John Foxe

John Foxe (1516–April 8, 1587) is remembered as the author of the famous Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

Actes and Monuments (Foxe's Book of Martyrs)

First edition

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Issued from the press of John Day, the first English edition of the Actes and Monuments was an unprecendented historical work in English, running to about 1800 folio pages. The full title is Actes and Monuments of these latter and perilous Dayes, touching matters of the Church, wherein are comprehended and described the great Persecution and horrible Troubles that have been wrought and practised by the Romishe Prelates, especiallye in this Realme of England and Scotland, from the yeare of our Lorde a thousande to the time now present. Gathered and collected according to the true Copies and Wrytinges certificatorie as well of the Parties themselves that Suffered, as also out of die Bishop's Registers, which were the Doers thereof, by John Foxe. It was and remains commonly known as Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

Related Topics:
John Day - Foxe's Book of Martyrs

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Several gross errors which had appeared in the Latin version, and had been since exposed, were corrected in this edition. Its popularity was immense and signal. The Marian persecution was still fresh in men's minds, and the graphic narrative intensified in its numerous readers the fierce hatred of Spain and of the Inquisition which was one of the master passions of the reign. Nor was its influence transient. For generations the popular conception of Roman Catholicism was derived from its bitter pages.

Related Topics:
Marian persecution - Spain - Inquisition - Roman Catholicism

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Second edition

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The Actes and Monuments ' accuracy was immediately attacked by Catholic writers like Thomas Harding and Thomas Stapleton but most notably in the Dialogi sex, contra summi pontificatus, monasticae vitae, sanctorum, sacrarum imaginum oppugnatores, et pseudomartyres (1566). Nominally from the pen of a Catholic exile, Alan Cope, but in reality by Nicholas Harpsfield, former archdeacon of Canterbury under Mary I, Dialogi sexs sixth dialogue, which is also the longest, systematically attacks Foxe's work. Robert Parsons' Three Conversions of England (1570) also struck heavily at Foxe.

Related Topics:
Thomas Harding - Thomas Stapleton - Alan Cope - Nicholas Harpsfield - Robert Parsons

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Thus it was success and criticism alike that induced Foxe to produce a second corrected edition, Ecclesiastical History, contayning the Actes and Monuments of things passed in every kynges tyme in 1570, a copy of which was ordered by Convocation to be placed in every collegiate church. In it Foxe responded to his critics by silently making corrections and loudly rebutting other arguments, such as thos surrounding the status of the Lollard Sir John Oldcastle.

Related Topics:
Convocation - Collegiate church - Lollard - Sir John Oldcastle

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Accuracy

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Foxe based his accounts of the martyrs partly on authentic documents and reports of the trials, and on statements received direct from the friends of the sufferers, but he worked under the pressure of publishing schedules and was not laboring under modern notions of neutrality or objectivity as ideals in historiography, which are problematic in their own right. Anthony à Wood says that Foxe "believed and reported all that was told him, and there is every reason to suppose that he was purposely misled, and continually deceived by those whose interest it was to bring discredit on his work," but he admits that the book is a monument of his industry, his laborious research and his sincere piety. Many errors due to carelessness, time constraints, and the collaborative nature of the project have been exposed, and there is no doubt that Foxe, like many of his contemporaries, was ready to believe evil of the Catholic opposition, but he cannot always be exonerated from the charge of wilful falsification of evidence. It should, however, be remembered in his honor that Foxe's advocacy of religious toleration was far in advance of his day. Foxe pleaded for the despised Dutch Anabaptists, and remonstrated with John Knox on the rancor of his First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women.

Related Topics:
Anthony à Wood - John Knox

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Complete text of the book:

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