Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 11 · Account 23 – Account 25
¶Persecution in Suffolke, Agnes Potten, and Ioane Trunchfield, Martyrs.
IN the story of Robert Samuel, mention was made before of two godly women in the same Towne of Ipswich, which shortly after hym suffered likewyse,Agnes Potten, Ioane Trunchfield▪ Martyrs. and obtained the crowne of Martyrdome: the names of whome was Agnes the wife of Robert Potten, and another wife of Michaell Trunchfield, a Shomaker, both dwellyng in one Towne: who about the same tyme that the Archbishop aforesayd was burned at Oxford, suffered likewyse in the foresayd Towne of Ipswich, eyther in the same monethmonth of March, or (as some say) in the ende of February the next monethmonth before.
Their opinion or perswasion was this,The opinions of these two Matrons and Martyrs. that in the sacrament was the memoriall onelyonly of Christes death and passion: for sayd they, Iesus Christ is ascended vp into heauen, and is on the right hand of God the father, according to the scriptures, and not in the sacrament, as he was borne of the Uirgin Mary.
For this they were burned. In whose sufferyng, their constancie worthily was to be wondered at, who beyng so simple women, so manfully stoode to the confession and testimony of Gods worde and veritie: In so much, that when they had prepared and vndressed themselues redy to the fire, with comfortable wordes of the Scripture,The strēgth of God in weake vessels. they earnestly required the people to credite and to lay hold on the word of God, and not vponupon mans deuises and inuentions, despising the ordinances and institutiōs of the Romish Antichrist, with all his superstitions and rotten religion: and so continuyng in the torment of fire, they held vp their handes and called vntounto God constantly, so long as lyfe did endure.
This Pottens wife in a night a little before her death,The burning of Agnes Potten reuealed to her before in her sleepe. beyng a sleepe in her bed, saw a bright burnyng fire, ryght vp as a pole, & on the side of the fire she thought there stood a nūber of Queene Maries friends lookyng on. Then beyng a sleepe, she seemed to muse with her selfe whether her fire should burne so bright or no: and in deed her suffryng was not farre vnlike to her dreame.
This also I thought further to note, how these two beyng always together in prison, the one which was Michaels wyfe, semed to be nothing so ardent and zealous as Pottens wyfe was,God geueth strēgth many times, where most weakenes is. although (God be thanked) they dyd stoutly stand to the confession of the truth both: but when the said Michaels wife came to the stake and saw nothing but present death before her, she much exceeded the other in ioy & comfort. Albeit both of them did ioyfully suffer, as it
¶The burnyng of two Women.
The Martyrdome of Agnes Po… tē, & Io…e Trunchfeld at Ipswich. Anno. 1556. March.was maruelled at of those that knew them,Anno 1556. …rill. and did behold theyr end. And thus these two Martyrs ended their liues with great triumph: the Lord graunt we may do the like, Amen.
*Persecution in the Dioces of Salisbury.
…AFter these two women of Ipswich, succeeded iij. men which were burnt the same monethmonth at one fire in Salisburye, who in the like quarell with the other that went before them and led the daunce, spared not theyr bodyes, to bring their soules to the celestiall felicity, whereof they were throughly assured in Christe Iesus by his promises as soone as the furious flames of fire had put their bodyes and soules a fonder.
*Their names were
Iohn Spicer, free Mason.
William Coberly, Taylor.
Iohn Maundrell, husbandman
¶The story of Iohn Maundrell, William Coberley, and Iohn Spicer, Martyrs.
FIrst, Iohn Maundrell which was the sonne of Robert Maūdrell of Rowd in the Coūty of Wiltshyre Fermer was from his childhood brought vp in husbandry,…he story … Iohn Maundrell. & after he came to mans state, did abide & dwell in a Uillage called Buchamton in the Parish of Keuel within the Coūty of Wiltshyre aforesaid, where he had wife and children, being of good name and fame. Which Iohn Maundrell, after that the scripture was translated into English by the faithfull Apostle of Englande,M…ndrell …rted … Tin…l Testament. M…ndrell … and …arer of Gods word. W. Tindall, became a diligent hearer and a feruent embracer of Gods true Religion, so that he delighted in nothing so much, as to heare and speak of Gods word, neuer being without the new Testamēt about him, although he could not read him selfe. But when he came into any cōpany that could read, his book was alwaies ready, hauing a very good memory: so that he could recite by hart most places of the new testamēt, his conuersation and liuing being very honest and charitable as his neighbors are able to testify.
So it was, that in the dayes of King Henry the eight at what time Doctour Trigonion, and Doctour Lee dyd visite Abbayes,Ma…ndrell … for speaking agaynst holy bread and holy water. Maundrell … to open … in … Henryes …yes. the sayd Iohn Maundrell, was brought before Doctour Trigonion at an Abbey called Edyngton within in the Countye of Wiltshyre aforesayde: where he was accused that he had spoken agaynst the holy water & holy bread and such like ceremonyes, and for the same dyd weare a white sheete bearing a candle in his hand aboute the market in the Towne of the Deuises, which is in the sayd coūty. Neuertheles his feruēcy did not abate, but by Gods mercifull assistaunce he tooke better hold, as the sequele hereof will declare.
For in the dayes of Queene Mary, when popery was restored agayne and Gods true religion put to silence, the sayd Iohn Maūdrell left his owne house and departed into the County of Glocestershyre and into the North part of Wiltshyre, wandring from one to an other to such men as he knew feared GOD, with whome as a seruaunt to keepe their cattell, he there did remayne, with Iohn Bridges or some other at Kingeswoode: but after a time he returned to his country, and there comming to the Ueys to a frend of his named Anthony Clee, had talk & conference with him in a Garden of returning home to his house.Maundrell …, and Coberley ….
And when the other exhorted hym by the woordes of Scripture, to flye from one Citty to an other, he replying agayne by the wordes of the Apocalips. 21. of them that be fearefull. &c. sayd that he needes must go home, and so did. Where he with Spicer and Coberley vsed at times to resort and conferre together.
At length vponupon the Sonday folowing they agreed together to go to the parish Church called Keuell, where the sayd Iohn Maundrell & the other two, seing the parishioners in the procession to folow & worship the Idoll there caried,… aduertised thē to leaue the same & to return to the liuing god, namely speaking to one Rob. Barkesdale head man of the Parish, but he tooke no regard to these wordes.
After this the Uicare came into the Pulpit, who there being about to read his beadroll and to pray for the soules in Purgatory,… the sayde Iohn Maundrell speaking wyth an audible voyce sayd: that that was the Popes pinfolde: the other two affirming the same. After which wordes, by commaūdement of the Priest, they were had to the stocks, where they remained till theyr seruice was done, and then were brought before a Iustice of peace, and so the next day caried to Salisbury all three, and presented before Bishop Capon, and W. Geffrey being Chauncellor of the Dioces.Maundrell, Spicer, Coberly, sēt to Salisbury. D. Capon B. of Salisbury. By whom they were imprisoned and oftētimes examined of theyr fayth in theyr houses, but seldome openly. And at theyr last examination these were the Articles, whiche the Chauncellour alledged agaynst them, being accompanied with the Sheriffe of the shyre, one M. Saint Iohns, & other Popishe Priestes in the Parish Church of Fisherton Anger, demaunding how they did beleue.
They aunswered: as christen men should and ought to beleue: and first they sayd they beleued in God the Father,Confession of their beliefe. and in the Sonne, and in the holy ghost, the xij. articles of the Creed, the holy Scripture from the first of Genesis to the last of the Apocalips.
But that fayth the Chauncellour woulde not allowe. Wherefore he apposed them in particular Articles:Sacrament of the Aultar. Firste whether that they did not beleue that in the Sacrament of the aulter (as he termed it) after the wordes of consecratiō spoke by the priest at masse, there remayned no substaunce of bread nor wine, but Christes body flesh and bloud as he was borne of the virgine Mary. Whereunto they aunswered negatiuely, saying that the popish masse was abhominable Idolatry and iniurious to the bloud of Christ: but confessing that in a faythfull Congregation, receiuing the Sacrament of Christs body and bloud, being duely ministred acccording to Christes institution, Christes body and bloud is spiritually receiued of the faythfull beleuer.
Also, being asked whether the Pope was supreame head of the Churche, and Christes Uicar on earth: they aunswered negatiuely,Agaynst the Popes supremacye. saying that the Byshop of Rome doth vsurpe ouer Emperours and Kinges beyng Antichrist and Gods enemy.
The Chauncellour sayde: will you hauehave the Churche without a head?
They aunswered: Christ was head of his Church,Christ onelyonly Supreame head of his Church: vnderunder him eueryevery Prince in his own dominion. and vnderunder Christ the Queenes maiesty. What, sayd the Chaū cellour? a woman head of the church? yea sayd they, within her graces dominions.
Also that the soules in purgatory were deliuered by ye Popes pardons and the suffrages of the Church?
They said they beleued faithfully that ye bloud of Christ had purged theyr sinnes and the sinnes of al thē that were saued, vntounto the end of ye world, so that they feared nothing the Popes Purgatory or estemed his pardons.Purgatory.
Also, whether Images were necessary to be in the churches, as lay mens bookes,Images. and Sayntes to be prayed vntounto and worshipped.
They answered negatiuely: Iohn Maundrell adding that wooden Images were good to rost a shoulder of mutton, but euill in the Church: whereby Idolatry was committed. Those Articles thus aunswered (for theyr Articles were one, and theyr aunsweres in maner like) the Chauncellor read theyr condemnation,Sentence read agaynst these 3. Martyrs. & so deliuered them to the Shiriffe. Then spake Iohn Spycer, saying: Oh M. Sheriffe, now must you be theyr butcher, that you may be guilty also with them of innocent bloud before the Lord. This was the 23. day of March.March: 23. an. 1556. & the 24. day of the same MonethMonth they were caryed out of the common Gayle to a place betwixt Salisbury & Wiltom,Maundrell, Spicer, Coberly, brought to the place of Martyrdome. The wordes of Maundrell. where were ij. postes set for them to be burnt at. Whiche men commyng to the place kneled downe and made theyr prayers secretly together, & then being disclothed to theyr shyrtes, Iohn Maū drell spake with a loud voyce: not for all Salisbury. Which wordes mē iudged to be an answere to the Shiriffe, which offred him the queenes pardō if he would recant. And after that in like maner spake Iohn Spicer saying: this is the ioyfullest day that euer I sawe. Thus were they 3. burnt at two stakes: where most constauntly they gaue theyr bodyes to the fire and theyr soules to the Lord for testimony of his trueth.
As touching William Coberley, this moreourr is to be noted, that his wife also, called Alice, beyng apprehended,Alice Coberley being indurance, how she was brought by the keepers to reuoke. was in the kepers house the same time deteined while her husbande was in prison. Where the keepers wife named Agnes Penycote, had secretlye heated a key fire hoate, and laid it in grasse on the backeside. So speaking to Alice Coberley to set her the key in all haste, ye said Alice went with speed to bring the key, and so taking vp the key in hast did pitiously burne her hand. Wherupon she crying out at the sodein burning of her hand: Ah thou drabbe, quoth ye other thou that canst not abide the burning of the key, howe wi…e thou be able to burne the whole body, and so she afterward reuoked. But to returne agayne to the story of Coberley, who being somewhat learned, and being at the stake was somewhat long a burning as the wynde stoode. After his bodye was skorched with the fire, and hys leafte Arme drawne and taken from hym by the violence of the fyre the fleshe beinge burnt to the whyte boare, at length he stouped ouer the cheyne, and wyth the ryghte hande being somewhat starckned knocked vponupon his brest softly, the bloud and matter issuing out of his mouth. Afterward when all they thought he had bene deade, sodenly he rose right vp with his body agayne. And thus muche concerning these three Salisbury Martyrs.
¶A discourse of the death and Martyrdome of sixe other Martyrs suffering at London whose names here folow.
Aprill. 14. 6. Martyrs burnt in Smithfield at one stake.ABout the xxiij. day of Aprill. Anno Dom. 1556. were burned in Smithfielde at one fire, these sixe constaunt Martyrs of Christ, suffering for the profession of the Gospell. viz.
Robert Drakes Minister.
William Tyms Curate.
Richard Spurge Shereman.
Thomas Spurge Fuller.
Iohn Cauell Weauer.
George Ambrose Fuller.
They were al of Essex, and so of the dioces of London, and were sent vp:These Martyrs were sent vp by the Lord Rich, by M. Tyrrell, and others. some by the Lord Rich, and some by others at sūdry times, vntounto Stephen Gardiner B. of Winchester, then Lord Chauncellor of England, about the 22. day of March, an. 1555. Who vponupon small examination, sent them, some vntounto the kinges Benche, and others vntounto the Marshalsea, where they remained almost all ye whole yere (vntill the death of the sayd Bishop of Winchester, and had during that time nothing said vntounto them. Wherupon, after that Doctor Heath Archbishop of Yorke was chosē to the office of Lord Chauncellorshippe, foure of these persecuted brethren, being now wery of this theyr long imprisonmēt, made theyr supplication vntounto the said D. Heath, requiring his fauour and ayd for their deliueraunce: the copy whereof ensueth.
*To the right reuerend father Tho. Archb. of Yorke, Lord Chauncellour of England.
A supplication to the Lord Chauncellour.MAy it please your honorable good Lordship, for the louelove of God, to tender the humble sute of your lordships poore Orators, whose names are subscribed, which hauehave lien in great misery in the Marshalsea, by the space of x. monethes and more, at the commaundement of the late Lord Chauncellour, to their vtter vndoing, with theyr wiues & children. In consideration wher of, your Lordships sayd Oratours do most humbly pray and beseeche your good Lordship to suffer them to be brought before your honour, and there, if any man of good conscience can lay any thing vntounto our charge, we trust either to declare our innocency agaynst theyr accusations, or if otherwise theyr accusations can be proued true and we faulty, we are ready (God helping vsus) with our condigne punishments to satisfy the law according to your wise Iudgement, as we hope ful of fatherly mercy towardes vsus and all men, according to your Godly office, in the which we pray for your Godly successe to the good pleasure of GOD. Amen.
This Supplication was sent (as is sayd) and subscribed with the names of these 4. vnderunder folowing.
Names subscribed to the supplication.Richard Spurge.
Thomas Spurge.
George Ambrose.
Iohn Cauell.
*Richard Spurge.
VPonUpon the receipt and sight hereof, it was not long after but Syr Richard Read Knight,Richard Spurge examined. then one of the Officers of the Court of the Chauncery. 16. day of Ianuary, was sent vntounto the Marshalsea, to examine the sayd foure prisoners: & therefore beginning first wt Richard Spurge vponupon certaine demaundes, receiued his answeres therunto: the effect whereof was, that he with others were complayned vponupon by the Parson of Bocking, vntounto the Lorde Rich,The Parson of Bocking accuser. for that they came not vntounto theyr Parish Church of Bocking, where they inhabited: and therupon was by the sayd Lord Rich, sent vntounto the late Lord Chauncellour, about the xxij. day of March last past, videl. an. 1555.
And farther he sayd, that he came not to the Church sithens the first alteration of the English seruice into Latin (Christmasse day then a tweluemoneth only except) & that,For not cōming to the Popish Church. because he misliked both the same and the Masse also, as not consonant and agreing with Gods holy word.
Moreouer, he required that he might not be any more examined vpō the matter, vnles it pleased the Lord Chaū cellour that then was, to know his fayth therein, which to him he would willingly vtter.
*Thomas Spurge.
THomas Spurge being then next examined,Thom… Spurge …mined. made the same aunswere in effect that the other had done: confessing that he absented himselfe from the church, because the word of God was not there truely taught, nor the Sacramentes of Christ duely ministred in such sort as was prescribed by ye same word.Not co… ming … Church why. Sacram… of the …. And being farther examined of his beliefe concerning the sacrament of the aultar, he said: that if any could accuse him thereof, he would then make aunswere as God had geuen him knowledge therein.
¶George Ambrose.
THe like answere made George Ambrose, adding moreouer,George Ambrose examined. that after he had read the late Byshop of Winchesters booke, intituled De vera obedientia, with Boners preface thereunto annexed, inueying (both) against the authority of the Bishop of Rome, he did much lesse set by theyr doinges then before.
¶Iohn Cauell.
IOhn Cauell agreyng in other matters with them, aunswered that the cause why hee did forbeare the comming to the Churche, was,Iohn Ca…ll examined. The caus… why Iohn Cauell came not to Church. The Parson of Bocking false and contrary to his owne doctrine. that the Parson there had preached two contrary doctrines. For firste in a Sermon that hee made at the Queenes first entrye to the crowne, he did exhort the people to beleue the Gospell: for it was the truth, and if they did not beleue it, they shoulde be damned. But in a second Sermon, he preached that the Testament was false in forty places, which contrariety in him was a cause amongest other, of his absenting from the Church.
¶Robert Drakes.
ABout the fourth day of Marche next after, Robert Drakes also was examined,Robert Drakes Parson of Thundersley examined. who was Parsō of Thū dersley in Essex, and had there remayned the space of three yeares. He was first made Deacon by Doctour Taylour of Hadley, at the commaundement of Doctour Cranmer, late Archbyshop of Caūterbury. And within one yeare after (which was the thyrd of the reigne of kyng Edward) he was by the sayd Archbyshop and Doctour Ridley Bishop of London, admitted Minister of Gods holy word & Sacramentes, not after the order then in force, but after such order as was after established,Drakes placed in the benefice of Thundersley by the Lord Rich. & was presented vntounto the sayd benefice of Thundersley by the Lord Rich, at the sute of Maister Caust…n and Maister Treheron: and now notwithstanding was sent vp by the sayde Lord Riche, with the others before mentioned: and at his comming to the Bishop of Winchester, was by him demaunded whether he would conforme him self like a subiect to the lawes of this realme then in force. To ye which he sayd he would abyde all lawes that stode with the lawes of GOD: and thereupon was committed to prison, where he and the rest aboue named did remaine euer sithens.
¶William Tyms.
NOW remaineth likewise to declare the examinatiō of William Tyms, Deacō & Curate of Hocley in Essex. But before I come to his examination, first here is to be opened and set forth the order & maner of his trouble, how and by whom he was first apprehended in Essex, and frō thence sent vp to London: the story whereof followeth in this maner.