Glossary of People
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Glossary of People in the 1583 Edition | V
Valens of Mursia

Leading C4 Arian [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Julius I]

Bishop of Mursia, deposed by the Council of Sardica in 343; made a formal recantation to Julius I; reinstated

He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 23; 1576, p. 18; 1583, p. 18.

1583 Edition, page 41
Valentine Dingley

Of unknown occupation. Of London.

Valentine Dingley was witness to the burning of a blind harpist's hand by Bonner. 1570, p. 2201, 1576, p. 1898, 1583, p. 2007.

1583 Edition, page 2031
Valentine Freese

(d. 1540) [Fines]

Freeman of York 1539; brother of Edward; imprisoned in 1534; arrested in 1540, burnt with his wife

Valentine Freese passed a file to the imprisoned Andrew Hewett to enable him to escape from the bishop's custody. 1563, p. 506; 1570, p. 1179; 1576, p. 1008; 1583, p. 1036.

Valentine secured the release from prison of his brother Edward after the death of Edward's wife. Valentine and his wife were burnt at the same stake in York. 1563, p. 495; 1570, p. 1168; 1576, p. 999; 1583, p. 1027.

1583 Edition, page 1051
Valentinian I

(321 - 375) [W. E. Roberts www.roman-emperors.org]

Officer of the Praetorian guard; Roman emperor (364 - 75), named brother Valens emperor in the east

Valentinian decreed that no one should be buried within a church. 1570, p. 9, 1576, p. 8, 1583, p. 8.

1583 Edition, page 31
Valerian

Early martyr at Rome [Catholic Encyclopedia]

Legendary husband of St Cecilia; buried with her and Tiburtius

Valerian was said to have been converted to Christianity by Pope Urban I. 1570, p. 85; 1576, p. 58; 1583, p. 58.

1583 Edition, page 81[Back to Top]
Valerian (Publius Licinius Valerianus)

(d. 260) [R. D. Weigel www.roman-emperors.org]

Commander under Decius; senator

Roman emperor (253 - 60); captured and killed by the Persians

In the early years of his reign, Valerian behaved favourably towards the Christians and the senate. 1570, p. 97; 1576, p. 68; 1583, p. 67.

Later, Valerian instigated a harsh persecution of the Christians. 1570, pp. 97-104; 1576, pp. 68-74; 1583, pp. 67-74.

Valerian was captured in battle by Shapur I and endured humiliations during his captivity before he was killed. 1570, p. 104; 1576, p. 74; 1583, p. 74.

In a letter to the Persian king Shapur II, Constantine I used the examples of Valerian and his son to illustrate that rulers prospered when they treated Christians well, but suffered ill fortune when they persecuted them. 1570, p. 137; 1576, p. 100; 1583, p. 99.

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Varianus and Marcellianus

Reputed martyrs with Secundarius under Decius at Civitavecchia

Varianus and Marcellianus complained at the arrest of Secundarius, spat on the idols and were tortured and beheaded. 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.

1583 Edition, page 87
Vawdrey

Deputy Chamberlain of Chester

Vawdrey offered George Marsh a pardon if he would recant. 1563, p. 1122; 1570, p. 1738; 1576, p. 1484; 1583, p. 1567.

1583 Edition, page 1591[Back to Top]
Verconius Turinus

Reputedly executed by Severus Alexander for cheating

Turinus got bribes and gifts from people by pretending he had influence with the emperor. He was fastened to a stake and killed with smoke. 1570, p. 84; 1576, pp. 57-58; 1583, p. 57.

1583 Edition, page 80
Vespasian (Titus Flavius Vespasianus)

(9 - 79) [J. Donahue www.roman-emperors.org]

Soldier; invaded Britain in 43; suppressed Jewish revolt in 66

Roman emperor (69 - 79)

Vespasian and his son were responsible for the destruction of the Jews. 1570, p. 38; 1576, p. 31; 1583, p. 31.

The first persecution of the Christians ended under Vespasian. 1570, p. 44; 1576, p. 35; 1583, p. 35.

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Vespronius Candidus

C2 governor in Africa [Paul Keresztes, 'The Constitutio Antoniniana and the Persecutions under Caracalla', American Journal of Philology, vol. 91, no. 4 (October, 1970), p. 448]

Vespronius Candidus took part in the persecution of the Christians under Severus. 1570, p. 79; 1576, p. 54; 1583, p. 54.

1583 Edition, page 77
Vetius Epagathus

Reputed martyr at Lyons during the reign of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus

The behaviour of Vetius Epagathus before the judge was an example to his fellow Christians. 1570, p. 69; 1576, p. 46; 1583, p. 46.

1583 Edition, page 69[Back to Top]
Vibia Perpetua (St Perpetua)

(d. 203) [Catholic Encyclopedia]

Young married noblewoman of Carthage; martyr

Perpetua was thrown to wild beasts and killed. 1570, p. 83; 1576, p. 57; 1583, p. 57.

1583 Edition, page 80
Vibius Volusianus

(d. 253) [R. S. Moore www.roman-emperors.org]

Roman emperor (251 - 53) with his father Gallus; murdered with him by mutinous troops

There was no persecution of Christians during the reign of Volusianus and his father. 1570, p. 97; 1576, p. 68; 1583, p. 67.

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Victor

(d. early C4); martyr with St Maurice

Victor was a retired soldier who refused to eat with those who had executed Maurice and his troops. He confessed to being a Christian and was murdered. 1570, p. 114; 1576, p. 81; 1583, p. 81.

1583 Edition, page 103[Back to Top]
Victor and Victorinus

Christians imprisoned c. 262; reputed martyrs

Victor and Victorinus were imprisoned for three years. 1570, p. 104; 1576, p. 74; 1583, p. 74.

1583 Edition, page 97
Victor I (St Victor)

(d. 198) [Kelly]

Pope (189 - 198) First Latin pope; changed the language of the mass in Rome from Greek to Latin

Victor excommunicated the eastern churches for failing to comply with the Roman observation of Easter, but was persuaded to reinstate them by Irenæus, the bishop of Lyons.1570, pp. 5, 81-82; 1576, pp. 4, 55-56; 1583, pp. 4, 55-53.

1583 Edition, page 27 | 1583 Edition, page 78
Victor II (Gebhard of Dollnstein-Hirschberg)

(c. 1018 - 1057) [Kelly]

Pope (1055 - 57) Nominated by Emperor Henry III

Swabian; son of Count Hartwig; bishop of Eichstaett (1042 - 57) Most influential councillor of Emperor Henry III; regent of Bavaria for Henry IV in 1053; reformer.

Victor II called a council at Florence, where the acts of the council of Vercelli were confirmed. Hildebrand was appointed papal legate to France. 1570, p. 1311; 1576, p. 1122; 1583, p. 1147.

Victor II deposed bishops for simony and fornication. 1563, p. 12.

Foxe says Victor was poisoned by Brazutus. 1563, p. 12.

1583 Edition, page 1171
Victor of Milan (St Victor)

(d. 304) [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Milan]

Martyr at Milan

He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 111; 1576, p. 79; 1583, p. 79.

1583 Edition, page 102[Back to Top]
Victorianus, Symphorianus, Castorius and his wife, Castulus, Cesarius, Mennas, Nobilis, Dorotheus, Gorgonius and Petrus

(d. early C4) Martyrs under Maximinus Daia.

They are mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 117; 1576, p. 84; 1583, p. 83.

1583 Edition, page 106
Vigellius Saturninus

(fl. 180) [Paul Keresztes,'The Constitutio Antoniniana and the Persecutions under Caracalla', American Journal of Philology, vol. 91, no. 4 (October, 1970), pp. 451-52]

Governor in Africa under whom the first African martyrdoms took place

Vigellius took part in the persecution of the Christians under Severus. 1570, p. 79; 1576, p. 54; 1583, p. 54.

1583 Edition, page 77
Vincent (St Vincent)

(d. early C4) [Catholic Encyclopedia]

Deacon; martyr at Valencia, Spain

Vincent was racked, among other tortures, and then imprisoned in irons. 1570, p. 116; 1576, p. 92; 1583, p. 92.

1583 Edition, page 115
Vincent Gosset

Female, burglar. Of St Peter's Port, Guernsey.

On 27 May 1556 Vincent Gosset went to the house of Nicholas le Conronney at around 10pm and stole a silver cup. 1563, p. 1542, 1570, p. 2127, 1576, p. 1849, 1583, p. 1943.

She took the stolen silver cup to Perotine Massey, asking her to lend her sixpence against it. 1563, p. 1542, 1570, p. 2127, 1576, p. 1849, 1583, p. 1943.

Gosset was apprehended, examined and confessed to taking the goblet. 1563, p. 1542, 1570, p. 2127, 1576, p. 1849, 1583, p. 1943.

She was found guilty and sentenced to be whipped, her ear to be nailed to the pillory, and then to be banished from the island. 1563, p. 1542, 1570, p. 2127, 1576, p. 1849, 1583, p. 1943.

1583 Edition, page 1967
Vincent Linche

of Halden, Kent

Vincent Linche abjured in Kent in 1511. 1570, p. 1455; 1576, p. 1241; 1583, p. 1278.

1583 Edition, page 1302[Back to Top]
Vincent of Beauvais (Vincentius)

(d. 1264) [Catholic Encyclopedia]

Dominican friar; French scholar; compiled encyclopedia of all knowledge

He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 62, 68, 80, 88, 106; 1576, pp. 38, 45, 55, 61, 76; 1583, pp. 38, 45, 55, 60, 75.

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Vincent of Lérins (Vincentius Lirinensis)

C5 Christian writer in south Gaul [Catholic Encyclopedia]

Wrote Commonitorium

He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 22; 1576, p. 17; 1583, p. 17.

1583 Edition, page 40
Vincent of Noally

Secretary to Nicholas Ormanet.

Vincent of Noally read out the commission from Pole to seek out heresy at the University of Cambridge. 1563, p. 1538, 1570, p. 2147, 1576, p. 1862, 1583, p. 1956.

He read aloud the commission, sent from Cardinal Pole, to inquest heresy upon the bodies of Bucer and Phagius. He then posted the university's condemnation. 1563, pp. 1537 [recte 1549]-1558 [recte 1570]

He caused the petition against Bucer and Phagius to be placed on the door of St Mary's church , at the common schools, and on the cross in the market place. 1563, p. 1538, 1570, p. 2147, 1576, p. 1862, 1583, p. 1956.

He published the second process against Bucer and Phagius on 18 January 1557. 1563, p. 1538, 1570, p. 2147, 1576, p. 1862, 1583, p. 1956.

1583 Edition, page 1984[Back to Top]
Vincentius

Legendary missionary and martyr

Vincentius refused to sacrifice to the gods and was pressed to death with weights at Rome. 1570, p. 76; 1576, p. 52; 1583, p. 52.

1583 Edition, page 75
Vincenzo Busdraghi

Printer; founded the first paper-mill mid-C16 in Lucca; diplomat

Busdraghi printed a story about Thomas Cromwell and an Italian merchant written by Matteo Bandello. 1570, p. 1357; 1576, p. 1158; 1583, p. 1186.

1583 Edition, page 1210
Virgilius of Arles (St Virgil of Arles)

(d. 610) [Catholic Encyclopedia]

Monk; abbot of Lérins; bishop of Arles (c. 588 - 610)

Pope Gregory I sent a letter to Virgilius, asking him to extend his help to Augustine and the other missionaries on their journey. 1570, p. 155; 1576, p. 116; 1583, p. 115.

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Vitalian (St Vitalian)

(d. 672) [Kelly]

Pope (657 - 72)

Vitalian applied to the emperor to have his election approved before being consecrated. 1570, p. 1209; 1576, p. 1035; 1583, p. 1062.

Vitalian sent Theodore of Tarsus to be archbishop of Canterbury. 1570, p. 167; 1576, p. 125; 1583, p. 124.

1583 Edition, page 147 | 1583 Edition, page 1086
Vitalis

C2 Christian martyred in Rome; called a son of Felicitas; martyred with her. [Catholic Encyclopedia sub Felicitas]

Vitalis was beheaded. 1570, p. 67; 1576, p. 44; 1583, p. 44.

1583 Edition, page 67
Vitalis and Agricola (Sts Vitalis and Agricola)

(d. early C4) [Catholic Encyclopedia]

Vitalis was a slave converted to Christianity by his master, Agricola. Martyrs at Bologna.

Vitalis and Agricola made a pact to give their lives in martyrdom. Vitalis was martyred first, followed by Agricola, who was crucified. 1570, pp. 111, 117, 128; 1576, pp. 79, 84, 92; 1583, pp. 79, 83, 91-92.

1583 Edition, page 102 | 1583 Edition, page 106 | 1583 Edition, page 114[Back to Top]
Vitellius

(15 - 69) [J. Donahue www.roman-emperors.org]

Roman emperor (April -December 69); killed by Vespasian's troops

He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 38; 1576, p. 31; 1583, p. 31.

1583 Edition, page 54
Vitellus

Captain under Emperor Commodus (r. 180 - 92)

Vitellus arrested Vincentius, Eusebius, Peregrinus and Potentianus on the emperor's orders. He ordered them to sacrifice to the gods and, when they refused, had them beaten to death. 1570, p. 76; 1576, p. 52; 1583, p. 52.

1583 Edition, page 75
Volusianus

Non-existent bishop of Carthage in the sixth century

Volusianus was thought by some to be the author of a letter also incorrectly attributed to Ulrich of Augsburg. 1570, pp. 1320-21; 1576, p. 1129; 1583, pp. 1154-56.

1583 Edition, page 1178
Vorteporius

(fl. c. 540 [ODNB]

King of the Demetae

He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 152; 1576, p. 113; 1583, p. 112.

1583 Edition, page 135
Vortigern

(fl. C5) [ODNB]

Ruler in Britain; reputed to be responsible for inviting the Anglo-Saxons into Britain

Vortigern caused Constans to be murdered, then sent for aid to the Anglo-Saxons and married Rowen, the daughter of Hengist. He was betrayed by the Anglo-Saxons. 1570, p. 148; 1576, p. 109; 1583, p. 108.

Vortigern was justly deposed by the British nobility and replaced with Vortimer. After Vortimer's death, he regained the throne. Through the trickery of Hengist and Rowen, his men were defeated in battle. He was captured and ransomed for all the major cities in the land. He fled into Wales and was killed by Ambrosius Aurelianus. 1570, p. 152; 1576, p. 114; 1583, p. 113.

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