The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-01-14
8reot Jriols of
Kistorv!
ANNE ASKEW.
THE TRIAL OF

/ The tragedy OF Anne Askew is one
of the most pathetic in the annals OF
English history. She was a martyr
to her religion and at period when
many others were compelled to suffer
Through strict adherence to their
faith.
Anne Askew, who was the second
daughter of Sir William Askew, of
an old Lincolnshire family, was re-
luctantly compelled to give her hand
in marriage to Thomas Kyme of KEEL
sey. Her presumption for daring to
exercise her own judgment in reli-
gious matters so incensed her husband
that he drove her with ignominy from
his house To sue for a separation
she went to London.
In London she met witr a favorable
reception at court and was particu-
larly favored by the Queen, Catherine
Parr, who approved in secret the doc
trines of the reformation. In March,
1915, she underwent an examination
for heresy, first at Sadler's Hall, be-
fore one Christopher Dare, and then
before the Lord Mayor of London, who
committed her to the Counter. The
substance and particulars of these ex-
aminations were written by herself
and were published after her death.
On the 23d of March relation sue
ceeded, after several attempts, in
bailing her. But she was soon appre-
hended again and summoned before
King Henry Wits council at Green
witch. Here she replied to the in
curriers' with firmness and without
prevarication. She was remanded to-
Newgate, and not allowed to receive
visits from anyone, not even from DR..
Latimer.
Anne, herself, wrote to the King
and Chancellor, explaining her opin-
ions; but her letters served only to
aggravate her crime. She was then
taken to the tower an dinterrogated
respectingher patrons at court, but
she heroically refused to betray them.
Annes magnanmity served but to
incense her prosecutors, who endeav-
ored to export confession from her
by the rack, but she sustained the
torture with fortitude and resignation.
The Chancellor, Wroithesley, COM
manded the lieutenant Of the Tower
to strain the instrument of his ven
geance. Upon receiveing a refusal he
threw off his gown and exercised him
self the Office of executor.
When Anne was released from the
rack every limb was dislocated and
she tainted through pain. After she
recovered she remained sitting on the
ground for two hours calmly reason
ing with her tormentors. She was
carried back to her confinement, and
pardon and life were offered to her il
she would recant; but she refused. and
was condemned to the stake.
report having been circulated that
the prisoner had yielded Anne wrote a
letter to John Lascelles, her former
tutor, and to the public justifying
herself on the charge. She also drew
up confession of her faith and an
attestation of her innocence, which she
concluded by prayer for fortitude
and perseverance. A gentleman who
saw her the day previous to her execu
ton observes that amidst all her
pains and weakness, being unable
to arise or stand without assistance.
her expression Of mingled enthusiasm
and resignation showed a sweetness
and serenity inexpressibly affecting.
AT the stake letters were brought to
her from the Chancellor exhorting her
o recant and promising her pardon
Ayerting her eyes from the paper, she
replied that II came not hither to deny
my Lord and Master" The same prop
'sition was made to the four prisoners
who were to suffer with her, but with
'ut success. While Shaxton, an apos-
ate from his principles, herangued
he prisoners, she listened attentiyely.
nicely distinguishing exen at that ter
'ibie moment between what she
bought true and what erroneous.
Anne Askew suffered martydom on
July l6. 1916, in the twenty-ffth year
II her age. She was so weak that
she had to be carried in a chair to
ne stake at which she was burned.
she was tied to the stake with a
'hain around her waist which SUM-
ported her body. On a bench under
IT. Bartholomew Church sat Lord
Chancellor Wriothesley, the Dukes of
Norfolk and Bedford. the Lord Mayor
Ind others, to witness the shameful
ragedy.