GRO #1.3

BOK.ENG.AD1610.v1

Fox's Book of Martyrs Vol II (1610)

The Second Volvme of the Ecclesiasticall Historie, Containing the Act and Monuments of Martyrs, with a generall difcoufe of thefe latter Perfecutions, horrible troubles, and tumults, ftirred up by Romifh Prelates in the Church: with diuers other things incident, especially to this Realme of England and Scotland, as partly alfo to all other forraine nations appertaining, from the time of King Henry the 8. unto Queene Elizabeth our late gratious Soueraigne of bleffed memorie. Newly recognifed and inlarged by the Author Iohn Foxe. Wherunto are annexed certaine additions, vnto the time of our Soueraigne Lord King Iames now raigning.

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:
981-985: description of William Tyndale's life and trials (illustration on pg. 985)
1112-1113: pull-out illustration of several martyrs being burned at the stake in front of Windsor Castle, the present home of the Royal Family.
1178: image showing "The Temple well Purged" - Protestants evicting "Papists," a pejorative term for Catholics, from a church and the "Burning of Images."
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“John Foxe.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed October 16, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Foxe.

1610 AD

John Foxe

Printed for the Company of the Stationers

Protestant Churches

London

England

17th Century

Print

The sixth time newly imprinted

Groberg Collection See all items with this value

English History of Writing Collection See all items with this value

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English

"John Parker B" written on the back of the front cover in bottom right sector.

Coat of arms with the words "semper eadem" on the back of the front cover in the center.

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. The Second Volvme of the Ecclesiasticall Historie, Containing the Act and Monuments of Martyrs, with a generall difcoufe of thefe latter Perfecutions, horrible troubles, and tumults, ftirred up by Romifh Prelates in the Church: with diuers other things incident, especially to this Realme of England and Scotland, as partly alfo to all other forraine nations appertaining, from the time of King Henry the 8. unto Queene Elizabeth our late gratious Soueraigne of bleffed memorie. Newly recognifed and inlarged by the Author Iohn Foxe. Wherunto are annexed certaine additions, vnto the time of our Soueraigne Lord King Iames now raigning. Vol. 2. 2 Vol. London: Printed for the Company of Stationers, 1610.