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The woodcut of Latimer preaching before Edward VI had been used in John Day's 1562 edition of 27 sermons preached by the ryght reverende ... maister Hugh Latimer. (STC 15276) as a foldout in pt 1, after sig. D6. It was a misfit for a quarto volume, and when reused in 1571 in Day's Frutefull sermons, (STC 15277), was uncomfortably set sideways on f.22v, with its heading truncated and the image disappearing into the gutter. Possibly the block, which was the same size as the other large woodcuts in Foxe's work, was designed with that series in mind. The illustration of the outdoor pulpit constructed late in Henry VIII's reign in the Privy Garden of Whitehall is important as giving a clear and seemingly fairly accurate picture of this innovatory preaching centre. This outdoor pulpit erected in the heart of court life in the capital, with a capacity to accommodate a standing congregation of thousands (infinitely larger than that of the chapel royal), also provided for court attendance in an upper gallery or terrace and (under cover) in the council chamber that ran along one side. Edward VI appears at the open window of this projecting casement (for which new glass was provided in 1549) with three courtiers (possibly the foremost bearded figure represents the Duke of Somerset) on his right. Latimer, leaning, book in hand, on the carpeted side of the pulpit which was constructed at the centre of the courtyard and ornamented in the most à la mode renaissance style, is speaking directly to the royal group. Only two women can be made out in this vast throng: the seated woman with book on the pulpit step (something of a symbolic figure) and another standing among the select group in the pulpit, behind the listener who rests on his elbow. The accepted importance of preaching was recognized in a new way in this royal Sermon Court, which, unlike the celebrated pulpit at St Paul's and other old outdoor pulpits across the land, had no association with consecrated ground and burial of the dead. As one of the few illustrations in the Book of Martyrs that was not devoted to martyrs and their sufferings, this woodcut tells us as much about the role of preaching as that of Henry VIII suppressing the pope does about the biblical word. The labels for 'K. Edward' and 'M. Latimer', in italic in 1563 and 1570, were redone (still in italic) in 1576 and again (now in roman, with 'Mayster Latimer') in 1583.

MarginaliaM. Latymer preaching before Kyng Edward. MarginaliaThe diligent traueling of M. Latymer in K. Edwardes time.JN thys his paineful trauayle he occupied him self al King Edwardes daies, preachyng for the most part euery Sonday twise, to no small shame of al other loyteryng and vnpreachyng Prelates, which occupy great romes and do little good: and that so muche more to their shame, because he beyng a sore brused man by the fall of the Tree, mencioned a little before, and aboue. lxvii. yeares of age toke so little ease, and care of sparing himself, to do the people good. Not to speake here of his indefatigable trauayle and diligence in hys own priuate studies, who notwithstandyng both his yeares, and other paines in preaching, MarginaliaThe early waking of Master Latymer to his booke.euery morning ordinarily, Wynter, and Sommer, about twoo of the clocke in the mornyng was at his boke most diligently. How carefull his harte was of the preseruation of the Church and the good successe of the Gospell, his letters can testifie, wherewith hee continually admonished such as then were in authority, of their duty, and assisted them with hys godly counsell.

As the diligence of this man of God neuer ceased al the tyme of kyng Edward, to profit the Churche both publickely & priuately, so among other doinges in him to bee noted, this is not lightly to bee ouerpassed, but worthy to bee obserued, MarginaliaM. Latymer prophecieth what plages are to come in Quene Maries time.that God not only gaue vnto hym his spirite plenteously and comfortably to preache hys word vnto his Church, but also by the same spirite he did so euidently foreshewe and prophecie of all those kindes of plagues before, whiche afterward ensued, that if England euer had a Prophet he might seeme to be one. And as touchyng him selfe, hee euer affirmed that the preachyng of the Gospell would cost hym hys life, to the whiche he no lesse chearefully prepared himselfe, then certainly was perswaded that Winchester was kept in the Tower for the same purpose, as the euent did to truely proue the same. MarginaliaM. Latymer called vp to London by Winchester.For after the death of the sayd blessed K. Edward, not long after Queene Mary was proclaymed, a Pursiuant was sent downe (by the meanes no doubt of Winchester) into the coūtrey, to call hym vp, MarginaliaM. Latymer being premonished before yet refuseth to escape.of whose comming although master Latimer lacked no forewarnyng being premonished about sixe houres before by one Iohn Careles (whose

story heafter followeth) yet so farre of was it that hee thought to escape, that he prepared hym selfe towards hys iorney before the sayd Pursiuāt came to his house.

At the which thing when the Pursiuant marueiled, seing hym so prepared towardes hys iourney, he sayd vnto hym: MarginaliaMaster Latymers worde to the Queenes Pursuiant.My friend, you bee a welcome Messenger to mee. And bee it knowen vnto you, and to the whole world, that I go as willingly to London at this present, being called by my Prince to render a reconing of my doctrine, as euer I was at any place in the world. And I doubt not, but that God, as he hath made mee worthy to preach his word before two excellent Princes, so he will able me to witnes the same vnto þ^e third, either to her comfort or discomfort eternally. &c. At the which tyme the Pursiuaunt, when he had deliuered hys letters, departed, affirmyng that he had commaundement not to tary for hym. By whose sodaine departure it was manifest that thei would not haue hym appeare but rather to haue fled out of the realme. They knewe that his constancy should deface them in their Popery, and confirme the godly in the truthe.

MarginaliaM. Latymer commeth vp to London not compelled.Thus M. Latimer beyng sent for, and commyng vp to London through Smithfield (where merely he said that Smithfield had lōg groned for himMarginaliaM. Latimers words comming thorough Smithfield.) was brought before the Counsell, where he paciently bearyng al the mockes and tauntes geuen hym by the scornefull Papistes, was cast againe into the Tower, where hee beyng assisted with the heauenly grace of Christe, sustayned most pacient imprisonment a long tyme, not withstandyng the cruell and vnmercifull handlyng of the Lordly Papistes, which thought then their kyngdome would neuer fall: yet he shewed hym selfe not onely pacient, but also cherefull in and aboue al that which they could or would worke against hym:MarginaliaM. Latymer chereful in imprisonment.yea such a valiant spirite the Lord gaue hym, that he was able not onelye to despise the terriblenes of prisons and torments, but also to deride and laugh to scorne the doinges of his enemies. As it is not vnknowen to the eares of many, what hee aunswered to the Lieutenaunt beyng then in the Tower. For when the Lieutenantes man vpon a tyme came to him, the aged Father kept without fire in