A67926:4156
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. 2, part 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. 2, part 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
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
It happened, that Francis Frescobald being in Florence, there appeared before him a poor young man,1 asking his alms for Gods sake. Frescobald as he earnestly beheld this ragged stripling, who was not so disguised in his tottered attire, but that his countenance gave signification of much towardness & virtue in him, with conformity of manners agreeing to the same, being moved with pity, demanded of what country he was, & where he was borne. I am Sir (quoth he) of England,2 & my name is Thomas Cromwell. My father is a poor man, & by his occupation a cloth shearer. I am strayed from my country, and am now come into Italy with the camp of frenchmen, that were overthrown at Gatilyon,3 where I was the page to a footman, carrying after him his pike and burgonet. Frescobald partly considering the present state of this young man, and partly for the love he bare to the english nation, of whom he had received in times past sundry pleasures, received him into his house, & with such courtesy entertained his guest, as at his departure when he was in mind to return to his coū try, he provided such necessaries as he any way needed.4 He gave him both horse & new apparel, & 16. ducats of gold in his purse, to bring him into his country. Cromwell rendering his hearty thanks, took leave of his host & returned into England. This Cromwell was a man of noble courage & heroical spirit, given to enterprise great matters, very liberal, a grave Counsellor, &c. But to our purpose.
It happened, that Fraunces Frescobald being in Florence, there appeared before him a poore yong man,1 asking his almes for Gods sake. Frescobald as he earnestly beheld this ragged stripling, who was not so disguised in his tottered attire, but that his countenaunce gaue significatiō of much towardnes & vertue in him, with cōformity of maners agreing to the same, being mooued with pity, demaūded of what coūtry he was, & where he was borne. I am Syr (quoth he) of England,2