MarginaliaDecember 22.IN this furious tyme of persecution, were also burned these two constant and faythfull martyrs of Christ, that is to say:

MarginaliaMartyrs.Iohn Rowgh, a Minister, and
Margaret Mearyng.

This Roughe was borne in Scotland, who (as him selfe cōfesseth in his answers to Boners articles) because some of hys kinsfolke woulde haue kept hym from his right of inhertaunce, which he had to certaine landes, MarginaliaA zelous occasion of a frierly profession.did at the age of xvii. yeares, in despite (and the rather to displease his frendes) professe hym selfe into the order of the blacke Friers at Sterling in Scotland: wher he remained the space of xvi. yeares, vntill suche tyme as the Lorde Hamulton, Earle of Arren, and Gouernour of the Realme of Scotland aforesaid (castinge a fauoure vnto him) did sue vnto the Archbyshop of S. Androwes, to haue him dereigned oute of his professed order, þ^t as a secular priest he might serue him for his chaplain. At which request the Archbyshop caused the Prouincial of that house, hauinge therto authority, to dispense with him, for his habit and order. This suite being thus by the Earle obtained, þ^e said Roughe remayned in hys seruice one whole yeare, duringe which tyme it pleased God to open his eies, and to geue him some knoweledge of his truth, and thereupon was by the saide gouernour sent to preache in the fredom of Ayre, where he continued foure yeares, and then after the death of the Cardinall of Scotland he was appointed to abide at S. Androwes, and ther had assigned vnto him an yearely pencion of xx. pound from kinge Henry the eight, king of England. How be it, at last waying with him selfe his owne daunger, and also abhorring the idolatry and supersticion of his country, and hearing of the fredome of the gospell within this Realm of England, determined with him selfe not to tarye anye lenger there. And therfore soone after the battell at Musclebourowghe, hee came firste vnto Carleil, and frō thence vnto the Duke of Somerset, then Lorde Protector of Englande, and by his assignemēt had appointed vnto him out of the kinges treasury, xx. poundes of yearely stipend, and was sente (as a preacher) to serue at Carleil, Barwicke, and Newcastell, from whence (after he hadde there, according to the lawes of God, and also of this Realme, taken a contry woman of his to wife) he was called by the Archbyshop of York that thē was, who gaue him a benefice nighe vnto the towne of Hull. And there he continued vntill the death of that blessed and good king Edward the vi. But in the beginning of the reigne of Quene Mary (perceauing the alteration of Religion, and the persecution that woulde thereupon arise, and fealing his owne weakenes) he fledde with his wife into Friseland, and dwelt there

at a place called Norden, labouringe truly for his liuing, in knitting of cappes, hose, and such like thinges, till about the end of the moneth of October laste before hys deathe. At which tyme lacking yarne and other suche necessary prouision for the maintenaunce of his occupacion, he came ouer againe into England, here to prouide for the same, and the x. daye of Nouember arriued at London. Where, hearing of the secret society, and holy congregation of gods children there assembled, he ioined him selfe vnto them, and afterwards as theire minister and preacher, did continue most vertuously exercised in þ^e godly felowship, teaching and confirming them in the truth and gospell of Christ. But in the ende, suche was the permission of god, (who disposeth al things to the best) the xii. daye of December, hee with Cutbert Symson and others through the craftye and trayterous suggestion of a false hipocrite & dissēbling brother called Roger Sargeaunt, taylour, were apprehended by the vice chamberlaine of the quenes house, at the Saracens hedde in Islington: where the congregatiō had thē purposed to assemble thē selues to their godly and accustumable excercises of praier and hearing the woord of God, which pretence (for the safegard of all the reste) they yet at their examinations, couered and excused by hearinge of a playe, that was then appointed to be at that place. The vicechamberlaine after he hadde apprehended them, caried Rough and Symson vnto the Counsell, who charged them to haue assembled together, to celebrate the cōmunion, or supper of the lord. And therfore after sundry examinations & answers (the effect whereof is now before declared) they sent the said Rough vnto Newgate: but his examinations they sent vnto the Byshop of Londō, with a letter signed with their handes, the copy wherof followeth.

A letter sent from the Quenes Counsell vnto Boner B. of London, touching thexamination of Iohn Rowgh, Minister. 

Commentary    Close

A copy of this letter survives in Foxe's papers among other items copied from the privy council register (BL, Harley 419, fo. 134r; cf. APC VI, p. 216). But Foxe had probably already copied this letter from a court book, now lost, containing the documents of Rough's trial.

MarginaliaA letter.AFter our harty cōmendatiōs to your good Lordship, we send you here inclosed thexamination of a Scotish mā, named Ih. Rough, who by the Quenes maiesties commaundemēt is presently sent to Newgate, being of the chief of them that vpon Sonday last, vnder the coulour of comming to see a play at the Saracens head in Islyngton, had prepared a Communion to be celebrated and receyued there, among certaine other seditious and heretical persons. And for asmuch as by the sayd Roughes examination, contayning the storye and progresse of his former lyfe, it well appeareth of what sorte he is: the Queens highnes hath willed vs to remyt hym vnto your Lordshyp, to thend that being called before you out of pryson, as oft as your Lordshyp shal thynke good, ye may procede, bothe to his further examination, and otherwise orderinge of hym, accordynge to the lawes, as the case shall require.