeit there was oftentimes dissention among them yet they ioyned and defended themselues against forraine power These two armies obteined great victories
these with other mo were persecuted and sent vp to Boner specially by sir I. Mordāt Edmund Tyrrell Esquire and were condemned by him the third of Aprill and burned the sixtéenth of Maye The 5. day of May was Thomas Drewry Tho. Drewry a blinde boy and Thomas Croker Tho. Croker Bricklayer martyred in the fire at Glocester being condemned by D. Williams then Chaunceller Who when he said that the Chaunceller taught him that which he called Heresie in the pulpit and the Chaunceller bad him doe as he had done No said the boy to him though you can so easily dispense with your selfe and mocke with God the world and your conscience yet I will not so do Then God haue mercie vpon thée said the Chaunceller for I will reade sentence against thée and so did and committed him to the secular power to be burned with Thomas Croker The 21. of May Anno 1556. Thrée men Thomas Spicer Tho. Spicer of Winstone laborer Iohn Denny Ioh. Denny and Edmond Poole Edm. Poole were burned at Beckles for witnes bearing to the trueth They were persecuted by Syr Iohn Tyrrel Knight of Gipping hall in Suffolke and were condemned by Dunning Chauncelour of Norwich and maister Monges the register sitting at the towne of Beckles Where the Chancellour himselfe burst out in teares exhorting them to returne to the papistical Church Which when they refused he read the sentence against them euen with teares and deliuered them to the Secular power Sir Iohn Sylliard being then high Sheriffe of Norfolke and Suffolke notwithstanding that the writ de comburendo was not yet come downe After they had prayed they making confession of their Faith came to I beléeue the Catholike Church That is well saide quoth Sir Iohn Sylliard I am glad to heare that It is the best word I heard of you yet To the which wordes Edmunde Poole answered that though they beleue the Catholike Church yet doe they not beléeue in their Popishe Church and therefore no parte of their beléefe They being all at the stake and the fire burning about them praised God in such an audible voice The Martyrs praise God in the flames of fire as it was wonderfull to all those that stood by By the procurement of sir Iohn Tyrrel knight and other his fellow colleagues there were persecuted out of the towne of Winson in Suffolke these persons here following Anno 1556. Mistris Ales Twaites gentlewoman of the age of 60. yeares and more and two of her seruauntes Humfrey Smith and his wife William Catchpoole and his wife Iohn Mawlin and his wife Nicholas Burlingham and his wife and one Rought and his wife There were also driuen out of the Towne of Mendlesame in Suffolke Simon Harlestone and Catherin his wife with his fiue Children William Whitting and Catherin his wife Thomas Dobson and his wife Iohn Deacon his wife and his maide William Deacon Thomas Woodward the elder one Reynoldes wife a pore widowe one mother Symons maide besydes those that were constrained to do against their consciences The cause of their persecution was the they denyed the Popes supremacie held the Quéene to bée supreme the ministers might marry c. Many of these persōs were of great substance had possessions of their owne The last day of the moneth of May Iohn Slech being imprisoned in the kinges bench for the doctrine of the Gospell there died was buried on the backsyde of the same prison About the 6. day of Iune next following Thomas Harland Tho. Harland of Woodmancote Carpenter Iohn Oswald Iohn Oswalde ibid. husbandman Thomas Auington Th. Auington of Ardinglye Turner Thomas Read Tho. Read suffered at Lewis together for the testimony of the Gospel In the same towne of Lewis and the same moneth suffered Thomas Wood Tho. Wood. and Thomas Milles the 20. day of the same moneth for the testimonie of Iesus Iohn Milles. In the which moneth William Adheral minister dyed in the kinges bench the 24. day of the same moneth and was buried on the backe side And so also Clement whéelwright dying there was buryed vpon a dunghill the 25. of Iune A merchants seruant at Lecester Thirtene at one fire The xxvj of Iune suffered a merchants seruant at Leycester for the testimonie of the gospell The xxvij ot Iune xj men and two womē were burned in one fire at Stratford the Bow by London whose dwellings were in sundry places in Essex Their names were Henry Adlington H. Adlington Laurence Pernam L. Pernam Henry Wye Henry Wye William Halliwell W. Hallywell Thomas Bowyer Th. Bowyer Georges Searles G. Searles Edmund Hurst Edm. Hurst Lion Couch Lyon Couch Rafe Iackson Rafe Iackson Iohn Deryfall Iohn Derifall Iohn Routh Iohn Routh Elizabeth Pepper Eliz. Pepper Agnes George Agnes George vnto whom the sixt of Iune Anno 1556. Doctor Darbyshire Boners Chancellor in forme of law ministred articles of Poperie to which they made their answeres in simplicitie of good conscience When they were condemned and the day appointed that they should suffer which was the xxvij of Iune they were carried to Stratford bowe and deuided in two partes into seuerall chambers Afterward the Shiriffe came to each part and told them that the other parte had recanted and should not therefore suffer death The subtiltie of the diuell counsailyng them to doo the like c. To whom they answered as their brethren had doone before that their faith was not builded on Man but on Christ and his sure worde So the Shiriffe séeing no hope to preuaile had them to the stake which they kissed and embraced very hartely The two womē were loose and not tied to any stake Two women stood loose at the stake and so they all gladly suffered for the gospels sake the extremitie of the fire In the company of those before said were thrée more condemned to die whose names were Thomas Freeman William Stannard William Adams These being in the hands of the secular power Cardinall Poole Cardinall Poole pardoneth certaine condemned for the gospell sent dispensation for their liues by meanes whereof they escaped The Sunday after the condemnation of the sixtéene aforesaid Fecknam Deane of Paules preached at the crosse that they had as many sundry opinions as they were persons wherevpon they set foorth a confession of their fayth and set to their handes After the burning of these in Stratford the same moneth died in the prison of the kings bench in Southwarke one Tho. Parret and was buried in the backeside the 27. day of Iune Also Martine Hunt as is reported in the same prison was famished the 20. day At which time likewise died in the same prison Iohn Norice and was buried on the backside After the death of the thrée aforesaid Roger Bernard Roger Bernard a labouring man dwelling in Fransden in Suffolke was