MarginaliaAn. 1558. August. Nouember.that is: the Sacrament of the bodye and bloud of Christ, and the Sacrament of Baptisme. He was burnt the seuen and twentie of the sayde moneth and yeare, and dyed godly,

constantly and patiently, with confessing the Articles of our Christen fayth.

The Martyrdome of fyue constant Christians, which suffered the last of all other in the tyme of Queene Mary.  

Commentary     Close

Five Martyrs at Canterbury

A short version of this account, based on the trial documents from a now lost Canterbury court book, first appeared in the 1563 edition. An anecdote about the burning of Alice Snoth or Agnes Snoth was added to the 1563 edition as it was nearing completion and it was placed in an appendix at the rear of the volume (1563, p. 1735). In the 1570 edition, this anecdote was incorporated into the account of these martyrs. Another anecdote, about Katherine Tynley, was added to this account in the 1570 edition. There were no further changes to this account in subsequent editions.

[Back to Top]

MarginaliaNouember. 10.THe last that suffered in Queene maryes tyme, were fiue at Canterbury, burned about sixe dayes before the death of Queene Marye, whose names folowe here vnder written.MarginaliaMartyrs.

Iohn Corneford, of Wrotham.
Christopher Browne, of Maydstone.
Iohn Herst, of Ashford.
Alyce Snoth.
Katherine Knight, otherwise called Kathe-
rine Tynley, an aged woman.

MarginaliaV. last Martyrs that were burned in Queene Maries tyme.These fiue, to close vp the final rage of Queene Maryes persecution, for the testimonie of that word, for whiche so many had dyed before, gaue vp their lyues, meekely and paciently suffering the violent malice of the Papistes. Which Papistes although they then might haue eyther wel spared them, or els deferred their death, knowing of the sickenes of queene Mary: yet such was the implacable despite of that generation, that some there be that say, the Archdeacon of Canterbury the same tyme being at London, and vnderstandyng the daunger of the Queene, incontinently made al post hast home to dispatche these, whom before he had then in his cruel custodie.

MarginaliaTheir Articles why they were condemned.The matter why they were iudged to the fire, was for beleuyng the body not to be in the sacrament of the altar, vnlesse it be receyued, saying moreouer that we receyue an other thyng also beside Christes body, which we see, and is a temporal thyng, accordyng to S. Paul: The things that be seene, be temporal. &c.

Item, for confessing that an euyll man doth not receyue Christes body: Because no man hath the sonne, except it be geuen hym of the father.  

Latin/Greek Translations     Close

Foxe text narrative, possibly alluding to I John, 2. 23.

Translated into English - no Latin text.

Item, that it is Idolatry to creepe to the crosse, and S. Iohn forbiddyng it, sayth: Beware of Images.  

Latin/Greek Translations     Close

Foxe text narrative, citing I John, 5. 21

Translated into English - no Latin text.

Item, for confessing that we should not pray to our Lady and other Saintes, because they be not omnipotent.

For these and suche other Articles of Christian doctrine, were these fiue committed to the fire. Agaynst whom when the sentence should be read, and they excommunicate,

after the maner of the papistes, MarginaliaAn example of Gods worke to be noted.one of them, Iohn Cornford by name, styrred with a vehement spirit of the zeale of God, proceedyng in a more true excommunication against the papistes, in the name of them all, pronounced sentence agaynst them, in these wordes as folow.

MarginaliaSentence of condemnation pronounced by Iohn Cornford against the Papistes.In the name of our Lord Iesus Christ the sonne of the most mighty God, and by the power of his holy spirite, & the authoritie of his holy Catholike & Apostolike church, we doo geue here into the handes of Satan, to be destroyed, the bodyes of all those blasphemers and heretikes, that doo mainteyne any errour against his most holy word, or do condemne his moste holy truth for heresie, to the maintenaunce of any false Churche or fayned Religion, so that by this thy iuste iudgement, O most mighty God, agaynst thy aduersaryes, thy true Religion may be knowen, to thy great glorye, and our comfort, and to the edifying of al our nation. Good Lord, so be it, Amen.

This sentence of excommunication beyng the same tyme openly pronounced and registred, proceedyng so, as it seemeth from an inwarde fayth and hartye zeale to Gods truth and Religion, tooke suche effecte agaynste the enimie, that within sixe dayes after, Queene Mary dyed, and the tyrannie of all Englishe Papistes with her. Albeit, notwithstanding the sicknes and death of that Queene, wherof they were not ignoraunt, yet the Archdeacon,MarginaliaThe cruell dealing of M. Harpsfield the Archdeacon of Canterbury. with other of Canterburye, thought to dispatche the martyrdome of these men before.

Commentary on the Woodcuts     Close

Another instance in which the picture did not fit the sexes of the group of martyrs.

In the which fact, the tyrannie of this Archdeacon seemeth to exceede the crueltie of Boner: who notwithstandyng he had certayne the same tyme vnder his custodye, yet he was not so importune in halyng them to the fire, as appeareth by Father Liuyng and his wyfe, and diuers other, who being the same tyme vnder the custody and daunger of Boner, deliuered by the death of Queene Mary, remayne yet some of them aliue.

These godly martyrs in their prayers which they made before their martyrdome, desired god that their bloud might be the last that should be shed, and so it was.

This Katherine Tynley was the mother of one Robert Tynley now dwellyng in Maydstone, whiche Robert was in trouble all Queene Maryes tyme. To whom his Mother commyng to visite hym, asked hym howe he tooke this place of Scripture (whiche shee had seene, not by reading of the Scripture, for shee had yet in manner no taste of Religion, but had founde it by chaunce in a booke of prayers: MarginaliaIoell. 2.I wyll poure out my spirite vpon all fleshe, and your sonnes and your daughters shall prophesie: your olde men shal dreame dreames, and your young men shal see visions. And also vpon the seruantes, and vpon the maydes in