Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 2] 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.

¶Fiue famished in Caunterbury Castell, by the vnmercifull tyrannie of the Papistes about the beginning of Nouember.

AS among all the Bishops, Boner bishop of London, principally excelled in persecuting the poore members and Saintes of Christe:* 1.1 so of all Archdeacons Nicholas Harpesfield Archdeacon of Cāterburie (as may by mans sight appeare) was the forest, and of least compassion) on∣ly Dunning of Norwich excepted) by whose vnmercifull nature, and agrest disposition, verye many were putte to death in that dioces of Canterbury, not onely in the blou∣dy time of that Queene, but some also in the blessed begin∣ning of this our moste renowmed Queene that nowe is, as by the grace of Christ heereafter shall appeare.

* 1.2Of those that suffered in Queene Maries time within the foresayd diocesse of Canterburie, some be recited alrea∣dy, with the order and fourme set downe of suche Articles as then were most commōly ministred to the examinates by Thorneton, Suffragane of Douer, and the sayde Ni∣cholas Harpsefielde and other, as before in the volume of this hystorie may appeare, pag. 1683. Now to proceede in the order and course of time where we left, next followeth the moneth of Nouember.

In the beginning whereof were together in the Ca∣stell of Caunterburie 15. godly and innocent Martyrs, of which number, not one escaped with theyr life, but either were burned,* 1.3 or els were famished in prisone. Of y^t which two sortes, which is the easier death: God knoweth it is hard to iudge. Notwithstāding, the truth is, that of these 15.10. were burned and suffered in the fire, of whom in the next booke more shall follow hereafter, the Lord willing. The other 5. were pined and famished most vnmercifully in the straite prisone, of whome we haue heere presently to entreate. Whose names were these.

Whiche two were yet vn∣condemned.

• * 1.41. Iohn Clearke.
• 2. Dunston Chittenden.

These were condemned to bee burnt.

• 3. W. Foster of Stone.
• 4. Alice Potkins wife, of Stapleherst.
• 5. Iohn Archer of Cranbroke, wea∣uer.

Of these 5. prisonners, the firste two were vncondem∣ned, the other thre last were condemned, and should haue bene burned, but suffered no lesse tormentes then if they had abidde the fire, being macerate and pined to death by famine. What theyr articles and answers were, it needeth not heere to recite,* 1.5 seeing all they, in that time of Queene Mary, commonly suffered for one maner & sort of cause, y^t is, for holding against the 7. Sacraments, against the re∣altie of Christes being in his supper, for speaking against the churche of Rome, and determinations of the same, a∣gainst Images set vp and woorshipped in the churche, for not comming to the church, and such other like. &c.

First, William Foster answearing to these and like ar∣ticles, sayde, that he beleeued well in all the Articles of the Creede:* 1.6 but to beleeue to be m0e Sacraments then two, and to pray to Saintes, either to profite vs, or to praye for soules in purgatorie to profit them, that faith and works doe iustifie, or to alow the popish ceremonies in y^e church, that he denied. Moreouer hee sayde, to carie Candels vp∣on Candelmasse daye, were as good for him as to carye a dungforke, and that it is as necessary to cary the galowes about, if his father were hanged, as the crosse. To come to the church he cannot, sayd he, with a safe conscience.* 1.7 Con∣cerning fish daies and flesh daies, hee graunted it good to put difference therein, except where necessity required the contrary.

This William Foster was a labouring man, of y^e age of xl. yeares. He was apprehended and imprisoned by Sir Thomas Moyle Knight.

Alice Potkins for the like confession, was condemned to be burned, for that she was not, neyther would be con∣fessed to the Priest, for that shee receiued not the sacrament of the aultare, because shee would not pray to saincts, nor creepe to the Crosse. &c. Being demaunded of her age, she sayde that shee was xlix. yeares olde according to her olde age, & according to her yong age, since she learned Christ, shee was of one yeares age, and was committed by mai∣ster Roberts to prisone.

The answer and confession of Iohn Archer of Cram∣broke, was muche in like sorte.* 1.8 And although certayne of these vpon ignorant simplicitie swarued a litle in y^e num∣ber of Sacraments, some graunting one sacrament, that is, the body of Christ hanging vpon the crosse, some moe, some lesse. &c. yet in the principal matter touching the doc∣trins of saluation for faith to stay vpon, and in disagreing from the dreaming determinations of the Popish church, they moste agreed. Concerning the not praying to saints, and for the deade in Purgatorie, for not creepynge to the crosse, for faith onely to iustifie, for taking of an oth & such other like, he graunted as the other had done. This father Archer, by his occupation a Weauer of the towne of Crā∣broke, of the age of 50. yeres, was attached and imprison∣ned by syr Iohn Gilforde knighte. And thus haue yee the cause and imprisonment of these 5. godly prisoners.* 1.9 Now as touching the cruelty of theyr death, for that yee shal not surmise the suspicion or relation thereof to proceede of my selfe, ye shall heare theyr own testimonie and certification by their owne letter thrown out of the prison concerning the vnmercifull dealing of the Catholicke tyrantes in fa∣mishing them, as is aforesayde. The woordes and copye of theyr letter is this.

The copie of a Letter wrytten and cast out of the Ca∣stle of Cant. by the prisoners there in bands for Gods word▪ declaring how the Papistes went aboute to famishe them to death: of the which companie fiue were famished amongest them all ready.

BE it knowen to all men that shall read,* 1.10 or heare redde these our letters, that we the pore prisoners of y^e Castle of Canterburie for Gods truth, are kept and lie in cold y∣rons, & our keepers wil not suffer any meat to be brought to vs to comfort vs. And if any man do bring any thyng, as bread, butter, cheese, or any other foode, the saide keeper wil charge them that so bring vs any thing, except mony or raiment, to carie it with them againe, or els if he do re∣ceiue any foode of any for vs, he doeth keepe it for himself, and he and his seruaunts do spend it, so that we haue no∣thing thereof: and thus the keeper keepeth away our vic∣tuals from vs. In so muche that there are 4. of vs prison∣ners there for Gods truthe, famished already, and thus is it his minde to famish vs all: and we thinke he is apoyn∣ted thereunto of the Bishops and priestes, and also of the iustices, so to famish vs, and not onely vs of the saide Ca∣stel, but also all other prisoners in other prisons for y^e lyke cause to be also famished: notwithstanding we wryte not these our letters, to that entent we moughte not aforde to be famished for the Lord Iesus sake, but for this cause and entent, that they hauing no law so to famish vs in prison, should not doe it priuely, but that the murtherers heartes should be openly knowen to all the world, that all menne may know of what church they are, & who is their father.

Out of the Castel of Canterburie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈…〉〈…〉 Dūning, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 persecutors.
• * 1.2

  Persecution in Kent.
• * 1.3

  •••• Martyrs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 confes∣s•••••• toge∣ther 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Can∣terbury.
• * 1.4

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.5

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.6

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.7

  Carying about the Crosse. Necessitye al∣wayes excused in matters in∣different. W. Foster ap∣prehended by Syr Thomas Moyle.

  Mother Pot∣kins Martyr, troubled by W. Robertes. Alice Potkins in Christ but one yeare olde.
• * 1.8

  The aunswere of Iohn Archer Martyr.
• * 1.9

  Syr Iohn Gil∣ford committed Father Archer to prison.
• * 1.10

  The prisoners letter, declaring how they were handled and fa∣mished in pri∣son.