Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny, Book 12 · Part 1 – Part 3
Thomas Loseby, Henry Ramsey, Tho: Thyrtell, Margaret Hyde, Agnes Stanley.
THe twelfth of Aprill these were burned at one fire in Smithfield, Bonner framed now Articles vntounto them, and confessing these points of his Articles, they were condemned.
1 For speaking against the Faith, Religion, and Ecclesiasticall seruice, especially concerning the Masse and the seauen Sacraments, saying they agréed not w…th Gods word.
2 For being perswaded that the English seruice in King Edwards time, was godly and Catholike.
3 That they did not thinke themselues bound to come to Church to heare the Mattins, Masse, and Euening song.
4. That they did not thinke themselues bound to go a Procession, nor to beare Tapers and Candles at Candlemas, nor take Ashes vponupon Ashwednesday, nor beare Palmes vponupon Palme-sunday, nor to créepe to the Crosse vponupon daies accustomed, not to receiue and kisse the Paxe at Masse time, not to receiue holy water or holy bread, nor to except or allow the Ceremonies and vsages of the Church, as they are vsed in this Realme.
5 For thinking they were not bound to confesse their sinnes vntounto a Priest, nor to receiue absolution at his hand, nor to receiue the Sacrament of the Altar.
6 For thinking prayers to Saints, or prayers for the dead are not lawdable, profitable, not allowed by Gods Word, and that the soules departed goe straight waies to Heauen or Hell, so that there is no Purgatory.
7 For thinking all those that were burned in King Henry the eights time, and in Quéene Maries time as Heretickes, were no Heretickes, but faithfull and good people: and for approuing their opinions, and mis…iking their condemnations.
8 For thinking the Sacrament of the Altar to bee an Idoll, and to reserue it to be honoured, to be Idolatry: and likewise of the Masse, and …l…uation of the Sacrament.
After this, they were conuented againe before the Bishop, in the Con…story, where these being asked what they had to say against iudgement, Thomas Los…by said, God giuegive me strength to stand against you and your …: your Law…s a de…ouring Law, I perceiue there is no way with me but death, except I will beléeue in that Idoll, the Masse.
Thomas Thirtle said, If you make me an Heretick, then you make Christ and al the twelue Apostles Hereticks: for I am in the true faith, and I will stand to it, for I know I shall hauehave eternall life.
R…msey said, my opinion is the very truth, which I will not goe from: There are two Churches, and we the Martyrs of Christ are the true Church, and yee be not.
Margaret Hide affirmed, shee was in that true Faith, and would neuer forsake it.
Agnes Stanly said, if eueryevery haire of her head were neuer so much worth, I had rather they were reburned, then I will for sake my true faith.
Then they were put off vntill the afternoone, then as Loseby his answere was reading, mention being made of the Sacrament, Boner put off his Cap, and Loseby put on his hat: and he said, I trust I hauehave the Spirit of truth, which you detest, for the wisedome of God is foolishnesse vntounto you, whereupon they had iudgement.
Margaret Hide saide, My Lord, I will not depart from my sayings till I be burned: and she said, … would sée you my Lord instruct mee with some part of Gods word, and not to giuegive me instructions of holy Bread, and holy Water, for it is no part of Scripture. Agnes Stanly answered, I am no …ereticke no man that is wise will beléeue as you doe: I beleeue those that you hauehave burned bee true Martyrs, I will not goe from my faith as long as I liue. Thomas Thirtle said, I will not beleeue your Idolatrous waies, your Masse in Idolatry, I wil stick to my faith as long as I liue. Henry Ramsey said, Your doctrine is naught, and not agreeable to Gods word, and I will stand to my Faith as long as I liue: So they were condemned and burned, as before.
In May William Norant, Stephen Gratwicke, and one King, 1557were burned in S. Georges field in Southwarke.
Iohn Bradbridge of Stapleherst, Walter Apleby of Maydstone, and Petronell his wife, Edmund Allen of Fritendid, and Katherine his wife, Ioane Mannings of Maydstone, Elizabeth a blind Maid.
THe 18. of Iune these seauen faithfull Martyrs of Christ, were burned at Maidstone: their answers were like in effect to the fiue that were famished to death in Canterbury Castle.
The 19. of Iune Iohn Fishcock, Nicholas White, Nicholas Pardue, Barbara Finall Widdow, Bradbregs Widdow, Bendens Wife, and Wilsons Wife, were burned at Canterbury: their Articles were as the others, they ioyfully vndressed themselues vntounto the fire, and all of them (like the Communion of Saints) knéeled down and prayed, with such zeale, as the enemies of the Crosse of Christ could not but like it. Ten they arose and went to the stake, where they yéelded their soules gloriously vntounto the Lord.
Richard Woodman, George Stephens, William Maynard, Alexander Hosman his Man, Tomasine Awood his Maid, Margery Moris, Iames Moris hir Sonne, Denis Burges, Ashdownes wife, Groues wife.
THese tenne blessed Martyrs were burned at Lewes in Sussex the 22. of Iune, without a writ from the Lord Chancelor.