22. Richard Woodman
22. RICHARD WOODMAN
The history of ten true godly disciples, and martyrs of Christ, burnt together in one fire at Lewes.
Anno. 1557. June 22.
In the town of Lewes were ten faithful servants of God put in one fire, the twenty-second day of June. . . . Of the which number Richard Woodman was the first. Concerning whose apprehension first by his enemies, and of his deliverance out of Bishop Bonner's hands, then of his second taking again by the procurement of his father, brother, kinsfolks and friends, also of his sundry examinations and courageous answers before the bishops, and lastly of his condemnation, and of his letters sent to his faithful friends, here followeth to be declared by his own words, and relation reported. Which Richard Woodman, by his occupation was an ironmaker,* dwelling in the parish of Warbleton, in the county of Sussex, and diocese of Chichester, of the age of thirty years, and somewhat more. The occasion of his first apprehension was this.
June 22.
The life and story of Richard Woodman.
There was one Fairbank, who sometimes had been a married priest, and served the cure of Warbleton, where he had often persuaded the people not to credit any other doctrine, but that which he then preached, taught, and set forth in King
Edward's days. And afterward in the beginning of Queen Mary's reign, the said Fairbank turning head to tail,* preached clean contrary to that which he had before taught.
Fairbank preaching contrary to himself.
Whereupon Richard Woodman hearing him in the church of Warbleton so to preach contrary to himself, admonished him of his inconstancy, how before time he had taught them one thing, and now another, and desired him to teach them the truth. For the which words he was apprehended* and brought before Master John Ashbornham, Master Toston, Master
Culpepper, and Master Roberts, Justices of Peace in the county of Sussex, and by them committed to the King's Bench, where he continued from June, the space almost of a year and a half: and from thence was transferred by Doctor Story* into Bonner's
Justices of Sussex troublers of Richard Woodman, and what were their names.
Richard Woodman
coal house, where he remained the space of a month before he came to examination.
Richard Woodman delivered out of his first trouble.
Richard Woodman again apprehended, and by whose means.
At length, the same day when Master Philpot was burned, which was the eighteenth of December, he with four other prisoners was delivered and set at liberty by Bonner himself.
Notwithstanding, shortly after he was sought for again, and at last found out and taken by means of his father, brother, and certain other his acquainted friends, and so was sent up again to London to Bishop Bonner, where he remained in the coal house eight weeks. He was there six times examined, and twenty-six times before, so that his examinations in all were thirty-two from his first apprehension, to his condemnation.
Touching the whole discourse whereof, for so much as the matter is something strange, and will peradventure scarce find credit upon my narration, with them which deny all things, that like them not to believe, ye shall hear himself speak, and testify both of the manner of his troubles, and also his own examinations by himself recorded, in order as followeth.
Thirty-two examinations of Richard Woodman.
A true certificate written by Richard Woodman, of his taking, and how he was brought to the sheriffs the twenty-fifth of March, 1556, and how long he was in prison, and how he was there used, till he was brought before the Bishop of Chichester at Blackfriars in London, with the order of his examinations following after the same.
Gentle reader, here you shall perceive how the scriptures be partly fulfilled on me, being one of the least of his poor lambs.
First, you shall understand that since I was delivered out of the Bishop of London's hands, which was in the year of our
Lord, 1555, and the same day that Master Philpot was burned, (which was the eighteenth of December) I lay in his coal house eight weeks lacking but one day. And before that, I was a year and a half almost, in the King's Bench after my first apprehension, for reproving a preacher in the pulpit, in the parish of Warbleton where I dwelt. Wherefore I was at two sessions before I was sent to prison, and carried to two more sessions while I was in prison, twice before the Bishop of Chichester, and five times before the commissioners, and then sent to The certificate of Richard Woodman concerning the truth of his own story and troubles.
The first apprehension of Richard Woodman.
Foxe's Book of Martyrs
London's coal house, and many times called before him, as it appeareth by my examinations which I wrote, the which examinations, the Bishop of Chichester now hath, for they were found in my house when I was taken, wherein is contained all the talk, which I had before them aforenamed. Also there be in London [those] that had copies of the same of me, when I was in the coal house.
And it pleased God to deliver me, with four or more, out of the butcher's hands, requiring nothing else of us but that we should be honest men, and members of the true Catholic
Church that was builded upon the prophets and apostles, Christ being the head of the true Church, the which all we affirmed that we were members of the true Church, and purposed by God's help therein to die. And hereupon we were delivered, but he willed us many times to speak good of him.
And no doubt he was worthy to be praised, because he had been so faithful an aid in his master the devil's business. For he had burnt good Master Philpot the same morning, in whose blood his heart was so drunken (as I supposed) that he could not tell what he did, as it appeared to us, both before and after.
For but two days before he promised us that we should be condemned that same day that we were delivered: yea and the morrow after that he had delivered us, he sought for some of us again, yea and that earnestly. He waxed dry after his great drunkenness, wherefore he is like to have blood to drink in hell as he is worthy, if he repent it not with speed. The Lord turn all their hearts if it be his will.
Richard Woodman delivered out of Bonner's hands, with four more.
What the Bishop required at their deliverance.
Bishop Bonner bloodthirsty.
This have I written, chiefly to certify all people how we were delivered, because many carnal gospellers* and papists have said, that it was prescribed that we should be so delivered, because they think that God is subject to man, and not man to God. For if they did, they would not blaspheme him as they do, or if they thought they should give account for it. Have not many of them read, how God delivered Israel out of Egypt?
Daniel out of the Lion's Den? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago out of the burning oven?* With diverse other such like ex amples, yea, God is the same God that he was then. He is no older, nor less in power, as some count him in wondering at his works. Now to the matter.
Woodman purgeth himself of false slander.
Richard Woodman
After I was delivered, the papists said that I had consented to them, whereof they made themselves glad: the which was the least part of my thought (I praise God therefore) as they well perceived, and knew the contrary within a while. For I went from parish to parish, and talked with them, to the number of thirteen or fourteen, and that of the chiefest in all the country: and I angered them so, that they with the commissioners complained on me to my Lord Chamberlain that was then to the queen, Sir John Gage showing him that I baptized children, and married folks, with many such lies, to bring me into their hands again. Then the commissioners sent out certain citations to bring me to the court. My Lord Chamberlain had directed out four or five warrants for me, that if I had come there, I should have been attached and sent to prison straightway. Which was not God's will: for I had warning of their laying await for me, and came not there, but sent my deputy, and he brought me word that the bailiffs waited for me there, but they missed of their prey for that time, whereupon they were displeased.
False surmises against Richard Woodman.
Woodman complained of to Sir John Gage Lord Chamberlain.
Warrants sent out to attach Woodman.
Then, within three days after, my Lord sent three of his men to take me, whose names were Dean, Jeffrey, and Francis.
I being at plough with my folks, right in the way as they were coming to my house, least mistrusting them of all other, came to them and spake to them, asking them how they did. And they said, they arrested me in the king* and queen's name, and that I must go with them to their master the Lord Chamberlain.
Which words made my flesh to tremble and quake because of that sudden. But I answered them that I would go with them.
Yet I desired them that they would go to my house with me, that I might break my fast, and put on some other gear, and they said I should. Then I remembered myself, saying in my heart: 'Why am I thus afraid? They can lay no evil to my charge. If they kill me for well doing, I may think myself happy.' I remembered how I was contented gladly before to die in that quarrel, and so had continued ever since: and should I now fear to die? God forbid that I should, for then were all my labour in vain.
Lord Chamberlain sendeth to take Woodman at his plough.
Woodman arrested.
Fear coming upon Woodman at his first taking.
Woodman comforted in his spirit after his fear.
So by and by I was persuaded, I praise God, considering it was but the frailty of my flesh, which was loath to forgo my
Foxe's Book of Martyrs
wife and children and goods: for I saw nothing but present death before mine eyes. And as soon as I was persuaded in my mind to die, I had no regard of nothing in this world, but was as merry and glad and joyful, I praise God, as ever I was. This battle* lasted not a quarter of an hour, but it was sharper than death itself for the time, I dare say.
So when I had my breakfast, I desired them to show me their warrant, thinking thereby I should have seen wherefore I was arrested, to the intent I might the better answer for myself when I came before their master. And one of them answered, they had not their warrant there. Which words made me astonied, and it was put in my mind by God, that I need not to go with them, unless they had their warrant. . . .
Woodman asketh for their warrant.
How God worketh for his servants.
When I saw that, I knew it was God's doing to set me at liberty once again. Yet I was compelled to speak to them, and said: 'If you have a warrant, I desire you for God's sake to show it me, and I will go with you, with all my heart: if not, I desire you to depart in God's peace and the king's: for surely I will not go with you without the order of the law: for I have been too simple in such things already. For before I was sent to prison first, I went to the justices to two sessions, without any warrant or commandment, but had word by one of their men, and I went gently to them, and they sent me to prison, and kept me there almost a year and three quarters, without all right or equity, as it is openly known, not hearing my cause justly debated. And it seemeth to me that I should be thus evil handled, and therefore I will not go to none of them all henceforth without the extremity of the law.'
God's great work, how the persecutors which came to take Woodman, went away without him.
Then one of them answered me, and said: 'We have not the warrant here, but it is at home at my house: the worst is you can but make us fetch it.' Then I said: 'Fetch it, if you will, but if you come in my house before you have it, at your own adventure.' So I shut my door, and went my way out of the other door. So they got help to watch my house, while one of them set the constable and many more, thinking to have had me in my house, and to have taken me in my house, and carried me away with a licence: but I was gone before as God would have it. Notwithstanding they sought every corner of my house, but could not prevail. I mistrusted they would search it
Woodman escapeth the hands of his takers.
Woodman's house again searched for him.
Richard Woodman
again that night, and kept me abroad, and indeed there came seven of his men and the constable, and searched my house.
And when they saw that they could not meet with me, they were ready to rent their coats, that I had escaped them so, knowing they should have such a check of their master. When
I heard that they had sought so for me again, I perceiving that they were greedy of their prey, came home, and my wife told me all things.
Then I supposed that they would lay all the country for me, and the sea coast, because I should not go over, and then
I thought that they would not mistrust that I would dare be nigh home. So I told my wife that I would make my lodging in a wood not past a flight shot* from my house, as I did indeed, even under a tree, and there had my Bible, my pen and mine ink, and other necessaries, and there continued a six or seven weeks, my wife bringing me meat daily as I had need. Yea
I thought myself blessed of God, that I was counted worthy to lie in the woods for the name of Christ. Then there came word into the country, that I was seen and spoken to in Flanders: whereupon they left laying await for me for they had laid all the country for me, and the sea coast from Portsmouth to Dover, even as God put in my mind they would.
Woodman lodged six weeks in a wood.
All the country and sea coasts laid for Woodman.
So when all was hushed, I went abroad among our friends and brethren, and at length I went beyond the sea both into Flanders and in France: but I thought every day seven year or ever I were at home again. So I came home again as soon as it was possible. I was there but three weeks, but as soon as I was come home, and it once known among Baal's priests,* they could not abide it, but procured out warrants against me, causing my house to be searched sometimes twice in a week. This continued from Saint James tide to the first Sunday in Lent.
Otherwhile I went privily, otherwhile openly, otherwhile I went from home a fortnight or three weeks, otherwhile I was at home a month or five weeks together, living there most commonly and openly, doing such works as I had to do: and yet all mine enemies could lay no hands on me, till the hour was full come:* and then by the voice of the country, and by manifest proofs, mine own brother as concerning the flesh, delivered me into their hands, by that he knew that I was at home.
Woodman delivered by his own brother into his enemies' hands.
Foxe's Book of Martyrs
For my father and he had as much of my goods in their hands, as I might have fifty-six pound for by the year clear, and thereunto preyed.* It was a lordship and an honour, to pay my debts, and the rest to remain to my wife and children. But they had reported that it would not pay my debts: which grieved me sore. For it was two hundred pounds better than the debts came to. Which caused me to speak to some of my friends, that they would speak to them to come to some reckoning with me, and to take all such money again of me, as they were charged with, and to deliver me such writings and writs, as they had of mine, again, or to whom I would appoint them.
'Auri sacra fames quid non mortalia cogis pectora?'
Virgil.* So it was agreed betwixt my father and me, that I should have it again, and the day was appointed, that the reckoning should be made and sent to me that same day that I was taken, my brother supposing that I should have put him out of most of all his occupying, that he was in: for it was all mine in a manner that he occupied, as all the country can and do well know.
Whereon (as it is reported) he told one Gradillar my next neighbour, and he told some of Master Gage's men, or to Master Gage himself: and so he sent to his brother, and his brother sent twelve of his men (he being sheriff) in the night before I was taken, and lay in the bushes not far from my house, till about nine of the clock, even the hour that was appointed amongest themselves: for about the same time they thought to have had me within my house. . . .
Brother betrayeth the brother.
So there was a place in my house that was never found which was at the least, I dare say twenty times, and sometimes almost of twenty men searched at once, both by night and by day. Into which place I went: and as soon as I was in, my wife opened the door: whereby incontinent they came, and asked for me: and she said I was not at home. Then they asked her wherefore she shut the door, if I were not at home. She said, because she had been made afraid diverse times, with such as came to search us, and therefore she shut the door. 'For it is reported' (saith she) 'that whosoever can take my husband, shall hang him or burn him straightway: and therefore I doubt they will serve me or my children so: for I think they may do so unto us as well as to him,' she said. 'Well,' said they, 'we know he is in the house, and we must search it, for we be the Woodman put to his shifts.
The part of a trusty wife to her husband.
Richard Woodman
sheriff's men: let us have a candle. It is told us, there be many secret places in your house.' So she lighted a candle, and they sought up and down in every corner that they could find, and had given over, and many of them were gone out of my house into the churchyard, and were talking with my father, and with some that he had brought with him.
Now when they could not find me, one of them went to him that gave them word that I was at home, and said, 'We cannot find him.' Then he asked them whether they had sought over a window that was in the hall (as it was known afterward) for that same place I had told him of myself. For many times when I came home, I would send for him to bear me company: yet as it chanced I had not told him the way into it. Then they began to search anew. One looked up over the window, and spied a little loft, with three or four chests, and the way went in betwixt two of the chests, but there could no man perceive it. Then he asked my wife which was the way into it. 'Here is a place that we have not sought yet.' Then she thought they would see it by one means or other. She said, the way was into it out of a chamber they were in even now. So she sent them up, and cried, 'Away, away.' Then I knew there was no remedy, but make the best shift* for myself that I could. The place was boarded over and fast nailed, and if I had come out that way that I went in, I must needs come amongst them all in the hall.
Then I had no shift but set my shoulders to the boards that were nailed to the rafters to keep out the rain, and break them in pieces, which made a great noise, and they that were in the other chamber, seeking for the way into it, heard the noise, and looked out of a window, and spied me, and made an outcry. But yet I got out, and leaped down, having no shoes on.
This belike was his brother.
Woodman at length after long seeking found out.
So I took down a lane that was full of sharp cinders, and they came running after, with a great cry, with their swords drawn, crying, 'Strike him, strike him.' Which words made me look back, and there was never a one nigh me by a hundred foot: and that was but one, for all the rest were a great way behind. And I turned about hastily to go my way, and stepped upon a sharp cinder with one foot, and saving of * it, I stepped in a great miry hole, and fell down withal, and ere ever I could arise and get away, he was come in with me. His name is Parker the Wild,
Foxe's Book of Martyrs
as he is counted in all Sussex. But if I had had on my shoes, they had been like to have gone away errandless,* if there had been five hundred more, if I had caught the plain ground once, to the which I had not a stone's cast: but it was not God's will: for if it had, I should have scaped from them all, if there had been ten thousand of them.
Parker in Sussex a bloody persecutor of Woodman.
Then they took me and led me home again to put on my shoes and such gear as I had need of. Then said John Fauconer: 'Now your master hath deceived you. You said, you were an angel, and if you had been an angel, why did you not flee away from us?' Then said I, 'What be they that ever heard me say that I was an angel? It is not the first lie by a thousand that they have made of me. Angels were never begotten of men, nor born of women: but if they had said, that they had heard me say, that I do trust I am a saint, they had not said amiss.' 'What, do you think to be a saint?' 'Yea that I do, and am already in God's sight, I trust in God: for he that is not a saint in God's sight already, is a devil. Therefore he that thinketh scorn to be a saint, let him be a devil.' And with that word they had brought me to mine own door: where met with me my father, and willed me to remember myself.
Woodman taken of his enemies. John Fauconer a blasphemous persecutor.
Every true Christian man is a saint in God's sight.
To whom I answered: 'I praise God, I am well remembered whereabout I go. This way was appointed of God for me to be delivered into the hands of mine enemies, but woe unto him by whom I am betrayed. It had been good for that man, that he had never been born,* if he repent not with speed. The scriptures are now fulfilled on me: "For the father shall be against the son, and the brother shall deliver the brother to death,"* as it is this day come to pass.' Then said one: 'He doth accuse his father: a good child indeed.' 'I accuse him not, but say my mind: for there was no man knew me at home, but my father, my brother, and one more, the which I dare say, would not hurt me for all the good in this town.'
Woodman betrayed either by his own father or by his own brother.
There was one George Beching that married one of my sisters, and he thought that I had meant him, that he had betrayed me: and he said: 'Brother, I would you should not think that I was the cause of your taking.' To whom I answered, that I meant him not: I meant one that was nearer of my blood than he was. Then said one of Lewes, that had been a gospeller,
George Beching brother-in-law to Woodman.
Richard Woodman
and stood from them, when I was brought to a sessions to Lewes, and he said, 'I thought you would have been an honest man when you were at Lewes, and I offered Hussey the sheriff to be bound for you, that you should go home to your wife, and come to him again.' Then I remembered what he was, and said:
'Be you the pewterer?' And he said, 'Yea.' Then said I: 'It is happened to you according to the true proverb, as sayeth Saint
Peter: "The dog is turned to his vomit again, and the sow that is washed, to wallow in the mire,"* and the end of all such will be worse than the beginning.' Then his mouth was stopped so, that he had nothing to say.
A pewterer of Lewes, a turncoat.
All this while I stood at my door without: for they would not let me go in. So I put on my shoes and my clothes, and then they put on a harness about mine arms made of a dog's slip,* which rejoiced my heart, that I was counted worthy to be bound for the name of God. So I took my leave of my wife and children, my father and other of my friends, never thinking to see them more in this world. For it was so thought of all the country, that I should not live six days after my taking: for they had so reported. But yet I knew it was not as they would, unless God would grant it. I know what God can do: but what he will do, I know not: but I am sure he will work all things for the best, for them that love and fear him.* So we drank and went our way, and came to Firle about three of the clock. And thus much touching the causes and effect of the troubles of Richard Woodman. . . .
Woodman rejoiceth to be bound for the name of Christ.
Woodman taketh his leave of his wife and children.
The name of this place so far as we could gather by the copy was Firle.
After these examinations thus had and commenced between Richard Woodman and the bishops, he was (as is afore told) judged by sentence of condemnation, and so deprived of his life: with whom also was burned nine other, to wit, five men and four women, which were taken not past two or three days before their judgement. The names of all which being also before expressed, here again follow in this order. Richard Woodman,
George Stevens, William Maynard, Alexander Hosman his servant, Thomasin a Wood his maid, Margery Morris, James Morris her son, Dennis Burgis, Ashdown's wife, Grove's wife.
These persons here above named, and blessed martyrs, were put to death at Lewes, the twenty-second of June.