GRO #12.1

Fox's Actes and Monuments Vol I (1641)

Acts and Monuments of matters moft fpeciall and memorable, happening in the Church, with an univerfall Historie of the fame. Wherein is fet forth at large, the whole Race and Courfe of the Church, from the Primitive age to thefe later times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great Perfecutions againft the true Martyrs of Chrift, fought and wrought as well by heathen Emperors, as now lately practifed by Romifh Prelates, efpecially in this Realme of England and Scotland. Now againe, as it was recognifed, perufed, and recommended to the ftudious Reader, by the Author, Mr. Iohn Fox, the eight time newly Imprinted. Whereunto are annexed certaine Additions of like Perfecutions, which have happened in thefe latter times.

John Foxe was a 16th century preacher who defended Protestants and their doctrines. This book is a later edition of his most famous work, which he published in 1563 as "Actes and Monuments of these Latter and Perillous Dayes." The book gained widespread popularity among Protestants, quickly becoming the second most important book for Protestants next to the Bible (“John Foxe").

The book contains accounts of various martyrs from the early Christian church to the Protestant movement who were tried, tortured, and killed by those who opposed their beliefs. Foxe based his accounts off of "official registers and... the memories of eyewitnesses," so some accounts lack accuracy (“John Foxe"). Even so, the import of the book cannot be questioned. It was a powerful contribution for the Protestant schism from Roman Catholicism and a testament to Protestants of the virtue of their cause.

In addition to memorializing martyrs, Foxe also included various arguments against the Catholic church and specific essays on their false teachings.

Notable pages:
44-45: Fold-out page containing illustrations of various ways members of the "Primitive Church" were tortured or killed.
605-607: Illustration and description of the exhumation and burning of John Wicliff's bones after he had been buried for 41 years.
1018-1033: Illustrations and descriptions of how Catholic leaders rose in power in English society.
* * *
“John Foxe.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed October 16, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Foxe.

1641 AD

John Foxe

Printed for the Company of Stationers

Protestant Churches

London

England

17th Century

Print

The eighth time newly Imprinted

Groberg Collection See all items with this value

English History of Writing Collection See all items with this value

English Book See all items with this value

English Printed materials (object genre) See all items with this value

English Printed materials (object genre) See all items with this value

English

Latin

"Paul H. [?] Oxford, England Oct 1, 1943" on the back of the front cover, top left sector.

"Thornton & Son, Booksellers, 11 The Broad, Oxford." sticker on the back of the front cover, bottom right corner

Lent to BYU-I SPC from the Groberg Collection

Protestant literature See all items with this value

Protestant authors See all items with this value

Religious history See all items with this value

Women martyrs See all items with this value

Christian women martyrs See all items with this value

Historiography

Foxe, John, 1516-1587. Acts and Monuments of matters moft fpeciall and memorable, happening in the Church, with an univerfall Historie of the fame. Wherein is fet forth at large, the whole Race and Courfe of the Church, from the Primitive age to thefe later times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great Perfecutions againft the true Martyrs of Chrift, fought and wrought as well by heathen Emperors, as now lately practifed by Romifh Prelates, efpecially in this Realme of England and Scotland. Now againe, as it was recognifed, perufed, and recommended to the ftudious Reader, by the Author, Mr. Iohn Fox, the eight time newly Imprinted. Whereunto are annexed certaine Additions of like Perfecutions, which have happened in thefe latter times. Vol. 1. 3 Vol. London: Printed for the Company of Stationers, 1641.