Foxe's Book of Martyrs

Actes and Monuments

by John Foxe

Extracts in contemporary English of important events described by Foxe and published in his 1583 final edition.

Don't miss our revealing article on later corrupted editions of Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

Summary of the message of Foxe's Book of Martyrs
Why They Were Burned at the Stake

Introduction by Colin Melbourne

Contents

1. History of Christian Martyrs to the First General Persecutions Under Nero
   
   
2. Particulars of the Ascendancy of the Popes Throughout Christendom, from the Time of William the Conqueror, to that of Wickliffe.
   
   
3. Cruelties Exercised by the Inquisitions of Spain, Portugal, Italy.
   
   
4. The Life, Sufferings, and Martyrdom of John Huss, Who Was Burnt at Constance in Germany
   
   
5. Account of the Life, Sufferings, and Martyrdom of Jerome of Prague, Who Was Burnt at Constance, in Germany, for Maintaining the Doctrine of Wickliffe
   
   
6. History of the English Martyrdom and Reformation, With an Account of Wickliffe and his Doctrines
   
   
7. Persecution of the Lollards; William Sautre: First English Martyr Burned, Martyrdom of Thomas Badly, Sir John Oldcastle
   
   
8. Historical Account of the Progress of the Reformation in the Reign of King Henry VIII
   
   
9. The Life and Story of the True Servant and Martyr of God, William Tyndale
   
   
10. Containing the Acts and Things Done in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth
    
    
11. The Reign of Queen Mary - Accession and Deposition of the Lady Jane Grey - First Entering of Queen Mary to the Crown - Alterations of Religion, and Other Perturbances Happening the Same Time in England
    
    
12. The Reign of Queen Mary Continued. The Report of the Disputation Had and Begun in the Convocation House at London, Appointed by the Queen, Oct. 18, 1553
    
    
13. Wyatt's Rebellion - Lady Jane Grey - Conversation With Fecknam - Letters - Behaviour at Execution, With Other Matters
    
    
14. Account of a Public Disputation Which Was Appointed by the Queen's Special Command in a Convocation Held at St. Mary's Church in Oxford
    
    
15. Disputation at Oxford Between Dr. Smith, With His Other Colleagues and Doctors, and Bishop Ridley
    
    
16. Proceedings of the Papists Against the Protestants - Beheading of the Duke of Suffolk - Declaration of Mr. Bradford and Others - Marriage of Queen Mary With Philip, Prince of Spain - Events That Followed the Marriage
    
    
17. Cardinal Pole Arrives From Rome - His Absolution - Gardiner's Sermon - Nation Returns to Popery - Faithfulness of the Protestant Leaders - Difference of Sentiment Between Pole and Gardiner Respecting Heretics
    
    
18. Containing a Further Account of the Murdering of God's Saints, With the Processes and Names of Such Good Martyrs as in this Time of Queen Mary Where Put to Death
    
    
19. The Life and Martyrdom of John Hooper, Bishop of Worchester and Gloucester
    
    
20. The Life and Martyrdom of Dr. Rowland Taylord, Who Suffered for the Truth of God's Word, Under the Tyranny of the Roman Bishops, the 9th Day of February, 1555.
    
    
21. An Account of Several Protestants, Who Were Persecuted, Tormented, and Most of Them Burned, Under the Tyranny of Bonner, Bishop of London
    
    
22. Examination and Burning of George Marsh at Chester - The Abbey Lands Restored - Death of Pope Julius
    
    
23. Examination and Martyrdom of William Flower, John Cardmaker, John Warne, John Simson, and John Ardeley
    
    
24. Containing the Examination and Martyrdom of Mr. Thomas Haukes and Mr. Thomas Watts; With Some Other Incidents of the Period
    
    
25. The Life and Martyrdom of John Bradford, Who Together With John Leaf Was Burned in Smithfield
    
    
26. Account of William Minge and James Trevisam - Examinations and Martyrdom of John Bland - Account of Sheterden, Frankesh, and Middleton - Story of Hall, Waid, and Margery Polley
    
    
27. Burning of Dirick Carver, John Launder, John Denley, John Newman, Patrick Packingham, and Other Godly Martyrs
    
    
28. History and Martyrdom of Bishop Ridley and Bishop Latimer, and Character of Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester
    
    
29. The Martyrdom of John Webbe, George Roper, Gregory Parke, William Wiseman, James Gore, and John Philpot
    
    
30. The Story of Seven Martyrs Suffering Together at London - Five Other Martyrs Burned at Canterbury
    
    
31. The Life, State, and Martyrdom of the Reverend Pastor and Prelate, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury
    
    
32. Continuation of Faithful Martyrs for the Cause of Christ Who Suffered Between March and September 1556
    
    
33. The Visitation of the Universities - Burning of the Dead Bodies of Bucer and Phagius - With the Cruel Handling of God's Saints in Other Parts of the Realm, in the Year 1557
    
    
34. God's Providence in Preserving the Lady Elizabeth - Unprosperousness of Queen Mary's Reign - Divine Judgments on Persecutors - Conclusion