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IN the towne of Bedfield, and in the countie of Suffolk,* 1.1 was dwellyng a godly auncient Matrone named Eli∣zabeth Lawson, about the age of lx. yeares. This Eliza∣beth was apprehended as an heretike, by the Constables of the same towne, named Robert Kitrich,* 1.2 and Thomas Elas, in the yeare of our Lorde, 1556. because she woulde not go to Church to heare Masse, and receyue the Sacra∣ment, and beleeue in it.
First they layd her in a dungeon, and after that shee was caried vnto Norwich, and from thence to Bury Gaole, where at last she was condemned to be burnt. In ye mean tyme sir Iohn Sylliard had her home vnty hys house, hee beyng high Shiriffe that yere,* 1.3 where she was hardly kept and wrapped in irons, till at length when they by no wise could mooue her co recant, shee was sent to prison agayne with shamefull reuilings.
Thus she continued in prison the space of two yeares and three quarters. In the meane tyme there was burnt her sonne and many other, whereby she would often say: Good Lord,* 1.4 what is the cause that I may not yet come to thee with thy children? well, good Lord, thy blessed will be done, & not myne.
Not long after this, (most happily) followed ye death of Queene Mary, after whom succeded our Queene that now is. At which tyme this Elizabeth Lawson remained yet still in Bury prison, till at last she was bayled vppon sureties, or els she could not be deliuered. For she beyng a condemned person, neither the temporalty, nor yet spiritu∣all authoritie would discharge her without sureties.
Now she beyng abroad, and her sureties made afrayd by wicked men, sayd, they would cast her againe in prison, except she would see them discharged.
Then she got a supplication, to go vnto the Queenes maiestie,* 1.5 and came to a friend of hers to haue his counsail therein: who willed her to stay a while, because she was old, the dayes short, and the expenses great, and Winter fowle (for it was a little before Christmas) & to tary vn∣till Sommer. In the meane tyme God brake the bond, & shortened her iourney: for hee tooke her home to hymselfe out of this lyfe in peace.
This good old woman, long before she went to prison had the fallyng sicknesse,* 1.6 and told a friend of hers, one Sy∣mon Harlston, after she was apprehended, that she had it neuer more, but liued in good health & ioy of hart, through her Lord Christ.
She had a very vnkinde man to her husbande, who while shee was in prison, solde away her raimente, and would not helpe her, and after she was out of prison, shee returned home vnto him, yet would he shew her no kind∣nesse, nor helpe her neither: and yet the house & land that he dwelt in, he had by her, wherfore as long as she lyued, she was found of the congregation.
The said Elizabeth Lawson also had a sister, wyfe to one Rob. Hollon of Mickfield in the same countie of Suf∣folk, which likewise was persecuted and driuen out from house to house, & a yong man her sonne with her, because they would not go to the church to heare masse, & receyue the sacrament of the aultar.
Elizabeth Law∣son, Confessour.
Robert Kitrich, Tho. Elas, per∣secutours.
Syr Iohn Sylli∣arde Sh••r••ffe.
Elizabeth Law∣son in prison two yeares and three quarters.
Elizabeth Law∣son sory that shee was not burned.
Elizabeth Law∣son bayled vpon suretyes in Q. Elizabethes tyme.
Elizabeth Law∣son preserued from persecution ended her lyfe in peace.
Elizabeth Law∣son troubled with the falling sicknes, after her persecution ne∣uer felte it more.