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.

Seuen godlye Martyrs, v. women and ij. men, burned at Maidstone for the word of truth, and professing of sincere religion of Christ.

I Shewed a litle before, how after the vnmerciful procla∣mation was sent & set forth by the K. and Quene, in the month of Febr. last, the storme of persecution began in all places to rise (whereof some part also is declared before:) but yet in no place more thē in y^e country & dioces of Cāt. by reason of certaine the aforesaid inquisitors, being now armed w^t authority, but especially by reasō of Ric. Thorn∣ton Suffragan of Douer, and the Archd. of Cant. who of their owne nature were so furious and fierye against the harmles flocke of Christ, y^t there was no nede of any pro∣clamation to stir vp the coles of their burning crueltie: by reason wherof many a godly Saint lieth slaine vnder the altare: as in diuers places of this booke wel may appeare.

And now to returne to the said dioces of Cant. againe, in the next moneth following, being y^e month of Iune, the 18. day of the same, were 7. Christian & true faithfull mar∣tirs of christ burned at Maidst. whose names here folow.

Ioane Bradbridge of Stapleherst. Walter Appelbie of Maidstone. Petronil his wife. Edmund Alen of Fri∣tenden. Katherine his wife. Ioane Mannings wyfe of Maidstone. Elizabeth a blinde Maiden.

As concerning the generall Articles commonly obiec∣ted to them in the publicke Consistory, & the order of theyr cōdemnation, it differeth not much from the vsuall maner expressed before, pag. 1585. neither did their aunsweares in effect much differre from the other that suffered vnder the same Ordinarie in the foresaid dioces of Canterburie.

Now as touching their accusers, and maner of appre∣hension, and their priuate cōflicts with the aduersaries, I finde no great matter comming to my hands, saue only of Edmund Alen some intimation is geuē men, how his tro∣bles came, what was his cause and aunsweres before the Iustices, as here consequently ye shall vnderstand.

Notes

• Iune. 18.
• Richard Thorn∣ton, Nicholas Hartsfield, per∣secutor••.
• The names of the Martyrs.