A67922:2503
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol.…Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol.…
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 1] with an universal history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitive age to these latter times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions against the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperors, as now lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realm of England and Scotland. Newly revised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time again published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the help of Christ our Lord) John Fox, which desireth thee good reader to help him with thy prayer.Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.
London: printed by John Daye, 1583London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1583
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.
King Stephen.
Thus when king Stephen contrary to his oath made before to Mould the Empress,1 had taken upon him the crown (as is above said) he sware before the Lords at Oxford,2 that he would not hold the benefices that were voided ⟨p. 201⟩and that he would remit the Danegelt, with many other things,3 which after he little performed, Moreover, because he dread the coming of the Empress, he gave licence to his Lords, every one to build upon their own ground, strong castles or fortresses, as them liked. All the time of his reign he was vexed with wars, but especially with David King of the Scots, with whom he was at length accorded, but yet the Scottish king did him no homage, because he was sworn to Maud the Empress. Notwithstanding, yet Henry the eldest son to king David, did homage to king Stephen. But he after repenting thereof, entered into Northumberland with a great host, & burnt and New the people in most cruel wise, neither sparing man, woman, nor child. Such as were with child they ripped, the children they tossed upon their spear points, and laying the priests upon the altars, they mangled and cut them all to pieces after a most terrible manner. But by the manhood of the English Lords and soldiers,4 and through the means of Thurstine Archbishop of York, they were met withal, and slain a great number of them, and David their king constrained to give Henry his son hostage for surety of peace. In the mean time king Stephen was occupied in the South countries, besieging divers castles of divers Bishops & other Lords, and took them by force, and fortified them with his knights and servants, to the intent to withstand the Empress, whose coming he ever feared.