THE EXAMINATIONS
OF ANNE ASKEW

The first examination of Anne Askew, lately martyred in Smithfield, by the Romish Pope’s upholders, with the Elucidation of John Bale.

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John Bale to the Christian readers

Among other most singular offices (diligent reader) which the lord hath appointed to be done in the earnest spirit of Elijah, by the forerunners of his latter appearance, this is one very special to be noted. They shall turn the hearts of their ancient elders into the children. Mala. 4. And the unbelievers of their time, to the wisdom of those righteous fathers, as did John Baptist afore his first coming, Luce 1. That is (saith Bede ca. 68. de temporum ratione) the faith and fervent zeal of the prophets and apostles shall they plant in their hearts, which shall in those days live and be among men conversant, and then will break fourth (sayth he as a very true prophet) such horrible persecution, as will first of all take from the world, those mighty Elijahs by triumphant martyrdom, to the terrifying of other in the same faith, of whom some shall become through that occasion, most glorious martyrs unto Christ also, and some very wicked apostates forsaking his lively doctrine. For by the said Bede’s testimony in the beginning of the same chapter, two most certain signs shall we then have that the latter judgement day is at hand. The return of Israel’s remnant unto their lord God, and the horrible persecution of Antichrist.

Confer with this treated scripture and former prophecy of that virtuous man Bede the world’s alteration now with the terrible turmoilings of our time. And as in a most clear mirror ye shall well perceive them at this present to be in most quick working. And as concerning the Israelites or Jews, I have both seen and known of them in Germany, most faithful Christian believers. Neither is it in the prophecy (Osee 3.) that they should at that day be all converted, no more than they were at John Baptist’s preaching, Luce 1. For as Isaiah reporteth, though the posterity of Jacob be as the sea sand (innumerable) yet shall but a remnant of them convert than unto their lord God. Esaie 10. And though the Lord hath sifted that house of Israel (as bruised corn in a sieve) among all other nations, Amos 9. Yet shall not that remnant of theirs perish, but at that day be saved, through the only election of preacher’s grace, Romano. 11. Now concerning the aforesaid forerunners, in this most wonderful change of the world before the latter end thereof. I think within this realm of England, besides other nations abroad, the spirit of Elijah was not all asleep in good William Tyndale, Robert Barnes, and such other more, whom Antichrist’s violence hath sent hence in fire to heaven, as Elijah went afore in the fiery chariot, 4 Regum 2.

These turned the hearts of the fathers into the children such time as they took from a great number of our nation by their godly preachings and writings, the corrupted belief of the Pope and his mystery workers (which were no fathers, but cruel robbers and destroyers, John. 10.) reducing bringing back, returning them again to the true faith of Abraham and Peter, Gene. 15 and Math. 16. The pure belief in Christ’s birth and passion, which Adam and Noah sucked out of the first promise of God, Jacob and Moses out of the second, David and the prophets out of the third, and so forth the Apostles and fathers out of the other scriptures, so firmly planted they in the consciences of many, that no cruel kind of death could avert them from it. As we have for example their constant disciples and now strong witnesses of Jesus Christ, John Lascelles and Anne Askew with their other 2 companions, very glorious martyrs afore God what though they be not so afore the wrong judging eyes of the world whom the bloody remnant of Antichrist put unto most cruel death in Smithfield at London, in the year of our lord, 1546 in July.

If they be only (as was John Baptist) great afore the lord by the holy scripture’s allowance, which are strongly adorned with the graces of his spirit, as faith, force, understanding, wisdom, patience, love, long sufferance and such like. I dare boldly affirm these 4 mighty witnesses also to be the same, so well as the martyrs of the primitive or Apostles’ church. For so strongly had these those virtues as they, and so boldly objected placed opposite or adjacent; presented to the view or perception their bodies to the death for the undefiled Christian belief, against the malignant synagogue of Satan, as ever did they, for no tyranny admitting any create or corruptible substance for their eternal living God. If their blind babies to prove them unlike, do object against me, the miracles showed at their deaths more than at these, as that unfaithful generation is ever desirous of wonders Math. 12. I would but know of them, what miracles were showed when John Baptiste’s head was cut off in the prison? Marci 6 and when James the Apostle was beheaded at Jerusalem? Acto. 12. These 2 were excellent afore God, what though they were but miserable wretches, light fellows, seditious heretics, busy knaves, and lousy beggars in the sight of noble king Herod and his honourable council of prelates. For had not and side gowns been at hand, haply they had not so lightly died.

If they allege Stephen, to maintain their purpose, that he at his death beheld heaven open. I ask of them again what they were which see it more than his own person? Sure I am that their wicked predecessors there present see it not. For they stopped their ears, when he told them thereof, Actorum 7. If they yet bring forth the other histories of apostles and martyrs, I answer them that all they are of no such authority, as these here afore. The Pope’s martyrs indeed were much fuller of miracles than ever were Christ’s, as hisself told us they should be so, Mathei 24. Yet wrought friar Forest, John Fisher and Thomas More no miracles, what though many be now registered in their lives and legends by the friars of France, ltaly, and Spain. Besides that Johann Cochleus hath written of them ad Paulum Pontificem ad regem Henricum and also in their defence against Doctor Sampson. With that Erasmus did also ad Huttenum. P. M. ad Gasparem Agrippam, Albertus Pighius, Rivius, Fichardus, and a great sort more. And as for the holy maid of Kent with Doctor Bocking, though they wrought great wonders by their life, yet appeared none at their deaths. Of his own chosen martyrs, Christ looketh for Christian martyrs none other miracle but that only they persevere faithful to the end, Math. 10. And never deny his verity afore men. Luce 12. For that worthy victory of the sinful world, standeth in the invincibleness of faith, and not in miracles and wonders, as those wavering wits suppose 1. Joan. 5.

Right wonderfully will this appear in the 2 mighty conflicts here after following, which the faithful servant of Jesus Anne Askew, a gentlewoman very young, dainty and tender had with that outraging synagogue, in her 2 examinations, about the 25 year of her age, whom she sent abroad by her own hand writing. The handlings of her other 3 companions shall be showed in other several treatises at leisure. For the glory and great power of the lord, so manifestly appearing in his elect vessels may not now perish at all hands, and be unthankfully neglected but be spread the world over, as well in Latin as English, to the perpetual infamy of so wilfully cruel and spiteful tyrants. Nothing at all shall it terrify us, nor yet in any point let us of our purpose that our books are now in England condemned and burnt by the Bishops and priests with their frantic affinity, the great Antichrist’s upholders, which seek by all practices possible to turn over the king’s most noble and godly enterprise. But it will from henceforth occasion us to set in the Latin forth also that afore we wrote only in the English, and so make their spiritual wickedness and treason known much further off. What availed it Joachim to burn Jeremiah’s prophecy by the ungracious counsel of his prelates? Hiere. 36. Either yet Antiochus to set fire on the other scriptures? 1. Macha. 1.

After the Apostles were brought afore the council and straightly commanded to cease from preaching, they preached much more than afore. Acto. 4. In most terrible persecutions of the primitive church were the examinations and answers, torments and deaths of the constant martyrs written, and sent abroad all the whole world over, as testifieth Eusebius Cesariensis in his ecclesiastic history. Their copies abound yet every where. Great slaughter and burning hath been here in England for John Wycliffe’s books, ever since the year of our lord 1382. Yet have not one of them thoroughly perished. I have at this hour the titles of a 100 and 44 of them, which are many more in number. For some of them under one title comprehendeth 2 books, some 3 some 4. Yea, one of them containeth 12. I think not the contrary but ere the world be at a full end, God will so glorify that twenty times condemned heretic, execrated, cursed, spitted, and spatled, that all your popish writers before his time and after, will be reckoned but vile swineherds to him, for the good favour he bore to Christ’s holy Gospel. A very madness is it to strive against God, when he will have the long hidden iniquities known. As the godly wise man Gamaliel said, Acto. Gamaliel 5. lf this enterprise that is now taken against you be of God, ye shall never be able with all your tyrannous practises to dissolve it.

Now concerning that blessed woman Anne Askew, which lately suffered the tyranny of this world for righteousness’ sake. In Lincolnshire was she born of a very ancient and noble stock, Sir William Askew a worthy knight being her father. But no worthiness in the flesh, neither yet any worldly nobleness availeth to God ward, afore whom is no acceptation of person, Actorum 10. Only is it faith with his true love and fear which maketh us the accept, noble and worthy children unto God, Joan. 1. Whereof by his gift, she had wonderful abundance. Such a one was she, as was Lydia the purple seller, whose heart the lord opened by the godly preaching of Paul at Thyatira, Acto. 16. For diligent heed gave she to his word when it was once taught without superstition and would no longer be a false worshipper or idolater after the wicked school of Antichrist. But became from thenceforth a true worshipper, worshiping her lord God (which is a spirit and not bread) in spirit and in verity according to that word of his, Joan. 4. The Gospel of Christ bare she in her heart, as did the holy maid Cecilia and never after ceased from the study thereof, nor from godly communication and prayer, till she was clearly by most cruel torments taken from this wretched world.

By her do I here (dear friends in the lord) as did the faithful Brethren in France, at the eyries of Lyons and Vienna a like faithful young woman called Blandina. Which was there put to death with 3 mighty companions more among other (as this was) for her Christian belief, about the year of our lord 100 and 70 in the primitive spring of their Christianity. They wrote unto their brethren in the lands of Asia and Phrygia very far off, her mighty strong sufferings for Christ’s faith, which they knew nothing of afore. I write here unto you in England the double process of this noble woman, whereof ye are not ignorant, for so much as it was there so manifestly done among you. Coupled I have these 2 examples together, because I find them in so many points agree. Blandina was young and tender. So was Anne Askew also. But that which was frail of nature in them both Christ made most strong by his grace. Blandina had 3 earnest companions in Christ, Maturus, Sanctes, and Attalus, so fervently faithful as herself. So had Anne Askew 3 fine fellows, a gentleman called John Lascelles her instructor, a priest, and a tailor called John Adlam, men in Christ’s verity unto the end most constant. With Blandina were in prison to the number of 10 which renyed the truth and were clearly forsaken of God for it. How many fell from Christ besides Crome and Shaxton when Anne Askew stood fast by him, I am uncertain. He preached the sermon at Askew’s execution after having recanted. But I counsel them, as Saint John counselled the Laodiceans, in the miserable estate they are now in to buy them, through tried gold of Christ, lest they perish all together, Apoca. 3. If they had not still remained in that chancel whom Christ commanded John in no wise to measure, Apoca. 11. They had never so shamefully blasphemed, like as Bede also toucheth in his former prophecy.

Prompt was Blandina and of most lusty courage in rendering her life for the liberty of her faith. No less lively and quick was Anne Askew in all her enprisonings and torments. Great was the love Blandina had to Christ. No less was the love of Anne Askew. Blandina never fainted in torment. No more did Anne Askew in spirit, when she was so terribly racked of Wriothesley the chancellor and Rich, that the strings of her arms and eyes were perished. Blandina derided the cruelty of the tyrants. So did Anne Askew the madness of the Bishops and their speech men. Red burning plates of iron and of brass had Blandina put to her sides. So had Anne Askew the flaming brands of fire. Full of God and his verity was Blandina. So was Anne Askew to the very end. Christ wonderfully triumphed in Blandina. So did he in Anne Askew when she made no noise on the rack and so earnestly afterward rejoiced in him. Blandina was given forth to wild beasts to be devoured. So was Anne Askew to cruel Bishops and priests whom Christ calleth ravening wolves, devourers, and thieves. Math. 7. and Joan. 10. Blandina upon the scaffold boldly reprehended the pagan priests of their error. So did Anne Askew when she was fast tied to the stake with stomach rebuke that blasphemous apostate Shaxton with the Bishops and priests genera tion for their manifest maintenance of idolatry.

Blandina at the stake showed a visage unterrified. So did Anne Askew a countenance stout, mighty and earnest. Infatigable was the spirit of Blandina. So was the spirit of Anne Askew. The love of Jesus Christ, the gift of the holy Ghost, and hope of the crown of martyrdom greatly mitigated the pain in Blandina. So did these 3 worthy graces the terror of all torments in Anne Askew. The strong spirit of Christ gave stomach to Blandina both to laugh and dance. The same mighty spirit (and not the pope’s desperate spirit) made Anne Askew both to rejoice and sing in the prison. So bold was Blandina (saith Eusebius) that with a presumption of stomach she commoved with Christ unseen. I suppose Anne Askew’s latter examination will show her nor to do much less. Gentle was Blandina to the Christian believers and terrible to their adversaries. So was Anne Askew very lowly to true teachers, but scornful and high stomached to the enemies of truth. Many were converted by the sufferance of Blandina. A far greater number by the burning of Anne Askew. Though Blandina were young, yet was she called the mother of martyrs. Many men have supposed Anne Askew for her Christian constancy to be no less. Blandina prayed for her persecutors. So did Anne Askew most fervently. The ashes of Blandina and of other martyrs, were thrown into the flood of Rhodanus. What was done with the Ashes of Anne Askew and her companions, I cannot yet tell.

All these former reports of Blandina and many more besides, hath Eusebius in Ecclesiastica historia, libro 5. cap. 1. 2. and 3. Hugo Floriacensis, Hermannus Contractus, Vincentius, Antoninus, Petrus Equilinus, and other historians more. And as touching Anne Askew, these 2 examinations with her other known handlings in England are witnesses for her sufficient. Thus hath not the fire taken Anne Askew all whole from the world but left her here unto it more pure, perfect, and precious than afore, as it will also Johan Lascelles within short space. So that concerning her, it may well be said, that Paul verifieth, 2. Cor. 12. The strength of God is here made perfect by weakness. When she seemed most feeble, then was she most strong. And gladly she rejoiced in that weakness, that Christ’s power might strongly dwell in her. Thus choseth the lord, the foolish of this world to confound the wise and the weak to deface the mighty. Yea, things despised and thought very vile, to bring things unto nought which the world hath in most reputation. I think if this martyr were rightly conferred, with those canonised martyrs, which have had, and yet hath still, censings and singings, massings and ringings in the pope’s English church, cause with cause and reason with reason (as haply here after they shall) she should be a great blemish unto them. An example of strong sufferance might this holy martyr be unto all them that the lord shall after like manner put forward in this horrible fury of Antichrist, to the glory of his persecuted church.

Amen.

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Examination

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Attribution

This is the text of the The Examinations of Anne Askew: An Electronic Edition, hosted by the University of Amsterdam and edited by Dr Debapriya Basu, Assistant Professor in English at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. The work is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Works consulted

Anne Askew, John Bradford &c.