Around Mar 1525, around Easter, Elizabeth "Holy Maid of Kent" Barton (age 19), while working as a domestic servant in the household of Thomas Cobb, a farmer of Aldington, Barton suffered from a severe illness and claimed to have received divine revelations that predicted events, such as the death of a child living in her household or, more frequently, pleas for people to remain in the Catholic Church.

In 1528 Elizabeth "Holy Maid of Kent" Barton (age 22) held a private meeting with Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (age 54) and with King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 36) thereafter. She also subsequently met with Thomas More (age 49). Thereafter, with the advent of Henry's having his marriage annulled and his supporting religious reform Barton prophesised that if Henry remarried, he would die within a few months.

Around 1533 Archbishop William Warham requested Edward Bocking access the credibility of Elizabeth "Holy Maid of Kent" Barton (age 27) and her alleged divine revelations.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1530-1539. 23 Nov 1533. This yeare, on St. Clements day, the 23rd of November, beinge Sunday, the Holie Maide of Kent (age 27) and two monckes, two freeres observants, a priest, and two laymen,^e were brought from the Tower of London to Paules Crosse [Map], and there stood on a skaffolde all the sermon tyme, where was declared by him that preached the abuse of a miracle done on the saide Holye Mayde (age 27) at our Ladie of Courte Upstreet,^f in Kent, by the craft of the sayde monckes, freeres, and priest.

Note e. The abettors of Elizabeth Barton, called the Holy Maid of Kent, were Richard Master, priest, parson of Aldington, co. Kent, Edward Bockyng, D.D. monk of Canterbmy, Bichard Deryng, also monk of Ganterbnry, Edward Thwaites, gentleman, Thomas Lanrence, registrar to the Archdeacon of Canterbnzy, Henry Gold, BJ). parson of Aldermary (Alderbniy?), Hugh Biche, friar obeerrant, Bicharde Bisby, and Thomas Gold, gentlemen.

Note f. Coort-at-Street, a hamlet in the parish of Lympne.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1530-1539. 20 Apr 1534. This yeare, the 20th day of Aprill, beinge Mundaye, 1534, the Holie Maide of Kent (age 28), beinge a nun of Canterburie,^b two munckes of Canterburie of Christes Churche, one of them called Doctor Bockinge, two gray freeres observantes, and a priest, were drawne from the Tower of London to Tiburn, and there hanged,^c and after cutt downe and their heades smitten of, and two of their heades were sett on London Bridge, and the other fower at diverse gates of the cittie.

Note b. In the priory of St Sepulchre.

Note c. The persons executed were Elizabeth Barton, Richard Master, parson of Aldington, Dr. Bocking, Richard Dering, Henry Gold, a London minister, and Richard Risby.

Treason of Elizabeth Barton 1533 Act 25 Hen c12. Statutes made at Westminster, Anno 25 Hen VIII. and Anno Dom 1533. Elizabeth Barton of Kent, and others attainted of High Treason, for that under Colour of Hypocrisy, Revelations, and false Miracles practised by the said Elizabeth, they conspired to impugn and slander the Divorce between the King and Queen, his first Wife, the last Marriage between him and Queen Anne, his second Wife, to destroy the King, and to deprive him of his Crown.