1540-1543 Catherine Howard and Cromwell's Execution

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. 30th July 1540. The thirtieth day of July, were drawn on hurdles out of the Tower to Smithfield, Robert Barnes Doctor in Divinity, Thomas Garard, and William Jerome Bachelors in Divinity, Powell, Fetherston, and Abell. The first three were drawn to the stake, there before set up, and were burned: and the latter three drawn to the gallows, likewise there set up, and were hanged, beheaded, and quartered. Here you must note, that the first three, were men that professed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and were preachers thereof. But wherefore they were now thus cruelly executed, I know not, although I have searched to know the truth. But this I find in their attainder, for you must understand, that after they had Preached at Saint Mary Spittle, as before I have declared, Barnes for learning his lesson no better was committed to the schoolhouse before prepared, which was the Tower, where he was kept, and never called to examination, till his rod that he should be beaten withall, was made, which was a sharp and great fire in Smithfield and for company sake, was sent to the schoolhouse with him, the afore named Caret, and Jerome, which drunk all of one cup. And as I said before, thus much I find in their attainder, that they were detestable and abominable heretics, and that they had taught many heresies, the number whereof was to great in the attainder to be recited, so that there is not one alleged, which I have often wondered at, that their heresies were so many, and not one there alleged, as special cause of their death. And indeed at their death, they asked the Sheriffs, wherefore they were condemned, who answered, they could not tell. But if I may say the truth, most men said it was for preaching against the Doctrine of Stephen Gardiner (age 57) Bishop of Winchester, who chiefly procured this their death, God and he knows, but great pity it was, that such learned men should so be cast away, without examination, neither knowing what was laid to their charge, nor never called to answer.

The last three which were Powell, Fetherston, and Abell, were put to death for treason, and in their attainder, is special mention made of their offences, which was for the denying of the King's Supremacy, and affirming that his marriage with the Lady Katherine was good. These with other were the treasons, that they were attainted of, and suffered death for.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 30th July 1540. This yeare, the thirtith daie of Julie, 1540,^g were drawen from the Tower of London into Smythfield theise persons follwinge, that is to saie: Doctor Barnes,^h Richard Fetherston, William Jerome, Vicar of Stepney, Doctor Edward Powell, Thomas Jerrard, Parson of Honi Lane, and Thomas Abell,^a priestes, of which three of them, that is to say, Barnes, Jherome, and Garrarde, were brent for heresie,^b condemned by the whole bodie of the Perliament,^c and Fetherston, Powell, and Abell were hanged, their bowells brenned, headed and quartered, in the said place of Smythfield, for treason against the Kinges Majestie,^d and condemned of the same by the whole Perliament.

Note g. The King's councils being at this time directed by Norfolk and Gardiner, the law of the Six Articles was enforced with rigour against the Protestants.

Note h. Robert Barnes, D.D. who had been the cause of Lambert's execution. He had drawn upon himself the resentment of Bishop Gardiner by his sermon at Paul's Cross, in which he had bitterlj inreighed against that prelate as a bigoted Roman Catholic.

Note a. Thomas Abley in Fuller's Church History.

Note b. A stranger, standing by, did wonder, as well he might, of what religion the King was, his sword cutting on both sides, Protestants being burnt for heretics, and Papists hanged for traitors.— Fuller's Church History, p. 285.

Note c. They were condemned by a bill of attainder in parliament, without trial.

Note d. For denying the King's supremacy, and affirming his marriage with Queen Katharine to be good, of the which argument Dr. Powell wrote a book, printed in quarto, and I'have seen it. — Stow.