Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 12 · Account 41 – Account 42
¶The story and death of George Eagles, otherwise termed Trudgeouer, a most paynefull trauayler in Christes Gospell, who for the same Gospell most cruelly was martyred by the cruell papistes.
AMong other Martirs of singular vertue and constancie,George Eagles Martyred. one George Eagles deserueth not the least admyration, but is so much the more to be commended, for that he hauing little learning or none, most manfully serued & fought vnderunder the banner of Christes Churche. For oftentimes the will and pleasure of God is to beautifie & adorn his kingdome wt the weake & simple instruments of this world: such as in the old Testament Amos was, who wt many other of obscure and vnknowne names, were called from the heardes and soldes to the honour of Prophetes: as likewise we read of the Apostles that were called from fishermens craft, and put into churches. Wherefore thys George Eagles is not to be neglected for his base occupation, whome Christ called thence to set foorth and declare abroad his Gospell. Rather we ought to glorifie GOD the more thereby in his holinesse, whiche in so blinde a time inspired him with the gift of preaching, and constancie of suffering: who after a certayne time hee had vsed the occupation of a Taylor, being eloquent and of good vtteraunce, gaue and applyed himselfe to the profite of christes Church.
Which man, as before in those moste bright and cleare dayes of king Edw. the 6. he had not vnfruitfully shewed and preached the power & force of ye Lorde: so afterward in the tempestious time and fall of the churche (at what tyme the confessours of Christ and hys Gospell were turmoyled, diuers of thē murthered, parte banished, & other some constrained for feare not to shew their heades) he expressed and vttered his manly stomacke. For he wandring abroad into diuers and farre Countryes,The paynefull trauell of George Eagles. where he could finde any of his brethren, he did there moste earnestly encourage & comfort them, not tarying in this town, and sometyme abidyng in that certayn mōthes together, as occasion serued, lodgyng sometyme in the Countrey & sometime for feare liuing in fieldes & woods, who for his immoderate & vnreasonable goyng abroad, was called Trudgeouer. Oftentimes he did lye abroad in the night without couert spending the most part thereof in deuout and earnest prayer.
His dyet was so aboue measure spare and sclender, that for the space of three yeares, he vsed for the moste parte, to drinke nothing but very water, whereunto he was compelled through necessitie of the time of persecution: & after whē he perceaued that his body by Gods prouidence proued well enough with this dyet, he thought best to inure himselfe therwithall agaynst all necessities.
Now when he had profited Christes Churche in thys sort, by going about and preaching the Gospell a yeare or two, and especially in Colchester and the quarters therabout, that priuie enemy which enuieth alwayes the saluation and blessed estate of the good, lurketh & layeth wait by all meanes possible for hym, so that there were diuers espies sent out, who had in commaundement, where soeuer they found him, to bring him eyther quicke or dead.
But when this their attempt could not preuayle, but al was in vayne (the sayd Eagles with his brethren keping in close, and hiding themselues in out and darke places, as in barnes, thickets, holes, and priuy closets) hys aduersaries wēt about an other way to compasse this theyr enterprise of taking him. For in the Queenes name a greeuous Edicte was proclaymed throughout foure Shyres Essex, Suffolke, Kent, and Northfolke, promising ye party that tooke him, twenty pound for his paynes: doubtles a worthy hyre to entice any Iew to treachery. For being inflamed with greedy desire of the mony, deuised and inuē ted al waies and reasons they could possible to be enriched with the hurt and destruction of this sely man.
At length it came to passe, that this George being seene by chaunce at Colchester vpō Mary Magdalens day, at which tyme they kept a Fayre in the Towne, should hauehave foorthwt ben deliuered to hys aduersaries, if he perceiuing the same (as God would hauehave it) had not conueyed hymselfe away as fast as he could, a great multitude pursuing after, and seeking dilligently for him. Who first hid hymselfe in a Groue, and then from thence he stole into a corne field there by, and so laye secretly couched from the vyolence of his enemies, in so muche as they were all, sauyng one, past hope of taking him, and therefore readye to depart their way.
This one hauing more subtilly and wicked craft in his head then the rest, woulde not depart thence with his fellowes, but climed vp into a high tree, there to view & espy if he might see Eagles any where stir or moue. The poore man thinking al sure enough, by reason that hee heard no noyse abroad, rose vp vponupon his knees, and lifting vpp his hands, prayed vntounto God.Quo non mortalia pectora cogis, auri sac…a fames. Virg. Aeneid. 1. And whether it were for yt hys head was aboue the corne, or because his voice was heard the lurker perceiuing hys desired pray that hee hunted after, forthwith came downe, and sodaynly laying hands on him, brought him as prisoner to Colchester. Notwithstanding the gredy and Iudas knaue which had so much promised him, was faine to be contented with a very smal reward, and glad to take that too, least he shoulde hauehave had nothing at all.
This George, not without great lamentation of dyuers good men: and great lacke vntounto the Church of God (of whiche to his power hee was a worthye instrument) was committed to prison there, and from thence wythin 4. dayes after conueyed to Chelmsford, where he abode all that night in deuout prayer, and would not sleepe, neither would eat or drinke, but bread and water. The next day he was caryed to London to the Bishop or the Counsayle, and there remayned a certayne time, & then was brought downe to Chelmsford to the Sessions, and there was indited and accused of treason, because hee had assembled cō panyes together, contrary to the lawes and statutes of the Realme in that case prouided. For so it was ordayned a litle before, to auoyd sedition, that if men shoulde flocke secretly together, aboue the number of six, they shoulde be attached of treason: which strayte lawe was the casting away of the good Duke of Somerset before mentioned.
And albeit it was well known that poore Eagles did neuer any thing seditiously against ye Queene, yet to cloke an honest matter withall, and to cause hym to be the more hated of the people, they turned religion into a ciuill offence and crime, and though he defended his cause stoutly and boldly, making a full declaration of his religion or fayth before the Iudges: yet could he not bryng to passe by any meanes, but that hee must neeedes be indicted (as is sayd) of treason, whose inditement did runne muche after this fashion.
George Eagles, thou art indicted by ye name of George Eagles, otherwise Trudgeouer the worlde, for that thou didst such a day make thy prayer, that God shoulde turne Queene Maryes hart, or els take her away.George Ea…gles indit… ment.
He denyed that he prayed that God should take her away, but he confessed that he prayed that God would turn her hart in his prayer. Well, notwithstanding he was condemned for a traytor, although the meaning thereof was for Religion.
This thing done, he was caryed to the new Inne, called the signe of the Crowne in Chelmsforde, by the beastly Bayliffes, which some of them were they that before dyd the best to take him, and being in the Inne, one Richard Potto the elder,Richard Potto In…older at … Cocke … Chelms…rd. an Inholder, dwelling at the signe of the Cocke in the same towne, did muche trouble him in perswading him to cōfesse he had offended the Queene in his prayer which he was condemned for, and to aske her forgeuenes.
To whome he sayd hee had not offended her Grace in that behalfe. So in processe of time he was layd vppon a Sled with an Hurdle on it, and drawne to the place of execution being fast bounde, hauing in his hand a Psalme booke, of the whiche he read very deuoutly all the way wt a loud voyce till he came there: and being on the Ladder, this foresayd Potto did much trouble him wt the matter aforesayd, when he would hauehave vttered other thinges, tyll such time as the Sheriffe commaunded Potto to hold his peace and trouble him no more.
So he made his confession and stood very constant stil then he was turned of the ladder. With him were cast certayn theeues also, and ye next day when they wer brought out to be executed with him, there happened a thing that did much set forth and declare the innocency and godlines of this man. For being ledde betweene two theeues to the place where he should suffer, when as hee exhorted bothe them & all other, to stand steadfastly to the truth, one of these turned the counsel he gaue, into a iesting matter, and made but a floute of it.
Why should we doubt to obtayne heauen, sayth he, for as much as this holy man shal go before vsus, as captayne and leader vntounto vsus in the way. We shall flee thether strayt as soone as he hath once made vsus the entry.
In this, George Eagles and that other did greatly reproue him, who on ye other side gaue good heed to Georges exhortation, earnestly be wayling his owne wickednes, & calling to Christ for mercy. But the more that the first was bid to be still and to leaue off his scoffing, the more peruerse did he continue in hys foolishnes and his wicked behauiour. At length he came to the Gallowes, where they shoulde bee hanged, but George was caryed to an other place there by to suffer. Betweene the two it was ye godlyers chaunce to go the foremost, who beyng vponupon ye ladder, after he had exhorted the people to beware and take heede to thēselues, how they did transgresse ye commaundementes of God, and then hadde committed his soule in to Gods handes, he ended his life after a godly and quyet maner.
The mockers turn commeth next, which would hauehave sayd likewise somewhat, but his tongue did so fumble and falter in his head,… that hee was not able to speake a word. Fayne would he hauehave vttered his mind, but he coulde not bring it out. Then did the vnderunder Sheriffe bid him say the Lordes prayer, which he coulde not say neyther, but stutteringly, as a man would saye, one word to day, and an other to morowe. Then one did begin to say it, and so bad him say after.
Such as were there and saw it, were very much astonyed: especially those that did beholde the iust punishment of God, agaynst him that had mocked so earnest a matter. George Eagles in the meane tyme, after hee had hanged a small time, hauing a great check with the halter, immediately one of the Bayliffes cut the halter a sunder, & hee fell to the ground being still aliue, although much amased wt the checke he had of the ladder.
…The one William Swallow of Chelmsford a Bayliffe did draw him to the Sledde, yt he was drawn thether on, and layd his necke thereon, and with a Cleauer, such as is occupyed in many mens kitchins, and blunt, did hackle off his head, and sometime hit his necke, and sometyme his chinne, and did fowly māgle him, and so opened him. Notwithstanding this blessed Martyr of Christe abode steadfast and constant in the very midst of his tormentes, till such time as this tormentor William Swallowe dyd plucke the hart out of his body. The bodye being deuided in foure partes, and his bowels burnt, was brought to ye foresayd Swallowes dore, and there layd vppon the fishe stalles before his dore, till they had made ready a horse to cary his quarters, one to Colchester, and the reste to Harwich, Chelmsford and S. Rouses.
His head was set vpp at Chelmsforde on the Market Crosse on a long pole,… iust punishment … ▪ a … persecu…. and there stoode till the winde dyd blowe it downe, and lying certayne dayes in the streete tumbled about, one caused it to be buryed in the Churchyarde in the night. Also a wonderfull work of God was it that he shewed on this wicked Bayliffe Swallow, who within short space after this was so punished, that all the heare went welnere of his head, hys eyes were as it were closed vp and could scant see, the nayles of his fingers and toes went cleane off. He was in such case of his bodye, as though he had bene a leper,W Swallowes wyfe punished with the falling sicknes. and now in his last age almost a very begger, and his wife which he a little after maried God hath punished with the falling sickenes, or a disease like vntounto that: which may be a warning or glasse for al mē and women to look in, that be enemies to Gods true seruauntes.Gods iudgemēt vponupon Richard Potto an other persecutor of George Eagles.
No lesse token of his marueilous iudgement did God shewe vppon the foresayde Richard Potto, whiche did so much trouble this George Eagles in the Inne, and at the place of execution, as is aboue specified. He liued til the beginning of Queene Elizabethes raygne, al which time he little ioyed, & on a time being in a great chaufe wyth two or three of his neighbors in his own house, feeling himself not well, he said to one of hys seruantes: Goe with me in to the chamber & when hee came there, he fell downe on a low bed, as heauy as it had bene lead, & laye there fomyng at the mouth, & coulde neuer speake after, neyther yet vnderstand what was sayd to him, as by al meanes was tried by his neighbors with signes to him made, but laye as senceles as it had bene a very dumb beast, and within three or foure dayes dyed. God graunt that this token sente of God, with many moe like, may bee a warning to vsus euer hereafter, while we shall liue vntounto the worlds end.
Besides this, God hathe wonderfully shewed hys worke. For at a time when they layd great wayte for thys George Eagles: so that it was thought that it was vnpossible but that he should be taken being so beset, his frends did put him in a Prentice apparill, that is to say, watche… hose, as their maner is, and an old cloke, and set him on a packe of woll, as though he had ridden to carry woll to ye spinners, so he rode amongst the midst of his aduersaries and escaped them al for that time. An other troubler of the sayd George Eagles was also Iustice Browne, who enioyed not his cruelty many yeares after. &c.
Also when hee was at the Sessions at Chelmsforde, there was a rumor raysed that hee had accused diuers honest men that dyd keepe him in theyr houses, and was conuersaunt with him, and all to discredite him, which rumor was very false and vtterly vntrue. Witnes one Reynold, with diuers other dwelling in Chelmsford.
¶The martirdome and examination of Richard Crashfield of Wymoundham, condemned to death for the testimonye of Iesus Christ.
ABout this time suffered at Norwiche,August. 5. a godly man & a constant martyr of Christ, called Richard Crashfield whose examination before the Chauncellor, named Dunnynges, as he penned them with hys owne hand, so hauehave we faythfully recorded the same.
How say you Syrha, sayd the Chancellor,The examinatiō of Rich. Crashfield before Dū ning Chauncellor of Norwich. to the ceremonyes of the Church?
Then sayd I: what ceremonies?
He sayd vntounto me: Do you not beleue that all the ceremonies of the church were good and godly?
My aunswere was: I do beleue so many as are groū ded in the testament of Iesus Christ.
Tush, sayd he,Sacrament of the Aultar. do you beleeue in the Sacrament of the aultar?
I sayd, I knew not what it was.
Then sayd he: Do you not beleeue that Christe tooke bread, gaue thankes, brake it, and sayde: Take, eate, thys is my body.
Yes verily, sayd I, and euen as Christ did speake, so did he performe the worke.
Tush, sayd he, doe you not beleeue this, that after the wordes be spoken by the prieste, there is the substaunce of Christes body, flesh, and bloud? How say you, doe you not beleue this? Speake man.
I doe beleeue that Christes body was broken for me vppon the Crosse, and his bloud shed for my redemption, wherof the bread and the wyne is a perpetuall memory, ye pledge of hys mercy, the ring and seale of hys promise, and a perpetuall memory for the faythfull, vntounto the ende of the world. So then I was commaunded into prison vntil the next day.