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.

The vniust execution and Martyrdome of foure burned at S. Edmunds Bury.

IN this yeare aforesaide, which was the last of Queene Maries raigne, D. Hopton beyng B. of Norwich,* 1.1 and D. Spenser bearing the roume of his Chauncellor, about S. Iames tyde, at S. Edmunds bury, were wrongfully put to death foure christian martyrs, to wit:

• ...Iohn Cooke a Sawyer.
• ...Rob. Myles aliâs Plummer, a Shereman.* 1.2
• ...Alexander Lane a Wheelewright.
• ...Iames Ashley, a Bacheler.

The examination of these forenamed persones, beyng seuerally called before the B. of Norwich, & Sir Edward Walgraue with others, was partly vppon these articles followyng.

First,* 1.3 sir Edward Walgraue called Ioh. Cooke to him and said: How fortuneth it, that you go not to church?

Iohn Cooke sayd: I haue bene there.

Sir Edward said:* 1.4 what is the cause that you goe not thither now in these dayes?

Iohn Cooke said, because the sacrament of the aultare is an abhominable Idol, and (saith he) the vengeaunce of God will come vpon all them that do maintaine it.

Sir Edward said: O thou ranke traitor, if I had as good commission to cut out thy tong, as I haue to sit here this day, thou shouldst be sure to haue it cut out. Then cō∣manded he the Constable to haue him away, saying: hee was both a traitor and a rebell.

Then he called Rob. Myles, and said:* 1.5 How fortuneth it that you go not to the church?

Rob. Myles answered, because I will follow no false Gods.

Then said the B. who told thee that it is a God?

Then said Myles: Euen you and such as you are.

Then the B. commaunded him aside, & to appeare be∣fore hym the next day.

Then he called Alexan. Lane before him,* 1.6 & asked him how it chanced that he would not go to the church?

He sayd that his conscience would not serue him so to doe.

Then sir Edward said: How doest thou beleeue.

Then said Lane, euen as it is written in Gods booke.

Then sir Edward commanded him to say his beliefe.

Then the said Lane being somewhat abashed, said his beliefe to these words, which he missed vnwares: Borne of the virgin Mary.

Then sir Edward said: What, was he not born of the virgin Mary?

Yes, sayd Lane, I would haue said so.

[illustration]

Foure burned at S. Edmondsbury.

Nay, said sir Edward, you are one of Cookes scholers and so commanded him away,* 1.7 and to come before him the next day.

* 1.8After the lyke maner they passed also with Iames Ash∣ley, whom they warned the next day likewyse to appeare before them againe. So in fine they appearing againe, had their condemnatiō. And thus these foure blessed Martyrs & seruants of Christ, innocently suffred together at s. Ed∣mundsbury, as is aforesayd, about the beginnyng of Au∣gust, not long before the sicknes of Queene Mary.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The story of 4. Martyrs in Suffolke.
• * 1.2

  Martyrs.
• * 1.3

  Syr Edward Walgraue persecutour.
• * 1.4

  Examinatiō of Iohn Cooke.
• * 1.5

  Examinatiō of Robert Milles.
• * 1.6

  Examinatiō of Alexan∣der Lane.
• * 1.7

  Anno 1558. Nouem.
• * 1.8

  Examinati∣•••••• I••mes 〈◊〉〈◊〉.