MarginaliaTrapnell Martyr, burnt at Brodford. ALso muche about the same tyme, was one Trapnell burned in a Towne called Brodford, within the same Countie.
In the Rerum, Foxe briefly notes that three 'iuvenes', Robert King, Nicholas Marsh and John 'Debnammus' were hung in 1532 for destroying an 'idolum' at Dovercourt Essex. Foxe also mentioned that a 'Robertus Gayrnerus' was burned for the same offence (Rerum, p. 126). Foxe's source for this was undoubtedly John Bale who had written that Robert King, Nicholas Marsh and John 'Debynsham' were executed for 'destroying the fowle ydoll of Dovercourt' (John Bale, The epistle exhortatorye of an English Christiane [Antwerp, 1544?], STC 1291.5, fo. 13r). Bale didn't mention Robert Gardner, though, and Foxe must have learned of him from Bale or another exile.
[Back to Top]But while Foxe's early information about Gardner was garbled - Gardner was clearly not burned - it seems to have provided an important lead for future research into what happened at Dovercourt. The account of the destruction of the Dovercourt rood comes - as Foxe states - from a letter Robert Gardner wrote a Londoner, describing the incident. Foxe cites Gardner as his source for other acts of iconoclasm in Essex and Sussex in 1532 (It is clear from Foxe's note that his source for the following incidents was Robert Gardner. But it is not apparent whether these details came from the original letter Gardner sent to Chapman or from subsequent communications between Foxe and Gardner). It seems clear that Foxe's recovering this evidence is the product of directed research and not serendipity.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaOut of a letter of Robert Gardner written to Chapman Londoner, and yet aliue IN the same yeare of our Lord. 1532.MarginaliaThe Roode of Douercourt. there was an Idoll named the Roode of Douercourt, whereunto was much and greate resorte of people. For at that tyme there was great rumour blowen abroade amonges the ignoraunt sort, that the power of the Idoll of Douercourt was so greate, that no man had power to shut the Churche doore where he stoode, and therefore they lette the Churche doore bothe nyght and daye continually stande open, for the more credite vnto their blynde rumour. Whiche once beyng conceiued in the heades of the vulgar sort, seemed a greate meruale vnto many men, but to manye againe, whom God had blessed with his spirite, was greatly suspected, especially vnto these, whose names here folow,MarginaliaRobart King Rob. Debnam, Nicolas Marsh, Martyrs. as Robert Kyng of Dedham, Robert Debnam of Estbergholt, Nicholas Marshe of Dedham, and Robert Gardner of Dedham, whose consciences were sore burdened to see the honor and power of the almightye liuyng God so to be blasphemed by such an Idoll. Wherfore they were moued by the spirite of God, to trauaile out of Dedham in a woondrous goodly night, both hard frost and fayre moone shine, although the night before, and the night after were exceedyng foule and raynie. It was from the towne of Dedham, to the place where the filthy Roode stood. x. miles. Notwithstanding they were so willyng in that their enterprise, that they wente these. x. myles without payne,MarginaliaThe blinde opinions of the people. and found the Church doore open, accordyng to the blynd talke of the ignoraunt people: for there durst no vnfaythfull body shut it. Which happened wel for their purpose, for they founde the Idol, which had as much power to keepe the doore shut, as to keepe it open. And for proofe therof, they tooke the Idol from his shrine, and caryed hym a quarter of a myle from the place where he stoode, without any resistaunce of the sayd idol.MarginaliaThe Idoll set on a lyght fyer. Wherupon they strake fire with a Flint stone, and sodenly set hym on fire, who burned out so brym, that he lighted them homeward one good myle of the ten.
[Back to Top]This done, there went a greate talke abroade, that they should haue great riches in that place,MarginaliaFalse surmise alwayes readye. but it was very vntrue, for it was not their thought or enterprise, as they them selues afterward confessed, for there was nothing taken away but his coate, his shooes and tapers.MarginaliaThe right handling of an Idoll. The tapers dyd helpe to burne hym, the shooes they had againe, and the coate one sir Thomas Rose dyd burne, but they had neyther peny, halfe peny, gold, grote nor iewel.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaRobert Kyng Robart Debnam Nicolas Marsh, Martyrs. Notwithstandyng three of them were afterwarde indited of felonie, and hanged in chaynes within halfe a yere after, or thereabout. Robert Kyng was hanged in Dedham at Burchet: Robert Debnam was hanged at Cattawaye Causey: Nicolas Marshe was hanged at Douercourt. Which three persons, through the spirite of God at their death, dyd more edifie the people in godly learning, then al the Sermons that had bene preached there a long
This one of a number of indications scattered throughout the Acts and Monuments of Foxe's whole-hearted approval of iconoclasm. It is perhaps worth remembering that he destroyed an image of the Virgin Mary at Ouldsworth, Surrey, during Edward VI's reign [ODNB].
MarginaliaRobart Gardner escaped. The fourth man of this companye named Roberte Gardner, escaped their handes and fledde. Albeit he was cruelly sought for, to haue had & þe like death, but & þe lyuyng Lord preserued hym, to whom be all honour & glory world without ende.
It is clear from Foxe's note that his source for the following incidents was Robert Gardner. But it is not apparent whether these details came from the original letter Gardner sent to Chapman or from subsequent communications between Foxe and Gardner.
Also Iohn Seward of Dedham, ouerthrewe a Crosse in Stoke Parke, and tooke two Images out of a chapel in the same parke, and cast them into the water.