Anglorum speculum, or The worthies of England, in church and state Alphabetically digested into the several shires and counties therein contained; wherein are illustrated the lives and characters of the most eminent persons since the conquest to this present age. Also an account of the commodities and trade of each respective county, and the most flourishing cities and towns therein.

Martyrs.

At Newbury, in this County, there were 6 or 7 score Persons, (being betrayed by a Lewd Person whom they admitted into their Society) Abjured, and besides there were three or four burnt, whose Names, tho not known are no doubt written in the Book of Life. The day of the Gospel dawned as soon in this Coun∣ty as in any place of England. The Honour of the Seniority, in this kind belongs to Newbury; the Mo∣tive used by Doctor Will. Twit to quicken the pace of his Parishoners there, that Town (as he said) being the first Fruits of the Gospel in England.

At Windsor, of a Company of Godly Persons there, four were Arraigned and Condemned by Commis∣sioners, whereof three were put to Death, viz. Anth. Parsons Priest, being fast'ned to the Stake, he laid a good deal of Straw on his Head, saying, This is God's Hat, I am now Arm'd like a Souldier of Christ. Rob. Testwood, a Singer in Windsor-Quire. There hap'ned a Contest betwixt him and another of that Society, Singing an Anthem together to the Virgin Mary. Rob. Philips, on the one side of the Quire. O Redemtrix & Salvatrix. Rob. Testwood, on the o∣ther side, Non Redemtrix nec Salvatrix. Whoever had the better then, God be thanked the Nons have got now the better of the Os in England. He was

also accused for diswading the People from Pilgri∣mages, and for striking off the Nose of the Image of our Lady. Hen. Palmer Church-Warden of Wind∣sor who had Articled against their Superstitious Vicar for Heretical Doctrine. When an account was given of the patient Death of these three to King Hen. VIII▪ he was pleased to say, Alass poor Inno∣cents! This was Pity, but could be no Protection, yet, by this Occasion others were preserved. This storm blown over, Barkshire enjoyed peace for twelve years, viz. from An. Dom. 1544. till 1556, when Doctor Jeffrey the Cruel Chancellour of Sarisbury renewed the Troubles of Nembury, and caused the Death of Julins Palmer. See his Character, (being born in Coventry,) in Warwickshire. John Gwin. Th. Askin. All three Burnt July 16. 1556. in the Sandpits near Newbury, enduring the Fire with such incredible Constancy, that it confounded their Foes and con∣firmed their Friends in the Truth.

Notes

• Fox. Act. & Mon. p. 817.
• Fox. Act. & mon. p. 1211.
• Fox. Act. & Mon. p. 1934.