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VIII.

Henry other English stories pertaining to that time; and, that finished, then set upon those matters of Scotland, joining them all together. The A. D. tractation thereof thou shalt see, good reader, in the latter end and 1546. closing up of this king's reign.

priest,

Gardi

ter's

lodge.

Kerby, and Koger Clarke, of Suffolk, Martyrs.

Saxy, a Coming now to the year of our Lord 1546, first passing over the hanged in priest, whose name was Saxy, who was hanged in the porter's lodge of her's por- Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, and that, as it is supposed, not without the consent of the said bishop and the secret conspiracy of that bloody generation; to pass over also one Henry, with his servant, burned at Colchester; I will now proceed to the story of Kerby, and of Roger Clarke of Mendelsham, who were apprehended at Ipswich, A. D. 1546, the Saturday before Gang-Monday, and brought before the lord Wentworth, with other commissioners appointed there to sit upon their examinations, judgments, and causes. The night before they were arraigned, a bill was set upon the townhouse door (by whom, it was unknown), and brought the next day unto the lord Wentworth; who answered, that it was good counsel: which bill, in the latter end, shall appear.

A bill brought to lord Wentworth, at the arraignment.

The words of

and

The

In the mean time Kerby and Roger, being in the jailor's house, named John Bird, an honest and a good man (who had checks divers times at the bar, that he was more meet to be kept, than to be a keeper), came in Master Robert Wingfield, son and heir of Humfrey Wingfield, knight, with Master Bruess of Wenham; who then, having conference with Kerby (being then in a several chamber separate from the other), Master Wingfield said to Kerby, "Remember the fire is hot, take heed of thine enterprise, that thou Wingfield take no more upon thee, than thou shalt be able to perform. to Kerby terror is great, the pain will be extreme, and life is sweet. Better it were betimes to stick to mercy, while there is hope of life, than rashly to begin, and then to shrink;" with such like words of persuasion. To whom he answered again, "Ah, Master Wingfield! be at my burning, and you shall say, there standeth a christian soldier in the fire. For I know that fire and water, sword, and all other things, are in the hands of God, and he will suffer no more to be laid upon us, than he will give us strength to bear." "Ah, Kerby!" said Master Wingfield, "if thou be at that point, I will bid thee farewell; for, I promise thee, I am not so strong that I am able to burn." And so both the gentlemen, saying that they would pray for them, shook hands with them, and so departed.

Roger.

The an

swer of

Kerby to

Master Wingfield.

The behaviour

and Roger

when brought

Now first, touching the behaviour of Kerby and Roger when they of Kerby came to the judgment-seat, the lord Wentworth with all the rest of the justices there ready, the commissary also, by virtue of the statute "ex officio," sitting next to the lord Wentworth, but one between; before the Kerby and Roger lifted up their eyes and hands to heaven with great devotion in all men's eyes, making their prayers secretly to God for a space of time, while they might say the Lord's Prayer five or six times. That done, their articles were declared unto them with all cirtions pro- cumstances of the law: and then it was demanded and inquired of them, pounded to them. Whether they believed, that after the words spoken by a priest (as

judges.

Ques

VIII.

Christ spake them to his apostles), there were not the very body and Henry blood of Christ, flesh, blood, and bone, as he was born of the Virgin Mary, and no bread after?

A. D.

1546.

answer.

crament

Unto the which words they answered and said, No, they did not so believe; but that they did believe the sacrament which Christ Their Jesus did institute at his last supper, on Maunday Thursday at night, to his disciples, was only to put all men in remembrance of his precious death and blood-shedding for the remission of sins; and that there was neither flesh nor blood to be eaten with the teeth, but The sabread and wine; and yet more than bread and wine, for that it is consecrated to a holy use. Then, with much persuasions, both with than bare fair means and threats besides (if it would have served), were these wine. two poor men hardly laid to; but most at the hands of Foster, an inferior justice, not being learned in such knowledge. But these my to two continued both faithful and constant, choosing rather to die than people. to live; and so continued unto the end.

more

bread and

Foster a

sore ene

God's

given

Kerby

and

Then sentence was given upon them both, Kerby to be burned in Sentence the said town on the next Saturday, and Roger to be burned at Bury against the Gang-Monday after. Kerby, when his judgment was given by the lord Wentworth, with most humble reverence holding up his Roger, hands and bowing himself devoutly, he said, "Praised be Almighty God;" and so stood still without any more words.

word to

worth.

Then did the lord Wentworth talk secretly, putting his head Roger's behind another justice that sat between them. The said Roger, the lord perceiving that, said with a loud voice, "Speak out, my lord! and if Went you have any thing contrary to your conscience, ask God mercy; and we, for our parts, do forgive you: and speak not in secret, for ye shall come before a Judge, and then make answer openly, even before him that shall judge all men;" with other like words.

The lord Wentworth, somewhat blushing, and changing his countenance (through remorse, as it was thought), said, "I did speak nothing of you, nor have I done any thing unto you, but as the law is." Then were Kerby and Roger sent forth; Kerby to prison there, and Roger to St. Edmund's Bury. One of the two, bursting out with a loud voice (Roger it is supposed), thus spake with a vehemency, "Fight," said he, "for your God; for he hath not phecy. long to continue."

A pro

The next day, which was Saturday, about ten of the clock, Kerby was brought to the market-place, where a stake was ready, wood, broom, and straw, and did off his clothes unto his shirt, having a nightcap upon his head; and so was fastened to the stake with irons, there being in the gallery the lord Wentworth, with the most part of all the justices of those quarters, where they might see his execution, how every thing should be done, and also might hear what Kerby did say; and a great number of people, about two thousand by estimation. There was also standing in the gallery by the lord Wentworth, Dr. Rugham, who was before a monk of Bury, and Dr. Rugsexton of the house, having on a surplice, and a stole about his neck. monk of Then silence was proclaimed, and the said doctor began to disable ch himself, as not meet to declare the holy Scriptures, being unprovided because the time was so short; but that he hoped, in God's assist- of Kerby. ance, it should come well to pass.

ham,

preacheth

at the

burning

Henry
VIII.

1546.

The cheerful counte

All this while Kerby was trimming with irons and faggots, broom and straw, as one that should be married with new garments, nothing A.D. changing cheer nor countenance, but with a most meek spirit glorified God; which was wonderful to behold. Then master doctor, at last, entered into the sixth chapter of St. John, who, in handling that matter, so oft as he alleged the Scriptures, and applied them rightly, nance and Kerby told the people that he said true, and bade the people believe of Kerby. him. But, when he did otherwise, he told him again, "You say not true; believe him not, good people." Whereupon, as the voice of the people was, they judged Dr. Rugham a false prophet. So when master doctor had ended his collation, he said unto Kerby, "Thou,

courage

fession of

ment.

good man! dost not thou believe that the blessed sacrament of the altar is the very flesh and blood of Christ, and no bread, even as he His con- was born of the Virgin Mary ?" Kerby, answering boldly, said, the sacra- "I do not so believe." "How doest thou believe?" said the doctor. Kerby said, "I do believe that in the sacrament that Jesus Christ instituted at his last supper, on Maunday Thursday, to his disciples (which ought of us likewise to be done), is the death and passion, and his blood-shedding for the redemption of the world, to be remembered: and (as I said before) yet bread, and more than bread; for that it is consecrated to a holy use." Then was master doctor in his dumps, and spake not one word more to Kerby after. Then said the undersheriff to Kerby, "Hast thou any thing more to say?" "Yea, sir," said he, "if you will give me leave." "Say on," said the sheriff.

Lord

worth at

Then Kerby, taking his nightcap from his head, put it under his arm, as though it should have done him service again; but, remembering himself, he cast it from him, and lifting up his hands, he said the hymn, Te Deum, and the Belief, with other prayers in the English tongue. The lord Wentworth, while Kerby was thus doing, Went- did shroud himself behind one of the posts of the gallery, and wept, Kerby's and so did many others. Then said Kerby, "I have done: you may Constant execute your office, good Master Sheriff." Then fire was set to the death and wood, and with a loud voice he called unto God, knocking on his breast, and holding up his hands, so long as his remembrance would serve, and so ended his life; the people giving shouts, and praising God with great admiration of his constancy, being so simple and

burning.

martyr

dom of Kerby,

at Ipswich.

Roger Clarke brought

to the

stake at Bury.

He giveth

no reverence to

the pro

unlettered.

cap, nor

On the Gang-Monday, A.D. 1546, about ten of the clock, Roger Clarke of Mendelsham was brought out of prison, and went on foot to the gate, called Southgate, in Bury, and, by the way, the procession met with them; but he went on, and would not bow knee, but with most vehement words rebuked that idolatry and superstition, the officers being much offended. And without the gate, cession. where was the place of execution, the stake being ready, and the wood lying by, he came, and kneeled down, and said, Magnificat, in the English tongue, making as it were a paraphrase upon the same, wherein he declared how that the blessed Virgin Mary, who might as well rejoice in pureness, as any others, yet humbled herself to her Saviour. "And what sayest thou, John Baptist," said he, "the greatest of all men's children? Behold the Lamb of God, which

taketh away the sins of the world.'”

VIII.

A. D. 1545

to

And thus, with a loud voice, Henry he cried unto the people, while he was in fastening unto the stake, and then the fire was set to him, where he suffered pains unmercifully; for the wood was green, and would not burn; so that he was choked with smoke. And, moreover, being set in a pitch-barrel, with some 1546. pitch sticking still by the sides, he was therewith sore pained, till he His painhad got his feet out of the barrel. And, at length, one standing by ful burntook a faggot-stick, and striking at the ring of iron about his neck, ing and so pashed him, and struck him belike upon the head, that he shrank dom. down on the one side into the fire; and so was dissolved.2

In the beginning of this story of Kerby and Roger, mention was made of a certain bill put upon the Town-house door, and brought the next day to the lord Wentworth, the words of which bill were these.

The Bill set upon the Town-house Door in Ipswich, the Night before
Kerby and Roger were condemned.

'Justè judicate filii hominum:' yet, when ye shall judge, minister your justice with mercy.

A fearful thing it is, to fall into the hands of the living God:' be ye learned, therefore, in true knowledge, ye that judge the earth; lest the Lord be angry with you.

"The blood of the righteous shall be required at your hands.' What though the veil hanged before Moses' face; yet at Christ's death it fell down.

'The stones will speak, if these should hold their peace:' therefore harden not your hearts against the verity.

For fearfully shall the Lord appear in the day of vengeance to the troubled in conscience. No excuse shall there be of ignorance, but every vat shall stand on his own bottom. Therefore have remorse in your conscience; fear him that may kill both body and soul.

Beware of innocent blood-shedding; take heed of justice ignorantly ministered; work discreetly as the Scripture doth command: look to it, that ye make not

the truth to be forsaken.

We beseech God to save our king, king Henry the Eighth, that he be not led into temptation. So be it.

This year also it was ordained and decreed, and solemnly given out in proclamation, by the king's name and authority, and his council, that the English procession should be used throughout all England, according as it was set forth by his said council, and none other to be used throughout the whole realm.

martyr

subdued.

About the latter end of this year, 1545, in the month of No- The Scots vember, when the king had subdued the Scots, and afterwards, joining together with the emperor, had invaded France, and had got from Boulogne them the town of Boulogne, he summoned his high court of par-parlialiament. In that was granted unto him, besides other subsidies of ment. money, all colleges, chantries, free chapels, hospitals, fraternities, Colleges brotherhoods, guilds, and perpetuities of stipendiary priests, to be tries disposed of at his will and pleasure.3 Whereupon, in the month of the king. December following, the king after the wonted custom, came into the parliament-house to give his royal assent to such acts as were there passed; where, after an eloquent oration made to him by the

(1) John i.

(2) And so was dissolved.' behold, and so ended his life.'

(3) Stat. anno 37, reg. Hen.

'Where he lived long in great and cruel torments most woeful to
See Edition 1563, p. 655,-ED.

VIII. [cap. iv.,-ED]

and chan

given to

VIII.

Henry speaker, he, answering again unto the same, not by the lord chancellor (as the manner was), but by himself, uttered forth this oration, word A. D. for word, as it is reported and left in story.

1545

to

1546.

The king's

thanks to

mons.

bestow

ing of

In the contents of which oration, first, eloquently and lovingly, be declared his grateful heart to his loving subjects for their grants and subventions, offered unto him. In the second part, with no less vehemency he exhorteth them to concord, peace and unity. Whereunto if he had also joined the third part, that is, as in words he exhorted to unity, so he had begun indeed first himself to take away the occasion of division, disobedience, and disturbance from his subjects; that is, had removed the stumbling-block of the Six Articles out of the people's way, which set brother against brother, neighbour against neighbouf, the superior against the subject, and the wolves to devour the poor flock of Christ: then, had he not only spoken, but also done, like a worthy prince. But of this, more shall be said in the sequel hereof, God willing.

The King's Oration in the Parliament-House.

Although my chancellor for the time being hath, before this time, used very eloquently and substantially to make answer to such orations as have been set forth in this high court of parliament, yet is he not so able to open and set forth my mind and meaning, and the secrets of my heart, in so plain and ample manner as I myself am, and can do. Wherefore I, taking upon me to answer your eloquent oration, Master Speaker! say, that whereas you, in the name of our well-beloved Commons, have both praised and extolled me for the notable qualities that you have conceived to be in me, I most heartily thank you all that you put me in remembrance of my duty, which is, to endeavour myself to obtain and get such excellent qualities, and necessary virtues, as a prince or governor should or ought to have; of which gifts I recognise myself both bare and barren.

But for such small qualities as God hath endued me withal, I render to his goodness my most humble thanks, intending, with all my wit and diligence, to get and acquire to me such notable virtues and princely qualities, as you have alleged to be incorporate in my person.

which

These thanks for your loving admonition and good counsel first remembered, I eftsoons thank you again, because that you, considering our great charges his com- (not for our pleasure, but for your defence; not for our gain, but to our great cost), which we have lately sustained, as well in defence against our and your enemies, as for the conquest of that fortress, which was to this realm most displeasant and noisome, and shall be, by God's grace, hereafter to our nation most profitable and pleasant, have freely, of your own mind, granted to us a certain subsidy here in an act specified; which, verily, we take in good part, regarding more your kindness than the profit thereof, as he that setteth more Promises by your loving hearts, than by your substance. Besides this hearty kindness, the well I cannot a little rejoice, when I consider the perfect trust and sure confidence you have put in me, as men having undoubted hope, and unfeigned belief, chantries in my good doings and just proceedings; for that you, without my desire or request, have committed to mine order and disposition all chantries, colleges, hospitals, and other places specified in a certain act, firmly trusting that I will order them to the glory of God, and the profit of our commonwealth. Surely if I, contrary to your expectation, should suffer the ministers of the church to decay; or learning, which is so great a jewel, to be minished; or poor and miserable people to be unrelieved; you might say that I, being put in so special a trust as I am in this case, were no trusty friend to you, nor charitable man to mine even christened, neither a lover of the public wealth, nor yet one that feared God, to whom account must be rendered of all our doings. Doubt not, I pray you, but your expectation shall be served more godly and goodly than you will wish or desire, as hereafter you shall plainly perceive.

and col

leges.

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