Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 11 · Account 21
…Fiue other Martyrs in Caunterburie, foure women and one man, at two stakes and one fire, all together burned.
AFter these seuen aboue rehearsed, Martyred together in Smithfielde,… 31. shortly after in the same monethmonth, the …. day of Ianuarie, followed an other like fellowship of godly Martyrs at Caunterburie, four women and one man, whose names be these.
Iohn Lomas, a yong man.
Anne Albright.4. Women and one man Martir.
Ioane Catmer.
Annes Snoth, widowe,
Ioane Sole, wife.
1 Iohn Lomas Martyr.
IOhn Lomas of the parish of Tenterden, detected and presented of that religion which the papists call heresie, and cited vponupon the same to appeare at Canterburie, examined there of the first article,Iohn Lomas, Martyr. whether he beleued the catholicke church or no, answeared thus: that he beleeued so much as is contained in Gods booke and no more.
Then being assigned to appeare againe vnderunder the pain of lawe the next Wednesday seuennight after,The aunswere of Iohn Lomas at his examination. which was the xvij. day of Ianuarie, the said Lomas examined whether he would be confessed of a priest or no, answeared and sayde, that he founde it not wrytten that he should be confessed to any Priest in Gods booke, neither would be confessed, vnlesse hee were accused by some man of sinne. Againe, examined whether he beleeued the body of Christe to be in the Sacrament of the Altare really vnderunder the formes of bread and wine after the consecration or no,The Sacrament of the Altar denyed. he answeared that he beleeued no realtie of Christes body to be in the Sacrament, neither founde hee wrytten, that hee is there vnderunder forme or tressell,Realty of Christ, neyther vnderunder forme nor tressel. but he beleeued so muche as is wrytten. Being then demaunded whether he beleeued that there is a catholicke churche or no, and whether hee would be content to be a member of the same, he answeared thereunto that he beleeued so muche as was wrytten in Gods booke,Sentence against Iohn Lomas. and other aunsweare then this hee refused to geue. &c. Whereuppon the sentence was geuen and red against hym the xviij. day of Ianuarie, and so committed to the seculare power, hee constantly suffered for the conscience of a true Faith, wyth the other fower women here following.
2 Agnes Snoth, Martyr.
AGnes Snoth widowe, of the Parishe of Smarden, likewise accused & cited for the true profession of Christes religion,Ianuary. 31. was diuers times examined before the Pharisaicall fathers. Who there compelled to answere to suche Articles and Interrogatories as should be ministred vntounto her,Confession auricular refused. firste denied to be confessed to a Priest: notwithstanding, shee denied not to confesse her offences as one to an other, but not auricularlye to anye Priest. And as touching the Sacrament of the aultare, shee protested that if shee or any other,The Sacrament how to be receaued. did receiue the Sacrament so as Christe and as his Apostles after him did deliuer it, then shee and they did receiue it to their comfort: but as it is nowe vsed in the church, shee sayd that no man coulde otherwise receiue it than to his damnation, as she thought. Afterward being examined againe concerning penaunce, whether it were a Sacrament or no,Penaunce is denyed to be a Sacrament. she plainly denied the same, and that the Popish manner of their absolution, was not consonant to the woorde, nor necessary to be taken: with suche other like, agreeing with the aunsweres and confession of Iohn Lomas before mentioned. Whereupon the sentence likewise being red,Agnes Snoth condemned and committed to the secular power. she was committed to the sheriffes of Canterbury, and so suffering Martyrdome with the rest, declared her selfe a perfect and constant witnesse of Christ and of his truth, the xxxj. day of Ianuarie.
3 Anne Albright, aliàs Champnes, Martyr.
Anne Albright Martyr.AGainst Anne Albright, likewise appearing before the Iudge and his Colleagues, it was also obiected concerning the same matter of Confession. Whereunto shee answeared in these woordes, saying: that shee woulde not be confessed of a priest,Auricular confession. The wordes of Anne Albright to the Priestes. Anne Albright denyeth the Sacrament of the Altar. Condemnation of Anne Albright. Ianuary. 18. and added moreouer, speaking vntounto the Priests: You Priests (sayde shee) are the children of perdition, and can doe no good by your Confession. And likewise speaking vntounto the Iudge and his assistants, shee tolde them that they were subuerters of Christes truth.
And as touching the Sacrament of the aultar, she said it was a noughty and abhominable idoll, and so vtterlye denied the same sacrament. Thus persisting and perseuering in her former sayings & answers, shee was condemned the sayd 18. day of the sayde monethmonth, with the other aboue mentioned: with whom also she suffered quietly and with great comfort for the right of Christes religion.
Ioane Sole.
IN like maner Ioane Sole, of ye parish of Horton, was condemned of the same Phariseis and Priestes,Ioane Sole Martyr. Ionuary. 31. for not allowing confession ariculare, and for denyinge the reall presence and substaunce of Christ to be in the sacrament of the aultare. Who after their Pharisaicall sentence beynge promulgate, was brought by the Sheriffes to the stake wt the other fower, and sustained the like Martyrdome with them,Condemnation of Ioane Sole. Ianuary. 18. through the assistaunce of Gods holy grace and spirite mightely woorking in her, to the glorye of his name, and confirmation of his truth.
Ioane Catmer.
THe fift and last of this heauenly company of Martyrs, was Ioane Catmer of the parish of Hith, wife (as it should seeme) of George Catmer burned before.Io…e Catmer, martyr. Who being asked what shee sayde to Confession made to a Priest, denyed to be confessed to any suche priest. And moreouer, the Iudge speaking of the sacrament of the altar,Ianuary. 31. she sayd and affirmed that shee beleeued not in that sacrament, as it was then vsed, for that it was made (sayd shee) a very idoll. In this her confession she remaining and persisting, was by the like sentence cruelly of them condemned, and so suffered with the foresayd Thomas Lomas, and the other three fellow Martyrs, ratifying and confessing wyth their bloud the true knowledge and doctrine o… the glorious Gospel of Christ Iesus our Sauiour.
The burning of the foresayd man and foure women.
The Martyrdome of Iohn Lomas, Agnes Snoth, Anne Albright, Ioane Sole, Ioane Catmer, at Canterburye. An. 1556. Ianuary. 3….These 5. persones were burnt at 2. stakes and one fire together at Canterbury, as is before sayd. Who, when the fire was flaming aboute their eares, did singe Psalmes. Whereat the good Knight Syr Iohn Norton being there present, wept bitterly at the sight thereof.
The Iudges and the other assistantes which sate vppon her, and the other foure aboue mentioned, were Richard Faucet, Iohn Warren, Iohn Milles, Robert Collins, and Iohn Baker the Notarie.Persecuto…