Henry 1546. Hitherto we have entreated of this good woman: now it remaineth that we touch somewhat as concerning her end and martyrdom. After A.D. that she (being born of such stock and kindred that she might have lived in great wealth and prosperity, if she would rather have followed the world than Christ), now had been so tormented, that she could neither live long in so great distress, neither yet by her adversaries be suffered to die in secret, the day of her execution being appointed, she was brought into Smithfield in a chair, because she could not go on her feet, by means of her great torments. When she was brought unto the stake, she was tied by the middle with a chain, that held up her body. When all things were thus prepared to the fire, Dr. upon the Shaxton, who was then appointed to preach, began his sermon. Anne Shaxton Askew, hearing and answering again unto him, where he said well, preacheth confirmed the same; where he said amiss, There," said she, "he burning. misseth, and speaketh without the book." Anne Askew brought unto the stake, lamed rack; at her She refuseth the king's pardon. 66 The sermon being finished, the martyrs, standing there tied at three several stakes ready to their martyrdom, began their prayers. The multitude and concourse of the people was exceeding; the place where they stood being railed about to keep out the press. Upon the bench under St. Bartholomew's church sat Wriothesley, chancellor of England; the old duke of Norfolk, the old earl of Bedford, the lord mayor, with divers others. Before the fire should be set unto them, one of the bench, hearing that they had gunpowder about them, and being alarmed lest the faggots, by strength of the gunpowder, would come flying about their ears, began to be afraid: but the earl of Bedford, declaring unto him how the gunpowder was not laid under the faggots, but only about their bodies, to rid them out of their pain; which having vent, there was no danger to them of the faggots, so diminished that fear. Then Wriothesley, lord chancellor, sent to Anne Askew letters, offering to her the king's pardon if she would recant; who, refusing once to look upon them, made this answer again, that she came not thither to deny her Lord and Master. Then were the letters likewise offered unto the others, who, in like manner, following the constancy of the woman, denied not only to receive them, but also to look upon them. Whereupon the lord mayor, commanding fire Justitia! to be put unto them, cried with a loud voice, "Fiat justitia." Justitia ! And thus the good Anne Askew, with these blessed martyrs, being troubled so many manner of ways, and having passed through so many torments, having now ended the long course of her agonies, being compassed in with flames of fire, as a blessed sacrifice unto God, she slept in the Lord A.D. 1546, leaving behind her a singular example of christian constancy for all men to follow. The Martyrdom of John Lacels, John Adams, and Nicholas Belenian. There was, at the same time, also burned together with her, one Nicholas Belenian, priest of Shropshire; John Adams, a tailor; and John Lacels, gentleman of the court and household of king Henry. It happened well for them, that they died together with Anne Askew for, albeit that of themselves they were strong and stout |