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Stratford Martyrs

Categories: Execution, Religion

The church website has done a very thorough job on the history not just of the memorial but the church and the area so we quote them here on the background to the martyrs: "In 1553 Queen Mary Tudor came to the throne of England. She was a devout Roman Catholic and longed to bring her people back to the church of Rome. This made her unpopular with English noblemen who had acquired wealth and lands when Henry VIII confiscated the Catholic monasteries, and also with Parliament. In 1554 an unsuccessful Protestant insurrection broke out under the leadership of Sir Thomas Wyat. Wyat was defeated and executed. Mary married the Catholic King Philip II of Spain, she restored the Catholic creed, and revived the laws against heresy. For three years rebel bodies dangled from gibbets, and heretics were relentlessly executed, some 300 being burned at the stake. The queen, now known as Bloody Mary, was hated. She died in 1558, in London, and with her died the persecutions."

Garry at St John's also kindly gave us permission to use two of their pictures, this one and Bolton.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Stratford Martyrs

Commemorated ati

Stratford Martyrs

The event on 27 June 1556 was a big draw: "These 11 men and 2 women were brou...

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Other Subjects

John Routh

John Routh

Burnt at the stake in Bow (or possibly Stratford) for his Protestant beliefs.

Person, Execution, Religion

1 memorial
Sir William Wallace

Sir William Wallace

Scottish knight and national hero. Born Renfrewshire. Convicted of treason Wallace was executed at Smithfield. He was hanged, drawn and quartered - a very gruesome death reserved for traitors. Mel ...

Person, Execution, Nationalism, Scotland

2 memorials
Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury

Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury

Born Bath, of royal blood, she survived the Wars of the Roses and was trusted by Henry VIII enough to be a governess to Mary, his daughter by Catherine of Aragon.  However when the king wanted a di...

Person, Execution

2 memorials
John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester

John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester

Unusually well-educated.  Titles: Lord High Treasurer, Lord High Constable, Deputy Governor of Ireland.... and Butcher of England - for his relish in executing many Lancastrians.  Thus when the Lan...

Person, Execution, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Patrick Packingham

Patrick Packingham

Burnt at the stake in Uxbridge for his Protestant beliefs. Aged 23. He was charged with not doing deference to Romish ceremonies, and was condemned by Bishop Bonner, his cause not being heard.  T...

Person, Execution, Religion

2 memorials