Martha Simmonds (or Simmons; ; baptized 1624 – 1665) was an English Quaker and author. She published a number of pamphlets after her conversion. She then obtained a release for

James Naylor James Nayler (or Naylor; 1618–1660) was an English Quaker leader. He was among the members of the Valiant Sixty, a group of early Quaker preachers and missionaries. In 1656, Nayler achieved national notoriety when he re-enacted Christ's Palm ...

from Exeter jail. She then proceeded with him where he entered Bristol in what was judged to be a blasphemous manner. Naylor escaped with his life, but he was given cruel punishment.

Life

Calvert was baptised in 1624. Her father, George Calvert, was the vicar in

Meare Meare is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, north-west of Glastonbury on the Somerset Levels. The parish includes the village of Westhay. History Meare is a marshland village in typical Somerset "rhyne" country, standing on the s ...

and her mother was Ann Collier. Her father had married once before and he had been charged with not following guidance in his ministry. Her elder brothers Giles and George, were publishers and booksellers based in the Black Spread Eagle in

St Paul's Churchyard St Paul's Churchyard is an area immediately around St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. Historically it included St Paul's Cross and Paternoster Row. It became one of the principal marketplaces in London. St Paul's Cross was an open-air pu ...

in London. Her brothers published and sold early Quaker publications including three by Martha. She had become a Quaker in 1654–55 and she wrote several pamphlets. In 1655 her brother published ''When the Lord Jesus Came to Jerusalem'' and ''A Lamentation for the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel''. Some time later Giles also published her work, ''O England, thy Time is Come'' in which she records two years of publicly repenting in local settlements. In 1656 the second edition of her pamphlet ''Lamentation'' was published which included details of her life and her first two publications. By the end of 1655, she had married Thomas Simmonds (or Simmons) who had been a printer in Birmingham. He was known to her father and brother. She had been sent to prison after she appeared in

Colchester Colchester ( ) is a city in northeastern Essex, England. It is the second-largest settlement in the county, with a population of 130,245 at the 2021 United Kingdom census, 2021 Census. The demonym is ''Colcestrian''. Colchester occupies the ...

in sackcloth and ashes and for disturbing the peace of church services. She is known for her involvement with the blasphemous

. Naylor was said to have been under a spell when he first met Martha. They spent three days together and George Fox alleged that Simmonds was a witch. Naylor was only separated from her by force by fellow Quakers. Naylor's crime was to enter Bristol on a horse, as if it was Jerusalem, accompanied by Hannah and Martha where they were met by local Quakers. They were soon arrested and Naylor was charged with

blasphemy Blasphemy refers to an insult that shows contempt, disrespect or lack of Reverence (emotion), reverence concerning a deity, an object considered sacred, or something considered Sanctity of life, inviolable. Some religions, especially Abrahamic o ...

for pretending to be Jesus Christ. Her husband believed that she had been a leader in this event and more recent studies have accused Simmonds of inspiring the event. On December 27, Naylor's vicious punishment was carried out. This included having his tongue pierced with a hot spike and a "B" branded on his forehead. Hannah, Martha Simmonds and Dorcas Erbery were at the base of his pillory mirroring

the three Marys The Three Marys (also spelled Maries) are women mentioned in the Gospel, canonical gospels' narratives of the crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospels refer to several women named Mary. At various points of Chris ...

who were at Jesus's crucifixion. She died in 1665, although the day and location are unclear. She was estranged from the Quakers and her sister-in-law Elizabeth Calvert, who was still a printer, had also lost faith with the Quakers.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simmonds, Martha 1620s births Year of birth uncertain 1665 deaths 17th-century English women writers Quaker writers English Dissenters English Revolution