1583 Edition | Book 11 | Page 1943 
Close(d. 1556)
Weaver. Consided by Foxe a 'martyr' (died in prison). Of Coventry.
Uncle to Sir Peter Carew [Hasler, Commons]
John Careless was sent by the mayor of Coventry - together with Baldwin Clarke, Thomas Wilcockes and Richard Estlin - to the privy council on 20 November 1553 for unspecified 'lewde and sediciouse behaviour' on All Hallows Day 1553 (1583, p. 1417). He was imprisoned in the Gatehouse.
A letter by Careless to the condemned brethren in Newgate is attributed to Philpot. 1563, pp. 1449-50.
Careless received letters from John Philpot while he was imprisoned. 1570, pp. 2004-05, 1576, pp. 1726-27, 1583, pp. 1833-34.
Careless received a letter from John Bradford while he was imprisoned in the King's Bench. 1570, pp. 1827-28, 1576, p. 1563, 1583, p. 1645.
Careless received two letters from Thomas Whittle while he was imprisoned in the King's Bench. 1563, p. 1457, 1570, pp. 2018-19 and 2021, 1576, pp. 1739-40 and 1742, 1583, pp. 1847-48 and 1850.
John Careless' first examination was before Dr Martin, marshall of the King's Bench [Sir William Fitzwilliam - DNB + Hasler / Bindoff], Dr Martin's scribe and an unspecified priest in the lord chancellor's house. 1563, pp. 1529-35, 1570, pp. 2101-02, 1576, pp. 1813-14, 1583, pp. 1919-20.
During his first examination, Careless was shown some hand-writing, which Martin believed to be that of Careless. The handwriting was that of Henry Hart. Careless knew this because he had been sent a copy by Tyms. 1563, pp. 1529-35, 1570, pp. 2101-02, 1576, pp. 1813-14, 1583, pp. 1919-20.
During Careless' first examination, Martin asked Careless if he had knew Henry Hart, to which Careless answered that he did not. 1563, pp. 1529-35, 1570, pp. 2101-02, 1576, pp. 1813-14, 1583, pp. 1919-20.
During this examination, Martin asked Careless if he knew Master Chamberlain, to which he answered that he did not. 1563, pp. 1529-35, 1570, pp. 2101-02, 1576, pp. 1813-14, 1583, pp. 1919-20.
During this examination, Martin claimed that Cox had refuted some of Careless's arguments. 1563, pp. 1529-35, 1570, pp. 2101-02, 1576, pp. 1813-14, 1583, pp. 1919-20.
During this examination, Careless told Martin that Tyms had been his bedfellow, and that Tyms had been burned the day before this examination. 1563, pp. 1529-35, 1570, pp. 2101-02, 1576, pp. 1813-14, 1583, pp. 1919-20.
During this examination, Martin asked Careless what Trew's faith of predestination was. 1563, pp. 1529-35, 1570, pp. 2101-02, 1576, pp. 1813-14, 1583, pp. 1919-20.
During this examination, Martin pretended, according to Foxe, to desire to help Careless survive. He asked Careless if he would like to go to Ireland with Lord Fitzwalter to do the queen's service, to which Careless replied that he was willing to do the queen service as long as he was alive. 1563, pp. 1529-35, 1570, pp. 2101-02, 1576, pp. 1813-14, 1583, pp. 1919-20.
[Back to Top]At the end of his first examination, Careless was told by Martin that he was one of the most pleasant protestants he had talked to 'except it were Tomson' . 1563, pp. 1529-35, 1570, pp. 2101-02, 1576, pp. 1813-14, 1583, pp. 1919-20.
Careless was imprisoned for two years, first in Coventry and then in the King's Bench. 1570, pp. 2101-02, 1576, pp. 1813-14, 1583, pp. 1919-20.
In Coventry jail, the keeper allowed Careless to leave the prison to take part in a Coventry pageant. 1570, p. 2102, 1576, p. 1814, 1583, p. 1920.
Foxe states that Careless desired to be burned, but that he died in prison and was buried in the fields in a dunghill instead. 1570, p. 2102, 1576, p. 1814, 1583, pp. 1920-21.
Careless died in prison 1 July 1556. 1563, p. 1529, 1570, p. 2101, 1576, p. 1813, 1583, p. 1919.
Letters: 1563, pp. 1535-38, 1570, pp. 2103-17, 1576, pp. 1814-40, 1583, pp. 1921-34.
Close(by 1495 - 1571)
Of Barrow, Suffolk. MP for Rye (1553), Ipswich (1554), West Looe (1554), Lancaster (1555). Chief bailiff of Bury St Edmunds, JP Suffolk (1529 - 1571). (Bindoff)[SP11/5, no. 6].
Robert Pygot appeared before the judge, Sir Clement Higham, who sent him to Ely prison until his execution. 1570, p. 1893, 1576, p. 1621,1583, p. 1715.
The examination of John Fortune was carried out by Bishop Hooper, aided by Doctor Parker, Master Foster and Master Hygham. 1570, p. 2100, 1576, p. 1812, 1583, p. 1918.
David and John Henry, Philip Humphrey were arrested for heresy. The writ for Humphrey's burning was signed by Sir Clement Higham. 1563, p. 1672, 1570, p. 2249, 1576, p. 1942, 1583, p. 2049.
Alice Driver rebuked Queen Mary, for which the chief justice, Sir Clement Higham, ordered her ears to be cut off. 1563, p. 1670, 1570, p. 2247, 1576, p. 1941, 1583, p. 2048.
At Bury St Edmunds, Clement Higham met with the witnesses against Cooper, Richard White of Wattisham and Grimwood of Hitcham, Suffolk. 1563, p. 1704, 1570, p. 2301, 1576, p. 1990, 1583, p. 2101.
Cooper was condemned to be hanged, drawn and quartered as an example to others. 1563, p. 1704, 1570, p. 2301, 1576, p. 1990, 1583, p. 2101.
Close(1526 - 1599)
Sir William Fitzwilliam was Keeper of the King's Bench in Mary's reign; later Lord Deputy of Ireland [DNB]
Laurence Saunders sent commendations to Fitzwilliam and his wife via Lucy Harrington. 1570, p. 1673; 1576, p. 1428; 1583, p. 1501.
In a letter to John Careless, John Philpot sent special greetings to 'Master Marshal' and his wife and expressed his appreciation for the kindness shown to him. 1570, p. 2004; 1576, p. 1726; 1583, pp. 1833
John Careless' first examination was before Sir William Fitzwilliam and others. 1563, pp. 1529-35, 1570, pp. 2101-02, 1576, pp. 1813-14, 1583, pp. 1919-20.
Close(d. 1597?)
Of Winterbourne St Martin, Dorset; Steeple Morden, Cambridge and London. DCL (1555), LLD (1587). MP Saltash (1553), Hindon (1554 and 1555), Ludgershall (1558). Chancellor to Stephen Gardiner by 1554. Commr. Visit Oxford University (1555), collect surveys and acct. religious houses (1556), heresy (1557), heretical books (1557). [Bindoff]
[Back to Top]Thomas Martin was one of the recipients of the proclamation from Philip and Mary authorising the persecution of protestants. 1563, p. 1561, 1570, p. 2155, 1576, p. 1862, 1583, p. 1974[incorrectly numbered 1970].
Thomas Martin searched John Hooper's room in the Fleet. 1563, p. 1056; 1570, pp. 1679-80; 1576, p. 1433; 1583, p. 1507.
George Tankerfield was sent into Newgate by Roger Cholmey and Dr Martin. 1563, p. 1251, 1570, p. 1869, 1576, p. 1600, 1583, p. 1689.
Cranmer was examined by Brookes, Martin and Story. 1563, pp. 1479-83, 1570, pp. 2046-47, 1576, p. 1764-65, 1583, p. 1871.
A new commission was sent to Rome for the restoration of the pope's authority to allow the condemnation of Cranmer. Those sent were: James Brookes, Martyn and Story . 1570, p. 2047, 1576, p. 1765, 1583, p. 1871.
Foxe records Martyn's oration against Cranmer. 1570, pp. 2049-50, 1576, pp. 1767-68, 1583, p. 1874.
A talk took place between Cranmer and Martyn while Cranmer was in prison. 1576, pp. 1770-71, 1583, pp. 1876-77.
Martyn had demanded to know who Cranmer thought was supreme head of the church of England. 1570, p. 2058, 1576, p. 1775, 1583, p. 1881.
John Careless' first examination was before Dr Martin, marshall of the King's Bench [Sir William Fitzwilliam - DNB + Hasler / Bindoff], Dr Martin's scribe and an unspecified priest in the lord chancellor's house. 1563, pp. 1529-35, 1570, pp. 2101-02, 1576, pp. 1813-14, 1583, pp. 1919-20.
Elizabeth Young's second examination was before Dr Martin. 1570, p. 2269, 1576, p. 1959, 1583, p. 2066.
Her third examination took place before Martin. 1570, pp. 2269-70, 1576, p. 1959, 1583, p. 2066.
Her fourth examination was before Bonner, Roger Cholmley, Cooke, Dr Roper of Kent, and Dr Martin. 1570, pp. 2270-71, 1576, pp. 1959-60, 1583, pp. 2066-67.
When Alexander Wimshurst arrived at St Paul's, he saw Chedsey, his old acquaintance at Oxford, and said to him that he would rather be examined by Martin than by anyone else. 1570, p. 2276, 1576, p. 1965, 1583, p. 2072.
Robert Horneby was delivered from condemnation by Dr Martin. 1570, p. 2288, 1576, p. 1975, 1583, p. 2082.
MarginaliaAnno 1556. Iuly.shoppes and Hypocrites, for making Gods commaundementes of none effect, to support theyr owne tradition.
Byshop. Thou lyest, there is not such a worde in all the Scriptures, thou noughty hereticke. Thou art woorse then all other heretickes: for Hooper (sayd he) and Bradford alow them to be good, and thou doest not. Away with him.
MarginaliaIt is pitty that popish prelates cannot lye.¶ Here you may perceiue, howe that the Catholicke church can not erre, but whatsoeuer they say, must needes be true. And so my Lord Bishop can not lye, as it may appeare to all men most playnely in the text.
MarginaliaAn other examination of Iohn Fortune.THe next day I was brought before the sayd Bishop agayne, where he made a Sermon vpon the 6. chapter of S. Iohns Gospell of Christes wordes: I am the breade that came downe from heauen. &c. and therupon had a great bibble babble
CloseIdle talk, inconsistent matter; see Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, iv. 2; and Foxe afterwards; and Halliwell's Dictionary.
MarginaliaSacrament of the Aultarr Bish. How beleuest thou in the Sacrament of the aultar? doest thou not beleue that after the consecration, there is þe reall substance of the body of Christ?
Fort. And I aunswered him, that it is the greatest plague that euer came into England.
Bish. Why so?
Fort. I sayd: if I were a Bishop, and you a poore man as I am, I would be ashamed to aske such a question. For a Bishop should be apt to teach and not to learne.
Bish. I am appoynted by the law to teach, so are not you.
MarginaliaCatholicke prelates obsequious to higher powers so long as they make for their dignity, but when they do otherwise, then they excommunicate them.Fort. And I sayd: Your lawe breaketh out very well: for you haue burned vp the true Bishops and preachers, and mainteined lyers to be in theyr steed.
Bish. Now you may vnderstand that he is a traytour: for he denyeth the higher powers.
Fort. I am no traytour: for S. Paule sayth: All soules must obey the higher powers, and I resist not the higher powers, concerning my body, but I must resist your euill doctrine wherwith you would infect my soule.
A Doct. Then sayd a Doctor: my Lord, you doe not well: let him aunswere shortly to his articles.
Bish. How sayst thou? make aunswere quickly to these articles.
Fort. S. Paule sayth: Christ did one sacrifice once for all, and set him downe on the right hand of his father, MarginaliaHeb. 10.triumphing ouer hell and death, making intercession for sinnes.
Bish. I aske thee no suche question, but make aunswere to this article.
Fort. If it be not GOD before the consecration, it is not God after: for God is without beginning and without ending.
Bish. Then sayd he: lo, what a stiffe hereticke is this? He hath denyed altogether: how sayest thou? Is it idolatry to worship the blessed sacrament or no.
Fort. God is a spirit, and will be worshipped in spirit and trueth.
Bish. I aske thee no such question: answere me directly.
MarginaliaDan. 11.Fort. I answere that this is the God Mauzzim, that robbeth God of his honor.
Bish. It is pity that the grounde beareth thee, or that thou hast a toung to speak. Thē sayd the scribe: here are a great many more articles.
Bish. Then sayde the Bishop: Away with him, for he hath spoken to much.
MarginaliaOther talke betweene Iohn Fortune and the B. of Norwich.ANd when I came to mine examination agayne, the bishoppe asked me if I would stand vnto mine answere that I had made before: and I sayd, yea, for I had spoken nothing but the truth. Aud after that he made a great circumstance vpon the Sacrament.
[Back to Top]Then I desired him to stand to the text, & he read the Gospell on Corpus Christi day, whiche sayd: I am the breade which came downe from heauen: MarginaliaIohn. 6.beleuest thou not this? And I sayd: yea truely.
And he sayd, why doest thou deny the Sacrament?
Because your doctrine is false, sayd I.
Then sayd he: how can that be false which is spoken in the Scripture? And I sayd: Christ sayde: I am the bread, and you say the breade is he. Therefore your doctrine is false, sayd I.
And he sayd: doest thou not beleue that the bread is he? And I sayd no.
Bish. I will bring thee to it by the Scriptures.
Fort. Hold that fast my Lord: for that is the best Argumēt that you haue yet.
Bish. Thou shalt be burned like an hereticke.
Fort. Who shall geue iudgement vpon me?
Bish. I will iudge an hundred such as thou art, and neuer be shriuen vpon it.
Fort. Is there not a lawe for the spiritualty as well as for the temporaltye? and Syr Clement Higham sayde yes, what meanest thou by that?
Fort. When a man is periured by the law, he is cast ouer þe barre, and sitteth no more in iudgement. MarginaliaThe B. of Norwich charged with periury.And the Byshop is a periured man and ought to sit in iudgement of no mā.
Bish. How prouest thou that?
Fort. Because you tooke an oth by king Henries dayes to resist the Pope. So both spirituall and temporall are periured that here can be no true iudgement.
Bish. Thinkest thou to escape iudgement, by that? no, for my Chaūcellor shall iudge thee. He took no oth, for he was out then of the Realme.
M. Hygham. It is time to weede out such felowes as you be, in deed.
Bysh. Good fellowe, why beleuest not thou in the Sacrament of the aultar?
Fort. Because I finde it not in Gods booke, nor yet in the Doctors. If it were there, I would beleue it wt al my hart.
Bysh. How knowest thou it is not there?
Fort. Because it is contrary to the second cōmaundement: and seing it is not written in Gods booke, why do you thē robbe me of my life.
Then the Bishop hauing no more to saye, commaunded the Bailiffe to take him away.
And thus much touching þe examinations of this man. MarginaliaThe death of Iohn Fortune.Now whether he died in fire, or otherwise preuented with death: as I sayd before, I am vncertayne.
In the Registers of Norwich this I do finde, that his sentence of condemnation was drawne and Registred,
CloseThe condemnation is among Foxe's papers: BL, Harley MS 421, fos. 164r-165r. Fortune's replies to his articles are also in Foxe's papers (BL, Harley 421, fos. 161r-162r) but, typically, Foxe preferred to use the martyr's account of his examinations rather than the official record.
CloseAlthough Careless was one of the most important of the Marian martyrs, he died in prison without a trial, leaving Foxe only an account of his examinations and some of his many letters to memorialize him. The examination of Careless, in fact the entire account of Careless, was first printed in the 1563 edition. Nothing was added to it, but a considerable amount was deleted from this examination. The reason for this was that the deleted sections of the examination revealed far too much about the doctrinal squabbling among protestant prisoners, particularly over the issues of free will and the liturgy. The charge that there was no doctrinal unity among protestants was one that was frequently levied by catholic polemicists and was especially used by Foxe's great critic Nicholas Harpsfield in attacking the credibility of Foxe's 1563 edition (see Nicholas Harpsfield, Dialogi sex contra summi pontificatus, monasticae vitae, sanctorum sacrarum imaginum oppugnatores et pseudomartyres [Antwerp, 1566], pp. 802-17). Once this compromising material had been deleted, there were no further changes made to this account.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaIuly. 1. The death of Iohn Careles prisoner in the Kinges Bench.ABout this time, the first day of Iuly, amongest diuers other prisoners which dyed the same yeare in the Kinges Bench, was also one Iohn Careles of Couentry a weauer. Who though he were by the secret iudgemēt of almighty God preuented by death, so that he came not to the full Martyrdome of his body, yet is he no lesse worthy to be counted in honor & place of Christes martyrs, then other that suffered most cruell torments, aswell for that he was for the same truthes sake a long time imprisoned, as also for his willing mind & zelous affection he had thereunto, if the Lord had so determined it, as well may appeare by his examinatiō had before Doct. Martin.
CloseNote that abuse of Martin, 'a iolye stirer in these matters', was removed in the 1570 edition.
CloseThe first Edition, p. 1529, adds: "then one of the maisters of the Chauncerie, and a jolye stirrer in those matters, written by his own hande, as hereafter appeareth." Subsequent Editions proceed thus: "Whiche examination because it conteineth nothyng almost but wranglyng interrogations, and matters of contention, wherein Doctour Martin would enter into no communication about the Articles of his accusation, but onely urged him to detect his fellowes, it shall not be greatly materiall therfore to expresse the whole, but onely to excerpt so much, as perteinyng to the question of predestination, may bryng some fruite to the Reader."
[Back to Top]
CloseThe heading of Careless's examination, retained fromt he first Edition, is important for the date which it contains, "April 25th". Later Editions merely say, "The effect of John Careless's Examination before Dr. Martin, briefly declared."
MarginaliaThe effect of Iohn Careles examination.FIrst, Doctour Martin calling Iohn Careles to hym in his Chamber, demaunded what was his name. To whom when the other had answered, that his name was Iohn Careles, then began Doctour Martin to descant at his pleasure vpon that name, saying: that it would appere by his conditions, by that time he had done with him, that he would be a true careles man in deed. And so after other by talke there spent about much needelesse matter, then he asked him where he was borne.
[Back to Top]Careles. Forsooth, sayth he, at Couentry.
Mart. At Couentry? what so farre man? How camest thou hither? Who sent thee to the kinges Bench to prison?
MarginaliaHow Iohn Careles was brought to the Kinges Bench.Carel. I was brought thither by a writ, I trowe, what he was I cannot tell. I thinke M. Marshall can tell you.
Marshall. I good fayth I cannot tell what the matter is: but in deed my Lord chiefe Iustice sēt him from the barre.
Mart. Well Careles, I would wishe, thou shouldest play the wise mans part. Thou art a handsome man: And it is pity but thou shouldest doe well, and saue that which God hath bought.