1583 Edition | Book 12 | Page 2175 
Close
(d. 1557)
Martyr. Tailor. Itinerant preacher. From the Colchester area.
When charged with reading to the people in the woods, John Allerton said that he had not, save once, when he was in the company of George Eagles and Richard Roth, when Roth desired him to read something he had upon him. 1570, p. 2212, 1576, p. 1909, 1583, p. 2016.
Eagles preached during Edward VI's reign and then became itinerant during Mary's reign, which coined him the nickname of 'Trudgeover'. 1563, p. 1614, 1570, p. 2202, 1576, p. 1900, 1583, p. 2009.
John Johnson testified that he learned his heretical beliefs - denial of the eucharist and the power of a priest to absolve sin - from 'Trudgon'. He said that 'Trudgon' was a true prophet. 1563, p. 1614, 1570, p. 2202, 1576, p. 1900, 1583, p. 2009.
Eagles preached in and around Colchester during Mary's reign. 1570, p. 2202, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2009.
Spies were sent out to track down Eagles and bring him to the authorities either dead or alive. 1570, p. 2202, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2009.
Eagles' brethren hid him on several occasions, evading the authorities. 1570, p. 2203, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2009.
An edict was declared across Essex, Suffolk, Kent and Norwich, promising £20 to anyone who captured Eagles. 1570, p. 2203, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2009.
Eagles was captured in Colchester on Mary Magdalen's day 1557. 1570, p. 2203, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2009.
Eagles was committed to prison in Colchester and then, four days later, was conveyed to Chelmsford where, during his first night, he refused food and drink and kept continual prayer. 1570, p. 2203, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2009.
Eagles was indicted. 1570, p. 2203, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2009.
After his indictment, Eagles was taken to the new inn, called the Crown, in Chelmsford, by William Swallow. 1570, p. 2203, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2009.
Richard Potto, the innkeeper of the Cock Inn, tried to persuade George Eagles to ask the queen's forgiveness. 1570, p. 2203, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2009.
Eagles was drawn on a sledge to his execution. He carried with him a psalm book, from which he read aloud on the journey. 1570, p. 2203, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2010.
When Eagles was on the ladder, Potto again troubled him, begging him to ask forgiveness, but the sheriff pushed him away. 1563, 1615, 1570, p. 2003, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2010.
Eagles was executed with two thieves, one of whom asked Christ for mercy, the other rebuking such actions. These two men were hanged before Eagles suffered, the repentant man saying his prayers and passing quietly, the scoffer being unable to speak or pray prior to his death. 1563, 1615, 1570, p. 2003, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2010.
[Back to Top]Eagles was hanged for a time but then cut down before he was dead. 1563, 1615, 1570, p. 2003, 1576, p. 1901, 1583, p. 2010.
William Swallow, a bailiff of Chelmsford, then put Eagles on the sled, laid his neck across it, and proceeded to hack at Eagles with a blunt cleaver, hitting him many times on the shoulders, chin, mangling him, and then cut out his heart. Eagles' body was then quartered, his bowels burned, and the body parts put on fish-stalls before Swallow's door, until horses were ready to take the quarters away - one each to Colchester, Harwich, Chelmsford, and St Osyth's. His head was placed on a pole in Chelmsford market until the wind blew it down, and eventually somebody buried it in the churchyard at night. 1563, p. 1615, 1570, p. 2204, 1576, p. 1902, 1583, p. 2010.
[Back to Top]
Close
(1510? - 1571)
1st Regius Professor of Civil Law. Roman catholic martyr. (DNB)
John Story was one of the recipients of the proclamation from Philip and Mary authorising the persecution of protestants. 1563, p. 1561, 1570, p. 2155, 1576, p. 1862, 1583, p. 1974[incorrectly numbered 1970].
In the 1563 edition, Foxe claims that Story urged that Elizabeth be executed, maintaining that it was pointless to cut the branches off a tree and not strike at its roots (1563, p. 1004). These passages were never reprinted.
In a letter to Augustine Bernher, Bradford asked him to discover what Master G. had said to Doctor Story and others. 1570, p. 1837, 1576, p. 1572, 1583, p. 1654.
Dr Story was said by Dr Martin to have been the chief procurer of the deaths of John Warren, his wife and daughter, although he was a relative of theirs. 1563, p. 1251, 1570, p. 1869, 1576, p. 1600, 1583, p. 1689.
When John Denley sang a psalm at his burning, Story rebuked him for it. 1563, p. 1249, 1570, p. 1867, 1576, p. 1598, 1583, p. 1686.
John Story is described by Foxe as one who was occupied with dispatching the godly during Mary's reign. 1563, p. 1383, 1570, p. 1952, 1576, p. 1679, 1583, p. 1786.
The first examination of John Philpot was by Cholmley, Master Roper and John Story and one of the scribes of the Arches at Newgate Hall on 2 October 1555. 1563, pp. 1388-90, 1570, pp. 1961-62, 1576, pp. 1688-89 , 1583, pp. 1795-96.
In Philpot's first examination, Story claimed that Philpot was guilty of heresy for speaking against the mass. 1563, pp. 1388-90, 1570, pp. 1961-62, 1576, pp. 1688-89, 1583, pp. 1795-96.
Philpot's second examination was before Cholmley, Roper, Story and Cook and the scribe on 24 October 1555. 1563, pp. 1390-92, 1570, pp. 1962-64, 1576, pp. 1689-91, 1583, pp. 1797-98.
During Philpot's second examination, Story demanded that Philpot be taken to Lollard's Tower, after which he was imprisoned in Bonner's coal house. 1563, pp. 1390-92, 1570, pp. 1962-64, 1576, pp. 1689-91, 1583, pp. 1797-98.
Philpot's fifth examination was before Bonner, Rochester, Coventry, St Asaph, as well as Story, Curtop, Saverson, Pendleton and others. 1563, pp. 1398-1405, 1570, pp. 1968-72, 1576, pp. 1695-98, 1583, pp. 1803-05.
Story was one of the commissioners who sent John Went, John Tudson, Thomas Brown and Joan Warren to be examined and imprisoned. 1563, p. 1453, 1570, p. 2016, 1576, p. 1737, 1583, p. 1845.
A complaint about John Tudson was sent to Story. 1563, p. 1467, 1570, p. 2029, 1576, p. 1749, 1583, p. 1857.
Cranmer was examined by Brookes, Martin and Story. 1563, pp. 1479-83, 1570, pp. 2046-47, 1576, pp. 1764-65, 1583, p. 1871.
A new commission was sent to Rome for the restoration of the pope's authority to allow the condemnation of Cranmer. Those sent were: James Brookes, Martyn and Story . 1570, p. 2047, 1576, p. 1765, 1583, p. 1871.
Story's oration against Cranmer. 1576, pp. 1769-70, 1583, pp. 1875-76.
Story said that they were true witnesses, as they swore allegience to the pope. Cranmer was was sent to Gloucester by Story. 1570, p. 2056, 1576, p. 1773, 1583, p. 1879.
Henry Adlington received a letter from John Careless, which referred to Story. 1570, pp. 2110-12, 1576, pp. 1833-34, 1583, pp. 1928-29.
Robert Farrer talked with Laurence Sheriff in the Rose tavern and suggested to Sheriff that Elizabeth had been involved in Wyatt's rebellion. Sheriff complained to Bonner about Farrer before Mordaunt, Sir John Baker, Darbyshire, Story, Harpsfield, and others. 1570, p. 2296, 1576, p. 1988, 1583, p. 1980.
[Back to Top]Ralph Allerton was examined on 24 April 1557 before Bonner, Lord North, Dr Story and others. 1563, p. 1621, 1570, p. 2210-11, 1576, p. 1907-08, 1583, p. 2015-16.
A chaplain asked Thomas Green to repeat the articles of his faith before Story. 1563, p. 1688, 1570, p. 2263, 1576, p. 1953, 1583, p. 2061.
Story questioned Green on the mass and the church fathers. 1563, p. 1688, 1570, p. 2263, 1576, p. 1954, 1583, p. 2061.
Green appeared again before Story. 1563, p. 1688, 1570, p. 2263, 1576, p. 1954, 1583, p. 2061.
Story commanded Green be whipped 100 times, although this was objected to, at which point Story said he would have Green's tongue cut out if he could. 1563, p. 1688, 1570, p. 2263, 1576, p. 1954, 1583, p. 2062.
Elizabeth Young's eighth examination was before Bonner, the dean of St Paul's and Story. 1570, pp. 2273-74, 1576, pp. 1962-63, 1583, pp. 2069-70.
Alexander Wimshurst was carried before Story and Cook who asked him where his whore was. Wimshurst defended his wife's honour and her whereabouts. 1570, p. 2276, 1576, p. 1965, 1583, p. 2072.
Edward Benet asked Story to help him out of prison, which he did, only to deliver him to Cluney who put him in stocks in the coalhouse for a week. 1570, p. 2279, 1576, p. 1968 [incorrectly numbered 1632], 1583, p. 2075.
Richard Waterson was examined by Story, when he was told that £40 would release him from punishment. This was reduced to £10 but eventually a warrant was made to Richard Grafton who was forced to watch the beating of Gye upon a cross at Bridewell. 1563, p. 1730 [incorrectly numbered 1703], 1583, p. 2144.
[Back to Top]John Story had accused Angel's wife of murdering a woman and her child who resided with her in her house. He sent her to Newgate. Sir Roger Cholmley dismissed the charges against her. 1563, p. 1707, 1570, p. 2299, 1576, p. 1991, 1583, p. 2010.
At Elizabeth's accession Story was committed to ward but he managed to escape overseas, where he met with the duke of Alva in Antwerp. 1583, p. 2153.
Parker, a merchant, was sent to apprehend Story and return him to England. 1583, p. 2153.
Parker told Story that a ship had come from England and that he might like to peruse the merchandise on board. Story suspected nothing, was caught and returned to England. 1583, p. 2153.
In prison, Story refused to agree to the act of supremacy and was subsequently hung, drawn and quartered as a traitor. 1583, p. 2153.
Foxe refers to his death. 1563, p. 1706.
Close
Merchant.
Parker, a merchant, was sent to apprehend John Story in Antwerp and return him to England. 1583, p. 2153.
Parker told Story that a ship had come from England and that he might like to peruse the merchandise on board. Story suspected nothing, was caught and returned to England. 1583, p. 2153.
Close
(d. 1562)
Of Colchester.
Richard Larden betrayed George Eagles to the authorities. 1563, p. 1615, 1570, p. 2204, 1576, p. 1902, 1583, p. 2010.
He was arrested on a felony in 1561 and brought before the sessions at Colchester. He was condemned to be hanged. 1563, p. 1615, 1570, p. 2204, 1576, p. 1902, 1583, p. 2010.
At the bar he said his condemnation was just, as he now knew Eagles to have been an honest man. 1563, p. 1615, 1570, p. 2204, 1576, p. 1902, 1583, p. 2010.
Lardyn was attached, arraigned and hanged for felony. 1570, p. 2299, 1576, p. 1990. 1583, p. 2100.
[Nephew of Benjamin Clere. See Thomas S. Freeman, 'Fate, Faction and Fiction in Foxe's Book of Martyrs', Historical Journal, 43.3 (2000), pp. 610-11.]
Close
A parish in the hundred of Chelmsford, county of Essex. 29 miles north-east by east from London. The living is a rectory in the jurisdiction of the Commissary of Essex and Hertfordshire
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.
[Back to Top]fire about him, but to burne his legges first, whiche they did: he not dismaying any whit, but suffered all meruaylous cherefully, whiche moued the people to such a quandary as was not in Rome many a day. Then they offered him a crosse and willed him to embrace it in token that hee dyed a christian, but he put it away with hys hand, telling them, that they were euill men to trouble him with suche paltry, when he was preparing himselfe to God, whome he beheld in maiestie, and mercy, ready to receaue him into the eternall rest. They seeing him in this minde, departed saying, let vs goe, and leaue him to the deuill, whome hee serues. Thus ended this faythfull souldiour, and Martyr of Christe, who is no doubt, in glory with hys mayster, whereunto God graunt vs all to come, Amen.
[Back to Top]This is faythfully auouched by Iohn Young, who was at that tyme and a good while after in Rome, in seruice with mayster Doctor Morton, who seing the Martirdome of this man, when he came home to hys house in presence of M. Smith his sonne, M. Creede, and the sayd Ioh. Young spake as followeth. Surely this fellow was meruaylous obstinate, hee nothing regarded the good counsayle which was vsed to hym, nor shronke all the way, when the torches wer thrust at hys naked body. Beside in the place of execution hee did not faynt nor cry one iote in the fire, albeit they tormēted him very cruelly, and burned him by degrees as his legges first, to put him to the greater payne, yet all this he did but smile at. Doubtlesse, but that the worde of God cannot be but true, els we might iudge this fellow to be of God: for who could haue suffered so much payne as he did? but truely I beleeue the Deuill was in him.
[Back to Top]I had thought christian reader here to haue made an end, and to haue concluded the volume of this booke, had not the remembraunce of Doctour Story an Archenemy to Christes gospell, and a bloudy persecutor of Gods people come into my minde. The discourse of whose lyfe, and doinges, I thought good here briefly to lay open to the view of the world as followeth. MarginaliaStories education, and birthe.This Doctor Story beeing an Englishe man by byrth, and from his infancie not onely nussed in papistry, but also euen as it were by nature earnestly affected to the same, and growing somewhat to riper yeares, MarginaliaStory a bloudy persecutour.in the dayes of Queene Mary became a most bloudy tyrant, and cruel persecutor of Christ in his members (as all the stories in this booke almost doe declare) Thus hee raging all the raygne
Close
In a speech delivered on the scaffold, this Romish saint (see Wood's Athenæ, i. col. 388) attempted in some degree to neutralize this charge; and the reason given for his relaxation is no doubt honest. Rome disowns with much readiness schemes, the issue of which she descries from afar is becoming doubtful, and which are not likely to answer.
"To prove," says Dr. Story, "that I was not so cruell as I am reported to be, let this one tale suffice: there were at one time xxviii condempned to the fire, and I moved the Dean of Paules to tender and pity their estate, which after was Abbot of Westminster, a very pitiful minded man, I think the most part of you must know him - it is Mr. Fecknam - and we went up and perswaded with them, and we found them very tractable. And Mr. Fecknam and I laboured to the Lord Cardinal Poole, shewynge that they were nescientes quid fecerunt.
"The Cardinal and we did sue together to the Queen, and laid both swordes together, and so we obteyned pardon for them al, savynge an olde woman that dwelt about Paules churchyard; she would not convert and therefore she was burned. The rest of them received absolution, and that with al reverence; serch the Register and you shall finde it.
"Yea and it was by my procurement that there should be no more burnt in London, for I saw well it would not prevaile." ("A Declaration of the Lyfe and Death of John Story," imprinted at London by Thomas Colwell, 1571, and reprinted in Harleian Miscel. iii. 104.)
The "new torment," to which Foxe subsequently alludes, was "a cage of iron," which Story said, "if I live, I will have made for them (heretiques) with a doer on the side, where they shall be enclosed, and the doer made fast, and the fire to be made under them. And then, said he, they shall know what frying is, and their mouths shall be stopped from blowing out their pestilent doctrines."
This account of Story was drawn up, according to Sanders, a personal friend of the Doctor, by one of the noblemen present at his execution; "ut omnes intelligerent, tantas Joannis Storæi virtutes fuisse atque esse, ut neque post funera ejus ipsorum livor et invidia conquiescat" (De Visibili Monarchia, p. 738.)
And in this fauour and authoritie hee continued there for a spare, by the which meanes he did muche hurte, and brought many a good man and woman to trouble, and extreme perill of life thorough his bloud thyrstye cruelty: but at the last the Lord (when the measure of his iniquitie was full) proceeded in iudgement agaynst him, and cut him off from the face of the earth, according to the prayers of many a good man, whiche came to passe in order as followeth. MarginaliaStory intendeth the ouerthrow of England.It being certainly knowne (for the bruite thereof was gone forth into al landes) that he not onely intended the subuersion, and ouerthrowe of his natiue countrey of England by bringing in forreigne hostilitie, if by anye meanes he might compasse it, but also dayly and hourely murthered gods people, there was this platform layd (by
[Back to Top]Gods prouidence no doubt) that one M. Parker a marchaunt should sayle vnto Antwerpe, and by some meanes to conuey Story into England. MarginaliaA platforme layde to apprehend Story.
This Parker arriuing at Antwerpe, suborned certain to repayre to Doctor Story and to signifie vnto him, that there was an english ship come, fraught wt marchandize, & that if he would make search thereof himselfe, he should find store of english books, & other things for his purpose. Story hearing this and suspecting nothing, made haste towardes the ship thinking to make the same his praye, MarginaliaStory searched the Englishe shippes for bookes, and is apprehended and brought into England.and comming a boord searched for english heretical books (as hee called them) and going downe vnder the hatches because he would be sure to haue theyr bloud if hee coulde, they clapped downe the hatches, hoysed vp their sayles, hauing (as God would) a good gale, & sayled away into England where they arriuing, presented this bloudy butcher, and trayterous rebell Story, to the no litle reioysing of many and Englishe hart. He being now committed to prison, cōtinued there a good space: during all which time, he was labored and solicited daily by wise, and learned fathers, to recant his deuillishe and erroneous opinions to conforme himselfe to the trueth, and to acknowledge the Queenes Maiesties supremacy. All which he vtterly denyed to the death, saying that he was sworne subiecte to the King of Spayne, and was no subiecte to the Queene of England, nor she his souereigne Queene, and therfore (as he well deserued) he was condemned (as a traytor to God, the Queenes Maiesty, & the Realme) to be drawne, hanged, and quartered, MarginaliaStory a traytor, hanged, drawne, & quartered.which was performed accordingly, he being layde vpon an hurdle, and drawne from the tower along the streetes to Tiborn, where he being hanged till he was halfe dead, was cut downe and stripped, & (which is not to be forgot) when the executioner had cut off his priuy mēbers, he rushing vp vpon a sodeine gaue him a blow vpon the eare, to the great wonder of all that stood by, and thus ended this bloudy Nemrode his wretched life, whose iudgemēt I leaue to the Lord.
[Back to Top]
Close
This account, and the background to it, are described in Thomas S. Freeman, 'Fate, Faction and Fiction in Foxe's "Book of Martyrs"', Historical Journal 43 (2000), pp. 601-23.
IN the history of George Eagles, alias Trudgeouer the world, pag. 2009. mention is made of his apprehension in a corne field, where by the benefite of the heighth of the corne, and breadth of the field he had escaped, had not one of his persecuters with more malicious crafte climed a high tree to view ouer the place, & so descried him. This persecutor named Raphe Lurdane (as we haue since learned) a lewd felow of life for theft and whoredome, was within few yeares after he had apprehended the foresayd George Eagles for gayne of money, attached of felony for stealing horse, condemned, and hanged in the same place, & Towne of Chelmesford, where George Eagles before suffered Martyrdome.
[Back to Top]
Close
Foxe's account of the St Batholomew's Day massacre was taken from Richard Dinoth, De bello civilli gallico (Basel: 1582), pp. 337-41, 346-48, 350, 355, 359-60 and 364-66.
MarginaliaThe cruell Massaker in Fraunce.HEre before the closing vppe of this booke, in no case woulde bee vnremembred the tragicall and furious Massaker in Fraunce, wherein were murdered so many hundrethes, and thousands of Gods good Martyrs. But because the true narration of this lamentable story is set forth in english at large, in a booke by it selfe, and extant in print already, it shall the lesse neede now to discourse that matter with any new repetition: only a briefe touch of summary notes for remembraunce maye suffice. And first for breuity sake, MarginaliaPersecution in the City of Oringe.to ouerpasse the bloudy bouchery of the Romish Catholickes in Orynge, agaynst the Protestantes, most fiercely and vnawares breaking into theyr houses, and there without mercy killing man, woman & child: of whom some being spoyled and naked they threw out of theyr loftes into the streetes, some they smothered in theyr houses with smoake, with sword & weapon, sparing none, the karkases of some they threwe to dogges which was MarginaliaAnno. 1570.an. 1570. in the reign of Charles 9. Likewyse to passeouer the cruell slaughter at MarginaliaPersecution at Rhoane.Rhoane, whereas the Protestants being at a Sermon without the City Wals vpon the kings edict, the Catholiques in fury ranne vpon them comming home, Marginalia40. slaine, comming from a Sermon.and slew of them aboue 40. at least, many moe they wounded. MarginaliaPersecution at Diepe.This example of Roane styrred vp the Papists in Dyepe to practise the like rage also agaynst the Christians there returning from the sermon, whose slaughter had bene the greater, had they not more wisely before bene prouided of weapon, for theyr own defence at need. All which happened about the same yeare aforesayd. an. 1570. but these with such like I briefly ouerslippe, to enter now into the matter aboue promised,
[Back to Top]