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Protestants were executed in England under heresy laws during the reigns of Henry VIII (1509–1547) and Mary I (1553–1558). Radical Christians also were executed, though in much smaller numbers, during the reigns of Edward VI (1547–1553), Elizabeth I (1558–1603), and
James I James I may refer to: People *James I of Aragon (1208–1276) *James I of Sicily or James II of Aragon (1267–1327) *James I, Count of La Marche (1319–1362), Count of Ponthieu *James I, Count of Urgell (1321–1347) *James I of Cyprus (1334–13 ...
(1603–1625). The excesses of this period were recorded in Foxe's ''Book of Martyrs''. Protestants in England and Wales were executed under legislation that punished anyone judged guilty of heresy against Catholicism. Although the standard penalty for those convicted of treason in England at the time was execution by being hanged, drawn and quartered, this legislation adopted the punishment of burning the condemned. At least 280 people were recognised as burned over the five years of Mary I's reign by contemporary sources.


Historical context


English Reformation

The English Reformation had put a stop to Catholic ecclesiastical governance in England, asserted
royal supremacy The Acts of Supremacy are two acts passed by the Parliament of England in the 16th century that established the English monarchs as the head of the Church of England; two similar laws were passed by the Parliament of Ireland establishing the Eng ...
over the English Church and dissolved some church institutions, such as monasteries and chantries. An important year in the English Reformation was 1547, when Protestantism became a new force under the child-king Edward VI, England's first Protestant ruler. Edward died at age 15 in 1553. His relative Lady Jane Grey claimed the throne but was deposed by Edward's Catholic half-sister, Mary I. David Loades: ''Power in Tudor England''. New York: St Martin's Press, 1997.


Persecution of Protestants under Mary I (1553–1558)

The relationship between the English church and Rome was restored at the accession of Queen Mary I to the English throne in 1553. With her repeal of all religious legislation passed under Edward VI, Protestants faced a choice: exile, reconciliation/conversion, or punishment.Richards, Judith M. ''Mary Tudor'', Routledge 2009 Many people were exiled, and hundreds of dissenters were burned at the stake, earning her the nickname of "Bloody Mary". The number of people executed for their faith during the persecutions is thought to be at least 287, including 56 women. Thirty others died in prison. Duffy, Eamon ''Fires of Faith: Catholic England Under Mary Tudor,'' New Haven, Yale 2008 Although the so-called "Marian Persecutions" began with four clergymen, relics of Edwardian England's Protestantism, '' Foxe's Book of Martyrs'' offers an account of the executions, which extended well beyond the anticipated targets – high-level clergy. Tradesmen were also burned, as well as married men and women, sometimes in unison, "youths" and at least one couple was burned alive with their daughter. The figure of 300 victims of the Marian Persecutions was given by Foxe and later by Thomas Brice in his poem, "The Regester".


English Inquisition and the judicial process

However bloody the end, the trials of Protestant heretics were judicial affairs, presided by bishops (most notably Bishop Bonner) adhering to a strict legal protocol under the privy council, with Parliament's blessing. Mary had difficulty forming an efficient Privy Council, which eventually numbered over 40 and never worked as a source of political advice, though it effectively pursued police work and enforcement of religious uniformity. During the session that restored the realm to papal obedience parliament reinstated the heresy laws. From 20 January 1555, England could legally punish those judged guilty of heresy against the Roman Catholic faith. Thus it became a matter of establishing the guilt or innocence of an accused heretic in open court – a process which the lay authorities employed to reclaim "straying sheep" and to set a precedent for authentic Catholic teaching. If found guilty, the accused were first excommunicated, then handed over to the secular authorities for execution. The official records of the trials are limited to formal accusations, sentences, and so forth; the documents to which historians look for context and detail are those written by the accused or their supporters.


John Rogers's execution

Before Mary's ascent to the throne, John Foxe, one of the few clerics of his day who was against the burning of even obstinate heretics, had approached the Royal Chaplain and Protestant preacher, John Rogers to intervene on behalf of
Joan of Kent Joan, Countess of Kent (29 September 1326/1327 – 7 August 1385), known as The Fair Maid of Kent, was the mother of King Richard II of England, her son by her third husband, Edward the Black Prince, son and heir apparent of King Edward III. ...
, a female Anabaptist who was sentenced to burning in 1550. Rogers refused to help, as he supported the burning of heretics. Rogers claimed that the method of execution was "sufficiently mild" for a crime as grave as heresy. Later, after Mary I came to power and restored England to Catholicism, John Rogers spoke quite vehemently against the new order and was burnt as a heretic.


Legacy

Throughout the course of the persecutions, Foxe lists 312 individuals who were burnt or hanged for their faith, or died or sickened in prison. Three of these people are commemorated with a gothic memorial in Oxford, England but there are many other memorials across England. They are known locally as the "Marian Martyrs". English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era are remembered in the Church of England with a Lesser Festival on 4 May.


Martyrs executed


Also mentioned by Foxe

*John Fortune (or Cutler) (of Hintlesham, Suffolk, blacksmith, either burnt or died in prison) Foxe's Book of Martyrs: 346. John Fortune, otherwise Cutler.
Exclassics.com. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
* John Warner of Bourne * Thomas Athoth, priest 'he may have died in prison, escaped or – less likely – been pardoned.' * John Ashedon of Catsfield


Posthumous proceedings

* William Tracy of Toddington, Gloucestershire, 'worshipful esquire', exhumed and burnt, 1532 Foxe's Book of Martyrs: 180. Persons abjured in London
Exclassics.com. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
* John Tooley, poulterer, exhumed and burnt, 4 June 1555
Exclassics.com. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
* James Trevisam, died 3 July 1555 and summoned posthumously to appear before the bishop
Exclassics.com. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
* Catherine, wife of Peter Martyr Vermigli, exhumed 1556, CambridgeFoxe's Book of Martyrs:352 The visitation at Cambridge; exhumations and burnings.
Exclassics.com. Retrieved 26 May 2013
* Martin Bucer, Professor of Divinity, exhumed and burnt 6 February 1557, Cambridge * Paul Fagius, Lecturer in Hebrew, exhumed and burnt 6 February 1557, Cambridge * Joan Seaman, early 1558, refused burial at Mendlesham * John Glover, gentleman, 'about the latter end of Queen Mary', ordered to be exhumed * William Glover, September 1558, refused burial at Wem, Shropshire * Edward Burton, 15 January 1559, refused burial at Shrewsbury


Those who sickened or died in prison


See also

* Marian exiles *
Martyrs' Memorial The Martyrs' Memorial is a stone monument positioned at the intersection of St Giles', Magdalen Street and Beaumont Street, to the west of Balliol College, Oxford, England. It commemorates the 16th-century Oxford Martyrs. History The monume ...
*'' Foxe's Book of Martyrs'' * Religion in the United Kingdom *
Oxford Martyrs The Oxford Martyrs were Protestants tried for heresy in 1555 and burnt at the stake in Oxford, England, for their religious beliefs and teachings, during the Marian persecution in England. The three martyrs were the Church of England b ...
* List of people executed in Smithfield *
Coventry Martyrs The Coventry Martyrs were a disparate group of Lollard Christians executed for their beliefs in Coventry between 1512 and 1522 (seven men and two women) and in 1555 (three men). Eleven of them are commemorated by a six-metre-high () monument, e ...
*'' Martyrs Mirror'', a book with a similar theme dealing with primarily with Anabaptist martyrs * Short, sharp shock


Notes


References

{{reflist, 30em


External links


List of martyrs according to FoxeList of martyrs according to Summers
Lists of Christian martyrs English Reformation Marian martyr Mary I of England Religiously motivated violence in England Human rights abuses in England Political and cultural purges Anglican saints