Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

The life and historie of W. Flower, who for striking of a priest, was apprehended, first hauing hys hande cut off, and after martyred for his constant standing to the truth.

WIlliam Flower, otherwise named Branch, first cō∣cerning his trade of life & bringing vp, he was born at Snowhil in the County of Cambridge,* 1.1 where he went to schoole certaine yeares, and then came to the Abbey of Ely: where after hee hadde remained a while, hee was a professed Monke, according to the order and rule of the

same house, wherein hee remained, vsing and bearing the habite of a Monke, and obseruing the rules and orders of the same house, vntill he came to 21. yeres of age, or therea∣bout: and before hee came to that age, and being a professed Monke,* 1.2 hee was made a priest also in the same house, and there did celebrate and singe Masse a good space together. After that, by reason of a visitation, and certaine Iniuncti∣ons geuen in the same time by the authoritie of king Hen∣ry the eight, he forsooke the same house, and casting frō him the sayd Monkes habite and religion aforesayde, tooke vp∣on him and vsed the habite of a secular priest, and returned to Snowhill, where hee was borne, and there hee did cele∣brate and sing Masse, and taught childrē their Primer and Accidence, about halfe a yeare together.

Then he went from thence to Ludgate in Suffolke, & there serued as a seculare priest about a quarter of a yeare: and from thence he then went to Stonyland, where he ta∣ried and serued as a secular priest also, vntill the comming out of the sixe Articles: and then hee departed from thence, and went into Gloucester shiere, where after he had made his aboade in the countrey a while, at lengthe in Tewkes∣bury according to Gods holy ordinance, he maried a wife, with whom he euer after faithfully and honestly cōtinued: and after his marriage, he taried in Tewkesbury about 2. yeares together:* 1.3 and then from thence he went vnto Bro∣s••ey, where he taried three quarters of a yere, and practised Phisicke and Surgerie, and from thence hee remooued to Northampton shier, where vnder a Gentleman he taught children their primers, and to wryte and read, a good space. And so departing from those parties, hee came to London, and there remained for a certain space. After that being de∣sirous to see his countrey, he returned to Snowhil where hee was borne:* 1.4 from thence to Branckstrey in Essex, then to Coxal, where he taught children a space: and so came to Lambeth beside London, where he hired a house, and pla∣ced his wife, where he and his wife did euer since dwell to∣gether till this time: howbeit for the most part he was al∣wayes abroade, and very seldome at home, except once or twise in a moneth, to visite and see his wife: where hee be∣ing at home vpon Easter day about 10. and a 11. a clocke in the fore noone of the same daye, came ouer the water from Lambeth into Sainte Margaretes Churche at Westmin∣ster,* 1.5 where he finding & seeing a Prieste called Iohn Chel∣tam, ministring and geuing the sacrament of the aultare to the people, and therewith being greatly offended in his cō∣science with the Prieste for the same his doing (for that hee iudged hym not to be a Catholike Minister) neyther hys act to be catholike and laudable, according to Gods word, did strike and wounde him vpon the head, and also vppon the arme and hande with his woodknife, the Priest hauing the same time in his hande a Chalice, with certaine conse∣trated hostes therin, which were sprinkeled with the bloud of the sayde priest.

* 1.6In the whych so doing, as in deede he did not well, or Euangelically, so afterward being examined before bishop Boner, did no lesse confesse his not well doing in the same, submitting therefore hym selfe wellingly to punishmente, when it should come. Howbeit touching his beliefe in the sacrament, and the popish ministration, he neither woulde nor did submit him selfe.

* 1.7Wherupon the foresaid Wil. Flower, being first appre∣hended & laid in the Gate house at Westminster (where hee had geuen two groates y^e same day a litle before to the pri∣soners, saying, he would shortly after come to them) wyth as many yrons as he could beare: afterward was conuen∣ted before Boner his Ordinarie. April 19. anno 1555. where the B. after he had sworne hym vpon a booke (according to his ordinarye maner) ministred articles & interrogatories to him.* 1.8 But before I speake of the articles, firste we haue here to set forth what cōmunication passed betwixt him & Rob. Smith being then also there prisoner w^t hym in new∣gate, concerning his facte done at Westminster, the tenor & effect of which communication here foloweth.

A communication or debating betweene Robert Smith prisoner in Newgate, and W. Flower, concer∣ning his striking of the priest at Westminster.

Robert Smith.

* 1.9FRend, for as much as I do vnderstand that you do pro∣fesse the Gospell, and also haue so done a long season, I am bolde to come vnto you, and in the way of communica∣tion to demaunde and learne a truth at your owne mouth, of certaine thyngs by you committed, to the astonishynge not onely of mee, but of diuers other that also professe the veritie.

Flower.

I praise God for hys great goodnesse, in shewing me the light of hys holy woorde: and I geue you heartie thankes for your visitation: intending by Gods grace to declare all the truth that ye shal demaunde lawfully of me, in all things.

Smith.

Then I desire you to shewe me the truthe of your deede, committed on Iohn Cheltam priest, in the Church, as nere as you can, that I may heare of your owne mouth howe it was.

Flo.

I came from my house at Lambeth, ouer the water▪ and entring into saint Margaretes Church (so called) and there seeing the people falling down before a most shame∣full and detestable Idoll,* 1.10 being moued with extreeme zeale for my God, whome I saw before my face dishonoured, I drewe foorth my Hanger, and strake the priest which mini∣stred the same vnto them: whereupon I was immediately apprehended: and this is most true, as the acte is manifest.

Smith.

Did ye not know the person that ye strake, or were ye not zelous vpon him for any euil wil, or hatred betwene you at any time.

Flo.

No verily, I neuer to my knowledge sawe the per∣son before that present, neither ought him or any man aliue euil wil, or malice: for if he had not had it, an other shoulde, if I hadde any time come where the like occasion had bene ministred, if God had permitted me to doe it.

Smith.

Doe ye thinke that thing to be well done, and after the rule of the Gospell.

Flo

I do confesse all flesh to be subiect to the power of al∣mighty God,* 1.11 whom he maketh his ministers to do his wil and pleasure: as in example, Moses, Aaron, Phinees, Io∣sua, Zimrie, Ihehie, Iudith, Mathathiah, wyth many o∣ther, not only chaunging degrees, but also planting zeales to hys honour, against all order and respect of flesh and bloude. For, as sayeth S. Paule, Hys workes are past fineding out: by whose spirite I haue also geuen my fleshe at thys present vnto suche order, as it shall please the good will of God to appoynt, in death, which before the act committed, I looked for.

Smith.

Thinke you it conuenient for me, or any other, to do the like by your example?

Flo.

No verily: neither do I know if it were to do againe,* 1.12 whether I coulde doe it againe, or no: for I was vp verye early at Paules church (so called) vpon Christes day in the morning, to haue done it in my ielousie: but when I came in place, I was no more able to doe it, then nowe to vndoe that is don: and yet now being compelled by the spirit, not onely to come ouer the water, and to enter the churche, but being in minde fully content to die for the Lord, gaue ouer my flesh willingly without all feare, I praise God: Wher∣fore I can not learne you to doe the like. Firste, because I knowe not what is in you. Secondly, because the rules of the Gospell commaundeth vs to suffer wyth pacience all wrongs & iniuries: yet neuerthelesse, if he make you wor∣thy, y^t hath made me zealous, ye shall not be letted, iudged, nor condemned: for he doth in his people hys vnspeakable workes in all ages, which no man can cōprehend: I hum∣bly beseech you to iudge the best of the spirit, and cōdemne not Gods doings: for I can not expresse wyth my mouthe the great mercies y^t God hath shewed on me in thys thing, which I repent not.

Smith.

Are ye not assured to haue death ministred vnto you for the same act committed, and euen with extremitie?

Flo.

I did before the deede committed, adiudge my bodye to dye for the same:* 1.13 whereuppon I caryed aboute mee in wryting, mine opinion of God and the holy Scriptures: that if it had pleased God to haue geuē them leaue to haue killed my body in the church, they might in the sayde wry∣ting haue seene my hope, which (I praise God) is layde vp safe within my brest, notwithstanding any death that may be ministred vnto my body in thys worlde: being ascertai∣ned of euerlasting life throughe Iesus Christe our Lorde, and being most heartily sorie for al mine offences commit∣ted in this flesh, and trusting shortly through hys mercye, to cease from the same.

Smith.

It is no neede to examine or commune with you of the hope that yee haue any further: for I perceiue (God be praised) ye are in good estate, & therefore I beseeche God for his mercies, spreade his wings ouer you, y^t as for his loue you haue ben zelous, euen to the losse of this life, so he may geue you his holy spirite to conduct you out of thys death, into a better life, which I thinke wil be shortly.

Flo.

I hunger for the same (deare frend) being fully ascer∣tained that they can kill but the bodye, which I am assured shall receiue life againe euerlasting, and see no more death: entirely desiring you, and all that feare the Lorde, to praye wyth me to almightye God, to performe the same in mee shortly. And thus Robert Smith departed, leauing him in the dungeon, and went againe to hys warde. And thys (gentle Reader) is the truthe, as neare as the saide Smyth coulde reporte it.

And thus muche concerninge the talke betweene hym and Robert Smith in Newgate, concerning hys facte in striking the Priest. Nowe to returne againe to the matter of his examination, where we leaft, we shewed before how thys William Flower, after hys striking the Prieste, firste was layde in the Gatehouse: then being examined before Boner, had articles ministred against him: the copy wher∣of heere followeth.

Articles obiected and ministred by Boner, a∣gainst William Branch, alias Flower, late of Lam∣beth, in the Countie of Surrie.

* 1.14FIrst, that thou being of lawful age and discretion, at the least of 17. yeare old, wast professed a Monke in the late Abbey of Ely, wherin after thy profession thou remainedst vntill the age of 21. yeares, vsing all the meane tyme, the habit and religion of the same house, and wast reputed and taken notoriously for such a person.* 1.15

Item, that after the premisses, thou wast ordered and made prieste, according to the laudable custome of the Ca∣tholike Church, and afterward thou didst execute and mi∣nister as a priest, and was commonly reputed, named, and taken for a priest.

Item, that after the premisses, thou forgetting God, thy conscience, honestie, and the laudable order of the Ca∣tholike church, diddest contrary to thy profession and vow, take as vnto thy wife, one woman, commonly called Alice Pulton, in the parish churche of Tewkesbury, in the Dio∣ces of Gloucester, with whom thou haddest mutuall coha∣bitation and carnall copulation, as man and wife, and be∣gatest of her two children.

Item, that thou being a religious man and a Priest, diddest contrary to the order of the ecclesiastical lawes,* 1.16 take vpon thee to practise in diuers places within the dioces of London, Phisicke and Surgerie, when thou wast not ad∣mitted, expert, nor learned.

Item, that vpon Easter day last past, that is to witte, the 14. day of thys present moneth of Aprill, within the pa∣rish Church of S. Margarets at Westminster, wythin the Countie of Middlesex and Diocesse of London, thou dydst maliciously, outragiously, and violently pul out thy wea∣pon, that is to wit, thy Woodknife or hanger. And wheras the priest and minister there called sir Iohn Cheltam, was executing his cure and charge, especially in doing hys ser∣uice, and ministring the sacramēt of the aultar to the com∣municants, then didst thou wickedly & abhominably smite with thy said weapon the said priest, first vpō the head ve∣ry sore, & afterwards vpon his hands or other parts of his b / dy, drawing bloud abundantly vpon him: the sayd priest then holding the sayd sacramēt in his hand, and geuing no occasion why thou shouldest so hurte him: the people gree∣uously being offended therwith, and the said church pollu∣ted thereby, so that the inhabitantes were compelled to re∣paire to an other Churche to communicate, and to receyue the sayde sacrament.

Item, that by reason of the premisses, thou wast and art by the ecclesiastical lawes of the churche, amongst other penalties, excommunicate and accursed, ipso facto, and not to be companied withal, neither in church, nor otherwhere but in speciall cases.

Item, that thou concerning the veritye of Christes na∣turall body and bloude in the sacrament of the aultar, haste ben by the space of these yeares. 20.19.18.17.16.15.14.13.12.11.10.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2. and 1. or any one of them, and yet art at this present of the opinion: that is to say, that in the sayd sacrament of the aultare,* 1.17 after the wordes of consecration, there is not really, truely, and in very dede, contained (vn∣der the formes of bread) the very true and naturall body of our sauiour Iesus Christ.

Item, that thou for the hatred and disdaine that thou hadst & didst beare against the said sacrament, and the ver∣tue thereof, and against the said priest ministring the same, (as before) did smite, wound, and hurte him in maner and forme as before is declared.

Iem, that thou ouer and besides the paynes due vnto thee for the doing of the cruell facte, art also by the order of the ecclesiasticall lawes of the churche, and the laudable cu∣stome & ordinaunce of the same, to be reputed, taken, & iud∣ged (as thou arte in deede) a very heritike, and to be puny∣shed by and with the pains due for heresie, by reason of thy sayd heresie and damnable opinion.

Item, that al the premisses be true, manifest, and noto∣rious and famous, and that vpon the same, and euery part thereof, there was and is wythin the sayd parish of Saint Margaretes and other places thereabout, a publike voice and fame

The answeare of William Flower, made to the articles aforesayde.

TO the first article, he answereth and confesseth the same to be true in euery part thereof,* 2.1 except that he sayth and confesseth that he neuer consented and agreed in hys heart to be a Monke.

To the second article he answeareth,* 2.2 and confesseth the same to be true in euery part therof. Howbeit he saith, that he neuer did, nor yet doth esteme y^e said order of priesthoode, according to the said order of the Catholike church, because he was offended therewith in his conscience.

To the thirde article he answeareth, and confesseth that he intending to liue in godly matrimonie, & not forgetting God,* 2.3 did mary with the saide Alice Pulton named in thys article, wherein he beleueth that he did well, and according to Gods lawes. Further, confessing and beleeuing, that al the time when he was professed Monke, and made priest, he did therby vtterly forget God: but when he did so mary the sayd Alice Pulton, and in continuing with her, did be∣get three children, he did remember God, as he sayeth, and beleeueth that he did then lawfully.

To the fourth article he answeareth, and beleeueth the same to be true in euery part thereof.

To the fifth article hee answeareth, and confesseth that hys cōscience being greatly offended with the said sir Iohn Cheltam priest, for ministring of the sacrament of the altar to the people at the place and time specified in this article, he did smite and strike the same priest wyth hys hanger or woodknife, as wel vpon his head, as vpon other partes & places of his body, which he remembreth not, whereby the bloud ran out, and was shed in the saide Church, as he be∣leueth, hauing, as he sayth, none other cause or matter so to doe, but onely that his conscience was offended and gree∣ued, in that the same Priest did so geue and minister the sayd Sacrament to the people: which people he beleeueth was greatly abashed and offended with his saide facte and doyng, and were enforced and compelled to goe out of the Churche, and to repaire to an other to receiue the sayde sa∣crament. And further, being then demaunded and exami∣ned, whether he did then minde and intende to haue killed the said priest, or not? he said he would not answeare there∣unto. And being further examined whether he did well or euil in striking the sayd priest? he would make no answere thereunto, as he sayd.

To the sixt he answereth & saith, that whether he be so excommunicate or accursed, as is conteined in this article, he referreth him selfe herein to the Ecclesiasticall lawes.

To the seuenth he aunsweareth and sayeth, that by the space of sixe and twentie yeares now past, he hath alwaies bene, and yet is of this opinion touching the saide Sacra∣ment of the aultare, as followeth: videlicet, that in the Sa∣crament of the aultar, after the words of consecration, there is not really, truely, and in very dede contained vnder the forme of breade, the very true naturall body of our sauiour Iesus Christ.

To the eight he answeareth, and beleeueth the same to be true in euery part thereof.

To the ninth he answeareth, & herein he referreth hym selfe to the said lawes, custome, and ordinaunce specified in this article, that is to say, the Canonicall lawes.

To the last he answeareth & beleueth, that those things before by him confessed be true, and those which he hath de∣nied, be vntrue: and that the said common voyce and fame, hath and doth only labor and go vpon those things by him before confessed.

By me William Flower, alias Branch.

After this examination done, the bishop began after the best sort of his fine Diuinitie to instruct him,* 2.4 and to exhort him to returne againe to the vnitie of his mother the Ca∣tholike church, with such reasons as he is commonly wōt to vse to others, promising many faire things if he woulde so do, besides the remitting of that was past.

To this William Flower answearing againe, thanked him for hys offer: and where it was in his power to kill or not to kil his body, he stode therwith contented,* 2.5 let him do therein what he thought: yet ouer his soule he had no suche power, whych being once separated from the bodye, is in the handes of no man, but onely of God, eyther to saue or spill. As concerning his opinion of the sacrament, he sayd, he would neuer goe from y^t he had spoken, do he wyth him what he would.

Then the B. assigned him againe to appeare in y^e same place at after noone, betwixte 3. or 4. In the meane time to aduise himselfe of his former answeres, whether he would stand to the same his opinions or no? which if hee so did, he would further proceede against him. &c.

At after noone the sayd William Flower appeared a∣gayne before the sayd B. the houre and place appoynted. To whome the B. sittyng in his Consistorie, spake these wordes. Branch, ye were this forenoone here before me, and made aunswer to certaine articles:* 2.6 and thereupon I respited you till now, to the intent you shoulde consider and weigh with your selfe your state, and to remember while you haue tyme, both your abhominable act, and al∣so that euill opinion which ye haue conceyued touchyng the veritie of Christes true natural body in the sacrament of the aultar.

To whom the sayd Branch answered agayne, and said as followeth:* 2.7 That which I haue sayd, I will stand too: and therfore I require that the lawe may proceed agaynst me. Wherupon the Bish. commanded his Notary (Har∣ward by name) to read to him agayne his articles, as be∣fore. Which beyng read, the said W. Flower persistyng in his godly sentence, answered to all partes of the articles, as in the forenoone before, saue onely that he requested the B. concernyng the fift article, he might alter somthing his answer therein, after this tenor and maner of wordes: to wit. And moreouer confesseth and sayth, that where as he strake the priest on Easter day last past, in S. Margarets church in Westminster, he hath since that tyme, & yet doth mislike hymselfe in that doyng, and doth now iudge and beleue that the same his act was euill and naught. How∣beit he saith and beleueth, that as for the matter and cause wherfore he so stroke the said priest (which was for mini∣string of the sacrament of the aultar,* 2.8 which he taketh and iudgeth abhominable) he did nor doth not mislike hymself at all therein.

Moreouer, he desireth of the said B. licence to be gran∣ted him, to alter and take out somewhat of the ix. Article, & in place therof, these words to be placed: to wit, Herein he referreth himselfe to the lawes, custome and ordinance specified in this article,* 2.9 &c. At which request, Boner gran∣ted to the altering of both the articles according as he de∣sired, and so put in the actes.

After this, the B. turning agayne to his old maner of exhorting, went about with words (and words onely) to perswade him to submit himselfe to the Catholike church, and to the faith therof. Which all his perswasiōs notwith∣standing, Wil. remained stil in the constancy of his sentēce, saying, that he would not be remooued from that hee had spoken, to die therfore. Whereupon the Bish. assigned him the next day (being the xx. day of Aprill) to appeare in the same day and place, betwene the houres of 8. and 9. before noone, there and then to heare the sentence pronounced, in case he would not relent, &c.

¶The last appearance of William Flower, before Bishop Boner.

IN the which day, houre, and place, the said Wil. Flower as he was appoynted,* 2.10 was brought by his keeper, be∣longing to the Warden of the Fleete, before Boner, who after his woonted maner of perswasion, goyng about to reduce hym to his catholike church and the vnitie thereof, that is, from Christ to Antichrist: sometimes with fayre promises alluring, sometyme with manasses and terrors, fearing hym,* 2.11 &c. To this Wil. answering, said on this wise Do what ye will, I am at a point: for the heauens shal as soone fall, as I will forsake myne opinion, &c. Wherupon the B. after he had commaunded these wordes to be regi∣stred, called for the depositions of certaine witnesses, pro∣ducted for the better information of this matter,* 2.12 y^e names of which witnesses were these: Wil. Genings, I. Bray, Rob. Graunt, Richard Dodde, William Pampion, Rob. Smalwood, the parish Priest of S. Margarets at West∣minster. The summe and effect of whose depositions here insueth.

¶The depositions or attestations producted vpon the aunswers of Wil. Flower.

RObert Grant of Westminster, examined vpon the said answers of Wil. Flower, sayth and deposeth: That he did heare and see the sayd Flower, acknowledge & recog∣nise the sayd answers, and subscribe to the same with hys own hand, and also was present in the church of S. Mar∣garets in Westminster, when the sayd Wil. Flower dyd smite and wound the Priest, when (as he sayth) hee was ministryng the Sacrament: and how this examinate a∣mongst other, preased towards him to take him, and was hurt therby vpō his chin, & after he was takē, this exami∣nate holp to conduct him to the gatehouse at Westminster.

RIchard Dod of Westminster, examined vpon the sayd answers, sayth and deposeth: that he did heare and see the sayd Flower acknowlege and recognise the said answers, & subscribe to the same with his owne hand: & also did see & was present, when the sayd Flower vpō Easter day last past, drew his woodknife and strake the priest vpon y^e hed, hand, and arme: who beyng wounded therwith, and ha∣uyng a chalice with consecrated hostes therin in his hand, sprinkled with the sayd priests bloud, was holpen & rescu∣ed by this examinate, and the sayde Flower caried to the Gatehouse at Westminster, and his woodknife takē away by this Examinate.

WIlliam Pampion, one of the churchwardens of the sayd parish church of S. Margaretes in Westmin∣ster, examined vpon the said answers of the sayd Flower, sayth and deposeth, that the same answers be true, & in hys sight were subscribed with the hande of the sayde Flower. And that vpon Easter day last past, about xj. of the clocke in the forenoone, in the parish church at S. Margarets in Westminster, among a great number of the people ready to be houseled, the priests backe beyng turned toward the sayd Flower, he the sayd Flower sodenly drewe forth hys woodknife, and strake sir Iohn Cheltham the priest, both vpon his head, hand, and arme, whereby he was woun∣ded, and bled aboundantly, and the chalice with consecra∣ted hosts beyng in his hand, were sprinkled w^t hys bloud, and the people in great feare cried out lamentably, and thought they should presently haue bene killed.

RObert Smalwood of Westminster, examined vpon the said answers, saith and deposeth: that he did heare and see the sayd Flower acknowledge and recognise the sayde answers, and subscribe the same with his owne hand, and sayth further, touching the striking and woundyng the priest in S. Margarets church in Westminster, vpon Ea∣ster day last, this examinate sayth, he was not there when y^e fact was done, but immediately after, he came to church, and found sir Iohn hurt, and wounded in the head, hand, and arme, by the sayd Flower, and the people in great he∣uines by reason therof. Also the people did report (as this examinate saith) that Flower did the deed, as the priest had the chalice in his hande, ministring the Sacrament to the people.

WIlliam Ienings of Westminster, beyng examined vpon the answers of the sayd Wil. Flower, sayth & deposeth by vertue of his oth: that he did heare and see the sayd Flower, acknowledge and recognise the sayde aun∣swers, and subscribe to the same with his owne hande in the consistory place: and further deposeth, that he (vppon Easter day last past) was present in the church of S. Mar∣garets in Westminster, where Flower strake the sayd Sir Iohn Cheltham priest, first vpon the head, and afterward vpon his arme two sore strokes, whereby the sayd priest is lyke to loose his hand. Also this Iurate deposed, that the sayd sir Iohn Cheltham had a chalice with certaine conse∣crated hosts therein (in his hand) which were sprinckled with the bloud of the sayd priest, and after the sayd Flow∣er was apprehended by this examinate and others, they caried hym immediately to the gatehouse in Westminster.

IOhn Bray one of the churchwardēs of the parish church of S. Margarets in Westminster, sworne and examined vpon the sayd aunsweres, sayth and deposeth, that he did heare and see the said Flower acknowledge and recognise the sayd answers, & also subscribe vnto the same. And fur∣ther deposeth of Flowers strikyng the priest, in effect, as the rest of the examinates doe, and that this sayd Iurate was present there at the deed doyng.

After the depositions of these foresayd witnesses being taken, published, and denounced, the sayd B. speakyng to Wil. Flower, asked hym if he knew any matter or cause why his sentence should not be red, and he to be pronoun∣ced as an heretike. Wherevnto the martyr of God answe∣reth agayne as followeth: I haue nothyng at all to say, for I haue already sayd vnto you all that I haue to say, & that I haue said, I will not go from, and therfore do what you wyll, &c.

Which when he had spoken, the Bish. proceeded to the sentence,* 2.13 condemnyng and excommunicating hym for an heretike, & after pronounced hym also to be disgraded, and so committed hym to the secular power. Upon the 24. day of the foresayd moneth of Aprill, which was S. Markes euen, he was brought to the place of martyrdome, whiche was in S. Margarets churchyard at Westminster, where the fact was committed, and there commyng to the stake

[illustration]

❧ The burning of William Flower at Westminster, the 24. of Aprill. An. 1555.

where he should be burned, first he maketh his prayer to almighty God, with a confession of his Christian fayth, in maner as followeth.

¶A prayer and confession of W. Flower.

OH eternall God, most mighty and mercifull father, who hast sent downe thy sonne vpon the earth,* 2.14 to saue me & all man∣kynd, who ascended vp into heauen agayne, and left hys bloud here vpon the earth behynd hym, for the redemption of our sins, haue mercy vpon me, haue mercy vppon me, for thy deare sonne our sauiour Iesus Christes sake, in whom I confesse onely to bee all saluation and iustification, and that there is none other mean, nor way▪ nor holynes, in which, or by which any man can be sa∣ued in this world. This is my fayth, which I beseech all men here to beare witnesse of.

Then he sayd the Lords prayer, and so made an end.

Then M. Cholmley came to him, willyng hym to re∣cant his heresie,* 2.15 whereby he might do good to the people, or els he would be damned.

Flower answered as followeth. Sir, I beseech you for Gods sake be contented: for that I haue sayd, I haue said, and I haue bene of this fayth from the beginnyng: and I trust to the liuyng God hee will geue me his holy spi∣rite to continue to the ende. Then he desired all the world to forgeue hym whome he had offended, as he forgaue all the world.

This done, first his hand beyng held vp agaynst the stake, was stroken of, his left hand beyng stayed behynde hym. At the which striking of his hand, certaine that were present beholders of the matter, and purposely obseruyng the same, credibly enformed vs, that he in no part of hys body did once shrinke at the strikyng therof, but once a lit∣tle he stirred his shoulders.

And thus fire was set vnto hym, who burning therein cried with a loud voyce: Oh the sonne of God haue mercye vpon me, Oh the sonne of God receyue my soule, three tymes, and so his spech beyng taken from hym, he spake no more, liftyng vp notwithstandyng his stumpe with hys other arme, as long as he could.

And thus endured this constant witnes and faythfull seruaunt of God, the extremitie of the fire, beyng therein cruelly handled, by reason that to his burning little wood was brought, so that for lacke of fagots there not suffici∣ent to burne hym, they were fayne to strike hym downe into the fire. Where he lying along (which was dolefull to behold) vpon the ground, hys nether part was consu∣med in the fire, whilest hys vpper part was cleane with∣out the fire, hys tongue in all mens sight still moouyng in hys mouth.

May. 1555.

The 3. of May a letter was sent to George Colte and Thom. Daniell, to make search for, and apprehend Iohn Bernard and Iohn Walshe, who vsed to repaire to Sud∣bury, and carying about with them the bones of Pigotte that was burned, do shew them to the people, persuading them to be constant in his religion, and vpon examinati∣on to commit them to further orderyng accordyng to the lawes.

This day Stephen Appes was committed to the litle ease in the Tower, there to remayne two or three dayes, vntill further examination.

The 12. day M. Thomas Rosse preacher, was by the counsailes letters deliuered from the Tower to the Shi∣riffe of Northfolke, to be conueyed and deliuered to the B. of Norwich, and he eyther to reduce hym to recant, or els proceed agaynst hym according to the law.

The 16. a letter was sent to the L. Treasurer, signifi∣yng what the L. had done for Rosse, and that order should be geuen according to his L. request, for letters to the Bi∣shops, & as Appes (whom the Lieuetenant of the Tower reporteth to be mad) his L. perceiuyng the same to be true should commit hym to Bedlem, there to remayne vntill their further order.

The 26. a letter was sent to the L. Treasurer, to con∣ferre with the B. of London, and the Iustices of Peace of that Countie, wherein they are to be executed, that are al∣redy condemned for religion, & vpon agrement of places, to geue order for their execution accordingly·

The 28. a letter was sent to the L. Treasurer, to cause speedie preparation to be made of such mony as was ap∣poynted for such persons as should cary the ioyful tidings of Queene Maries good deliuery of chyld, to diuers prin∣ces: so as they be not compelled to stay when tyme shall come. The Embassadors were to the Emperour, the L. Admirall, to the French King the L. Fitzwaters, to the kyng of Romains Sir Henry Sidney, to the K. of Por∣tingall, Rich. Shelley, whose free passage through France M. Doctor Wootton was willed to procure by letters the 24. of Iune.

The 29. was a letter directed to Sir Frances Ingle∣field

to make search for one Iohn D. at Londō,* 2.16 and to ap∣prehend him and send him to the Counsaile, and to make search for such papers & bookes as may thinke may touch the same D. or one Benger.

Notes

• * 1.1

  W. Flower Martyr.
• * 1.2

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.3

  W. Flower ••aryeth a ••yfe.
• * 1.4

  W. Flower ••ommeth ••o Lam∣beth.
• * 1.5

  W. Flower ••••riketh a Popish Priest at the aultar, in Westmin∣ster.
• * 1.6

  W. Flower repenteth his acte in striking. W. Flower constant in his fayth.
• * 1.7

  W. Flower layd in the Gate house 〈◊〉〈◊〉 West∣minster.
• * 1.8

  W. Flower brought before B. ••oner.
• * 1.9

  The talke betweene Robert ••myth and W. Flower.
• * 1.10

  The zeale of W. Flower in seeing the Lordes ho∣nour defaced.
• * 1.11

  Extraordinary zeales are no generall rules to be followed.
• * 1.12

  W. Flower in∣tending at Paules to haue done the lyke.
• * 1.13

  W. Flower pre∣pared himselfe to death before the fact commit∣ted.
• * 1.14

  Articles obiec∣ted agaynst W. Flower by B. Boner.
• * 1.15

  In the latter dayes certayne shall depart frō the ••ayth, for∣bidding mari∣age and eating of meates. 1. Tim. 4.
• * 1.16

  A great heresie.
• * 1.17

  His fayth in the Sacrament.
• * 2.1

  Flower ••••••swere t•• the 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• * 2.2

  Flower made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 agaynst will.
• * 2.3

  Flower ••••••••fesseth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 matrimon•• to be ho••nest and lawfull▪ W. Flo•••••• more d••••uout to being in state of ••••••trimony thē 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 striking Priest 〈◊〉〈◊〉 aultar. Note 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the say•• Flower ••••••terward his next ••••••pearau•••••• correct•••• reforme•• this aun••swere. Flower will no•• aunswe•• whethe•• he inten•• to kill th•• Priest.
• * 2.4

  W. Flo•••••• exhorte•• to recan••▪
• * 2.5

  W. Flo•••••• refuseth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reuoke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fayth an•• doctrine.
• * 2.6

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 2.7

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 2.8

  ••••••wer ••••••liked his 〈…〉〈…〉 Priest.
• * 2.9

  ••••••wer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his ••••swere to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 9. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 2.10

  The last appearance 〈◊〉〈◊〉 W. ••lower be∣••••re B. Bo∣••er.
• * 2.11

  ••. Flowers ••••••stancie.
• * 2.12

  Witnes ••roduced ••gaynst W. ••lower.
• * 2.13

  Sentence of cō∣demnation and degradation pronounced a∣gaynst William Flower.
• * 2.14

  Flowers prayer.
• * 2.15

  Talke betweene W. Flower and M. Cholmely.
• * 2.16

  Anno 15••5. May.