A19567:15
The copy of certain letters sent to the Queen, and also to doctor Martin…The copy of certain lettres sent to the Quene, and also to doctour Martin…
The copy of certain letters sent to the Queen, and also to doctor Martin and doctor Story, by the most reverend father in God, Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury from prison in Oxford: who (after long and most grievous strait imprisoning and cruel handling) most constantly and willingly suffered martyrdom there, for the true testimony of Christ, in March. 1556The copy of certain lettres sent to the Quene, and also to doctour Martin and doctour Storye, by the most reuerende father in God, Thomas Cranmer Archebishop of Cantorburye from prison in Oxeforde: who (after long and most greuous strayt emprisoning and cruell handlyng) most constauntly and willingly suffred martirdome ther, for the true testimonie of Christ, in Marche. 1556
Emden: printed by Egidius van der Erve, 1556
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
That is to say: We excommunicate all heretics of both sexes, what name so ever they be called by: and their favourers and receptors, & defenders: and also them that shall hereafter cause to be observed statutes and customs made against the liberty of the church, except they cause the same to be put out of their books or records within two months after the publication of this sentence. Also we excommunicate the statute makers and writers of those statutes, and all the potestates, consules, governors & counsellors of places, where such statutes and customs shall be made or kept: & also those that shall presume to give judgement according to them, or to write in to public form the matters so judged.1
That is to saye: We excōmunicat all heretikes of bothe sexes, what name so euer they be called by: and their fauourers and receptours, & defendours: and also them that shall hereafter cause to be obserued statutes and customes made against the libertie of the church, except they cause the same to be put out of theyr bokes or recordes within two monethes after the publicacion of this sentence. Also we excommunicate the statute makers and wrytours of those statutes, and all the potestates, cōsules, gouernours & counsaillours of places, wher suche statutes and customes shall be made or kept: & also those that shall presume to geue iudgement according to them, or to wryte in to publike forme the maters so iudged.1
- 1Other the popes laws be unlawful, or else all England is accursed.Other the popes lawes be vnlauful, or els all England is accursed.
Now by these laws, if the bishop of Romes authority which he claimeth by God, be lawful: all your graces ⟨image 5⟩laws and customs of your realm, being contrary to the popes laws, be naught. And aswell your majesty as your judges, Justices and all other executors of the same, stand accursed among heretics, which God forbid. And yet this curse can never be avoided (if the pope have such power as he claimeth) until such times,