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 sute of Marbeckes wife to the Bishop of Winchester.

MArbeckes wife, at the tyme of her husbands apprehē∣sion,* 1.1 had a yong child of a quarter old, sucking vppon her brest: & when her husband was taken from her, & had away to the Counsail, not knowing what should be come of him, she left the child and all, and gate her vp to Londō, and hearing her husband to be in the Marshalsey, goeth thether. But when she came there, she could in no wise bee suffred to see him, which greatly augmented her sorrowe. Then by counsaile of frends, she gate her to the B. of Win∣chester (for other helpe was there none to be had at y^t time) making great sute to haue his licence to go & see her hus∣band, and to helpe him with such things as he lacked. Nay quoth the B. thy husband is acquainted with all the here∣tikes that be in the Realme,* 1.2 both on this side the Sea and beyond, and yet will he vtter none of them. Alas my Lord quoth she, my husband was neuer beyond the seas, nor no great trauailer in the Realme to be so acquainted, therfore good my Lord let me goe see him. But all her earnest sute from day to day would not help, but still he put her of, har∣ping always vpon this string: thy husband wil vtter no∣thing. At the last, she finding him in the court at s. Iames going toward his chamber, was so bold to take him by y^e ratchet and say: O my Lord, these 18. dayes I haue trou∣bled your Lordship: now for the loue of God, and as euer ye came of a woman, put me of no longer, but let me go to my husband.* 1.3 And as she was standing with the Bishop & his men, in a blynd corner goyng to his chamber, one of the kings seruantes called Henry Carrike, and her nexte neighbor, chanced to be by: & hearing the talke betweene the B. and her, desired his Lordship to be good Lord vnto the poore woman, which had her owne mother lying be∣dred vpon her hands, beside 5. or 6. children. I promise you quoth the B. her husband is a great heretike, & hath reade more scripture then any man in the Realme hath done. I cannot tel my Lord, quoth Carrike, what he is inwardly, but outwardly he is as honest a quiet neighbour as euer I dwelt by. He will tell nothing quoth the B. He know∣eth a great sort of false harlots, and will not vtter thē. Yes my Lord quoth Carrike, he will tell, I dare say, for hee is an honest man. Well, quoth the B. (speaking to the wyfe) thou seemest to be an honest woman, and if thou loue thy husband well, go to him, and geue him good counsayle, to vtter such naughty felowes as he knoweth, and I promise thee he shall haue what I can doe for him: for I doe fansie him well for his Art, wherin he had pleased me as well as any man: and so stepping into his chamber, said she shold haue his letter to the keper.* 1.4 But his mynd being changed he sent out his ring by a Gentleman, which Gentleman deliuered the ring to his man, charging him with the Bi∣shops message. And so his man went with the wo∣man to the water side, & tooke boat, who neuer rested ray∣ling on her husband all the way, till they came to y^e prison: which was no small crosse vnto the poore woman.

And when they were come to the Marshalsey: the mes∣senger shewed the B. ring to the Porter, saying: Maister Stokes, my Lord willeth you by this token, that ye suffer this woman to haue recourse to her husband: but he strait¦ly chargeth you, that ye search her both comming & going least she bring or cary any letters to or fro, & that she bryng no body vnto him, nor no word from no mā. Gods bloud quoth the Porter (who was a foule swearer) what wil my Lord haue me to do?* 1.5 Can I let her to bring word from a∣ny man? Either let her go to her husband, or let her not go for I see nothyng by him but an honest man. The poore woman fearing to be repulsed, spake the Porter faire, say∣ing: Good maister be content, for I haue found my Lorde very good Lord vnto me. This yong man is but the Gen∣tlemans seruant which brought the ring from my Lord, & I thinke doth his message a great deale more straiter then my Lord commanded the Gentleman, or that the Gentle∣man his maister commanded him. But neuerthelesse good M. quoth she, I shal be content to strip my selfe before you both commyng and goyng,* 1.6 so farre as any honest woman may do with honesty. For I entend no such thyng, but on∣ly to comfort and helpe my husband. Then the Messenger sayd no more, but went his way, leauing the womā there, who from that tyme forth, was suffered to come and go at her pleasure.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Marbeckes wife sueth to Win∣chester for her husband.
• * 1.2

  Marbeckes wife denyed a great whyle to goe to her husband.
• * 1.3

  Winches•••••• argument▪ He hath read much Scripture Ergo▪ he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Henry C••••••ricke play∣eth the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a good neighb••••••.
• * 1.4

  Marbec•••••• wife per∣mitted at last to go 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her husband
• * 1.5

  Like 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man.
• * 1.6

  The part 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good 〈…〉〈…〉.