Audio • Season 2 • Episode 2 • (New) - Martin Marprelate. Part 1, Backdrop.

Artwork • The Cambridge University Library copy of:

'The Protestation of Martin Marprelate’, 1589, the final instalment, in the series

Hastily created on an antiquated press hidden in a barn on a Coventry property, this last pamphlet was probably typeset by Martin’s collaborators, Job Throckmorton and John Penry. of Martin Marprelate'.  

Music • Daniel Bacheler: To Plead My Faith · The Consort of Musicke · Anthony Rooley

Daniel Bacheler, 1572 – 1619, was an English lutenist and composer.

This is his only surviving song, set to the words of Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex, 1565-1601.

Series 2.

Episode 2.

Martin Marprelate.

Part 1. Backdrop.

Today, visitors standing at its north gate, see sloping paths and quiet gardens, but 435 years ago, this open space was packed with a dense maze of bookshops.

Shops were tucked between buildings, wedged against the cathedral’s buttresses, and even wrapped around the walls.

Everywhere you turned, there were books, and the people who loved them.

In and around, these bustling stalls, groups of shoppers from long ago, rummaged through all manner of publications, while gossiping, and sharing the latest news.

The Marprelate tracts, six pamphlets and a single broadsheet, printed on secret presses, between 1588 and 1589, directly attacked the Elizabethan church, while championing the Presbyterian alternative.

Openly mocking his opponents, and refusing the polite restraint, of typical reformist debate, Martin’s style, was a stark contrast, to the often reserved tone of reformist conversation.

His printed works provoked an immediate reaction, from both the church and state: the Tracts were banned, and an extensive search was launched, to identify those responsible.

They came together to read, reflect on, learn from, pray with and live out, the word of God.

Unexpectedly, armed officials, acting on orders from the Bishop of London, burst into their room and arrested Greenwood along with twenty others, taking them to the Clink Prison.

In the 13th century, it had been incorporated into Baynard’s Castle, an ancient London royal residence.

This relocation, is how the church acquired its unique name.

The fire, starting in the ancient Roman section of the city, quickly spread beyond the old city walls, destroying many medieval buildings.

Throughout World War II, the church suffered significant damage from bombing, with only its tower and walls left standing.

St. Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe is an Anglican church on Queen Victoria Street in London, and also serves as the headquarters for the Coptic Orthodox Church.

The Coptic Orthodox Church, is led by the Pope of Alexandria, and represents Egypt's largest Christian population, consisting of about 10 million members, making it, the largest Christian community, in the Middle East and North Africa.

Tradition holds, that Saint Mark established the Church of Alexandria in the 1st century.

Mark the Evangelist, often identified as John Mark, is traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of Mark, though many modern scholars regard its authorship as anonymous.

The parish of St. Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe, does not ordain women, and instead, receives alternative Episcopal oversight, from the Bishop of Fulham.

This oversight, is provided by Provincial Episcopal Visitors, selected bishops from the Church of England, who assist clergy and parishes, that cannot or willnot, accept women bishops or priests.

St. Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe, is part of the City Catholics, a group of five churches in the City of London, that celebrate Catholic sacraments and uphold Catholic traditions;- whilst still remaining, within the Protestant Church of England.

A central aspect of their community, is the Mass, where priests, re-enact Jesus Christ's sacrifice.

The five City churches, affirming the Catholic traditions of Faith, are as follows.

Saint James Garlickhythe, Saint Andrew Holborn, Saint Andrew by the Wardrobe, Saint Dunstan in-the-West, and Saint Magnus the Martyr.

The concept, of a Congregational Church, began to develop before Robert Browne's time.

In fact, similar groups were already gathering in England, prior to his founding of the congregation in Norwich.

As Browne's thoughts developed, he drew upon earlier concepts from these existing groups, to shape his own beliefs.

This led him to collaborate with John Greenwood, a leader of the Separatist movement, and join the London Underground Church, a secret Brownist congregation.

Following Greenwood's arrest, Barrow made his way to London to show his support, but was subsequently taken into custody, by the warden of the Clink Prison.

He was then taken to Lambeth Palace, to be examined by Archbishop Whitgift.

At that time, he protested his unlawful detention, and refused to take the ex officio oath.

As a result, he was sent to the Gatehouse Prison.

A week later, on 27 November, Barrow appeared for his second examination, before the High Commission at Lambeth, where bishops and laypersons, required him to swear an oath on the Holy Scriptures, and confirm his commitment to regular church attendance.

During questioning, Barrow challenged the authorities about his arrest, eventually learning the charges against him: that he taught the Church of England was illegitimate, participated in idolatrous worship, led an anti-Christian ministry, and claimed all catechisms were idolatrous.

After refusing to swear the oath again, he was sent back to prison.

Later that day, the Commission recalled Greenwood in, for questioning.

He was careful with his answers, but strongly insisted that Christ is the only leader of His Church, and no one can change that.

Six weeks later, Barrow and Greenwood stood trial at Newgate before the Bishop of London, under the Recusancy Act.

Both men were found guilty, but the court chose a more lenient approach.

They were fined £260, and sent to the Fleet prison, where they would remain, until they agreed to pay the fine, and attend church services.

These laws, included a provision that became a significant weapon against Separatists, mandating that everyone over the age of sixteen, attend a church, chapel, or any designated place of communal worship.

The consequences, for noncompliance with the Recusancy Laws, were quite harsh.

Those who continued to defy these regulations, faced severe fines, imprisonment, and, in some instances, even the death penalty.

While the primary intention of this legislation, was to stifle the practice of Catholicism in England, it also had considerable implications, for other religious dissenters, particularly the Separatists.

From now on, the Archbishop's men would not only arrest congregational members during their meetings, but also began raiding individuals' homes.

The sheriff's deputies, arrested Roger Jackson and Thomas Legate while they were in bed, without any formal authorisation, claiming that they possessed manuscripts written by Barrow.

Also, documents related to Brownist ideologies, were reportedly discovered at Quintin Smythe's felt-crafting factory, leading to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment in Newgate Jail.

Over the following 19 months, at least seven congregation members died in prison.

At the age of seventeen, he joined the Black Friars, a Dominican Order of Monks, known for their distinctive black cloaks.

John lived and worked in the Black Friars for sixteen years, during which he made two trips to Rome, on behalf of the Dominican Order.

It was during these visits to Rome, that he was struck by the great personal honour, the Pope received in public, which far surpassed, the respect given to religious sacraments.

This observation, led him to label the Pope as, "The Antichrist".

Later, with the support of the Archbishop of St. Andrews, John left the Black Friars to become the chaplain and spiritual advisor to Lord Hamilton, the Earl of Arran.

Shortly after his arrival, he discovered an active underground church and joined the group, and was quickly appointed as their minister.

Unfortunately, a spy named Roger Sergeant, had infiltrated their group and betrayed them, leading to the detention of John Rough, Deacon Cuthbert Symson, and others.

After being examined by the Privy Council on 15 December, John Rough was imprisoned in Newgate, and a letter was sent to Bishop Edmund Bonner, urging him to take action against him.

At that time, John Rough suspected, that Margaret Mearing was a spy, primarily because she often brought unfamiliar faces to church.

Consequently, he wrote her a letter, excommunicating her from the congregation.

Although she later pretended to be his sister to give him a clean shirt, she was arrested after confronting Roger Sergeant and accusing him of treachery.

After suffering violent physical assaults, from Bonner, during his interrogations on December 18 and 19, Rough was sentenced to death.

Cuthbert Symson, who served as a deacon in the London congregation, bore the risky responsibility of maintaining its membership rolls.

He was arrested and charged with heresy and treason, where he underwent the so-called "enhanced interrogation", to force him to reveal the identities, of the group's inner circle.

Despite being tortured, he stayed steadfast, and did not reveal any information to his captors.

Future reformers, would be well aware of the trials, faced by these earlier congregations, as their stories and struggles, were documented in the first Latin edition, of Foxe's notable work.

Smithfield, is London's historic meatmarket, a site that has seen both public executions and the lively summer atmosphere of Bartholomew Fair.

Today, it is home to the London Museum.

During the reign of Queen Mary I in the 16th century, many Protestant men and women, were burned at the stake in Smithfield, as punishment for their religious beliefs.

However, after Davison was found guilty, Brewster realised it was time to make a change.

Since his departure for Cambridge, he would come to realise, that upon his return, both Scrooby Manor and its surroundings, had undergone significant changes.

Brewster, himself had changed, leaving Scrooby an inexperienced youth, and returning a young adult, enriched by life's experiences.

While studying at Cambridge University, he immersed himself in its educational system, and closely observed Episcopal processes.

Afterwards, he was recruited for government work in London, where he had the opportunity to watch ministers in action.

His travels across Europe, allowed him to experience life on military bases, witness soldiers in combat, and navigate, the often complex world of diplomacy.

Brewster also established personal relationships, with several municipal leaders in Holland.

He had transformed, from the inexperienced individual, who first departed Scrooby, into a more seasoned and knowledgeable person.

Barrow's fourth examination was significant, as it brought him before the distinguished Cecil, Lord Burghley, at the Privy Council.

The petition, outlined their grievances, regarding the persecution they faced, including "daily spoiling, vexing, molesting, hurting, pursuing, imprisoning, and locking them up as close prisoners in the most unwholesome and vile prisons".

They also requested an audience with the Privy Council.

In response, the Queen instructed Burghley to investigate their situation.

He subsequently held a meeting, at Whitehall with the Lord Chancellor Christopher Hatton, the Archbishop of Canterbury John Whitgift, and other officials.

Burghley, known for his innovative counsel, opposed extreme religious views and intolerance.

His concern, for the harsh treatment of these men, likely conflicted with Whitgift's severe approach.

Burghley aimed to improve relations with reformers, viewing Catholics as a greater threat to the Queen.

Initially, Cecil used gentle questioning, hoping to understand Barrow's viewpoint.

Having just experienced confinement in the Fleet prison, Barrow was disoriented and overwhelmed.

Frustrated with the questioning, he pointed at Whitgift, declaring, "That man is a monster; he is neither ecclesiastical nor civil".

Ultimately, Barrow had to be forcibly removed, missing his chance to properly present his case.

Later, sitting in his prison cell, a more reflective mood would come over him, prompting him, to say;

“Lord, pardon my unworthiness, and unsanctified heart and mouth, which can bring no glory to the Lord, or benefit to His Church, but rather, a reproach to the one, and affliction to the other".

After the release of his previous work the year before, Penry used Waldegrave's press, to publish a new pamphlet, titled, "An Exhortation to the Governors and People of Wales".

In this pamphlet, he voiced his deep concerns, about the spiritual challenges, faced by ordinary people.

He criticised the bishops, claiming they were to blame for the suffering endured by his fellow countrymen, labelling them as, "slaughterers and soul tormentors".

Later in the year, in August, Penry issued another book, "A Defence," again using Waldegrave's underground press.

He was able to evade the authorities, who were frantically trying to track him down and capture him.

Titled "The State of the Church of England Laid Open", this work criticised an anti-Puritan bishop, referred to as "Diotrephes", and attracted significant attention.

Udall rejected the label "Puritan," arguing that it was a derogatory term, given by Catholics, that carried negative connotations, and was used by Diotrephes to label and denounce, those seeking to reform the church's organisation and leadership.

Archbishop John Whitgift and other members of the High Commission, now viewed Diotrephes' writings, as acts of defiance.

As a result, they banned any literature related to Puritanism.

The term "Armada" comes from the Spanish and Portuguese and refers to a naval fleet.

To commemorate the victory, a coin was minted with the phrase "Flavit Jehovah et Dissipati Sunt," meaning "God sent his winds, and the Spaniards scattered".

The wind that aided the English victory, became known as the "Protestant Wind," a phrase later used to describe, other victorious naval battles by Protestant forces.

It was commanded by Alonso de Guzmán, the Duke of Medina Sidonia, an inexperienced naval leader, appointed by Philip II of Spain.

Its mission, was to navigate up through the English Channel, joining forces with Alexander Farnese, the Duke of Parma, in Flanders, (modern-day Belgium), and to lead an invasion, aiming to overthrow Queen Elizabeth and her government.

By eliminating Elizabeth, they sought to restore Catholicism in England, to stop English support for the Dutch Republic, and to safeguard Spanish interests in the Americas from English and Dutch privateers.

However, the Spanish Armada, would face strong opposition, from the faster, more manoeuvrable English fleet, which was safely anchored in Plymouth Sound.

Despite being advised to either attack the English ships, before they could set sail, or to take control of the Isle of Wight, fleet commander Sidonia, stuck to his orders, to unite with Parma, refusing to make any changes to his plan.

After reaching Calais, largely intact, the Armada, still at anchor, was attacked at night by English fireships, forcing it to scatter.

Suffering severe losses in the subsequent Battle of Gravelines, the Armada was forced to retreat homeward, via Ireland and Scotland, losing as many as 24 ships.

The expedition, was the most significant engagement of the undeclared Anglo-Spanish War.

In England, fears of an imminent Spanish invasion, still remained high, especially following the recent actions of the Spanish Armada off its southern shores.

In response to these threats, Queen Elizabeth, appointed the ageing Robert Dudley, to command the land army, stationed at the port of Tilbury Essex.

Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, was an English statesman and a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, and a long-time suitor for her hand.

The purpose of her visit, was to announce his appointment, and to rally and inspire her troops.

Her famous words from that day, reflect her intense determination.

"My loving people, I know, I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too.

And think foul scorn, that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade, the borders of my realm.

To which, rather than any dishonour, shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms".

In the letter, Dudley expressed his concern for the Queen's health, inquired about her well-being, and updated her on his own health, noting that he was taking the medicine she had provided him.

Overwhelmed by grief after his passing, Elizabeth withdrew into her private apartment for several days, prompting Lord Burghley to step in out of concern.