An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the ChurchAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church

An. 1546. Peter Clerk, ¹brother to John Clerk, burnt before: Stephanus Mangius, James Bomplack, John Brisebar, Henry Hutmotes, Thomas Honorate, John Bardoninus, John Flesch, John Pitquer, John Mattheston, Phillip Little, Michael Chailow, Francis Clerk, Couberon a weaver, were burned at Melda or Meaux, 10. miles from Paris, were William Briconetus ²B. of the place did much good, and reformed the Church, but being straitly examined, relented, and there entertained a private congregation in Mangius house, & chose Peter Clerk to their minister. The congregation grew shortly to 400. and complaint being made thereof to the Senate of Paris, three score & two, men & women, were brought bound to Paris, singing Psalms by the way,³ especially the 79. psalm: of these 62. fourteen were steadfast & constant, & endured first racking, to bewray other of their brethren, but uttered none: the rest were scourged and banished, the other persisting still in the profession of the truth, were sent in a cart from Paris to Melda, to be executed. In the way three miles from Paris, a certain weaver meeting them, cried aloud: bidding them to be of good cheer, and to cleave fast to the Lord, who also was taken and tied fast to the cart. Coming to the place of execution, which was before Mangius house, it was told them that they which would be confessed should save their tongues: so 7. (to obtain to speak) were confessed the other 7. would not As they were in burning the people song psalms. The ⟨p. 451⟩priests also seeing that, song, O Salutaris hostia, and Salve Regina, while the sacrifice of these holy martyrs was finished.⁴ Their wives being compelled to see their husbands in torments, were after put in prison, from whence they being promised to be let go, if they would say, their husbands were dā ned, they refused to say so. The accusers were, Francisc. friars.

An. 1546. Peter Clerke, ¹