A67927:4901
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 2, part 2] 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 2] 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.
Helyer Gosseline,1 of the Parish of Saint Peter le port in Guernsey Merchant, Nicholas Cary, the elder, John Merchant, Peter Bonamie, of the Parish of Saint Martin, and Nicholas Martin, Son of John, having humbly submitted themselves to the Queens most excellent Majesty, acknowledging their erroneous Judgements, aswell against Katherine Cawches, and Guillemine, and Perotine, her two Daughters, and the Infant of the said Perotine, executed by fire, for supposed heresy, as also for the acquitting of Nicholas Normain, a wilful murderer, and other matters contained in their several Submissions, pray the Queens Majesties Pardon for the said crimes and others committed in their several submissions.
HElyer Gosseline,1 of the Parish of Saynt Peter le porte in Garnesey Marchaunt, Nicholas Carie, the elder, Iohn Marchant, Peter Bonamie, of the Parish of Saint Martin, and Nicholas Martin, Sonne of Iohn, hauyng humbly submitted themselues to the Queenes most excellent Maiestye, acknowledging theyr erroneous Iudgementes, aswell agaynst Katherine Cawches, and Guillemine, and Perotine, her two Daughters, and the Infant of the sayd Perotine, executed by fire, for supposed heresy, as also for the acquiting of Nicholas Normain, a wilfull murtherer, and other matters conteined in theyr seuerall Submissions, praye the Queenes Maiestyes Pardon for the sayd crimes and others cōmitted in theyr seuerall submissions.
John Blondel the elder, of the Parish of Saint Saviour, within the Isle of Guernsey, upon like Submission, and acknowledging of his offence, prayeth like grace and Pardon for his consent given, to the execution of the said three women.
Iohn Blondell the elder, of the Parish of Saynt Sauiour, within the Isle of Garnesey, vppon lyke Submission, and acknowledging of his offence, prayth like grace and Pardon for his consent geuen, to the execution of the sayd three women.
Richard de Uike, of the Parish of saint Peter le port, Merchant, prayeth like grace and pardon for his consent and Judgement given for the acquitting of the said Norman, according to his Supplication, and Submission late presented by Peter Bonamie, the same De Uike, and Peter Pelley, of the Parish of Saint Peter le port, Merchants.
Richard de Uike, of the Parish of saynt Peter le port, Marchant, prayeth like grace and pardon for his consent and Iudgement geuen for the acquitting of the sayd Norman, according to his Supplication, and Submission late presented by Peter Bonamie, the same De Uike, and Peter Pelley, of the Parish of Saynt Peter le port, Marchauntes.
The said Peter Pelley, prayeth the benefit of the said Pardon, to be extended unto him, according to his submission in the said supplication.
The sayd Peter Pelley, prayeth the benefite of the said Pardon, to be extended vnto him, according to his submismission in the sayd supplication.
Jaques Amy Clerk, prayeth the benefit of the said pardon for his sentence with the Clergies against the said women, according to his Submission.
Iaques Amy Clerke, prayeth the benefite of the sayde pardon for his sentence with the Clergies against the said women, according to his Submission.
Thomas Effart, of the Parish of Saint Peter le port, humbly prayeth, as procurator lawfully constituted by the Chapter, Bailiff, and Jurates, that the same pardon may extend to acquit all the inhabitants of the said Isle, of the arrearages. &c.
Thomas Effart, of the Parish of Saynt Peter le port, humbly prayeth, as procurour lawfully constituted by the Chapiter, Bailiffe, and Iurates, that the same pardō may extend to acquite all the inhabitantes of the sayd Isle, of the arrerages. &c.
REgina, omnibus ad quos. &c. Salutem. Sciatis quod nos de gratia nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia & mero motu,1 nostris pardonavimus, remissimus, & relaxavimus, ac pro nobis, haeredibus & successoribus nostris, per praesentes pardonamus, remittimus & relaxamus Hillerio Gosselyne, de Parochia sancti Petri in Portu, infra insulam nostram de Garnesey, Mercatori: Johanni Blundell de Parochia Sancti Saluatoris infra praedictam insulam de Garnesey seniori, Merchant: Nicolao Carie seniori de dicta Parochia sancti Petri in Portu, infra eandem insulam de Garnesey Mercatori: Joanni Marchant de eisdem Parochia & in insula Generoso: Nicolao Martin filio Johannis de dicta Parochia sancti Petri in Portu, infra praedictam insulam de Garnesey Mercatori: Richardo Devike de dicta Parochia sancti Petri in Portu, infra praedictam insulam de Garnesey Mercatori: Petro Pelley de dicta Parochia sancti Petri in Portu, infra praedictam insulam de Garnesey, Mercatori: & Jacobo Amy de Parochia sā cti Saluatoris, infra dictam insulam de Garnesey, Clerico: & eorum cuilibet, coniunctim & divisim, seu quocunque alio nomine, sive quibuscunque alijs nominibus cognominibus sive additionibus, nominis vel cognominis, officiorum artium vel locorum, ijdem Hillerius, Nic. Cary, Johannes, Nicholaus Martin, Johannes Blundell, Richardus, Petrus, & Jacobus censeantur, vocentur, sive nuncupentur aut nuper censebantur, vocabentur sive nuncupabantur, aut quocunque alio nomine, seu cognomine, aut additione nomininis, vel cognominis, dignitatis, officij, artis aut lo ci, aliqui eorundem Hillerij, Nicolai Cary, Johannis Merchant, Nicolai Martin, Johannis Blundel, Richardi, Petri, & Jacobi, censeantur, ⟨p. 1946⟩vocentur, sive nuncupentur, aut nuper censebantur, vocabantur, sive nuncupabantur, omnia & omnimoda murdra, homicidia, felonias, & felonicas intersections Katherinae Cauches, & Guilleminae, & Perotinae, filiarum eiusdem Katherinae, & earum cuius••bet, ac accessarias earundem:
REgina, omnibus ad quos. &c. Salutem. Sciatis quod nos de gratia nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia & mero motu,1 nostris pardonauimus, remissimus, & relaxauimus, ac pro nobis, haeredibus & successoribus nostris, per praesentes pardonamus, remittimus & relaxamus Hillerio Gosselyne, de Parochia sancti Petri in Portu, infra insulam nostram de Garnesey, Mercatori: Iohanni Blundell de Parochia Sancti Saluatoris infra praedictam insulam de Garnesey seniori, Marchant: Nicolao Carie seniori de dicta Parochia sancti Petri in Portu, infra eandem insulam de Garnesey Mercatori: Ioanni Marchant de eisdem Parochia & in insula Generoso: Nicolao Martin filio Iohannis de dicta Parochia sancti Petri in Portu, infra praedictam insulam de Garnesey Mercatori: Richardo Deuike de dicta Parochia sancti Petri in Portu, infra praedictam insulam de Garnesey Mercatori: Petro Pelley de dicta Parochia sancti Petri in Portu, infra praedictam insulam de Garnesey, Mercatori: & Iacobo Amy de Parochia sā cti Saluatoris, infra dictam insulam de Garnesey, Clerico: & eorum cuilibet, coniūctim & diuisim, seu quocunque alio nomine, siue quibuscunque alijs nominibus cognominibus siue additionibus, nominis vel cognominis, officiorum artium vel locorum, ijdem Hillerius, Nic. Carie, Iohannes, Nicholaus Martin, Iohannes Blundell, Richardus, Petrus, & Iacobus censeantur, vocētur, siue nuncupentur aut nuper censebantur, vocabentur siue nuncupabantur, aut quocunque alio nomine, seu cognomine, aut additione nomininis, vel cognominis, dignitatis, officij, artis aut lo ci, aliqui eorundem Hillerij, Nicolai Carie, Iohannis Marchant, Nicolai Martin, Iohannis Blundel, Richardi, Petri, & Iacobi, censeantur,
ac omnia, & singula, felonias, insultus, verberationes, vulnerationes, combustiones, transgressions, offensas, riotas, routas, conuenticula illicita, assemblationes, congregations, insidiationes, conspirationes, acces•arias, auxiliationes, compercussiones, procurationes, abbettationes, confortationes, & manutentiones, concelamenta, foresfacturas, contemptus, impetitiones, negligentias, & alia malefacta quaecū que, murdra, homicidia & felonicam interfectionem praedictarū, Kathetinae, Guilleminae, & Perotinae, seu alicuius earum tangen. in aliquo, seu concernen▪ perpraefatos Hillerium, Nicolaum Cary, Johannem, Nicolaum Martin, Johannem Blundell, Richardum, Petrum, & Jacobum, seu eorum aliquem vel aliquos, ante praesentem diem, qualitercunque fact▪ habit. commiss. sive perpetrat. ac omnes & singulas fugam, & fugas, quascunque per praefatos Hillarium, Nicolaum Cary, Johannem, Nicolaum Martin, Johannem Blundell, Richardum Devicke, Petrum Pelley, & Jacobum Amy, seu eorum aliquem, sive aliquos, ratione seu occasione murdra, homicidia, aut felon cam interfectionem praed. fact. sive habit. adeo plene & integrè, ac in tam amplis. modo, & forma, prout, si quilibet praedictorum Hillerij Gosseline, Nicolai Cary, Johannis Merchant, Nicholai Martin, Johannis Blundell, Richardi Devicke, Petri Pelley, & Jacobi Amy, specialiter literas nostras patentes de perdonatione habuisset.
ac omnia, & singula, felonias, insultus, verberationes, vulnerationes, combustiones, transgressiones, offensas, riotas, routas, conuenticula illicita, assemblationes, congregationes, insidiationes, conspirationes, acces•arias, auxiliationes, compercussiones, procurationes, abbettationes, confortationes, & manutentiones, concelamenta, foresfacturas, contemptus, impetitiones, negligentias, & alia malefacta quaecū que, murdra, homicidia & felonicam interfectionem praedictarū, Kathetinae, Guilleminae, & Perotinae, seu alicuius earum tangen. in aliquo, seu concernen▪ perpraefatos Hillerium, Nicolaum Carie, Iohannem, Nicolaum Martin, Iohannem Blundell, Richardum, Petrum, & Iacobum, seu eorum aliquem vel aliquos, ante praesentem diem, qualitercunque fact▪ habit. commiss. siue perpetrat. ac omnes & singulas fugam, & fugas, quascunque per praefatos Hillarium, Nicolaum Carie, Iohannem, Nicolaum Martin, Iohannem Blundell, Richardum Deuicke, Petrum Pelley, & Iacobum Amy, seu eorum aliquem, siue aliquos, ratione seu occasione murdra, homicidia, aut felon cam interfectionem praed. fact. siue habit. adeo plene & integrè, ac in tam amplis. modo, & forma, prout, si quilibet praedictorum Hillerij Gosseline, Nicolai Carie, Iohannis Marchant, Nicholai Martin, Iohannis Blundell, Richardi Deuicke, Petri Pelley, & Iacobi Amy, specialiter literas nostras patentes de perdonatione habuisset.
Pardonavimus etiam, remisimus, & relaxavimus, ac pro nobis haeredibus & successoribus nostris, per praesentes, perdonamus, remittimus, & relaxamus, praefacto Hillerio Gosselyne, Nicolao Cary, Johanni Merchant, Nicolao Martin, Johanni Blundell, Richardo Devicke, Petro Pelley, & Amy, & eorum unicuique, haeredibus, executoribus, administratoribus, & assign. suis imperpet. omnes & omnimodas intrusiones, infractions, & ingressus, per ipsos seu eorum aliquem, eiusuè aut eorū vel alicuius eo•um procuratores, agentes, vel ministros, in omnia & singula maneria, terras, tenementa, possessions, & haereditamenta nostra, quaecunque, quaruncunque nuper Cantariarum, Gildarum, obit. fraternitat seu collegiorum nostrorum, aut alicuius seu aliquorū progenitorum nostrorum, infra praedictam insulam de Garnesey existen ante decimum septimum diem Novemb. Anno regni nostri primo fact. perpetrat. sive commss. Ac omnia & singula debita, redditus, computa, arreragia, & collections, receptions, detentions, & non •olut•ones granorum, & aliorum reddituum, exituum, preficuorum quoru•cunque nobis aut alicui progenitorum nostrorum pro eisdem Cantarijs, Gildis, obit▪ fraternitatibus, seu collegijs, sive eorum aliquo vel aliquibus, quovismodo ante praedictū decimum septimū diem Novemb. Decimo Anno regni nostri primo, debit. pertinent. sive spectant.
Pardonauimus etiam, remisimus, & relaxauimus, ac pro nobis haeredibus & successoribus nostris, per praesentes, perdonamus, remittimus, & relaxamus, praefacto Hillerio Gosselyne, Nicolao Carie, Iohanni Marchant, Nicolao Martin, Iohanni Blundell, Richardo Deuicke, Petro Pelley, & Amy, & eorum vnicuique, haeredibus, executoribus, administratoribus, & assign. suis imperpet. omnes & omnimodas intrusiones, infractiones, & ingressus, per ipsos seu eorum aliquem, eiusuè aut eorū vel alicuius eo•um procuratores, agentes, vel ministros, in omnia & singula maneria, terras, tenementa, possessiones, & haereditamēta nostra, quaecunque, quaruncunque nuper Cantariarum, Gildarum, obit. fraternitat seu collegiorum nostrorum, aut alicuius seu aliquorū progenitorum nostrorum, infra praedictam insulam de Garnesey existen ante decimum septimum diem Nouemb. Anno regni nostri primo fact. perpetrat. siue commss. Ac omnia & singula debita, redditus, computa, arreragia, & collectiones, receptiones, detentiones, & nō olutones granorum, & aliorum reddituum, exituum, preficuorum quorucunque nobis aut alicui progenitorum nostrorum pro eisdem Cantarijs, Gildis, obit fraternitatibus, seu collegijs, siue eorum aliquo vel aliquibus, quouismodo ante praedictū decimum septimū diem Nouemb. Decimo Anno regni nostri primo, debit. pertinent. siue spectant.
Perdonavim•, remisimus, & relaxavimus, ac de gratia speciali, ac ex certa scientia, & mero mortu nostris praedictis, pro nobis, haeredibus, & successoribus nostris, per praesentes perdonamus, remittimus, & relaxamus praefatis Hillerio Gosselyne, Nicolao Cary, Johanni Merchant, Nicolao Martin, & Richardo Devicke, & eorum cuique liberationē, evasionem, escapiam, & voluntar. ad libertatem positionem cuiusdem Nicolai Norman, nuper de Par•chia sancti Saluatoris, infra praedictam insulam Yoman, de homicidio, sive murdro, nuper judicat. attinct. & conuinct, existen pro interfectione sive murderatione, cuiusdā Johannis Breghault, de dicta Parochia sancti Saluatoris, infra insulam praedictam, husbandman. Ac omnia & omnimoda, felonias, crimina, offensas, poenas, mortes, punitiones, forisfactur. contemptus negligenc. ignorantias ac alia delicta & offensas, quaecunque praedictam liberationem, evasionem, escapiam, & ad libertatem positionem praedicti Nicolai Norman tangendi, seu aliquo modo concernen. per praefatos Hillerium, Nicalaum Cary, Johannem Merchant, Nicolaum Martin, & Richardum Devicke, seu eorum aliquem, vel aliquos, ante praesentemd•em, qualitercunque habit. fact. commiss. sive illapsa.
Perdonauim•, remisimus, & relaxauimus, ac de gratia speciali, ac ex certa scientia, & mero mortu nostris praedictis, pro nobis, haeredibus, & successoribus nostris, per praesentes perdonamus, remittimus, & relaxamus praefatis Hillerio Gosselyne, Nicolao Carie, Iohanni Marchant, Nicolao Martin, & Richardo Deuicke, & eorum cuique liberationē, euasionem, escapiam, & voluntar. ad libertatem positionem cuiusdem Nicolai Norman, nuper de Par•chia sancti Saluatoris, infra praedictam insulam Yoman, de homicidio, siue murdro, nuper iudicat. attinct. & conuinct, existen pro interfectione siue murderatione, cuiusdā Iohannis Breghault, de dicta Parochia sancti Saluatoris, infra insulam praedictam, husbandman. Ac omnia & omnimoda, felonias, crimina, offensas, poenas, mortes, punitiones, forisfactur. cōtēptus negligenc. ignorantias ac alia delicta & offensas, quaecunque praedictam liberationem, euasionem, escapiam, & ad libertatem positionem praedicti Nicolai Norman tangendi, seu aliquo modo concernen. per praefatos Hillerium, Nicalaum Carie, Iohannem Marchant, Nicolaum Martin, & Richardum Deuicke, seu eorum aliquem, vel aliquos, ante praesentemd•em, qualitercūque habit. fact. commiss. siue illapsa.
Perdonavimus etiam, remisimus & relaxavimus, ac per praesentes, ex certa scientia & mero mortu nostris, pro nobis, haeredibus, & successoribus nostris, perdonamus, remittimus & relamus, praefatis Hillerio Gosselyne, Nicolao Cary, Johanni Merchant, Nicolao Martin, Johanni Blundell, Richardo Devicke, Petro Pelley, & Jacobo Amy, omnia & omnimoda riotas, routas, illicitas congregations, & conuenticula illicita, in pacis nostrae perturbationem, per praefatos Hillarium, Nicolaum Cary, Johā nem Merchant, Nicolaum Martin, Johannem Blundell, Richardū Devicke, Petrum Pelley, & Jacobum Amy, seu eorum aliquem, sive aliquos, ante hac qualiter cunque infra insulam predictam habit. commiss. fact. sive perpetrat. &c.
Perdonauimus etiam, remisimus & relaxauimus, ac per praesentes, ex certa scientia & mero mortu nostris, pro nobis, haeredibus, & successoribus nostris, perdonamus, remittimus & relamus, praefatis Hillerio Gosselyne, Nicolao Carie, Iohanni Marchant, Nicolao Martin, Iohanni Blundell, Richardo Deuicke, Petro Pelley, & Iacobo Amy, omnia & omnimoda riotas, routas, illicitas congregationes, & conuenticula illicita, in pacis nostrae perturbationem, per praefatos Hillarium, Nicolaum Carie, Iohā nem Marchant, Nicolaum Martin, Iohannem Blundell, Richardū Deuicke, Petrum Pelley, & Iacobum Amy, seu eorum aliquem, siue aliquos, ante hac qualiter cunque infra insulam predictam habit. commiss. fact. siue perpetrat. &c.
And thus have you the true narration of this History, discoursed without corrupting or falsifying any part or sentence thereof, no less faithfully of my part reported, then I received them, who dwelling in the same Isle, and being present the same time, were best acquainted with the matter, and have given sufficient evidence, not only to me, but also to the Queens highness Commissioners, concerning the same, as both by the letter of the Bailiff, by the sentence of the Dean, by the supplication of the plaintiff, and submission of the parties, and likewise by the Queens Pardon granted unto them, may well appear.
ANd thus haue you the true narration of this Hystory, discoursed without corrupting or falsifying anye parte or sentence thereof, no lesse faythfully of my part reported, then I receyued them, who dwelling in the same Isle, and beynge present the same time, were best acquaynted with the matter, and haue geuen sufficient euidence, not onely to me, but also to the Queenes highnesse Commissioners, concerning the same, as both by the letter of the Bailiffe, by the sentence of the Deane, by the suplication of the playnetife, and submission of the partyes, and likewise by the Queenes Pardon graunted vnto them, may well appeare.
By all which proofs and circumstances thus debated, it remaineth manifest for all men to perceive, what cruelty, and wrong was wrought against these poor women above specified, and no less matter offered, in a case so unjust, justly to expostulate, or rather to wonder at the hard hearts of these men, but especially of the catholic Clergy of Guernsey, who professing the Gospel of peace & charity, should after the example of Christ, walk in the steppes of meekness, and mercy, and yet contrary, not only to all Christian charity and mansuetude, but also against all order of equity, or humanity, were so extreme and rigorous,1 to condemn them to the burning fire, under the pretensed colour of heresy. Who if they had been heretics in deed, yet mercy would have corrected the error, and save life, equity would have considered mans weak fragility at least true justice would have heard both the parties advisedly, & also substantially have surveyed the cause, and not to •ash out the sentence of death so hastily, as they did: yea, and though they had been heretics in deed, yet true christian charity would have stretched farther, and at least to have given them leisure, and respite of time, to reclaim themselves. But now what is here to be said, they being no heretics at all, as neither it could then, nor yet can be proved? For if king Edwards Religion (which was objected to them) were heresy, yet were they then no heretics, when they revoked the same: and if Queen Mary's Religion were heresy, then were they much more heretics themselves, which condemned them of heresy.2
By all which proofes and circumstances thus debated, it remayneth manifest for all men to perceiue, what cruelty, and wrong was wroughte agaynst these poore women aboue specified, and no lesse matter offered, in a case so vniust, iustly to expostulate, or rather to wonder at the harde hartes of these men, but especially of the catholicke Clergy of Garnesey, who professing the Gospell of peace & charity, should after the example of Christ, walke in the steppes of meekenesse, and mercy, and yet contrary, not onely to al Christian charity and mansuetude, but also agaynst all order of equity, or humanity, were so extreme and rigorous,1 to condemne them to the burning fire, vnder the pretensed colour of heresy. Who if they had bene heretickes in deede, yet mercy would haue corrected the errour, and saue life, equity would haue cōsidered mans weak fragility at least true iustice would haue heard both the parties aduisedly, & also substancially haue surueyed the cause, and not to ash out the sentence of death so hastely, as they did: yea, and though they had bene heretickes in deed, yet true christian charity woulde haue stretched farther, and at least to haue geuen them leisure, and respite of time, to reclayme themselues. But now what is here to be said, they being no heretickes at all, as neither it could then, nor yet can be proued? For if king Edwardes Religion (which was obiected to them) were heresy, yet were they then no hereticks, when they reuoked the same: and if Queene Maries Religion were heresy, then were they much more heretickes themselues, which condemned them of heresy.
But most of all we have herein to wonder at Master Harding, who in his late rejoinder, written against the Bishop of Salisbury, notwithstanding all these evidences, and demonstrations so certain, & manifestly appearing, yet goeth about, first to deny the story, terming it to be a fable, and afterward being forced to fly a statu inficiali, and to admit the story, he removeth ad translationem criminis, & there seeking, by all means, to clear the Clergy from the spot of cruelty, transferreth the whole blame only, upon the women that suffered, but principally upon poor Perotine:1 whom he specially charged with two capital crimes, to wit, whoredom, and murder.
But most of all we haue herein to wonder at Mayster Harding, who in his late reioynder, written agaynst the Bishop of Salisbury, notwithstanding all these euidēces, and demonstrations so certayne, & manifestly appearing, yet goeth about, first to denye the storye, terming it to be a fable, and afterward being forced to flye a statu inficiali, and to admit the story, he remoueth ad translationem criminis, & there seeking, by all meanes, to cleare the Cleargy frō the spot of cruelty, trasferreth the whole blame onely, vpō the womē that suffered, but principally vpon poore Perotine:1 whome he specially charged with two capitall crimes, to wit, whoredome, and murder.
