opinion. I said that there was no creature that therein did strengthen me. And as for the help that I had in the compter, it was by the means of my maid. For, as she went abroad in the streets, she made her moan to the prentices, and they by her did send me money, but who they were I never knew. Then they said, that there were divers gentlewomen that gave me money-but I knew not their names. Then they said, that there were divers ladies that had sent me money. I answered, that there was a man in a blue coat which delivered me ten shillings, and said that my lady of Hertford sent it me. And another in a violet coat, gave me eight shillings, and said my lady Denny sent it me. Whether it were true or no, I cannot tell. For I am not sure who sent it me, but as the men did say. Then they said there were of the council that did maintain me. And I said, No.

Then they did put me on the rack, because I confessed no ladies or gentlewomen to be of my opinion,* and thereon they kept me a long time. And because I lay still and did not cry, my lord chancellor and master Richt took pains to rack me with their own hands till I was nigh dead.

Then the lieutenant caused me to be loosed from the rack. Straightway I swooned, and then they recovered me again. After that I sat two long hours reasoning with my lord chancellor upon the bare floor, where he with many flattering words, persuaded me to leave my opinion. But, my Lord God, I thank his everlasting goodness, gave me grace to persevere, and will do, I hope, to the very end. Then was I brought to a house, and laid in a bed, with as weary and painful bones as ever had patient Job, I thank Lord God therefore. Then my lord chancellor sent me word, if I would leave my opinion, I should want nothing, if I would not, I should forth to Newgate and so be burned. I sent him again word, that I would rather die, than to break my faith.

my

Thus the Lord open the eyes of their blind hearts, that the truth may take place. Farewell, dear friend, and pray, pray, pray.

Fox adds, Touching the order of her racking in the Tower, thus it was. First, she was led down into a dungeon, where sir Anthony Knevet the lieutenant, commanded *See life of queen Catherine Parr. Fox says, it was sir John Baker.

his gaoler to pinch her with the rack. Which being done so much as he thought sufficient, he went about to take her down, supposing he had done enough. But Wriothesly the chancellor, not contented that she was loosed so soon confessing nothing, commanded the lieutenant to strain her on the rack again. Which because he denied to do, tendering the weakness of the woman, he was threatened therefore grievously of the said Wriothesly, saying, that he would signify his disobedience unto the king; and so consequently upon the same, he and master Rich throwing off their gowns, would needs play the tormentors themselves, first asking her if she were with child. To whom she answering again, said, Ye shall not need to spare for that, but do your will upon me; and so quietly and patiently praying unto the Lord, she abode their tyranny, till her bones and joints were almost plucked asunder, in such sort, that she was carried away in a chair. When the racking was past, Wriothesly and his fellow 'took their horses toward the court.

In the mean time, while they were making their way by land, the good lieutenant taking boat, sped in all haste to the court, to speak with the king before the other, and so did. Who there making his humble suit to the king, desired his pardon, and showed him the whole matter as it stood, and of the racking of mistress Askew, and how he was threatened by the lord chancellor, because at his commandment, not knowing his highness' pleasure, he refused to rack her, which he for compassion could not find in his heart to do, and therefore humbly craved his highness' pardon. Which when the king had understood, he seemed not very well to like their so extreme handling of the woman, and also granted to the lieutenant his pardon, willing him to return and see to his charge. Great expectation was in the mean season among the warders and other officers of the Tower, waiting for his return, whom when they saw come so cheerfully, declaring unto them how he had sped with the king, they were not a little joyous, and gave thanks to God therefore.

Anne Askew's answer unto John Lascel's letter.

O friend most dearly beloved in God; I marvel not a little what should move you to judge in me so slender a

faith as to fear death, which is the end of all misery. In the Lord I desire you not to believe of me such wickedness. For I doubt it not, but God will perform his work in me, like as he hath begun. I understand the council is not a little displeased that it should be reported abroad, that I was racked in the Tower. They say now, what they did there, was but to fear me; whereby I perceive they are ashamed of their uncomely doings, and fear much, lest the king's majesty should have information thereof. Wherefore they would no man to noise it. Well, their cruelty God forgive them.

Your heart in Christ Jesus. Farewell, and pray.

The answer of Anne Askew against the false surmises of her recantation.

I have read the process, which is reported of them that know not the truth, to be my recantation. But as sure as the Lord liveth, I never meant thing less than to recant. Notwithstanding this, I confess, that in my first troubles I was examined of the bishop of London about the sacrament. Yet had they no grant of my mouth, but this, that I believed therein as the word of God did bind me to be

lieve; more had they never of me. Then he made a copy which is now in print, and required me to set thereunto my hand but I refused it. Then my two sureties did will me in no wise to stick thereat, for it was no great matter, they said.

Then with much ado, at the last I wrote thus: I Anne Askew do believe this, if God's word do agree to the same, and the true catholic church. Then the bishop being in great displeasure with me, because I made doubts in my writing, commanded me to prison; where I was awhile, but afterwards by the means of friends, I came out again. Here is the truth of that matter. And as concerning the thing that ye covet most to know, resort to the sixth of John, and be ruled always thereby. Thus fare ye well, quoth Anne Askew.

The confession of the faith which Anne Askew made in Newgate before she suffered.

J Anne Askew, of good memory, although my merciful

Father hath given me the bread of adversity, and the water of trouble; yet not so much as my sins have deservedconfess myself here, a sinner before the throne of his heavenly majesty, desiring his eternal mercy. And forsomuch as I am by the law unrighteously condemned for an evil doer concerning opinions, I take the same most merciful God of mine, who hath made both heaven and earth, to record, that I hold no opinions contrary to his most holy word. And I trust in my merciful Lord, who is the giver of all grace, that he will graciously assist me against all evil opinions, which are contrary to his blessed verity. For, I take him to witness, that I have, and will, unto my life's end, utterly abhor them to the uttermost of my power.

This is the heresy which they report me to hold-that after the priest hath spoken the words of consecration, there remaineth bread still. But they both say, and also teach it for a necessary article of faith, that after those words are once spoken, there remaineth no bread, but even the selfsame body that hung upon the cross on Good Friday, both flesh, blood, and bone! To this belief of theirs, say I, Nay: for then were our common creed false, which saith, that he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and from thence shall come to judge the quick and the dead. Lo! this is the heresy that I hold, and for it must suffer the death. But, as touching the holy and blessed supper of the Lord, I believe it to be a most necessary remembrance of his glorious sufferings and death. Moreover, I believe as much therein as my eternal and only Redeemer, Jesus Christ, would I should believe.

Finally, I believe all those scriptures to be true, which he hath confirmed with his most precious blood. Yea, and as St. Paul saith, those scriptures are sufficient for our learning and salvation that Christ hath left here with us; so that I believe we need no unwritten verities to rule his church with. Therefore, look what he hath said unto me with his own mouth in his holy gospel, that have I with God's grace closed up in my heart, and my full trust is, as David saith, that it shalt be a lantern to my footsteps, Psal. cxix.

There are some do say that I deny the eucharist or sacrament of thanksgiving; but those people do untruly report of me. For I both say and believe it, that if it were ordered like as Christ instituted and left it, a most singular comfort it were unto us all. But, as concerning your mass, as it is

now used in our days, I do say and believe it to be the most abominable idol that is in the world. For my God will not be eaten with teeth, neither yet dieth he again. And upon these words that I have now spoken, will I suffer death.

O Lord, I have more enemies now than there are hairs on my head: yet, Lord, let them never overcome me with vain words, but fight thou, Lord, in my stead; for on thee cast I my care. With all the spite they can imagine, they fall upon me which am thy poor creature. Yet, sweet Lord, let me not set by them which are against thee; for in thee is my whole delight. And, Lord, I heartily desire of thee, that thou wilt of thy most merciful goodness forgive them that violence which they do and have done unto me. Open also thou their blind hearts, that they may hereafter do that thing in thy sight which is only acceptable before thee, and to set forth thy verity aright, without all vain fantasies of sinful men. So be it, O Lord, so be it.

By me, ANNE ASKEW.

Fox adds, Hitherto we have intreated of this good woman. Now it remaineth that we touch somewhat as concerning her end and martyrdom. After that she, being born of such stock and kindred, that she might have lived in great wealth and prosperity, if she would rather have followed the world than Christ, now had been so tormented, that she could neither live long in so great distress, neither yet by her adversaries be suffered to die in secret; the day of her execution being appointed, she was brought into Smithfield in a chair, because she could not go on her feet, by means of her great torments from the extremity she suffered upon the rack. When she was brought unto the stake, she was tied by the middle with a chain that held up her body. When all things were thus prepared to the fire, Dr. Shaxton who was then appointed to preach, began his sermon. Anne Askew hearing, and answering again unto him, where he said well, confirmed the same; where he said amiss, there she said, He misseth, and speaketh without the book.

The sermon being finished, the martyrs,* standing there tied at three several stakes ready to their martyrdom, began their prayers. The multitude and concourse of the people was exceeding, the place where they stood being railed

* John Lascels, a gentleman of the king's household; Nicholas Belenian, a priest; John Adams, a tailor; and Anne Askew.