This account first appeared in the 1573 edition and remained unchanged in subsequent editions. It is based on official records sent to Foxe, some of which survive among Foxe's papers.
THese foresayd monethes of September, Nouember, and Decemb. as they were troublesome to diuers other places, and especially to the dioces of Caunterbury by reason of the Archdeacon aboue named: MarginaliaR. Bane, Docter Draycot his Chaūcellor in Lichfield, cruel persecutors.so likewise they brought no litle busines in the countrey of Lichfield and Couentrey by a cruell Bishop there called Rafe Bane, and a more cruell Chaūcellor named Doct. Draycot, through þe fierce inquisition of whom great stirre was there among the people, being called to examination for their fayth, & many caused to beare fagots. Who although they were not put to þe torment of death, yet because it may appeare what a number there is in the countreyes of Englād abroad, which in theyr hartes haue a misliking of þe popes romish lawes and religion, if for feare they durst vtter theyr mynds, I thought to make a rehearsall of theyr names which in the aforesayd dioces of Couētry and Lichfield were taken in suspicion and examined for theyr religion.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaThe names of thē þt bare fagots in þe diocese of Lichfield and Couentry.And first amongest them that were detected and inioyned to the popish penance, that is, to beare a fagot, candell, and beades about in procession, were Agnes Forman,
Was she a relative of the martyr John Foreman?.
The abjuration of Robert Byssel, M. A., of Birmingham, of his heretical opinions, especially his denial of the Real Presence survives in Foxe's papers: BL, Harley MS 421, fo. 83r.
The abjuration of Leonard West, parson of Little Packington, for his heresies, especially describing the mass as abominable, survives among Foxe's papers: BL, Harley MS 421, fo. 84r.
Articles objected against Richard Bayly of Whitacre, including his denial of the Real Presence and his denial of the power of the priest to absolve sin, survives among Foxe's papers: BL, Harley 421, fo. 87r-v.
MarginaliaThe names of thē which were troubled there, and bare no fagots.Beside these were diuers other which in like sorte were detected, accused, & examined, although they bare no fagot, but were dimissed, as Richard Kemp, Iohn Frankling, William Marler, Ielius Dudley, Eustache Bysacre, William Shene, Antony Afterwittel, Thomas Steylbe, Henry Birdlim, William Mosley, Iohn Leech, Iohn Richardson, Antony Iones, alias Pulton, Thomas Wylson, Thomas Lynacres, and Hugh Lynacres hys son, Isabel Parker, Martine Newman, William Enderby, Cicely Preston, Thomas Saulter, Iohn Stamford Shomaker, Richard Wodburne, Thomas Arnal Shomaker, Iohn Robynson, Hugh Moore Shomaker, Iohn Adale, Thomas Arch, Fraūces Warde, Iohn Auines, Richard Foxal, Thomas Vnderdoune, Richard Weuer.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaIoyce Martyred hereafter.The next moneth following, being October, came vnder examination Ioyce Lewes gentlewoman, of whom we differ to speake vntil the next yeare, at what tyme she was burned?
These fornamed persons with many mo following in the next yeare after, although they did subscribe and relent through feare of death: yet for this cause I do here recite them that by them it might appeare, what a nūber there were not only in þe countrey of Lichfield, but also in other parties in hart set agaynst the Popes
[Back to Top]procedinges, if that feare rather then conscience had not compelled them to the contrary.
This account first appears in the 1570 edition and was reprinted without change in subsequent editions. It was a difficult account for Foxe to write. On the one hand, Cheke had played a crucial role in the Edwardian reformation at Cambridge and he was a close friend and associate of Foxe's patron William Cecil. (See Stephen Alford, Kingship and Politics in the Reign of Edward VI [Cambridge: 2002}, pp. 126-28, 142-43 and 145). On the other hand, Cheke's recantation wasa major embarrassment for English protestants and encouraged other protestants to recant (Cal. State Papers Venetian, VI, p. 690). The incident was too well-known forFoxe to ignore but he treated it tactfully and relatively briefly. Furthermore, although copies of Cheke's recantation and of Feckenham's oration at the recantation survive among Foxe's papers (Inner Temple Library, Petyt MS 538/47, fos. 390r-391v); Foxe never printed them.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaThe conclusion of the xj. Booke.ANd thus haue ye the whole persecution of this yeare declared, which was the yeare of our Lord. 1556. and the fourth of Queene Maryes reigne, with the names and causes of all them which suffered Martyrdome within the cōpasse of þe said yeare: the number of all which slayne and martyred in diuers places of England at sundry tymes this yeare came to aboue. 84. persons,Marginalia84. Martyrs and aboue in thys yeare 1556. put to death in thys realme. wherof many were womē, wiues, widowes and maydens: besides them which otherwise by secret practise were made away, or driuen out of goodes and houses, or out of the realme, or els within the realme, were put to penaunce, and coacted by forceable violence to recant, saue onely that I haue omitted the story of Syr Iohn Cheeke, Knight, and scholemaster sometymes to kyng Edward. The worthynes of whiche man deserueth much to be sayd: but his fall would rather be couered in silence and obliuion. Onely to note a word or two of a few thinges to the present story most principally appertayning, it shall suffice.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaA briefe declaration of M. Cheekes recantation.First, M. Cheeke beyng in þe countrey of Germany out of all daūger of persecution, with many moe of his owne countreymen and acquaintance, was not only in safetie, but also with reputation accordingly estemed among the Germanes, and also well placed in the Citie of Strausbourgh. Where if he had contented him selfe to haue remained, rather giuyng place to tyme, then to presume vpō aduentures, peraduenture it had ben better wt him. But what fatall instigation wrought in his mind, I know not. In the end so it fell, that he would nedes take his iourney with Syr Peter Carew frō hye Germany vnto Bruxels, and that (as I haue credibly heard of them which knew somewhat) MarginaliaAstrologie.not without the forecastyng of his aduentured iourney by the constellation of starres and disposition of the heauēs aboue. For as he was a man famously expert and trauayled in the knowledge of sundry artes & sciences: so was he a litle to much addicted to the curious practising of this stardiuinitie, which we call Astrologie. But how soeuer it was, or whatsoeuer it was that the starres did promise him, truth was, that mē here in earth kept litle promise with him. For hauyng (as it is sayd) kyng Philippes safeconduct to passe and repasse, & that by the meanes (as I finde) of the lord Paget and Sir Iohn Mas. pledging for hys safegarde K. Philips fidelitie, he came to Bruxels to see the Queenes Ambassadours, and hauing brought the lord Paget on his way towarde England, MarginaliaM. Cheeke, and Syr Peter Carew apprehended in their iourney to Antwerpe.in the returne betwene Bruxels and Antwarpe was taken with Sir Peter Carew by the Prouost Marshal, spoyled of their horses, and clapped into a carte, their legges, armes, and bodies tyed with halters to the body of the carte, and so shipped, beyng blyndfield vnder the hatches, and so brought to the Tower of London.
For a discussion of Cheke's arrest and the legal issues involved see D. M. Loades, 'The Press under the Early Tudors,' Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society 4 (1964), 40-41.
Thus the good man being intrapped, & in the hands now of his enemies, had but one of these two waies to take, either to change his religiō, or to change his life. Other remedy with those holy Catholickes there was none. Neyther could his conscience excuse hym, nor truth defend him, nor learnyng helpe him.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaM. Fecknam speaketh for M. Cheeke.Albeit M. Fecknam, whether by the Queene suborned, or vpon his owne deuotion and frendship toward his old acquayntance, tooke vpon him the defence and commendation of M. Cheeke, speaking in hys behalfe: yet no mercy could be had with þe Queene, but he must nedes recant, & so dyd he. The copy of whose recantation prescribed vnto hym, because it is knowne and in the handes of diuers, it nedeth not here to be expressed.
It is rather surprising that Cheke's recantation was never printed as Northumberland's had been; this comment suggests that manuscript copies were circulated.