false assertions, and Master Latimer had answered that he ne could ne would deny his Master Christ, and his verity; the Bishop of Lincoln desired Master Latimer to hearken to him and then Master Latimer hearkening for some new matter and other talk, the Bishop of Lincoln read his condemnation, which was written in a long process; the tenor of which, because it is sufficiently already expressed before, we thought meet in this place to omit, forasmuch as they are rather words of course, than things devised upon deliberation. Howbeit, indeed, the effect was, that forasmuch as the said Hugh Latimer did affirm, maintain, and stubbornly defend certain opinions, assertions, and heresies, contrary to the Word of God, and the received faith of the Church, as in denying the true and natural body of Christ, and his natural blood to be in the sacrament of the altar: secondarily, in affirming the substance of bread and wine to remain after the words of the consecration: thirdly, in denying the mass to be a living sacrifice of the Church for the quick and the dead, and by no means would be perduced and brought from these his heresies: they, therefore, the said J. of

Lincoln, James of Gloucester, John of Bristow, did judge and condemn the said Hugh Latimer as an heretic, and so adjudged him presently, both by word and also in deed, to be degraded from the priestly and all ecclesiastical order, declaring, moreover, the said Hugh Latimer to be no member of the Church, and therefore committed him to the secular powers, of them to receive due punishment according to the tenor of the temporal laws; and, further, excommunicating him by the great excommunication. After the publication of the which, the said three Bishops broke up their sessions and dismissed the audience.

But Master Latimer required the Bishop to perform his promise in saying, the day before, that he should have license briefly to declare the cause why he refused the Pope's authority.

But the Bishop said that now he could not hear him, neither ought to talk with him.

Then Master Latimer asked him whether it were not lawful for him to appeal from this his judgment. And the Bishop asked him again, to whom he would appeal. "To the next general council [quoth Master Lat

REMANDED TO PRISON.

185

imer] which shall be truly called in God's name." With that appellation the Bishop was content: but he said it would be a long season before such a convocation, as he meant, would be called. Then the Bishop committed Master Latimer to the Mayor, saying: "Now he is your prisoner, Master Mayor." Because the press of the people was not diminished, each man looking for further process, the Bishop of Lincoln commanded avoidance, and willed Master Latimer to farry till the press were diminished, lest he should take hurt at the egression as he did at his entrance; and so continued Bishop Ridley and Master Latimer in durance till the 16th day of the said month of October.

16*

CHAPTER XVI.

THE PLACE OF EXECUTION-RIDLEY AND LATIMER'S APPEARANCE-CRANMER-DR. SMITH'S SERMON—A REPLY REFUSED-GIFTS-AT THE STAKE-THE CANDLE -LATIMER'S DEATH-RIDLEY'S SUFFERINGS-TIIE BY

STANDERS-AUGUSTINE BERNHER'S NARRATIVE-THE

DILIGENT BISHOP-CONCLUSION.

JPON

[PON the north side of the town, in the ditch over against Baliol College, the place of execution was appointed; and for fear of any tumult that might arise to let the burning of them, the Lord Williams was commanded by the Queen's letters, and the householders of the city, to be their assistants sufficiently appointed; and when everything was in readiness, the prisoners were brought forth by the Mayor and the bailiffs. Master Ridley had a fair black gown furred, and faced with some such as he was wont to wear, being Bishop, and a tippet of velvet, furred likewise, about his neck; a velvet night-cap upon his head, and a corner cap

GOING TO THE STAKE.

187

upon the same, going in a pair of slippers to the stake, and going between the Mayor and Aldermen, etc.

After him came Master Latimer, in a poor Bristow frieze frock all worn, with his buttoned cap and a kerchief upon his head, all ready for the fire, a new long shroud hanging over his hose down to the feet: which at the first sight stirred men's hearts to see upon them, beholding on the one side the honor they sometime had, on the other the calamity whereunto they were fallen.

Master Doctor Ridley, as he passed towards Bocardo, looked up where Master Cranmer did lie, hoping belike to have seen him at the glass window, and to have spoken unto him ; but then Master Cranmer was busy with Friar Soto and his fellows, disputing together, so that he could not see him through that occasion; when Master Ridley, looking back, espied Master Latimer coming after, unto whom he said, "Ah, be ye there?" "Yea," said Master Latimer, "have after as fast as I can follow." So he following a pretty way off, at length they came both to the stake, the one after the other; when, first, Doctor Ridley entering the place, marvellously,