This account is almost entirely based on Conrad Hubert's volume on the exhumation, burning and reinterment of the bodies of Martin Bucer and Paul Fagius in Cambridge and of Catherine Martyr in Oxford, the Historia vera de vita, obitu, sepultra condemnatione, exhumatione D. Martin Buceri et Pauli Fagii (Strasburg: 1562). This book was almost instantly translated into English: A briefe treatise concerning the burnynge of Bucer and Phagius, trans. Arthur Golding (London: 1562), STC 3966.
[Back to Top]In the 1563 edition, Golding's translation was simply reprinted. (Interestingly, although a manuscript copy of sections of the the Historia vera survives among Foxe's papers - BL, MS Lansdowne 388, fos. 251r-319v - and although Foxe unquestionably consulted the Historia vera - the 1563 account is not a fresh translation of the Historia vera but a very faithful reprinting of Golding's translation). Foxe also included a poem on Bucer by John Redman and an account of the exhumation of Catherine Martyr's body which he translated from the Historia vera. (Golding had not included this in his translation).
[Back to Top]In the 1570 edition, Foxe once again reprinted Golding's translation but deleted substantial portions of it. Some of this material was removed because it was inflamatory or offended powerful people, and some it was probably judged superflous and too concerned with the parochial affairs of Cambridge University. A large section dealing with the reinterment of Bucer and Fagius was dropped, probably because it took up too much paper, especially in view of the material added to this edition . This material seems to have been drawn from official records of the exhumation, which were probably kept at Lambeth Palace and sent to Foxe by Matthew Parker.
[Back to Top]No changes were made to this account in the 1576 edition. In the 1583 edition, Foxe reprinted the material on the reinterment of Bucer and Fagius which had last appeared in the 1563 edition.
MarginaliaAnno. 1557. Ianuary. 9.MarginaliaVisitation at Cambridge, with the burning of Martin Bucer, and Paulus Phagius bones.CArdinal Poole, thre yeares after his returne into England, hauyng somewhat withdrawen his mind from other affaires of the Realme, and hauing in all points established the Romishe Religion, began to haue an eye to the Vniuersitie of Cambridge, which place among other, especially seemed to haue nede of reformation out of hand. MarginaliaThe Inquisitors.To performe this charge, were chosen Cuthbert Scot, not long before consecrated Bishop of Chester, Nicolas Ormanet an Italian, Archpriest of the the people of Bodolon,
Bovolone.
These persons thus appointed (in the meane while as the visitours were addressing them selues to their iourney) MarginaliaA Citation sent before Doct. Andrewe Perne Vicechauncellor.sent their letters with þe Cardinals Citation before to Doct. Andrew Perne Vicechauncellour then of Cambridge, with the other Cōmissioners associate, commaundyng him to warne all the Graduates of the Vniuersitie in their name, to be in a readynes agaynst the. xj. day of Ianuary betwixt viij. and x. of the clocke in the Church of S. Mary the virgin: willyng him especially to be there him selfe in presence, and also to set forward all the residue to whose charge it belōged, that
[Back to Top]they should search out all Statutes, Bookes, Priuileges, and Monumentes apperteinyng to the Vniuersitie, or to anye of the Colledges, or finally to any of thē selues, and there to present the same before them at the day appointed, and euery man to appeare there personally: for they would not fayle, but be there at þt same tyme, to lay before them such thynges as should seeme necessary to this charge of reformyng the Vniuersitie, and further to geue charge of all such things as should seeme most for the profite and behoofe of the same, together with such things as were to be done on their part, accordyng as should seeme most agreable to the Decrees of the Canon law.
[Back to Top]This Citation of the Cardinall being brought to Cābridge by M. Bullocke, was first exhibited in the Conuocation house of the Regentes, and there openly red by the Oratour of þe Vniuersitie the xj. day of Decēber.
This description of the establishment of the royal commissioners in Cambridge and their commission to investigate heresy in Cambridge was added in the 1570 edition and must have been drawn from official records of the visitation.
On Friday, the viij. of Ianuary, the Queenes Commissioners, videlicet, Doct Perne Vicechauncellour, Doct. Seghwicke, Doct. Haruy, M. Franck, Kust, & an other who is here nameles,
Surviving records reveal that the unnamed commissioner was Thomas Yale, who, at the time of the 1570 edition, was vicar-general of Canterbury and dean of the Arches [see the Oxford DNB]. It was undoubtedly Yale's prominence, and his close ties with Matthew Parker and Edmund Grindal, which induced Foxe to conceal his activities in Cambridge in 1557.
[Back to Top]We sayd at þe first, that þe Cardinall thought þe Vniuersitie to haue neede of reformation. MarginaliaThe cause why þe reformation was taken in hand.The reason why he should thinke so, was this: either because the same of long cōtinuaūce since any man could remēber, had cast of the yoke of þe B. of Rome. & cleaued to þe wholesome doctrine of þe Gospell, or els by reason that both for the late schisme, not yet worne out of memory, and for the doctrine of Martin Bucer, who not long before openly in the said Vniuersitie interpreted holy Scripture, they saw many so sore corrupted and spotted with this infection, that (euen as when a fire is spread in a towne) vnlesse a speedy remedy were adhibited out of hand, it were not possible, to their thinking, to quench it many yeares after. Who also feared (if it were not looked to in tyme) lest this mischief should take roote, and by litle and litle infect all the members next vnto it, which yet were whole and sound.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaThe comming of Inquisitors, and of their entertainment.This was the yeare of our Lord. 1556. To the entent therfore to make a salue for this sore, the Inquisitours, of whom we spake before, came vnto Cābridge the ninth day of Ianuary. As they were yet on their iourney, not farre from the towne, diuers of the Masters and Presidentes of the Colledges met them, and brought them courteously, first into the towne, and after to their lodgyng. They were entertained in Trintie Colledge by MarginaliaM. Christopherson Master of Trinitie Colledge, Byshop elect of Chichester.M. Iohn Christopherson Master of the same house, & lately before elected Byshop of Chichester. Notwithstāding they were desired, some to one place, & some to another, as occasion serued, either to do their duties, or to shew their good willes: Cole to the kinges Colledge, & D. Watson to S. Iohns. But whether it were for þe acquaintance of Christopherson, or for the largenes of the house, which semed most conue-
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