1583 Edition | Book 11 | Page 1977 
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(at least 1476 - 1556)
Mother of William Dangerfield.
Mrs Dangerfield was at least eighty years old when she died. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1860, 1583, p. 1953.
She died 'through lack of comfort' around the time that her daughter-in-law and grandchild perished in prison. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1860, 1583, p. 1953.
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(1496? - 1556)
Aged man of unknown occupation. Martyr. Born in Wiltshire.
Edward Sharp was condemned and burned in Bristol on September 1556. 1563, p. 1546, 1570, p. 2138, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1953.
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(1512 - 1560).
DD (1546). Master of Balliol (1547). Vice chancellor of Oxford (1552). Bishop of Gloucester (1554 - 1559). Deprived of his see upon the accession of Elizabeth. Committed to prison where he died. (DNB)
James Brookes was made bishop of Gloucester, c. January 1554, (1570, p. 1636; 1576, p 1396; 1583, p. 1467).
He was deprived under Elizabeth.
James Brookes was one of those holding a commission from Cardinal Pole to disinter Peter Martyr's wife and burn her bones. 1563, p. 1558, 1570, p. 2152, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1968.
The examinations of John Hunt and Richard White before the bishops of Salisbury and Gloucester (Brookes and Capon), Dr. Geffre (chancellor) took place on 26 April 1557. 1570, p. 2254, 1576, p. 1947, 1583, p. 2054.
Foxe says that James Brookes died before Queen Mary, but he did not die until 1560. 1563, p. 1736, 1570, p. 2299, 1576, p. 1992, 1583, p. 2101.
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(d. 1556)
Wife of William Dangerfield. Of Wootton-under-Edge, near Bristol.
Joan Dangerfield bore William ten children. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, pp. 1859-60, 1583, p. 1953.
When the tenth child was fourteen days old she and her child were seized by the authorities and placed in jail. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1860, 1583, p. 1953.
The catholic prisoners with her would not allow her and the baby to get near the fire to get warm. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1860, 1583, p. 1953.
Her child starved to death and she died soon afterwards. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1860, 1583, p. 1953.
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(1534? - 1556)
A blind, unmarried woman. Of All Hallows parish, Derby.
Joan Waste was the daughter of William Waste, barber, who used occasionally to make ropes. 1570, p. 2137, 1576, p. 1858, 1583, p. 1951.
She learned to knit hose and sleeves when she was around twelve or fourteen years old and to help her father. 1570, p. 2137, 1576, p. 1858, 1583, p. 1952.
After her parents death, she lived with her brother, Roger Waste, during the reign of Edward VI. Roger took her to church to hear sermons in the vernacular. 1570, p. 2137, 1576, p. 1858, 1583, p. 1952.
She became well versed in religion during Edward VI's reign. 1570, p. 2137, 1576, p. 1858, 1583, p. 1952.
She saved money to buy a New Testament. 1570, p. 2137, 1576, p. 1858, 1583, p. 1952.
She became acquainted with John Hurt, a prisoner in the common hall of Derby, who read to her from her New Testament. 1570, p. 2137, 1576, p. 1858, 1583, p. 1952.
When John Hurt could not read to her, Joan Waste went to John Pemberton, clerk of the parish church of All Saints, Derby. 1570, p. 2137, 1576, p. 1858, 1583, p. 1952.
Foxe lists her persecutors as: Ralph Bane, Anthony Draycot and Peter Finch, with the assistance of Richard Ward, William Bainbridge, John Dethick, Richard Blackwell, Richard Parchinson, Thomas Swinerton, George Poyser, Thomas Roper and John Reyner, [1563, p. 1545] and Sir John Port and Henry Vernon. 1570, p. 2137, 1576, p. 1858, 1583, p. 1952
[Back to Top]Anthony Draycot had Waste apprehended in Derby. 1570, p. 2137, 1576, p. 1858, 1583, p. 1952.
Waste was brought out of prison by Peter Finch. 1570, p. 2137, 1576, p. 1858, 1583, p. 1952.
Articles were brought against her. 1563, p. 1545, 1570, pp. 2137-38, 1576, pp. 1858-59, 1583, p. 1952.
Waste said that the doctrine taught and sermons given by Dr Taylor were believed by Taylor and others to be a true doctrine. 1570, p. 2138, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1952.
She was condemned by Thornden and Draycot. 1570, p. 2138, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1952.
On the day of her death Joan Waste was accompanied to church by Draycot, Thomas Powthread, Henry Vernon, Master Dethick of Newhall and many others. 1570, p. 2138, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1952.
Draycot preached a violent sermon against Joan Waste. 1570, p. 2138, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1952.
Draycot demanded that the gentlemen and bailiffs witness Joan Waste's death. 1570, p. 2138, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1952.
Her brother, Roger Waste, held her hand on the way to the Windmill-pit, where she was burned in August 1556. 1570, p. 2138, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1952.
Draycot went to an inn and slept during her execution. 1570, p. 2138, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1952.
William Bainbridge, bailiff, testified to these events. 1570, p. 2138, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1953.
John Cadman, curate of Derby, testified to these events. 1570, p. 2138, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1953.
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Curate. Of Derby.
John Cadman testified to the events surrounding the death of Joan Waste. 1570, p. 2138, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1953.
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(d. 1556)
Shoemaker. Martyr. Of Mayfield, Sussex.
John Hart was burned with three others at Mayfield in Sussex on 24 September 1556. 1563, p. 1546, 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1953.
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(d. 1556)
Martyr. Of unknown occupation and origin.
John Horne was burned at Wooten-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, with a woman, in September 1556. 1563, p. 1546, 1570, p. 2139, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1953.
[His name may have been Edward Horne. See J. G. Nichols, Narratives of the Reformation, (Camden Society Old Series, 77) pp. 69-70.]
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Of Wootton-under-Bridges near Bristol.
Mrs Bridges appeared to be imprisoned for her beliefs but survived. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1860, 1583, p. 1953.
She testified to the cruel treatment and deaths of William and Joan Dangerfield, their child and his mother. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1860, 1583, p. 1953.
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(d. 1557)
Martyr. Of unknown occuptation. Of Rye.
Thomas Ravensdale was accused and examined by Christopherson, Richard Briesly (chancellor), Robert Tailor (deputy), Thomas Paccard (civilian), Anthony Clarke, and Alban Langdale (BD). He was condemned and martyred at Chichester. 1563, p. 1634, 1570, p. 2220, 1576, p. 1815, 1583, p. 2023.
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(d. 1556)
Of unknown occupation. Of Wootten-under-Edge, near Bristol.
William Dangerfield stayed away from his home for fear of persecution by the authorities. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1859, 1583, p. 1953.
His neighbours seized him when he came home to see his wife who was about to give birth to his tenth child. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1860, 1583, p. 1953.
He was taken to Dr Brooks and placed in prison. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1860, 1583, p. 1953.
His legs were so badly injured by the irons, that he nearly lost them because of the severe injuries inflicted. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1860, 1583, p. 1953.
Brooks lied to Dangerfield, saying that his wife had recanted. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1860, 1583, p. 1953.
After twelve weeks in prison, he was released to go home. He appeared to get ill en route there and died shortly afterwards. 1570, p. 2039, 1576, p. 1860, 1583, p. 1953.
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A parish in the hundred of Loxfield-Pelham, rape of Pevensey, county of Sussex. 5.5 miles south-west from Wadhurst. The living is a vicarage in the peculiar jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
English information from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of England (S. Lewis & Co: London, 1831)
Scottish information from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland (S. Lewis & Co: London, 1846)
Welsh information taken from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales(Lewis & Co: London, 1840)
The reason for the use of these works of reference is that they present the jurisdictional and ecclesiastical position as it was before the major Victorian changes. The descriptions therefore approximate to those applying in the sixteenth century, after the major changes of 1535-42. Except for the physical locations, which have not changed, the reader should not therefore take these references as being accurate in the twenty-first century.
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A parish in the upper division of the hundred of Berkeley, county of Gloucester. 19 miles south-south-west from Gloucester. The living is a vicarage in the Archdeaconry and Diocese of Gloucester.
English information from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of England (S. Lewis & Co: London, 1831)
Welsh information taken from Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales(Lewis & Co: London, 1840)
The reason for the use of these works of reference is that they present the jurisdictional and ecclesiastical position as it was before the major Victorian changes. The descriptions therefore approximate to those applying in the sixteenth century, after the major changes of 1535-42. Except for the physical locations, which have not changed, the reader should not therefore take these references as being accurate in the twenty-first century.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaAnno 1556.sorte as is aboue prefixed, hath bene confessed to be very true, by diuers persons of worthy credite and yet liuing: and also hath bene specially perused and examined by W. Baynbridge, tofore mentioned, Bayliffe then of Darbye: who aswell of his own knowledge, as by speciall enquiry and conference, by him made, with diuers others, hath cer tified vs the same to be vndoubted: besides the Testimoniall of Iohn Cadman Curate of the sayd towne,
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One suspects that there may have been elements of both self-exculpation and a desire to blame local catholics in the readiness of these officials to send Foxe more information on John Waste.
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This account first appeared in the 1563 edition and was unchanged in subsequent editions. There is some, not entirely reliable, corroboration of Foxe's brief account of Sharpe (see K. G. Powell, The Marian Martyrs and the Reformation in Bristol [Bristol: 1972], p. 12).
MarginaliaSeptember. 8. MarginaliaThe Martyrdome of Edward Sharpe at Bristowe.ABout the beginning of the next month folowing, whiche was September, a certayn godly, aged, deuout, & zelous person of the Lords glory, borne in Wiltshyre, named Edward Sharpe, of the age of lx. yeares, or thereabout, was condemned at Bristow to the like Martyrdom where he constantly & manfully persisting in þe iust quarrel of Christes Gospell, for misliking and renouncing the ordinaunces of the Romishe Churche, was tryed as pure gold, and made a liuely sacrifice in the fire: in whose death as in þe death of all hys other saynts, the Lord be glorified and thanked for his great grace of constancy: to whom be praise for euer, Amen.
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The account of these four martyrs and of the Bristol carpenter appeared in the 1563 edition and remained unchanged in subsequent editions. The fact that the Bristol carpenter and two of the Sussex martyrs were unnamed indicates Foxe's difficulties in obtaining information on martyrs in the dioceses of Chichester and Bristol.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaSeptember. 24. MarginaliaThe Martyrdome of fowre at Mayfield in Sussex.NExte after the Martyrdome of Edward Sharpe aboue sayd, followed iiii. which suffered at Mayfield in Sussex, the xxiiii. day of September. anno. 1556. Of whose names, ii. we finde recorded, and the other two we yet know not, and therefore according to our register, here vnder they be specified, as we find them.
[Back to Top]Iohn Hart. MarginaliaIohn Hart Tho. Rauensdale A shomaker, and a Coriar. Thomas Rauensdale. | A Shomaker. And a Coriar. |
Which sayd. 4. being at the place where they shoulde suffer, after they hadde made theyr prayer, and were at the stake, ready to abide the force of the fire, they constantlye & ioyfully yelded their liues for the testimony of the glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ, vnto whome be prayse for euer, and euer. Amen.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaSeptember. 25. MarginaliaThe Martyrdome of a Carpenter at Bristowe.The day after the Martyrdome of these foresayde at Mayfield, which was the 24. of September, an. 1556. was a young man (which by science was a Carpenter, whose name we haue not)
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There is no reliable confirmation of any carpenter being burned in Bristol.
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This account first appeared in the 1563 edition and was unchanged in subsequent editions. Probably it should have been changed; it is certain that someone named Horne was burned at Wotton-under-Edge, but when this happened and the other circumstances of the execution are far from clear. A letter, which was probably sent to one of Foxe's sons, survives among Foxe's papers, correcting Foxe'saccount of this incident. The letter states that an Edward Horne was burned at Wotton-under-Edge in 1558 (not 1556). The letter, drawing on the testimony of Edward's septuagenarian son Christopher, states that Edward Horne's wife was condemned with him but she recanted and her life was spared (BL, Harley MS 425, fo. 121r; printed in J. G. Nichols, Narratives of Days of the Reformation, Camden Society, original series 77 [1859], pp. 69-70). This letter was probably correct about the martyr's name but wrong about the date; the writ authorizing Edward Horne'sexecution is dated 10 August 1556 (PRO C/85/203/3).
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A communication from one John Deighton to Foxe ... stat[es] that no such person as John Horne suffered at Wootton-under-Edge; but that one Edward Horne suffered at Newcut, in the same diocese, about eight weeks before Queen Mary's death: this would be about Sept. 25th (the date assigned by Foxe in his Latin "Rerum Gestarum," &c., p. 730, and edit. 1563, p. 1546), but in A. D. 1558 not 1556. Deighton states that Horne's wife, who was condemned with him, recanted and escaped.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaSeptember. 27. MarginaliaThe Martyrdome of Iohn Horne, and a woman, at Wotton vnderhedge in Glocestershire.NOw, not long after the death of the sayde young man at Bristow, in the same moneth were two mo godly Martyrs cōsumed by fire at Wotton Vnderhedge in Glocestershyre, whose names are aboue specified, which dyed very gloriously in a constaunt fayth, to the terrour of the wicked, and comforte of the Godly. So graciously did the Lord worke in them, that death vnto them was life, and life with a blotted conscience was death.
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This account first appeared in the 1570 edition and was based on the accounts of individual informants in Wotton-under-Edge. It remained unchanged in subsequent editions.
MarginaliaThe cruell handling of W. Dangerfield and Ioane his wyfe in prison.WHen I had written and finished the story of þe Garnsey women, with the young infant there with them burned, and also had passed the burning of the poore blind woman Ioane Wast at Darby, I well hoped I shoulde haue found no moe such stories of vnmerciful cruelty shewed vppon seely
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I.e., innocent.
anye other storye yet hetherto rehearsed, as by the sequele hereof may appeare.
In the Parish of Wotton Vnderhedge, not farre from Bristow, was dwelling one W. Dangerfield a right honest and godly poore man, who by Ioane Dangerfield his wife had ix. Children, and she nowe lying in childbed of the tenth. Thys William after he had bene abroad from his house a certayne space, for feare of persecution, hearing that his wife was brought to bed, repayred home to visite her, as naturall duety required, and to see his children, she being now deliuered foure dayes before.
[Back to Top]The returne of this man was not so soone known to some of his vnkinde & vncharitable neighbours, but they incensed with the spirite of MarginaliaNo charity in Popery to be noted.Papistrye, eftsoones beset the house about, MarginaliaW. Dangerfield apprehended his owne in house.and there tooke the sayd W. Dangerfield. & caryed him to prison, and so at length hee was brought to the Bishop, being then Doctor Brookes: in whose cruell handling he remayned a certayne space, so longe till hys legges almost were freated off with yrons.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaIoane the wyfe of W. Dangerfield taken with her young infant out of childbed, and had to prison.After the apprehension, of the Husband, the wife likewise was taken, with her younge borne childe, being but 14. dayes olde (as is sayde) out of her childbed, and caryed into the common Iayle, and there placed amongst theues and murderers, where both shee and her poore innocent found so small charitie amongest the catholicke men, that she neuer could come to any fire, but was driuen to warm the clothes that she should put about the childe, in her bosome.
[Back to Top]In the meane season while they lay thus inclosed in seuerall prisons, the husband and the wife, the Bishop beginneth to practise not with the woman first, as the serpent did with Eue, but with the man, craftily deceiuing his simplicitie, with fayre glosing wordes, MarginaliaDangerfield made to beleeue falsely, that his wyfe had recanted.falsely perswading him that his wife had recanted, and asking him, wherfore he should more stande in his owne conceate, then shee being as well learned as he, and so subtilly drew out a form of recantation, wherewith hee deceiued the simple soule. MarginaliaDangerfield vppon hope of his wiues recātation, consented to the Bishop.Whereunto after þt he had once graunted that hee would consent, although hee had not yet recanted, they suffered hym to go to his wife, where shee laye in the common Iayle.
[Back to Top]Then they with melting hartes opening their minds one to an other, when he saw hys wife not released, & perceauing that he had not done well, he declared vnto her þe whole matter, how falsely he was circumuented by þe subtile flatteringes of the Byshop, bearyng him in hand that certaynly she had recanted: and thus deceiuing me (sayde he) brought this vnto me, and so plucked out of hys bosome the copy of the recantation, whereunto he had granted his promise. MarginaliaThe wyfe lamented the fall of her husbād.At the sight whereof the wife hearyng what her husband had done, her hart claue a sunder, saying: Alacke, thus long haue we continued one, and hath Satan so preuayled, to cause you to breake your first vow made to Christ in Baptisme? And so departed the saide W. and Ioane his wife, with what heartes the Lorde knoweth. MarginaliaDangerfield lamenteth his promise made to the Bishop.Then began hee not a little to bewayle his promyse made to the Bishop, MarginaliaThe prayer of Dangerfield to God.and to make hys prayer to almighty God, desiring him that he might not liue so long as to cal euill good, and good euill: or light darkenes, or darkenes light, and so departed he home toward hys house: MarginaliaThe death of the husband.where by the way homeward (as it is affirmed) he took his death and shortly after departed according to his prayer, after he had endured in prison xii. weekes.
[Back to Top]After this, Ioane his wife continued still in prison with her tender infant, till at last she was brought before that Bishop to be examined. Whereunto what her aunswers were, it is not certainely knowne. Howbeit most like it is what soeuer they were, they pleased not the Bishoppe, as appeared by his ire increased agaynst the poore woman & her long continuance in the prison, together with her tender babe, which also remayned with her in þe Iayle, partaker of her Martyrdome, so long as her milke would serue to geue it sucke, till at length the childe being starued for colde and famine, was sent away when it was past al remedie, MarginaliaThe young infant famished in prison.and so shortly after dyed. MarginaliaThe Martyrdome of the mother.And not long after þe mother also followed, MarginaliaThe death of the olde woman.besides the olde woman whiche was mother of the husband, of the age of 80. yeares and vpwarde. Who being left in the house after their apprehēsion for lacke of comfort there perished also.
[Back to Top]And thus haue ye in one story the deathe of foure together: first of the old woman, then of the husband, after that of the innocent childe, and lastly of the mother. What became of the other nine children, I am not perfectly sure, but that I partly vnderstand, that they were all vndone by the same.
This story is reported and testified as well by other as namely by MarginaliaM. Bridges persecuted the same tyme for Gods word, and witnes of this story.Mistres Bridges, dwelling in the same town,