Marian persecutions

The Marian Persecutions were carried out against Protestant religious reformers for their faith during the reign of Mary I of England (1553–1558). The excesses of this period were recorded in Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

Protestants in England and Wales were executed under anti-Protestant legislation that punished anyone judged guilty of heresy against the Roman Catholic faith. Although the standard penalty for those convicted of treason in England at the time was execution by being hanged, drawn and quartered, this legislation adopted the punishment of burning the condemned. At least 300 people were martyred in just five years. For purposes of comparison, the Holy See has recognized over 300 Roman Catholic martyrs executed by British civil authorities in connection with the English Reformation in England over a period of 146 years.

Historical context

The English Reformation had put a stop to Roman Catholic ecclesiastical governance in England, asserted royal supremacy over the Church, and dissolved of some Church institutions such as monasteries and chantries. During the Reformation in England, many people were caught in conflict between Catholic and Protestant ascendancy.

An important year in the English Reformation was 1547, when Protestantism became a new force under the child-king Edward VI, England's first Protestant ruler. Edward died at age 15 in 1553 leaving the throne to Lady Jane Grey, who held it for nine days before Edward's Catholic half-sister Mary deposed her and assumed the crown, as was stipulated by Henry VIII in his Third Succession Act but revoked by Edward VI.

The relationship between the Church of England and Rome was restored under Mary in 1553. She went on to reign for five years (1553–1558) until her death. Protestants opposed Mary's actions. Many people were exiled, and hundreds of dissenters were burned at the stake, earning her the nickname "Bloody Mary". The number of people executed for their faith during the persecutions is thought to be at least 287.

Troubles for Protestants

After the accession of Queen Mary I to the English throne in 1553, and her repeal of all religious legislation passed under Edward VI, Protestants faced a choice: exile, reconciliation/conversion, or punishment.. Mary had some 284 Protestants burned at the stake (including 56 women). Thirty others died in prison. While the so-called "Marian Persecutions" began with four clergymen, relics of Edwardian England’s Protestantism, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs offers an account of the executions, which branched well beyond the anticipated targets – high-level clergy. Tradesmen were also burned, as well as married men and women, sometimes in unison, "youths" and at least one couple was burned alive with their daughter.

The English Inquisition and the Judicial process

However bloody the end, the trials of Protestant heretics were judicial affairs, presided by Bishops (most notably Bishop Bonner) adhering to a strict legal protocol under the privy council, with Parliament's blessing. Because of her controversial accession, Mary had difficulty forming an efficient Privy Council, which eventually numbered over 40 and never worked as a source of political advice, though it effectively pursued police work and enforcement of religious uniformity. During the session that restored the realm to "papal obedience" parliament reinstated the heresy laws. From 20 January 1555, England could legally punish those judged guilty of heresy against the Catholic faith. Thus it became a matter of establishing the guilt or innocence of an accused heretic in open court – a process which the lay authorities employed to reclaim "straying sheep" and to set a precedent for authentic Catholic teaching. If found guilty, the accused were first excommunicated, then handed over to the secular authorities for execution. The official records of the trials are limited to formal accusations, sentences, and so forth; the documents to which historians look for context and detail are those written by the accused or their supporters.

Cathedrals in Operation

England

• Canterbury Cathedral c.600 AD
• Carlisle Cathedral (in various forms) 1092 AD
• Chester Cathedral (in various forms) 875 AD
• Chichester Cathedral 1080 AD
• Durham Cathedral 997 AD
• Ely Cathedral 1109 AD
• Exeter Cathedral 1050 AD
• Gloucester Cathedral 1541 AD
• Hereford Cathedral 676 AD
• Lichfield Cathedral 669-803, 1048 AD
• Lincoln Cathedral 1070 AD
• Norwich Cathedral 1094 AD
• Oxford Cathedral (in various forms) 727 AD
• Rochester Cathedral (in various forms) 604 AD
• Salisbury Cathedral 1227 AD
• Southwark Cathedral (in various forms) 1106 AD
• Wells Cathedral 1239 AD
• Westminster Abbey (The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster) 1080 AD
• Winchester Cathedral 650 AD
• Worcester Cathedral 743 AD
• York Minster 300 AD

Wales

• Bangor Cathedral - Church of St Deiniol, (in various forms) 1092 AD
• Brecon Cathedral - Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist, (in various forms) 1093/1110-1538 AD
• Llandaff Cathedral - Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul (in various forms) 550 AD
• St Asaph Cathedral (in various forms) 553 AD
• St Davids Cathedral (in various forms) 580 AD

The Marian Martyrs

The following is not a complete list:

1554

1555

January

February

• John Rogers (c.1500–1555), preacher, biblical translator, lecturer at St. Paul’s Cathedral (martyr) – burned at Smithfield, 4 February 1555.
• Lawrence Saunders,(martyr) preacher, rector of London church of All Hallows – burned at Coventry, Warwickshire 8 February 1555.
• John Hooper, King Edward-era bishop of Gloucester and Worcester (martyr) – burned in Gloucester, 9 February 1555.
• Rowland Taylor, rector of Hadleigh in Suffolk (martyr) – burned at Aldham Common, Nr Hadleigh, Suffolk, 9 February 1555.

March

• Thomas Tomkins, burnt 16 March, Smithfield, London
• Thomas Causton, burnt 26 March Rayleigh, Essex
• Thomas Higbed, burnt 26 March Horndon on the Hill, Essex
• William Hunter, burnt 27 March, Brentwood
• Stephen Knight, burnt 28 March Maldon, Essex
• William Pigot, burnt 28 March Braintree, Essex
• John Laurence, burnt 29 March, Colchester, Essex
• Robert Ferrar, burnt 30 March, Carmarthen
• Rawlins White, burnt 30 March, Cardiff

April

• George Marsh, burnt 24 April, Boughton,Chester
• John Schofield, burnt 24 April, Chester
• William Flower, burnt 24 April, Westminster

May

• John Cardmaker, burnt 30 May, Smithfield
• John Warne, burnt 30 May, Smithfield
• John Simson, burnt 30 May, Rochford
• John Ardeley, burnt 30 May, Rayleigh

June

• Thomas Haukes, (Tried 8 February, Condemned 10 February, Burnt 10 June, Coggeshall
• Thomas Watts, burnt 10 June, Chelmsford
• Nicholas Chamberlain, burnt 14 June, Colchester
• Thomas Ormond/Osmande, burnt 15 June 1555, Manningtree, Buried in St. Michaels & All Angels Marble placed in 1748
• William Bamford, burnt 15 June, Harwich
• John Ardite, burnt (day unknown) June, Location unknown
• ... Butter, burnt (day unknown) June, Location unknown
• ... Minge, burnt (day unknown) June, Maidstone, Kent

July

• John Bradford, burnt 12 July, Smithfield, London
• John Leaf/Jhon Least, burnt 12 July, Smithfield, London
• ... Euerson, burnt (day unknown) July, Location unknown
• John Polley, burnt (day unknown) July, Location unknown
• William Ailewarde (of Reading), Died in prison (day unknown) July, Location unknown
• George Catmer (of Hythe), burnt 12 July, Canterbury
• Robert Streater (of Hythe), burnt 12 July, Canterbury
• Anthony Burward (of Calete), burnt 12 July, Canterbury
• George Brodbridge (of Bromfield), burnt 12 July, Canterbury
• James Tutty/Tuttey (of Brenchley), burnt 12 July, Canterbury

The Canterbury Martyrs

• John Bland, burnt 17 July, Canterbury
• John Frankesh, burnt 17 July, Canterbury
• Nicholas Shetterden, burnt 17 July, Canterbury
• Humphrey Middleton, burnt 17 July, Canterbury

• Christopher Wade, burnt 17 July, Darford, Kent
• Margaret Polley, burnt 17 July, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
• Nicholas Hall (of Darford), burnt 19 July at Rochester, Kent
• Deryk/Dirick Carver/Dirick Harman (martyr), burnt 22 July, Lewes, East Sussex
• John Launder, (of Godstone, Surrey) (martyr), burnt 23 July, at Stenning, West Sussex

August

• John Denley (of Maidstone) (martyr) burnt 8 August, Uxbridge
• Robert Smith, burnt 8 August, Uxbridge
• 31 victims of Michael Dunning, the "bloody chancellor" of Norwich from 1555 to 1558.
• Agnes Prest of Launceston, Cornwall, burnt 15 August at Southernhay, Exeter
• Elizabeth Warne/Warren, burnt 23 August at Straford in Essex
• William Coker, burned 23 August, Canterbury
• William Hopper, burned 23 August, Canterbury
• Henry Laurence, burned 23 August, Canterbury
• Richard Collier/Colliar, burned 23 August, Canterbury
• Richard Wright, burned 23 August, Canterbury
• William Stere, burned 23 August, Canterbury
• George Tankerfield of York, burnt 26 August at St Albans
• Patrick Packingham/Pachingham, burnt 28 August, Uxbridge
• Stephen Harwood of Ware, burnt 30 August at Straford in Essex
• John Newman, burnt 31 August, Saffron Walden
• Richard Hook, burnt unknown date in August, Chichester
• Widow Warren, possibly drowned, August, Stratford, London

September

• Thomas Fust/Fusse, late summer 1555 in the environs of London or Ware
• William Hale/Hailes, late summer 1555 in the environs of Barnet, London
• Roger Coe/Coo/Corier, burnt date unknown September at Yoxford, Suffolk, Uxbridge
• William Allen Labourer of Somerton, burnt date unknown September at Thetford, Norfolk
• James Abbess Shoemaker (of Stoke by Nayland) burnt date unknown September at Thetford, Norfolk
• Robert Samuel, burnt burnt date unknown September at Thetford, Norfolk
• Thomas Cob (of Haverhill), burnt burnt date unknown September at Thetford, Norfolk
• Thomas Hayward (martyr), burnt mid September at Litchfield
• John Goreway (martyr), burnt mid September at Litchfield
• Robert Glover, burnt 14 September at Coventry

• Cornelius Bongey (or Bungey), burnt 20 September at Coventry
• George Painter (of Wade), burnt (day unknown) September, possibly Canterbury
• Jhon Lesse, died in Newgate Prison (day unknown) September, London
• ... Tingle, died in Newgate Prison (day unknown) September, Location unknown
• Richard Smith, died in prison (day unknown) September, Lowlar's Tower/Lollard's Tower, Lambeth Palace, London
• ... Androwes, died in prison (day unknown) September, Location unknown
• ... Kyng, died in prison (day unknown) September, Location unknown

October

• Nicholas Ridley, burnt 16 October outside Balliol College, Oxford
• Hugh Latimer/Latymer, burnt 16 October outside Balliol College, Oxford
• William Wolsey, one of the Wisbech Martyrs, burnt 16 October on the Cathedral Green, Ely
• Robert Pygot/Pigot (martyr) of Wisbech, burnt 16 October on the Cathedral Green, Ely

November

• Christopher Browne, burnt 15 November, Canterbury
• George Roper, burnt 30 November, Canterbury
• John Webbe, burnt 30 November, Canterbury
• Gregory Parke/Paynter, burnt 30 November, Canterbury

December

• ... Gore, died in prison (day unknown) December, Location unknown
• ... Wiseman, died in prison (day unknown) December, Lowlar's Tower/Lollard's Tower, Lambeth Palace, London
• ... Philpot, burnt (day unknown) December, Location unknown

Unknown Dates and Details of Recorded Burnings in 1555

• Thomas Iverson, burnt ...1555, possibly in Chicester
• …Bucer, burnt ...1555/6, possibly in Cambridge
• ... Fagius, burnt ...1555/6, possibly in Cambridge

1556

January

• A number of Kentish people of Ashford Area, burnt 16 January at Ashford, Kent
• John Tudson of Ipswich, burnt 27 January at Smithfield, London
• Thomas Whittle/Whitwell, burnt 27 January at Smithfield, London
• John Went of Langham, Essex, burnt 27 January at Smithfield, London
• Joan Lushford/Jone Lashforde burnt 27 January at Smithfield, London
• Thomas Brown of Histon, Nr Cambridge, burnt 27 January at Smithfield, London
• Bartlett Green (sometimes known as Bartholomew Green), burnt 27 January at Smithfield, London
• John Hunt (martyr), burnt 27 January at Smithfield, London
• Isobella Forster/Annis Foster, burnt 27 January at Smithfield, London
• Joan Warne, burnt 27 January at Smithfield, London
• ... Winter, burnt (day unknown) January, Smithfield, London
• John Lomas/Jhon Lowmas, burnt 31 January at Wincheap,Canterbury
• Annes Snoth/Annis Snod/(Agnes Smith?-but she maybe a possible additional individual), burnt 31 January at Wincheap,Canterbury
• Anne Wright/Albright, burnt 31 January at Wincheap,Canterbury
• Joan Sole/Jone Soale, burnt 31 January at Wincheap,Canterbury
• Joan Catmer, burnt 31 January at Wincheap,Canterbury

February

• Agnes Potten, burnt 19 February, Ipswich, Cornhill
• Joan Trunchfield, burnt 19 February, Ipswich, Cornhill

March

• Thomas Cranmer, burnt 21 March, outside Balliol College, Oxford
• William Coberly, burnt 24 March outside Salisbury
• John Maundrel, burnt 24 March outside Salisbury
• John Spicer, burnt 24 March outside Salisbury

April

• John Harpole, burnt 1 April of St Nicholas Parish, at Rochester, Kent
• Joan Beach (of Tonbridge), burnt 1 April at Rochester, Kent
• John Hullier/Hulliarde, burnt 16 April, Cambridge
• Robert Drake, burnt 24 April, Smithfield, London
• William Tyms/Timmes, burnt 24 April, Smithfield, London
• Richard Spurge, burnt 24 April, Smithfield, London
• Thomas Spurge, burnt 24 April, Smithfield, London
• John Cavel/Cauell, burnt 24 April, Smithfield, London
• George Ambrose, burnt 24 April, Smithfield, London
• ... London, burnt (date unknown) April, Location Unknown, London
• Little-Grace ('Grace', maybe a separate individual), burnt (date unknown) April, Location Unknown, London
• ... Lister, burnt (date unknown) April, Colchester
• ... Nicol, burnt (date unknown) April, Colchester
• ... Mace, burnt (date unknown) April, Colchester
• Unknown by mentioned, 'put to death' (date unknown) April, Gloucester
• Unknown by mentioned, 'put to death' (date unknown) April, Gloucester

May

• Hugh Laverock/Lauarocke, burnt 15 May at Stratford in Essex
• John Apprice/Aprice (a blind man), burnt 15 May at Stratford-Atte-Bow or Stratford in Essex
• Thomas Spicer of Beccles, burnt there 21 ;May
• John Deny (possible a female Joan/Jone) of Beccles, burnt there 21 ;May
• Edmund Poole of Beccles, burnt there 21 ;May
• Margaret Eliot, died in prison (date unknown) May, Location Unknown
• Katherine Hut, burnt (date unknown) May, Location UnknownGloucester
• Elizabeth ..., burnt (date unknown) May, Location Unknown
• Joan/Jone, burnt (date unknown) May, Location Unknown
• William Sleeke, died in prison (date unknown) May, Location Unknown

June

• Thomas Harland of Woodmancote, burnt 6 June, Lewes
• John Oswald of Woodmancote, burnt 6 June, Lewes
• Thomas Avington of Ardingly, burnt abouth 20 June, Lewes
• Thomas Reed of Ardingly, burnt abouth 20 June, Lewes
• ... Milwright, burnt abouth 20 June, Lewes
• ... Euington, burnt abouth 20 June, Lewes
• Thomas Wood/...'Whod' ('a Pastor') , burnt abouth 20 June, Lewes
• Thomas Milles, burnt abouth 20 June, Lewes
• William Adheral, burnt abouth 20 June, Lewes

The Stratford Martyrs, 11 men and 2 women.

• Agnes George, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow
• Elizabeth Pepper, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow
• Henry AdlingtonAddlinton, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow
• Thomas Bowyer/Bowier, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow
• Lyon/Lion Cawch, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow
• John Derifall/Dorifall, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow
• William Hallywell/Holywell, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow
• Edmond Hurst, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow
• Ralph Jackson, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow
• Lawrence/Laurence Parnam, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow
• John Routh/Roth, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow
• George Searle, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow
• Henry Wye, burnt about 27 June, Stratford-Atte-Bow

• Thomas Parret, died in prison June, Location Unknown
• Martyne Hunte, death by unknown deed, June, 'King's Bench' Temple, London
• 'A young man of Leicester'-Unnamed but mentioned, death by unknown deed, June Location Unknown
• John Clemente, death by unknown deed, June, Location Unknown
• ... Careless, death by unknown deed, June, Location Unknown

• N. Ambrose, 16 June, died by unknown deed. Location Unknown
• John Morris, 16 June, died by unknown deed. Location Unknown
• Roger Bernard, 17 June, died by unknown deed. Location Unknown
• Adam Forster, 17 June, died by unknown deed. Location Unknown
• Robert Lawson, 17 June, died by unknown deed. Location Unknown

July

• Julian Palmer (of Coventry & Oxford) burnt about 15 July, 'The Sand-pits', Nr Newbury
• Thomas Askin/Askue, burnt about 15 July, 'The Sand-pits', possibly at Oxford
• John Guin/Jhon Gwin, burnt about 15 July, 'The Sand-pits', possibly at Oxford

The Guernsey Martyrs

(Three women and one unborn male foetus)

• Perotine Massey (pregnant with male foetus), burnt 18 July in St Peter Port on Guernsey in the Channel Islands
• Catherine Cauches (sometimes spelt Katherine Cawches, burnt 18 July in St Peter Port on Guernsey in the Channel Islands
• Guillemine Gilbert, burnt 18 July in St Peter Port on Guernsey in the Channel Islands

• John Forman, burnt 18 July, West Grinstead, West Sussex
• Anne Tree, burnt 18 July, West Grinstead, West Sussex
• Thomas Dungate, burnt 18 July, West Grinstead, West Sussex

August

• Joan Waste, 1 August, burnt at Derby

September

October

November

December

1557

January

• Stephen Kempe (of Northgate), burnt 15 January, Canterbury
• William Waterer (of Biddenden), burnt 15 January, Canterbury
• William Prowting (of Thornham), burnt 15 January, Canterbury
• William Lowick (of Cranbrooke), burnt 15 January, Canterbury
• Thomas Hudson (of Selling), burnt 15 January, Canterbury
• William Hay (of Hythe), burnt 15 January, Canterbury
• Thomas Stephens (of Biddenden), burnt 16 January, Wye, Ashford, Kent
• John Phillpott (of Tenterden), burnt 16 January, Wye, Ashford, Kent
• Nicholas Final (of Tenterden), burnt 16 January, Ashford, Kent
• Matthew Bradbridge (of Tenterden), burnt 16 January, Ashford, Kent

February

March

January

April

• Thomas Loseby (possibly Jhon Lothesby), burnt 12 April, Smithfield, London
• Henry Ramsey, burnt 12 April, Smithfield, London
• Thomas Thyrtell/Sturtle, burnt 12 April, Smithfield, London
• Margaret Hyde (possibly Annis Hide), burnt 12 April, Smithfield, London
• Agnes Stanley/Stanlye, burnt 12 April, Smithfield, London

May

• William Morant, burnt at end of May, St. George's Field, Southwark
• Stephen Gratwick/Steuen Grathwick, burnt at end of May, St. George's Field, Southwark
• (unknown) King, burnt at end of May, St. George's Field, Southwark
• Richard Sharpe, burnt 7 May, Cotham, Bristol

June

• Edmund Katherine Allin/Allen of Maplehurst Mill, Frittenden, burnt 18 June Maidstone
• Katherine Allin/Allen (Wife), of Maplehurst Mill, Frittenden, burnt 18 June Maidstone
• Joan/Jone Bradbridge, (of Staphurst), burnt 19 June Maidstone
• Walter Appleby, burnt 18 June Maidstone
• Petronil Appleby (wife), burnt 18 June Maidstone
• Joan/Jone Manning, burnt 19 June Maidstone
• Elizabeth (surname possibly 'Lewis')(blind maid), burnt 19 June Maidstone
• John Fishcock/Jhon Fiscoke, burnt 19 or 21 June, Canterbury
• Nicholas White, burnt 19 or 21 June, Canterbury
• Nicholas Pardue/Perdue, burnt 19 or 21 June, Canterbury
• Barbara Final, burnt 19 June, Canterbury
• Mistress Wilson (possibly also referred to as 'Wilson's Wife'), burnt 19 or 22 June, Canterbury
• Alice Benden,(possibly also referred to as 'Benson's Wife' burnt 19 June, Canterbury
• Bensons Wife, death by unknown deed, 22 June, Location Unknown
• Bradbridge's Widow (Bradbridge's Wife), burnt 22 June, Canterbury<
• Thomas Wood or Hood (martyr) of Lewes, burnt about 20–22 June, Lewes
• Thomas Myles/Miles of Hellingly, burnt about 20–22 June, Lewes
• Richard Woodman of Warbleton, burnt 22 or 23 June, Lewes
• George Stevens/Steuens (martyr) of Warbleton, burnt about 22 or 25 June, Lewes
• Alexander Hosman of Mayfield, burnt about 22 or 25 June, Lewes
• William Mainard of Mayfield, burnt about 22 or 25 June, Lewes
• Thomasina Wood of Mayfield, burnt about 22 or 26 June, Lewes
• Marcery/Margery/Margaret Morris of Heathfield, burnt about 22 or 26 June, Lewes
• James Morris (marytr) - son of Marcery of Heathfield, burnt about 22 June, Lewes
• Denis Burcis (or Dents & Burges-this might represent two individuals) of Buxted, burnt about 22 June, Lewes
• Ann Ashdown/Ashdon's (possibly also referred to as 'Ashdon's Wife') of Rotherfield, burnt about 22 June, Lewes
• Mary Groves/Gloue's (possibly also referred to as 'Gloue's Wife') of Lewes, burnt about 22 June, Lewes

July

• Simon Miller, burnt 13 July, Norwich
• Elizabeth Cooper, burnt, Unknown possibly July, Norwich
• ... Ambrose, (died in Prison) Unknown day, July, Maidstone, Kent
• George Egles/Eagles, hung, drawn & quartered, Unknown day, July, Chelmsford, Essex
• Mentioned but Unknown Women, burnt Unknown day July Rochester
• Mentioned but Unknown Women, burnt Unknown day July Rochester
• Father Fruier, burnt Unknown day July Rochester

August

The Colchester Martyrs

• Rose Allen, burnt 2 August, Colchester
• Helen Ewring, burnt 2 August, Colchester
• Agnes Silverside, burnt 2 August, Colchester
• Elizabeth Folk, burnt 2 August, Colchester
• William Munt, burnt 2 August, Colchester
• Alice Munt, burnt 2 August, Colchester
• John Johnson, burnt 2 August, Colchester
• Thomas Benhote, burnt 2 August, Colchester
• William Purchase, burnt 2 August, Colchester
• William Bongeor, burnt 2 August, Colchester

• Richard Crashfield,(of Wymondham) burnt 5 August, Norwich, Norfolk
• Joyce Bowes, burnt date unknown in August, Litchfield

September

• Agnes Bongeor/An Banger-(similar name but different d.date), burnt 17 September, Colchester
• Margaret Thurston/Widow Thurston-similar name but different d.date), burnt 17 September (or unknown date July), Colchester
• Bowmer's Wife, burnt 17 September, Chichester
• Ralph Allerton/Rafe Glaiton, burnt 17 September, Islington
• James Austoo/Auscoo, burnt 17 September, Islington
• Margery Austoo/Auscoo, burnt 17 September, Islington
• Richard Roth/Rooth, burnt 17 September, Islington
• John Kurde, burnt 20 September, Northampton
• John Noyes of Laxfield, Suffolk, burnt 22 ;September
• Cicely Ormes, burnt 23 September, Norwich

October

November

• John Halingdale/Hollingday, burnt, 18 November/or day unknown October, Smithfield
• William Sparrow, burnt, 18 November/or day unknownOctober, Smithfield
• Richard Gibson, burnt, 18 November/or day unknown October, Smithfield
• Thomas Spurdance, burnt, day unknown in November, Bury St Edmunds

December

• Joyce Lewis of Mancetter, burnt at Lichfield on 18 December.
• John Rough/Jhon Roughe, burnt 22 December, Smithfield, London
• Margaret Maring/Mering, burnt 22 December, Smithfield, London

Unknown Dates and Details of Recorded Burnings in 1557

• William Carman (brother of Thomas Carman burned 19 May 1558) burnt day and month unknown 1557

1558

January

February

March

• Cuthbert Symson/Symion, died dated unknown probably London
• Hugh Foxe, died 28 March at Smithfield
• John Devinish/Jhon Denneshe, died 28 March at Smithfield
• ... Hayne, died dated unknown probably London
• ... Dale, died in Bury St Edmunds Prison, dated unknown probably London

April

• Walter Milne or Mill or Mylin. Age 82, burnt ...April, Deans Court, St Andrews
• William Nichol, burnt 9 April, SM9515 Haverfordwest/Hwlffordd, Pembrokeshire/Sir Benfro
• ... Glouer, burnt Unknown day April, Norwich, Norfolk

May

• Thomas Carman (brother of Willian Carman burnt unknown month 1557), burnt 19 May at Norwich, Norfolk
• William Seaman/Symon, burnt 19 May at Norwich, Norfolk
• Thomas Hudson, burnt 19 May at Norwich, Norfolk
• William Harris, burnt unknown day May at Colchester
• Richared Day, burnt unknown day May at Colchester
• Christian George, burnt unknown day May at Colchester

June

'The Islingtom Marytrs'

• Roger Holland, burnt 27 June at Smithfield
• Henry Pond, burnt 27 June at Smithfield
• Reinald Estalnd, burnt 27 June at Smithfield
• Robert Southain/Southam, burnt 27 June at Smithfield
• Matthew Ricarby/Ricarbie, burnt 27 June at Smithfield
• John Floyd/Flood, burnt 27 June at Smithfield
• John Holiday/Hollyday, burnt 27 June at Smithfield
• ... Launder, burnt 27 June at Smithfield
• ... Houde, burnt 27 June at Smithfield

• Thomas Tyler, died in Prison June at Smithfield
• Matthew Withers, died in Prison at Smithfield

July

• Sir Richard Yeoman/Yeman,(Rector) burnt 10 July at Norwich, Norfolk
• Robert Milles, burnt 14 July at Brentford, Essex
• Stephen Cotton, burnt 14 July at Brentford, Essex
• John Slade, burnt 14 July at Brentford, Essex
• Robert Dynes, burnt 14 July at Brentford, Essex
• William Pikas/Pikes/Peckes, burnt 14 July at Brentford, Essex
• Stephen Wight/Wreight, burnt 14 July at Brentford, Essex

• Master Benbrike/ Ben Brike, burnt unknown day in July at Winchester

August

September

October

November

• Alexander Gooch/Geche of Melton, Suffolk, burnt 4 November, Ipswich Cornhill
• Elizabeth Launson, burnt 4 November, Ipswich Cornhill
• Alice Driver of Grundisburgh burnt 4 November, Ipswich Cornhill
• Philip Humphrey/Philip Humfrey, burnt November, Bury St Edmunds
• Alexander Gooch/Geche of Melton, Suffolk, burnt 4 November, Ipswich Cornhill
• John. David/Jhon Dauy, burnt November, Bury St Edmunds
• H. David/H.Dauy,(brother of John David) burnt November, Bury St Edmunds
• John Corneford (of Wrotham), burnt 15 November, Canterbury
• Christopher Brown, burnt 15 November, Canterbury
• John Herst (of Ashford), burnt 15 November, Canterbury
• Alice Snoth, burnt 15 November, Canterbury
• Katherine Knight/Tynley, burnt 15 November, Canterbury

Mary 1st died on 17 November 1558. Many subsequent burnings after this date would have been set in motion before her death, but they are not included here without evidence of the trial being undertaken during Mary 1st reign. If a trial started during Mary 1st reign but the judgement was not delivered until after her death, this will be recorded, and noted as such.

1554–58

Also mentioned by Foxe:

• Anne Bolton (burnt at Ipswich)
• John Trunchefielde (of St Leonard, Ipswich, condemned to be burnt)
• Michael Trunchefielde (of St Leonard, Ipswich, condemned to be burnt)

(315)

• Agnes Wardal (of Ipswich, persecuted but escaped)

Irony of John Rogers's execution

Before Mary's ascent to the throne, John Foxe, one of the few clerics of his day who was against the burning of even obstinate heretics, had approached John Rogers to intervene on behalf of Joan of Kent, a female Anabaptist who was sentenced with burning in 1550. Rogers, a Protestant preacher and royal chaplain, refused to help, as he supported the burning of heretics. Rogers claimed that the method of execution was "sufficiently mild" for a crime as grave as heresy. Later, after Mary I came to power and converted England to Catholicism, John Rogers spoke quite vehemently against the new order and was burned as a heretic.

Observations

It can be noted that from 2 August 1556 until 14 January 1557 there seems to be no recorded 'burnings' or martyr deaths.

It maybe significant that when they recommenced, they did so at Canterbury on 15 January 1557, at the seat of the nations official religious life, with the burning of six individuals. Additionally four other individuals, also in Kent, in two different locations within some 20 miles radius of Canterbury, where also burnt on the following day 16 January 1556.

The broad figure of 300 victims of the Marian Persecutions as listed by Foxe and later by Thomas Brice in his poem, "The Regester" seems to be potentially on the low side. However without a reliable breakdown of the numbers variously executed, recanted and freed, with those who fled to Protestant Europe, the statement at such high numeric levels is hard to validate. Using statistical variance the lower estimate of 300 executions may extend to some 1472 victims throughout Mary 1st, 64 month reign, equating to some 23 individual executions a month.

Legacy

Throughout the course of the persecutions, Foxe contends that 300 individuals were burned for their faith. However, no complete list of these names has ever been documented. These people are commemorated with an elaborate gothic memorial in Oxford, England. They are known as the "Marian Martyrs".