And thus muche concernyng the life, story, and condemnation of these vii. Martyrs aboue specified.
The deaths of these martyrs were merely listed in the Rerum. These accounts first appeared in the 1563 edition and were substantially unchanged in subsequent editions. (Although one detail, that of Sir John Norton weeping at Joan Catmer's execution, was added in the 1570 edition. These accounts were almost entirely based on diocesan records of Canterbury, now lost.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaIanuary. 31.AFter these seuen aboue rehearsed, martyred together in Smithfield, shortly after in the same moneth the. xxxi. daye of Ianuarye, followed an other like felowship of godly Martyrs at Canterbury, foure women and one man, whose names bee these.Marginalia4. Women and one man Martyrs.
Iohn Lomas, a yong man.
Anne Albright.
Ioane Catmer.
Annes Snoth, Widow.
Ioane Sole, Wife.
MarginaliaIohn Lomas, Martyr.IOhn Lomas of the Parish of Tenterden, detected and presented of that Religion which the Papistes call heresie, and cited vpon the same to appeare at Canterbury, examined there of the first article, whether he beleued the catholicke church or no, aunswered thus: that he beleued so much as is contained in Gods booke and no more.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaThe aunswere of Iohn Lomas at his examination.Then beeyng assigned to appeare againe vnder the paine of law the nexte Wedneseday seuennyght after, which was the. xvii. day of Ianuary, the saide Lomas examined whether he would be confessed of a Priest or no, aunswered and saide, that hee found it not written that he should be confessed to any priest, in Gods boke, neither would be confessed, vnlesse hee were accused by some man of sinne. MarginaliaThe sacrament of the aultar denyed.Againe examined whether he beleued the body of Christ to be in the sacrament of the Altar really vnder the formes of bread and wine after the consecration or no, hee aunswered that hee beleued no realty of Christes body to be in the sacrament,MarginaliaRealtie of Christ, neyther vnder forme nor trestell. neither found he writtē that he is there vnder forme or trestell, but he beleued so muche as is written.
Notice how complicated and sophisticated the articles used in Canterbury were compared to those used in London.
maunded whether he beleued that there is a catholicke church nor no, and whether he would bee content to be a member of the same, he answered thereunto that he beleued so much as was written in gods boke, and other aunswere then this he refused to geue. &c. MarginaliaSentence agaynst Iohn Lomas.Wherupon the sentence was geuen and red against hym the. xviii. day of Ianuary, and so cōmitted to the secular power, he constantly suffered for the conscience of a true faith, with the other fower women here folowyng.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaIanuary. 31.AGnes Snoth widow, of the Parishe of Smarden, likewise accused and cited for the true profession of Christes Religion, was diuers tymes examined before the Pharisaicall fathers. Who there compelled to answere to suche articles and interrogatories as shoulde be ministred vnto her, MarginaliaConfession auricular refused.firste denied to be confessed to a Priest: notwithstandyng she denied not to confesse her offences as one to an other, but not auricularly to anie Priest. And as touching the Sacrament of the aultar, MarginaliaThe sacrament how to be receaued.she protested that if she or anye other did receiue the sacrament so as Christ and as his Apostles after hym did deliuer it, then she and they did receiue it to their comfort: but as it is nowe vsed in the churche, she saide that no man could otherwise receiue it thā to his damnation, as she thought. Afterwarde beyng examined againe concernyng penaunce, MarginaliaPenaunce is denied to be a sacrament.whether it were a Sacrament or no, shee plainlye denied the same, and that the Popish maner of their absolution was not consonant to the word, nor necessary to be taken: with suche other like, agreyng with the aunswers and cōfession of Iohn Lomas before mencioned. Wherupō the sentence likewise beyng red, MarginaliaAgnes Snoth cōdemned and cōmitted to the secular power.she was committed to the Sheriffes of Canterburye and so sufferyng Martyrdome with the rest, declared her selfe a perfect and constant witnes of Christ and of his truth, the. xxxi. day of Ianuary.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaAnne Albright, Martyr.AGainst Anne Albright likewise appearyng before the Iudge and his Colleagues, it was also obiected concerning the same matter of Confession. MarginaliaAuricular confession.Wherunto she aunswered in these woordes saiyng: that shee would not bee confessed of a Priest, and added moreo-