was sette vpon her, she neither strugled nor sturred, but lifted vp her hands towards God beinge dead very spedely, the vnder Shriefe being fauourable, who at the request of her fr?des did prouide suche stuffe, by the which she was sodenly dispatched oute of this miserable world. This amongest other thinges may not be forgotten, that the papistes had appointed some of theirs to rayle vpon her openly, and to reuile, both as she went to the place of execution and also when she was at the stake. Amongest others there was an olde priest, which had a payre of writing tables to note bothe the names of the women that drancke of her cup (as before you herd) & also described her frendes by their apparel. for presently I could not learne their names, and afterwards enquired for their names, & so immediately processe was sent out for them, both to Couentry & to other places.
See 1563, p. 1683; 1570, p. 2220; 1576, p. 1815 and 1583, pp. 2023-24.
Apart from a brief section, added in 1570, describing alleged attempts to intimidate Margery Austoo, this entire account first appeared in the 1563 edition. It is based partly on official documents - the articles and answers of Ralph Allerton - partly on the testimony of informants and largely on the writings of Allerton and Roth. Apart from the anecdotes added in 1570, this account remained unchanged in subsequent editions.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaSept?ber. 17.IN searching out the certayne nomber of the faithful martirs of God, that suffred within the tyme and raigne of Quene Mary: I finde that about the. xvii. day of September, wer burned at Islington, nigh vnto London, these foure constant professours of Christ, videlicet, MarginaliaMartyrs.Rafe Allerton, Iames Awstoo, Margery Awstoo hys wyfe, and Richard Roth. Amongest the which, it appeareth that this Rafe Allerton was more then a yeare before his condemnation, appreh?ded & brought before the Lord Darcy of Chiche, & was there accused, aswell for that hee woulde not consent and come vnto the idolatrye and supersticion which then was vsed, as also that he had enticed others to doo the lyke. Beynge then hereupon examined, confessed that he c?ming into his parish church of Bentley, and seing the people sytting there, eyther gasynge about, or els talking together, exhorted them that they would fal vnto prayer and meditacion of Gods most holy woorde: Whereunto they wyllingly consented. Then after prayer ended, he red vnto them a chapter of the new testament, and so departed. In which exercise he continued vntyl Candlemas, and then being enformed that he might not so doo by the law (for that he was no priest) he left of, and kept himselfe close in his house vntyll Easter then next after. At what tyme, certayne sworen men for thenquiry of suche maters, came vnto his house and MarginaliaRafe Allert? attachedattached him, for readyng in the parishe of Welley. But when they vnderstoode that he had red but once, and that it was of obedience, wherunto he earnestly moued the people, they let him for that tyme de-
[Back to Top]part. Notwithstanding he was (not longe after) constrained to forsake his own house, and kepe him selfe in woods, barnes, and other solitary places, vntil the tyme of his apprehension. After this examination, the MarginaliaL. Darcy,Lord Darcy sent hym vp vnto the Counsel: but they (not myndinge to trouble them selues wyth hym) sent hym vnto Boner.
The privy council's letter of 17 November 1557, sending Allerton to Bonner is APC VI, pp. 18-19. There is a copy of this letter in Foxe's papers: BL, MS Harley 419, fo. 134r.
MarginaliaAllertons examinacions.BOner. A sirra, how cha?seth it that you are come hether agayne, on this fashion? I dare saye thou art accused wrongfully.
Raafe. Yea my Lorde, so I am. for if I were giltye of such thinges as I am accused of, then I would be very sory.
Boner. By saint mary that is not well done: but let me heare, art thou an honest man? for if I canne proue no heresy by thee, then shall thine accusers do thee no harme at al: go to, let me here thee. for I did not beleue the tale to be true.
Rafe. My Lord, who dothe accuse me? I pray you let me know, & what is myne accusation that I may answere therunto.