Brachy-martyrologia, or, A breviary of all the greatest persecutions which have befallen the saints and people of God from the creation to our present times paraphras'd by Nicholas Billingsly ...

SECT. VI.

The Persecution of the Duke of Somerset in the Reign of King Edward the sixth

NOW when King Henery the eighth was dead, His son Prince Edward reigned in his stead; During whose happy reign Religion flourish'd, Pop'ry decar'd, the Church of God was nourish'd With the full breasts of Peace, the Gospel spred And superstition was abolished: Onely the Godly Duke of Somerset With Persecutions, and great troubles met;

Some of the Nobles lab'ring most of all To raise themselves upon his suddain fall. Edward, and Thomas Seymer were ally'd Unto King Edward, by his mothers side; Edward the eldest (fit to guide the Helm) Was made Protector of the King, and Realm: Thomas the second, of this British Isle Was chosen Lord high Admiral; the while These brethren joyned in fraternal love, Nothing fell out amiss; but when they strove, (Spur'd on by make-bates) unto one another They prov'd destructive; and the younger brother Attainted, was condemn'd, and lost his head On Tower-hill: hence insurrections bred. The Lords, at London privily conjur'd Against the Lord Protector, and immur'd Him once, nay twice, yea thrice, in a short season, Then charged him with Felony, and Treason. He's to the Tow'r- hill brought, where he commended His soul to God; his prayers being ended, He rose from off his knees, and like a man Couragiously bold, he thus began: Dearly beloved friends, Lo, I am here To suffer death, though (God knows) I am clear From thinking, speaking, or from acting ought Against the King, in word, in deed, or thought; But alwayes to this Realm have born a brest As faithful, and as loyal as the best. Yet in obedience to the Laws command, I here as a condemned person stand; And praise my God, for his abundant grace In giving unto me both time and space, Who might have justly took away my breath, Had he so pleased, by a sudden death,

Now as for the Religion which I During the time of my Authority Maintain'd to my power, nor do I now Repent of what I did, but both to you And me agnize it as a favour great; And do you all most heartily entreat To joyfully receiv't, and set it forth In your lives, as a thing of unknown worth; Which studiously to do, if you neglect, Great misery I fear you may expect. These words no sooner out, a sudden sound As terrible as thunder, did confound The people so, that some fell down through fear, Some this some that way run, but none knew where Anthony Brown Knight came; that he did bring, The crowd suppos'd, a pardon from the King; With that a shout arose: but the good Duke Did gravely with his beck'ning hand rebuke The clam'rous throng. And silence being gain'd, He said, Dear friends, Pardon is not obtain'd As you conceive; God otherwise is bent; His will be done, and we must be content. Let's joyn in prayer, that safety may pursue The King, t'whom loyal I have bin. 'Tis true, The people cryed out. O heaven bless His Highness with all health and happiness: I wish his Counc'llours grace to rule, and then You all obedient hearts: all said, Amen I ask forgiveness if I wronged any; O Lord remit my sins, for they are many. As for my foes, I freely them forgive. For Christ I die, in whom I hope to live, &c. Farewel, farewel, he lay him down, and spoke Christ save me, thrice: the hangman gave the stroke

Notes

• Anno 1549.
• A. 1552.