could name if I would, a great number of my sect. I aunswered, that the kyng was as well deceiued in that behalf, as dissembled with in other matters.

Then commanded they me to shew how I was maintayned in the Counter, and who willed me to sticke to my opinion, I sayd that there was no creature that therin did strengthen me. And as for the help that I had in the counter, it was by the means of my mayde. For as she went abroad in the streetes, she made mone to the prentises, and they by her did send me money: but who they were I neuer knew.

[Back to Top]

MarginaliaAnne Askew refuseth to accuse any.Then they sayde, that there were diuers Gentlewomen that gaue me money, but I knew not their names. Then they sayd that there were diuers Ladies that had sent me money. I aunswered, that there was a man in a blew coate, which deliuered me x. shillings, and sayd that my Lady of Hertford sent yt me. And an other in a violet coat gaue me viij. shillings, and sayd my lady Denny sent it me. Whether it were true or no, I cannot tell. For I am not sure who sent it me, but as the mayd did say. Thē they sayd, there were of the Counsell that did maintayne me. And I sayd no.

[Back to Top]

MarginaliaAnne Askew put on the racke.Then they did put me on the racke, because I confessed no Ladies or Gentlewomen to be of my opinion, and thereon they kept me a long tyme. And because I lay still and did not cry, my MarginaliaWrysley and Riche racking Anne Askew.Lord Chancellour and M. Rich, tooke paynes to racke me with theyr owne handes, tyll I was nigh dead.

[Back to Top]

Then the Lieftenaunt caused me to be loosed from the racke. Incontinently I swounded, and then they recouered me agayne. After that I sate two long houres reasoning with my Lord Chauncellour vppon the bare floore, whereas he with many flattering wordes, perswaded me to leaue my opinion. MarginaliaAnne Askew constant in her fayth.But my Lord God (I thanke his euerlasting goodnes) gaue me grace to perseuer, and wil do (I hope) to the very end.

[Back to Top]

Then was I brought to an house, and layd in a bedde, with as weary and paynefull bones, as euer had pacient Iob, I thanke my Lord God therefore. Then my Lorde Chauncellour sent me worde if I would leaue my opinion, I should want nothing: MarginaliaAnne Askew threatned to be burned.If I would not, I shoulde forth to Newgate, and so be burned. I sent him agayne word, that I would rather die, then to breake my fayth.

[Back to Top]

Thus the Lord open the eyes of their blinde hartes, that the truth may take place. Farewell deare friend, and pray, pray, pray  

.

MarginaliaThe order of the racking of Anne Askew.Touching the order of her racking in the Tower  

, thus it was. First, she was led downe into a dungeon, where Syr Anthony Kneuet the Liuetenant commaunded hys Gaoler to pinche her with the racke. Which beyng done so much as he thought sufficient, went about to take her downe, supposing he had done enough. But Wrisley the Chauncellour not contented that she was loosed so soone confessing nothing, commaunded the Lieftenant to streine her on the racke agayne. Which because he denyed to doe, tenderyng the weakenes of the woman, he was threatned therefore grieuously of the sayd Wrisley, saying, that hee would signifie hys disobedience, vnto the kyng: MarginaliaThe L. Wrisley and M. Riche play the tormētours.and so cōsequently vpon the same, he and M. Riche throwyng of their gownes, would needes play the tormenters themselues: first asking her if she were with child. To whome she aunswering agayne, sayd: ye shall not neede to spare for that, but do you willes vpon me: and so quietly and patiently prayeng vnto the Lord: she aboade their tiranny, till her bones and ioints almost were pluckt a sunder, in such sort, as she was caried away in a chaire. When the racking was past, Wrisley and his fellow tooke theyr horse toward the Court.

[Back to Top]

MarginaliaWrisley the L. Chauncelour preuented by the Lieutenaunt.In the meane tyme, while they were making their way by land, the good Lieftenant eftsoones taking boate, spedde hym in all hast to the Court, to speake with the kyng before the other, and so dyd. Who there makyng his humble sute to the Kyng, desired his pardon, and shewed hym the whole matter as it stoode, and of the rackyng of Mistresse Askew, and how he was threatened by the Lord Chauncellour, because at his commaundement, not knowyng his highnesse pleasure, he refused to racke her: whiche he for compassion could not finde in his hart to do, and therefore hūbly craued his highnes pardō. Which when the K. had vnderstand, seemed not very well to like of their so extreme handlyng of the woman, MarginaliaThe Liuetenaūt pardoned of the king.and also graunted to the Lieftenant his pardon, willing him to returne and see to hys charge.

[Back to Top]

Great expectation was in the meane season among the Warders and other officers of the Tower, waiting for his returne. Whom when they saw come so cheerefully, declaring vnto them how he had sped with the king, they were not a little ioyous, and gaue thanks to God therfore.

MarginaliaThe answer of Anne Askew to M. Lacels letterOH friend most dearely beloued in God, I meruaile not a litle what should mooue you to iudge in me so slender a fayth as to feare death, which is the ende of all misery. In the Lord I desire you not to beleeue of me such wickednes. For I doubt it not, but God will performe his worke in me, like as he hath begun. I vnderstand the counsaile is not a little displeased, that it should be reported abroad, that I was racked in the tower  

. They say now, that they did there, was but to feare me: whereby I perceyue, they are ashamed of their vncomely doyngs, and feare much, least the kings Maiestie should haue information thereof. Wherefore, they would no man to noyse it. Well, their crueltye God forgeue them.

[Back to Top]

Your hart in Christ Iesu. Farewel, and pray.

MarginaliaAn. Askew answering to the false suspicion of her recanting.I Haue read the processe whiche is reported of them that knowe not the truth, to be my recantation. But as the Lord liueth, I neuer ment thing lesse then to recant. Notwithstanding this I confesse, that in my first troubles, I was examined of the Bishop of London about the Sacrament. Yet had they no graunt yf my mouth, but this, that I beleeued therein as the word of God did bynd me to beleeue, more had they neuer of me. Then he made a Copie whiche is nowe in print, and required me to set thereunto my hand. But I refused it. Then my ij. sureties did wyll me in no wise to sticke thereat, for it was no great matter, they sayd.

[Back to Top]

Then with much ado, at the last I wrote thus: I Anne Askew do beleue this, if Gods word do agree to the same, and the true catholike church.MarginaliaAn. Askew falsely suspected to recant, and vpon what occasion. Then the B. beyng in great displeasure with me, because I made doubtes in my writing, commaunded me to prison: where I was a whyle, but afterwards by the meanes of frendes, I came out againe. Here is the truth of that matter. And as concerning the thing that ye couet most to know, resort to the sixt of Iohn, and be ruled alwayes thereby. Thus fare ye well.

[Back to Top]

Anne Askew.

MarginaliaThe confession of An. Askew going to her execution.I Anne Askew of good memory, although my merciful father hath geuen me the bread of aduersitie, and the water of trouble: yet not so muche as my sinnes haue deserued: confesse my selfe here a sinner before the throne of hys heauenly maiestie, desiring his forgeuenes and mercye. And for so much as I am by the law vnrighteously condemned for an euill doer concerning opinions, I take þ^e same most mercifull God of myne, which hath made both heauen and earth, to record, that I hold no opinions contrary to hys most holy word. And I trust in my mercifull Lord, which is the geuer of all grace, that he will graciously assist me agaynst all euill opinions, which are contrary to his blessed veritie. For I take him to witnes, that I haue done & wil do vnto my lyues end, vtterly abhorre them to the vttermost of my power.

[Back to Top]

MarginaliaThe matter and cause why Anne Askew suffered death.But this is the heresie which they report me to holde that after the Priest hath spoken the wordes of consecration, there remaineth bread still. They both say, & also teach it for a necessary article of fayth, that after those wordes be once spoken, there remayneth no bread, but euen the selfesame body that hoong vpon the crosse on good Friday, both fleshe, bloud, and bone. To this belief of theirs, say I nay: For then were our common Crede false, which saith, that he sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty, & from thence shall come to iudge the quicke and dead  

. Loe, this is the heresie that I holde, and for it must suffer the death. But as touthing the holy and blessed supper of the Lord, I beleue it to be a most necessary remembraunce of his glorious suffrings and death. Moreouer, I beleue as much therein, as my eternall and onely redeemer Iesus Christ would I should beleue.

[Back to Top]

Finally, I beleue al those scriptures to be true, which he hath confirmed with his most precious bloud. MarginaliaScripture sufficient to our saluatiō.Yea, & as s. Paul saith, those scriptures are sufficient for our lerning & saluatiō, that Christ hath left here with vs: so that I beleue, we nede no vnwritten verities to rule his church w^t. Therfore looke what he hath sayd vnto me with his owne mouth in his holy Gospell, that haue I with Gods grace closed vp in my hart, and my full trust is (as Dauid saithMarginaliaPsal. 28.) that it shalbe a lanterne to my footsteps. Psal. xxviij.

[Back to Top]

MarginaliaAn. Askew falsly reported to deny the holy Eucharist.There be some do say that I deny the Eucharist or sacrament of thankes geuyng: but those people do vntruly report of me. For I both say and beleue it, that if it wer or-