Martyrs.
Jo. Hooper, born in this County, and bred in Ox∣ford, then beyond the Seas, a great Scholar and Lin∣guist, was in the Reign of Edw. 6. Elected Bishop of Glocester, but for a time scrupled the acceptance there∣of, as refusing the Oath of Supremacy, which then en∣joyned the receivers to a Conformity to the Kings Commands, in what alterations soever he should after∣wards make in Religion, and also concluded with so help me God, and all his Angels and Saints; This was the occasion of the ensuing reforming of that Oath, whilst the King dispensed with his present taking there∣of. He also scrupled the wearing of some Episcopal Habiliments, but at last contented thereunto. He held afterwards Worcester in Commendam with Glocester, and having a double Dignity, gave treble Diligence by Preaching Gods Word, living piously, and dying pa∣tiently, being Martyred, An. 1555. The only Na∣tive in this Shire, who suffered for the Testimony of the Gospel, Bishop Burn, Bishop of Bath and Wells in the Reign of Q. Mary, having persecuted no Pro∣testants in his Diocess, to death.