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 Oration of Queene Marie in the Guild Hall.

I Am come vnto you in mine own person, to tel you that,* 1.1 which already you see and know, that is, how traiterously and rebelli∣ously, a number of Kentish mē haue assembled them selues against both vs and you. Their pretence (as they sayde at the first) was for a mariage determined for vs: to the which, and to all the Articles therof ye haue bene made priuie. But sithens we haue caused cer∣taine of our priuie Counsaile to goe againe vnto them, and to de∣maunde the cause of this their rebellion, and it appeared then vn∣to our sayde Counsel,* 1.2 that the matter of the mariage seemed to be but as a Spanish cloake to couer their pretenced purpose against our religion, so that they arrogantly and traiterously demaunded to haue the gouernance of our person, the keeping of the Tower, and the placing of our Counsailers.

Nowe louing subiectes, what I am ye right well knowe, I am your Queene, to whome at my Coronation when I was wedded to the Realme, and lawes of the same (the spousall Ring wherof I haue on my finger, which neuer hetherto was, nor heereafter shall be left off) you promised your allegeaunce and obedience vnto me. And that I am the right, and true inheritour of the crowne of this Realme of England I take all Christendome to witnesse. My Father, as ye all know, possessed the same regall state, which nowe rightly is descended vnto me: and to him alwaies ye shewed your selues most faithfull and louing subiectes, and therefore I doubte not, but ye will shew your selues likewise to me, and that yee will not suffer a vile Traitour to haue the order & gouernance of our person, and to occupie our estate, especially being so vile a Tray∣tor as Wyat is. Who most certainly as he hath abused mine igno∣rant subiects, which be on his side,* 1.3 so doth he entend and purpose the destruction of you, and spoile of your goodes. And this I say to you in the woorde of a Prince, I can not tel how naturally the mother loueth the childe, for I was neuer the mother of anye, but certainely, if a Prince and gouernour maye as naturally and ear∣nestly loue her subiectes, as the Mother doeth the Childe, then as∣sure your selues, that I being your Ladie and Maistres, doe as ear∣nestly and as tenderly loue & fauour you. And I thus louing you, cannot but thinke that yee as heartely and faithfully loue me, and then I doubt not, but we shall geue these rebelles a short & spee∣dy ouerthrow.

As concerning the Mariage, ye shall vnderstand that I enter∣prised not the doing thereof without aduise, and that by the ad∣uice of all our priuie Counsell, who so considered and wayed the great commodities that might ensue thereof, that they not onely thought it very honorable, but also expediēt, both for the wealth of the Realme, and also of you our Subiects. And as touching my selfe, I assure you, I am not so bente to my will, neither so precise, nor affectionate, that either for mine own pleasure,* 1.4 I wold chuse where I lust, or that I am so desirous, as needes I would haue one. For God I thanke him, to whome bee the praise therefore, I haue hetherto liued a Virgin, and doubt nothing, but with Gods grace am able so to liue stil. But if as my progenitors haue done before, it might please God that I might leaue some fruit of my body be∣hinde me, to be your Gouernour, I trust you would not onely re∣ioyce therat, but also I know it would be to your great comforte. And certainely, if I either did thinke or knowe, that this Mariage were to the hurt of any of you my Commons, or to the empeach∣ment of any part or parcel of the royall state of this realme of En∣gland, I would neuer consent therunto, neither wold I euer mary while I liued. And in the word of a Queene I promise you, that if it shall not probably appeare to all the Nobilitie and Commons in the highe Court of Parliament, that thys Marryage shall be for

the high benefit & cōmoditie of all the whole Realme, then I wil abstaine from Mariage while I liue.

And now good Subiects, plucke vp your hearts, and like true men,* 1.5 stande fast against these rebels, both our enemies and yours, and feare them not: for I assure you I feare them nothing at all, And I will leaue with you my Lord Haward, & my Lord Treaso∣ror, who shalbe assistants with the Mayor for your defence.

¶Here is to be noted, that at the comming of Queene Mary to the Guild hall, being bruted before that shee was comming w^t harnessed men, such a feare came among them that a number of the Londiners fearing least they shoulde be there intrapped & put to death, made out of the gate be∣fore her entring in. Furthermore note, that when shee had ended her Oration (which she semed to haue perfectly con∣ned without booke) Winchester standing by her, when the Oration was done, with great admiration cried to y^e peo∣ple: O how happy are we, to whom God hath geuen such a wise and learned Prince. &c.

Two dayes after, whiche was the 3. of Februarie, the L. Cobham was committed to the Tower,* 1.6 and M. Wyat entred into Southwarke. Who, for so muche as he coulde not enter y^t way into London, returning another way by Kingstone with his army, came vp through the streetes to Ludgate, and returning thence, hee was resisted at Tem∣ple barre,* 1.7 and there yealded himself to Sir Clement Par∣son, and so was brought by him to the Courte, & with hym the residue of his armye (for before, Sir George Harpar & almost halfe of his men ran awaye from him at Kingstone bridge) were also taken,* 1.8 and aboute an 100. killed, and they that were taken were had to prisone, and a great manye of them were hanged, and he himselfe afterwarde executed at the Tower hill, and then quartered, whose heade after be∣ing set vp vpon Haihil,* 1.9 was thence stolne away, and great search made for the same. Of which story ye shal here more (the Lord willing) heereafter.

The 12. day of February was beheaded the lady Iane, to whom was sent M. Fecknam, alias Howman, from the Queene 2. dayes before her deathe,* 1.10 to commune wyth her, and to reduce her from the doctrine of Christe, to Queene Maries religion. The effect of which communication here followeth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Queene Maryes Oration to the Londoners.
• * 1.2

  Demaundes pretended to be sent from M. Wyat and hys company to Queene Mary.
• * 1.3

  How he pre∣tended the spoyle of theyr goodes it appea∣reth in that he comming to Southwa••ke, did hurt neither man, woman, nor childe, ney∣ther in body no•• in a penny of their goodes.
• * 1.4

  Q. Mary excu∣seth her mary∣age.
• * 1.5

  The promise of Queene Mary touching her Maryage.
• * 1.6

  February 3. M. Wyat in southwarke.
• * 1.7

  M. Wyat came to Ludgate.
• * 1.8

  M. Wyat appre∣hended at Tem∣plebar.
• * 1.9

  M. Wyat execu∣ted.
• * 1.10

  February 12.