Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 12 · Account 29 · Letter 1
❧ A true Certificate written by Richard Woodman, of his taking, & how he was brought to the Shiriffes the xv. of March, 1556. and how long he was in prison, and how he was there vsed, till he was broughte before the Bishoppe of Chichester at blacke Friers in London, with the order of his examinations followyng after the same.
…GEntle Reader, here you shall perceiue how the scriptures bee partly fulfilled on me, beyng one of the least of his poore Lambes. First, you shall vnderstād that since I was deliuered out of the Bishop of Londons hands, which was in the yeare of our Lord, 1555. and the same day that M. Philpot was burned, (which was the 18. of December) I lay in his Colehouse 8. weeks lacking but one day. And before that, I was a yeare and a halfe almost, in the Kings Bench after my first apprehension, for reproouyng a Preacher in the pulpit, in the parish of Warbleton where I dwelt. Wherfore I was at two Sessions before I was sent to prison,The first appre…ension … Richard Woodman. and caried to two more Sessions whyle I was in pryson, twyse before the B. of Chichester, and fiue tymes before the Commissioners, & then sent to Londons Colehouse, & many tymes called before him, as it appeareth by my examinations which I wrote, the which examinations, the B. of Chichester now hath, for they were found in my house when I was takē, wherin is conteined all the talke, which I had before them aforenamed. Also there be in London that had copies of the same of me, when I was in the Colehouse.
…And it pleased God to deliuer me, with foure or more, out of the butchers handes, requiring nothing els of vsus but that we shuld be honest men, and members of the true Catholike Church that was builded vponupon the Prophetes and Apostles, Christ beyng the head of the true Churche, the which all we affirmed that we were members of the true Church, and purposed by Gods helpe therein to dye. And hereupon we were deliuered, but he willed vsus many tymes to speake good of hym. And no doubt he was worthy to be praysed, because he had bene so faithfull an ayd in his maister the deuils businesse. For he had burnt good M. Philpot the same mornyng, in whose bloud his hart was so drunken (as I supposed) that he could not tell what he did, as it appeared to vsus, both before & after. For but two dayes before he promised vsus that we should bee condemned that same day that we were deliuered: yea & the morow after that he had deliuered vsus, hee sought for some of vsus agayne, yea and that earnestly. He waxed dry after his great dronkennes, wherfore he is lyke to hauehave bloude to drink in hel as he is worthy, if he repent it not with speed. The Lord turne all their harts if it be his will.
This hauehave I written, chiefly to certifie all people how we were deliuered,Woodmen purgeth himselfe of false sclander. because many carnall Gospellers and Papists hauehave sayd, that it was prescribed that we should be so deliuered, because they thinke that God is subiect to man, and not man to God. For if they did, they would not blaspheme hym as they doe, or if they thought they should geue account for it. HaueHave not many of them red, how God deliuered Israel out of Egypt? Daniel out of the Lyons denne? Sydrach, Misaach, and Abednago out of the burnyng ouen? with diuers other such like exāples, yea God is the same God that he was then. He is no older, nor lesse in power, as some count hym in wondring at his works. Now to the matter.
After I was deliuered,False surmises agaynst Richard Woodman. the Papists sayd that I hadde consented to them, whereof they made themselues glad: the which was the least part of my thought (I praise God therefore) as they well perceiued, and knew the contrarye within a while. For I went from parish to parish, & talked with them, to the number of 13. or 14. and that of the chiefest in all the Countrey: and I angred them so,Woodman complayned of to Syr Iohn G…ge Lord Chamberlayne. yt they with the Commissioners complayned on me to my Lord Chamberlaine that was then to the Queene, Sir Iohn Gage shewyng him that I baptised children, and married folks, with many such lyes, to bryng me into their hands agayne. Then the Commissioners sent out certaine Citations to bring me to the Court.Warrantes sent out to attach Woodman. My L. Chamberlain had directed out 4. or 5. Warrantes for me, that if I had come there, I should hauehave bene attached and sent to prisō straite way. Which was not Gods will: for I had warnyng of their laying await for me, and came not there, but sent my deputie, & he brought me word that the Bailifs waited for me there, but they mist of their pray for that tyme, wherevpon they were displeased.
Then within 3. dayes after,L. Chamberlayne sendeth to take Woodman at his plough. my L. sent 3. of his men to take me, whose names were Deane, Ieffrey, and Frāces. I beyng at plough with my folkes, right in the waye as they were commyng to my house, least mistrusting thē of all other, came to them and spake to them, asking thē how they did. And they sayd,Woodman arested. they arested me in the Kyng and Queenes name, and that I must goe with them to their Maister the L. Chamberlaine. Which wordes made my flesh to tremble and quake because of that sodayne. But I answered them that I would go with them.Feare comming vponupon Woodmā at his first taking. Yet I desired them that they would go to my house with me, yt I might breake my fast, and put on some other geare, and they said I should. Then I remembred my selfe, saying in my hart: Why am I thus afraid? they can lay no euill to my charge. If they kill me for well doyng,Woodman comforted in his spirite after his feare. I may thinke my self happy. I remembred how I was contented gladly before to dye in that quarell, and so had continued euer since: and should I now feare to dye? God forbid that I should, for then were all my labour in vayne.
So by and by I was perswaded, I praise God, considering it was but the frailty of my flesh, which was loth to forgo my wife & childrē and goods: for I saw nothing but present death before mine eyes. And as soone as I was perswaded in my mynd to die, I had no regard of nothing in this worlde, but was as mery and glad and ioyfull, I prayse GOD, as euer I was. This battaile lasted not a quarter of an houre, but it was sharper then death it selfe for the tyme, I dare say.
So when I had my breakfast, I desired them to shew me their warrant, thinkyng thereby I should hauehave seene wherfore I was arested,Woodman asketh for their Warrant. to the intent I might ye better answer for my self whē I came before their maister. And one of them answered, they had not their warrāt there. Which words made me astonied, and it was put in my mynde by God, that I neede not to goe with them,How God worketh for his seruauntes. vnlesse they had their warrant. Then said I to them, that is meruaile that you will come to take a man without a warrant. It seemeth to me that you come of your owne mind to get thāke of your maister, for in deed I heard say (sayd I) that there was 4. or 5. warrants out for me, but they were called in agayne,The vnorderly doinges of the Papi…tes in attaching men without any warrant. because I had certified my L. and the Commissary by a letter that I sent to the Commissaries court, that I was not faulty in that they layd to my charge, which was for baptising of children, and marying of folks: the which I neuer did, for I was neuer minister appointed to do any such thyng: wherfore set your hartes at rest, I will not go with you (said I) vnlesse you will cary me by force, and if you will do so, at your owne aduentures. And so I rose from the boord and stepped into my chamber, meanyng to goe from them if I could possible, seeyng God had made the way so open for me.Woodman refus…th to goe with them vnlesse they shewe their warrant. I ment to play Peters part with them, but God would not it should be so, but sent a feare amongst them, that as soone as I was gone into my chā ber, ere euer I could come out againe, they were gone out of my house.
When I saw that, I knew it was Gods doyng to set me at liberty once againe.Gods great worke, how the persecutors which came to take Woodman, went away without him. Yet I was compelled to speake to them, and said: If you hauehave a warrant, I desire you for Gods sake to shew it me, and I wil go with you, with all my hart: if not, I desire you to depart in Gods peace and the kings: for surely I will not go with you without the order of the law: for I hauehave bene too simple in such things already. For before I was sent to prison first, I went to the Iustices to two Sessions, without any warrant or cō mandement, but had word by one of their men, & I went gently to them, & they sent me to prison, and kept me there almost a yere and thre quarters, without all right or equitie, as it is openly known, not hearing my cause iustly debated. And it semeth to me that I should be thus euil hādled, and therefore I will not go to none of them all henceforth without the extremitie of the law.
Then one of them answered me, and said: we hauehave not the warrant here, but it is at home at my house: the worst is you can but make vsus fetch it. Then I said: Fetch it, if you wil, but if you come in my house before you hauehave it, at your owne aduenture.Woodman escapeth the handes of his takers. So I shut my doore, and went my way out of the other doore. So they got helpe to watch my house, while one of them fet the Constable and many moe, thinking to hauehave had me in my house, and to hauehave takē me in my house, & caried me away with a licence: but I was gone before as god would hauehave it.Woodmans house agayne searched for him, Notwithstanding they sought eueryevery corner of my house, but could not preuaile, I mistrusted they would search it again that night, and kept me abroad, and in deed there came seuen of his men & the Constable, and searched my house.
And when they sawe that they could not meete wt me, they were redy to rent their coats, that I had scaped them so, knowing they should hauehave such a checke of their maister. When I heard that they had sought so for me againe, I perceiuyng that they were greedy of their pray, came home, and my wyfe told me all thyngs.
Then I supposed that they would lay all the countrey for me, and the sea coast, because I should not go ouer, and thē I thought that they would not mistrust that I would dare bee nigh home. So I tolde my wyfe that I woulde make my lodgyng in a woode not past a flight shotte from my house, as I did in deede, euen vnderunder a tree, and there had my Bible, my penne and myne inke, and other necessaries,Woodman lodged sixe wee…es in a woode. and there continued a sixe or seuen weekes, my wife bringing me meate daily as I had neede. Yea I thought my selfe blessed of God, that I was counted worthy to lye in the woodes for the name of Christ. Then there came word into the countrey, that I was seene and spoken too in Flaunders:All the count…y and Sea coastes l…yd for woodman. whereupon they left laying awaite for me for they had layd all the Countrey for me, and the sea coast from Portesmouth to Douer, euē as God put in my mind they would.
So when all was husht, I went abroad among our friends & brethren, and at length I went beyond the Sea both into Flanders and in Fraunce: but I thought eueryevery day seuen yere or euer I were at home agayne. So I came home again as soone as it was possible. I was there but three weeks, but as soone as I was come home, and it once knowen among Baals priests, they could not abide it, but procured out warrantes agaynst me, causing my house to bee searched sometymes twise in a weeke. This continued from Saint Iames tide to the first Sonday in Lent. Otherwhile I went priuily, otherwhile openly, otherwhile I went from home a fortnight or three weeks, otherwhile I was at home a month or fiue weekes together, liuing there most commonly and openly, doing such woorkes as I had to doe: and yet all mine enemies coulde lay no hands on me,Woodman deliuered by his owne brother into his enenemyes handes. till the houre was ful come: and then by the voice of the country, and by manifest proofes, mine owne brother as concerning the flesh, deliuered mee into theyr hands, by that he knew that I was at home.
For my father & he had as much of my goodes in theyr hands,Auri sacra fames quid non Mortalia cogis pectora? Virgil. as I might hauehave 56. pound for by the yeare cleare, and therunto praied. It was a Lordship and a honor, and halfe a honor that I had deliuered into their hands, to pay my debts, and the rest to remaine to my wife and childrē. But they had reported that it woulde not pay my debtes: which grieued me sore. For it was two hundred pounds better then the debts came to. Which caused me to speake to some of my frendes, that they would speake to them to come to some reckening with me, and to take all such money againe of me, as they were charged with, and to deliuer me such wrytings and wryts, as they had of mine, againe, or to whom I would appoynt them.
So it was agreed betwixt my Father and mee, that I should hauehave it againe, and the day was apoynted, that the reckening shoulde be made and sent to me that same daye that I was taken, my brother supposing that I shoulde hauehave put him out of most of al his occupying, that he was in: for it was all mine in a manner that he occupied▪ as all the countrey can and doe well knowe. Whereon (as it is reported) he told one Gradillar my next neighbor, and he told some of M. Gages men, or to M. Gage himselfe: and so he sent to his brother,Brother bewrayeth the brother. and hys brother sent 12. o… his mē (he being Sheriffe) in the night before I was taken, and laye in the bushes not farre from my house, till about 9. of the clocke, euen the houre that was appoynted amongest themselues: for about the same time they thought to hauehave had me within my house.
They had taken a man of mine and two of my childrē that were abroad in the land: and kept them with them til theyr houre was appoynted to come in, & then a litle girle one of my children, saw them come together, & came running in, & cried: mother, mother, yonder cōmeth 2. men. I sitting in my bedde and making of shoe thonge… ▪ heard the woordes, and suspecting straight way that I was betrayed, I stirred out of my bed & whipt on my hol… ▪ thinking to hauehave gone out of the doores or euer they had bene come. My wife being amased at the childes words,Woodmans house agayne beset, and searched. looked out at the doore, and they were hard by. Then she clapped to the doore and barred it fast, euen as I came oute of my chamber into the Hall, and so barred the other: So the house was beset round straightway, and they badde open the doores, or els they would breake them in peces. Then I had no shift, but either I must shew my selfe openly, or make some other remedy.
So there was a place in my house yt was neuer found which was at the lest, I dare say 20. times,Woodman put to his shiftes. and somtimes almost of 20. men searched at once, both by night & by day. Into which place I went: And assoone as I was in, my wife opened the doore: wherby incontinent they came,The part of a trusty wife to her husband. and asked for me: and she sayd I was not at home. Then they asked her wherefore shee shutte the dore, if I were not at home. Shee sayd, because shee had bene made afrayde diuers times, with such as came to search vsus, and therefore shee shut the doore. For it is reported (sayth she) that who soeuer can take my husband, shall hang him or burne him strait way: and therfore I doubt they will serue me or my children so: for I thinke they may doe so vntounto vsus as well as to him, shee sayd. Well, sayd they, we know he is in the house, and we must searche it, for we be the sheriffes men: let vsus hauehave a candle. It is tolde vsus, there be many secrete places in your house. So shee lighted a candle, & they sought vp and downe in eueryevery corner that they coulde finde, and had geuen ouer, and many of them were gone out of my house into the churchyard, and were talking with my father, and with some that he had brought with him.
Now when they could not find me,This belyke was his brother. one of them went to him yt gaue them word that I was at home, and sayde, we can not finde him. Then hee asked them whether they had soughte ouer a windowe that was in the Hall (as it was knowen afterwarde) for that same place I had tolde hym of my selfe. For many times when I came home, I would send for him to beare me company: yet as it chanced I had not tolde him the way into it. Then they began to searche a newe. One looked vp ouer the windowe, and spied a little loft, with three or foure chestes, and the waye went in betwixt two of the chestes, but there could no mā perceiue it. Then hee asked my wife which was the way into it. Here is a place that we hauehave not sought yet. Then she thought they wold see it by one meanes or other. She sayde, the way was into it out of a chamber they were in euen now. So shee sent them vp, and cried, Away, away. Then I knewe there was no remedye, but make the best shift for my selfe that I could. The place was boarded ouer and fast nailed, and if I had come out that way that I went in, I must needes come amongst them al in the hall. Then I had no shift,Woodman at length after long seeking found out. but set my shoulders to the boardes that were nailed to the rafters to keepe out the raine, and brake them in peeces, which made a great noyse, and they that were in the other chamber, seeking for the waye into it, heard the noise, and looked out of a window, and spyed me, and made an outcry. But yet I gotte oute, and leaped downe, hauing no shoes on.
So I tooke downe a lane that was ful of sharpe synders, and they came running after, with a great crie, with theyr swordes drawne, crying, Strike him, strike hym. Which woordes made me looke backe, and there was neuer a one nigh me by a 100. fote: and that was but one, for all the rest were a great way behinde. And I tourned about hastily to goe my way, and stepped vppon a sharpe Sinder with one foote, & sauing of it, I stepped in a great miery hole,… and fell downe withall, and ere euer I coulde arise and get away, he was come in with mee. His name is Parker the wilde, as he is counted in all Sussex. But if I had had on my shooes, they had bene like to hauehave gone away arrandlesse, if there had beene 500. more, if I hadde caught the plaine grounde once, to the which I had not a stones cast: But it was not Gods will: for if it hadde, I shoulde hauehave scaped from them all, if there had bene tenne thousand of them.
Then they tooke me and led me home again to put on my shooes and suche geare as I had neede off. Then sayde Iohn Fancouer:… Nowe your maister hath deceiued you. You sayd, you were an Angel, and if you had bene an Angell, whye did you not flee away from vsus? Then sayde I, what be they that euer heard me say that I was an Aungel? It is not the first lie by a thousande ye they hauehave made of mee. Angels were neuer begotten of men, nor borne of women: but if they had saide, that they had heard me saye, that I doe trust I am a Saint, they hadde not said amisse. What, do you thinke to be a Saint? Yea that I do, and am already in Gods sight,… I trust in God: for he that is not a Saint in Gods sight already, is a deuil. Therefore he that thinketh scorne to be a Saint, let him be a deuil. And with ye woord they had brought me to mine owne doore: where met wt me my father, and willed me to remember my self.
To whom I answeared: I praise God, I am wel remembred wherabout I go. This way was appoynted of God for me to be deliuered into the handes of mine ennemies, but woe vntounto him by whom I am betraied. It had bene good for that man, that he had neuer ben borne, if he repent not with speede. The Scriptures are nowe fulfilled on me:… For the father shall be against the sonne, and the brother shall deliuer the brother to death, as it is this daye come to passe. Then sayd one: He doth accuse his Father: a good childe in deede. I accuse him not, but say my minde: for there was no man knewe me at home, but my father, my brother, and one more, the which I dare saye, woulde not hurt me for all the good in this towne.
George … in … Woodman.There was one George Bechinge that marryed one of my sisters, & he thoughte that I had meant him, that he had betraied me: and he said: Brother, I would you shuld not thinke that I was the cause of your taking. To whō I answered, that I ment him not: I meant one that was nearer of my bloud then he was. Then said one of Lause, that had bene a gospeller, & stood from them, when I was brought to a sessions to Lause, and he said, I thought you would hauehave ben an honest man when you were at Lause, and I offered Hussey the sheriffe to be bound for you, that you shuld go home to your wife, and come to him againe. Then I remembred what he was,A Pewterer of …, a … coate. and saide: Be you the Peauterer? And he saide, Yea. Then saide I: It is happened to you according to the true Prouerbe, as sayeth S. Peter: The dogge is tourned to his vomit againe, and the sowe that is washed, to wallow in the mire, and the ende of all suche will be worse then the beginning. Then his mouth was stopped so, that he had nothing to say.
…oodman … to … …ounde … of …. Woodman … his … of his …fe and …. The name of this place … as … could … by … Firle.All this while I stoode at my doore without: for they would not let me goe in. So I put on my shooes and my cloathes, and then they putte on an harnesse aboute mine armes made of a dogs slip, which reioyced my heart, that I was counted woorthy to be boūd for the name of God. So I tooke my leaue of my wife and children, my father & other of my friendes, neuer thinking to see them more in this world. For it was so thought of all the country, that I should not liue 6. daies after my taking: for they had so reported. But yet I knew it was not as they would, vnlesse God wold graunt it. I know what God can do: but what he wil do, I know not: but I am sure he wil worke al things for the best, for them that louelove and feare him. So we dranke and went our way, and came to Firle about 3. of the clocke. And thus much touching the causes & effecte of the troubles of Rich. Woodman. Nowe let vsus see his examinations, which follow in this order.