The Windsor Martyrs were English Protestants martyred at

Windsor Windsor may refer to: Places *Detroit–Windsor, Michigan-Ontario, USA-Canada, North America; a cross-border metropolitan region Australia New South Wales *Windsor, New South Wales ** Municipality of Windsor, a former local government area Queen ...

in 1543. Their names were

Robert Testwood Robert Testwood of London was an English Protestant martyr during the reign of Henry VIII, one of the Windsor Martyrs. Testwood was a moderately well-known musician and gained a place as a chorister at Windsor College. He became embroiled in a n ...

, Anthony Pearson and

Henry Filmer Henry Filmer (died 1543) was a 16th-century English Protestant martyr, one of the Windsor Martyrs, during the reign of Henry VIII. Filmer was a Protestant tailor and church warden of St John the Baptist Church, Windsor, Berkshire who complained ...

. In 1543, during the reign of

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his Wives of Henry VIII, six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. ...

, the three Windsor Martyrs were arrested by Bishop Gardiner's agent, Dr John London, on the evidence of William Simonds, the Catholic former Mayor of Windsor, who had a grudge against them.

John Marbeck John Marbeck, Merbeck or Merbecke () was an English choral composer and theological writer whose musical setting of the early Anglican liturgy standardised the sung Anglican service until the late 20th century. He is also known today for his se ...

and Robert Benet were also arrested, but were later released. The three were condemned on 26 July, after Simonds threatened the jurors, and burnt to death on 4 August on the site of the

Windsor & Eton Riverside railway station Windsor & Eton Riverside station is a station in Windsor, Berkshire, England. The station, close to the River Thames and Windsor Castle, is a Grade II listed building. It is down the line from and is the terminus of the Staines to Windsor ...

. Their story was recorded in '' Foxe's Book of Martyrs''. According to

Foxe Fans of X-Rated Entertainment (F.O.X.E., also known as FOXE) is a United States-based pornography Fan (person), fan organization founded by adult film actor, Film director, director, and critic William Margold and actress Viper (actress), Viper ...

, "many who saw their patient suffering confessed that they could have found in their hearts to have died with them",p.171-176, ''Testwood and his Companions'',

John Foxe John Foxe (1516/1517 – 18 April 1587) was an English clergyman, theologian, and historian, notable for his martyrology '' Foxe's Book of Martyrs'', telling of Christian martyrs throughout Western history, but particularly the sufferings of En ...

, '' Foxe's Book of Martyrs'', 2000, Ambassador Publications although the Vicar of Bray, who was also watching, decided he would change with the times in order to prevent the same from happening to him.

References

External links

Royal Berkshire History: The Windsor Martyrs
16th-century Protestant martyrs People executed for heresy Executed British people People executed under Henry VIII History of Berkshire Windsor, Berkshire 1543 in England Executed English people People executed by the Kingdom of England by burning 1543 deaths Protestant martyrs of England {{England-reli-bio-stub

See also

References

External links