Marian Persecutions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Marian Persecutions refers to the persecutions of Religious Reformers, Protestants, and other dissenters for their beliefs during the reign of Mary I of England. During the (earlier) reign of Edward VI of England, the English Book of Common Prayer was issued, which became a pillar of the reformed Church of England. Common people who had taken up the opportunity to read the Holy Scriptures in English translations during that period became liable to arrest during the reign of Mary, who re-admitted the Roman Catholic Church with its papal authority, and set out to enforce its principles upon her subjects. While other Tudor monarchs were also responsible for the persecution and execution of religious heretics, Mary is viewed as controversial given the high number of judicial executions for heresy carried out during a reign that lasted only five years.

The perceived excesses of this period, particularly as recorded in Foxe's Book of Martyrs, led to the later epithet Bloody Mary being given to the queen. Bishop Bonner, the Bishop of London, was nicknamed also '"Bloody Bonner"' for his involvement in the persecution. The following list is only a small fraction of the total number claimed (approximately 270) to have suffered for their faith during the reign of Mary. These executions were mostly carried out in public places and were witnessed by large numbers of the populace, in whom they were intended to strike fear. However according to Foxe's account, published in 1563, within the decade following the Marian persecution, they instead helped to light the fire of the Reformed Faith.

Contents

[edit] The Marian martyrs include:

This is not a complete list

1555

1556

1557

1558

[edit] References

  • Blanchard, Amos (1844). Book of Martyrs: Or, A History of the Lives, Sufferings and Triumphant Deaths of the Primitive and Protestant Martyrs from the Introduction of Christianity to the Latest Periods of Pagan, Popish, Protestant, and Infidel Persecutions. Compiled from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs and other Authentic Sources.. N. G. Ellis. 

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Blanchard (1844), p.272
  2. ^ Blanchard (1844), p.272
  3. ^ Blanchard (1844), p.272

[edit] See also