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 effect of my examination and handling since my departure from Newgate.

ON Tuesday I was sent from Newgate to the sign of the crowne,* 1.1 where as M. Rich and the B. of London with all their power and flattering words, went about to persuade me from God: but I did not esteme their glosing pretences.

Then came there to me Nich. Shaxton, and counsel∣led me to recant as he had done. I sayd to hym, that it had bene good for him, neuer to haue bene borne, with many other like wordes. Then M. Rich sent me to the Tower, where I remayned till three a clocke.

Then came Rich and one of the Counsell, charging me vpon my obedience,* 1.2 to shew vnto them if I knew any mā or woman of my secte. My aunswere was, that I knewe none. Then they asked me of my Lady Suffolke, my La∣dy of Sussex, my Lady of Hertford, my Lady Denny, and my Lady Fitzwilliams. I said, if I should pronounce any thing against them, that I were not able to proue it. Then sayd they vnto me, that the kyng was informed, that I

could name if I would, a great number of my secr. I aun∣swered, that the kyng was as well deceiued in that behalf, as dissembled with in other matters.

Then commanded they me to shew how I was main∣tayned in the Counter, and who willed me to sticke to my opinion, I sayd that there was no creature that therin did strengthen me. And as for the help that I had in the coun∣ter, it was by the means of my mayde. For as she went a∣broad in the streetes, she made mone to the prentises, and they by her did send me money: but who they were I ne∣uer knew.

Then they sayde, that there were diuers Gentlewo∣men that gaue me money,* 1.3 but I knew not their names. Then they sayd that there were diuers Ladies that had sent me money. I aunswered, that there was a man in a blew coate, which deliuered me x. shillings, and sayd that my Lady of Hertford sent yt me. And an other in a violet coat gaue me viij. shillings, and sayd my lady Denny sen•• it me. Whether it were true or no, I cannot tell. For I am not sure who sent it me, but as the mayd did say. Thē they sayd, there were of the Counsell that did maintayne me. And I sayd no.

* 1.4Then they did put me on the racke, because I confes∣sed no Ladies or Gentlewomen to be of my opinion, and thereon they kept me a long tyme. And because I lay still and did not cry, my Lord Chancellour and M. Rich, tooke paynes to racke me with theyr owne handes,* 1.5 tyll I was nigh dead.

Then the Lieftenaunt caused me to be loosed from the racke. Incontinently I swounded, and then they recoue∣red me agayne. After that I sate two long houres reaso∣ning with my Lord Chauncellour vppon the bare floore, whereas he with many flattering wordes,* 1.6 perswaded me to leaue my opinion. But my Lord God (I thanke his e∣uerlasting goodnes) gaue me grace to perseuer, and wil do (I hope) to the very end.

Then was I brought to an house, and layd in a bedde, with as weary and paynefull bones, as euer had pacient Iob, I thanke my Lord God therefore. Then my Lorde Chauncellour sent me worde if I would leaue my opini∣on,* 1.7 I should want nothing: If I would not, I shoulde forth to Newgate, and so be burned. I sent him agayne word, that I would rather die, then to breake my fayth.

Thus the Lord open the eyes of their blinde hartes, that the truth may take place. Farewell deare friend, and pray, pray, pray.

Touching the order of her racking in the Tower, thus it was.* 1.8 First, she was led downe into a dungeon, where Syr Anthony Kneuet the Liuetenant commaunded hys Gaoler to pinche her with the racke. Which beyng done so much as he thought sufficient, went about to take her downe, supposing he had done enough. But Wrisley the Chauncellour not contented that she was loosed so soone confessing nothing, commaunded the Lieftenant to streine her on the racke agayne. Which because he denyed to doe, tenderyng the weakenes of the woman, he was threatned therefore grieuously of the sayd Wrisley,* 1.9 saying, that hee would signifie hys disobedience vnto the kyng: and so cō∣sequently vpon the same, he and M. Riche throwyng of their gownes, would needes play the tormenters them∣selues: first asking her if she were with child. To whome she aunswering agayne, sayd: ye shall not neede to spare for that, but do you willes vpon me: and so quietly and patiently prayeng vnto the Lord: she aboade their tiran∣ny, till her bones and ioints almost were pluckt a sunder, in such sort, as she was caried away in a chaire. When the racking was past, Wrisley and his fellow tooke theyr horse toward the Court.

In the meane tyme, while they were making their way by land,* 1.10 the good Lieftenant eftsoones taking boate, spedde hym in all hast to the Court, to speake with the kyng be∣fore the other, and so dyd. Who there makyng his humble sute to the Kyng, desired his pardon, and shewed hym the whole matter as it stoode, and of the rackyng of Mistresse Askew, and how he was threatened by the Lord Chaun∣cellour, because at his commaundement, not knowyng his highnesse pleasure, he refused to racke her: whiche he for compassion could not finde in his hart to do, and there∣fore hūbly craued his highnes pardō. Which when the K. had vnderstand,* 1.11 seemed not very well to like of their so ex∣treme handlyng of the woman, and also graunted to the Lieftenant his pardon, willing him to returne and see to hys charge.

Great expectation was in the meane season among the Warders and other officers of the Tower, waiting for his returne. Whom when they saw come so cheerefully, decla∣ring vnto them how he had sped with the king, they were not a little ioyous, and gaue thanks to God therfore.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The cruell handling and racking of Anne Askew after her condemnation.
• * 1.2

  This Counceller was Syr Iohn Baker. Anne Askew vrged to accuse others.
• * 1.3

  Anne Askew refuseth to ac∣cuse any.
• * 1.4

  Anne Askew put on the racke.
• * 1.5

  Wrysley and Riche racking Anne Askew.
• * 1.6

  Anne Askew constant in her fayth.
• * 1.7

  Anne Askew threatned to be burned.
• * 1.8

  The order of the racking of Anne Askew.
• * 1.9

  The L. Wrisley and M. Riche play the tormē∣tours.
• * 1.10

  Wrisley the L. Chauncelour preuented by the Lieutenaunt.
• * 1.11

  The Liuetenaūt pardoned of the king.