Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 12 · Account 38
¶First the Lordes faythfull prisoners in Mote Hall.
WIlliā Bongeor,William Bongeor. of the parish of S. Nicolas in Colchester, Glasier, sayd: that the sacramēt of the aultar was bread, is bread, & so remayneth bread, & for the consecration it is not the holyer, but rather the worse. To thys he did stand, as also agaynst all the rest of their Papisticall doctrine: and so had sentence read agaynst him.
Thomas Benold of Colchester, Talow Chaundler, affirmed the like in effect that the sayd Williā Bongeor dyd:Thomas Benolde. and so had sentence also read against him.
W. Purcas of Bocking said,W. Purcas condemned. that when he receiued the sacrament, he receiued bread in an holy vse, that preacheth the remembrance that Christ died for him. To this he stood and against other theyr popish matters: and so also had sē tence read agaynst him.
Agnes Syluerside, alias Smith, sayd: that she loued no Consecration.Agnes Siluerside condemned. For the breade and wine is rather worse then better therby, she sayd. This good olde woman aunswered them with such sound iudgement and boldnesse, to eueryevery thing they asked her, that it reioyced the heartes of many, and especially to see the pacience of such a reuerende olde age, agaynst the tauntes and checkes of her enemies. To this she also stood, and had sentence read agaynst her in like maner.
Helene Ewring aunswered the like in effect as ye other did, clearely denying all the lawes set forth by the Pope,Helene Ewring condemned wt her whole hart. This good woman was somewhat thicke of hearing, but yet quick in vnderstanding the Lords matters (his name therfore be praysed.) Agaynst her also there was sentence read.
Elizabeth Folkes the young mayden, being examined whether she beleued the presence of Christes body to be in the Sacrament substantially and really, or no: answered,Elizabeth Folkes condemned. that she beleued that it was a substantiall lye, and a reall lye. At which wordes the Priestes and others chafed very much, and asked her agayne,A substanciall lye. A reall lye. whether after the Consecration there remayned not the bodye of Christ in the Sacrament. And she aunswered, that before Consecration and after, it is but bread, and that man blesseth without Gods word, is cursed & abhominable by the word. &c. Then they examined her of confession to the Priest, of going to church to heare Masse, of the authority of the Bishoppe of Rome. &c. Unto all which she answered, that she woulde neyther vse nor frequent none of them all, by the grace of God, but vtterly detest and and abhorre them from the bottome of our hart, and all such trumpery.
Then read they the sentence of condemnation against her.D. Chadsey wept. In which time Doct. Chadsey wept, that the teares trickled downe his cheekes. So the sentence being read, she kneeled downe on both her knees, lifting vp her hāds & eyes vntounto heauen, with seruent praier in audible voyce praysing God that euer shee was borne, to see that moste blessed and happy day,Elizabeth Folkes prayseth God at her owne condemnation. Elizabeth Folkes prayeth for …. Sleeping Maynard. that ye Lord would count her worthy to suffer for the testimony of Christ: and Lord, sayd she (if it be thy will) forgeue them that this hauehave done against me, for they know not what they doe. Then rising vp, she exhorted al those on the Benche, to repentaunce, especially those who brought her to prison, as Robert Maynard the Bayliffe, and such like: which Maynard commonly when he sate in iudgment vponupon life and death, would sit sleeping on the Bench many times: so careful was his mind on his Office.
Further shee willed halting Gospellers to beware of bloud, for that would cry for vengeaunce, &c. And in ye end she told them all, laying her hand on the Barre, if they d…d not repent their wicked doynges therin, that vndoubtedly the very barre should be a witnes agaynst them at ye day of iudgement, that they had there that day shed innocente bloud.
This Elizabeth Folkes, the day before she was condemned, was examined onelyonly vponupon this article, whether she beleued that there was a Catholicke Church of Christ or no. Unto which she answered, Yea. Then was she immediately (by Bowsels meanes the Scribe) deliuered vntounto her vncle Holt▪ of the same towne of Colchester, to keep who caried her home vntounto hys house: & shee being there, might hauehave departed thence many tymes, if she had wold: for there was meanes offered to conuey her awaye. But she hearyng that some doubted that shee hadde yealded to the Pope (although it was most vntrue) would in no wise content her selfe,Elizabeth … might hauehave e…caped and …ould not. but wept, and was in suche anguishe of minde and terrour of conscience, that (no remedye) shee woulde to the Papistes agayne, for any perswasions that could bee, and commyng before them at Cosins house at the white Harte in Colchester, she was at vtter defiaunce with them and their doctrine: and so had, as ye hauehave heard in the end, a papisticall reward, as the rest of her brethren had.