Amersham Martyrs Memorial facts for kids
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The Amersham Martyrs Memorial is a special monument in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. It remembers Protestant martyrs who died for their beliefs. A martyr is someone who dies for their faith.
Contents
What is the Memorial?
This memorial was built in 1931. It was set up by The Protestant Alliance. A lady named Mrs. L. R. Raine unveiled it. She was a direct descendant of one of the martyrs, Thomas Harding.
Where is it Located?
The memorial stands near Rectory or Parsonage Woods. It is across from Ruccles Field. You can reach it by a footpath from Station Road.
Who Does it Remember?
The memorial honors six local Protestant martyrs and Lollards. They were burned to death in 1521. They died for their religious beliefs. The memorial is about 100 yards from where these events happened.
The Unveiling Ceremony
When the memorial was unveiled in 1931, many people gathered. A speaker encouraged the crowd to support a "Protestant King" and "Protestant parliament." This showed the strong feelings about Protestant faith at the time. The chairman of the Protestant Alliance, Major Richard Rigg, also gave a speech. The hymn "For All the Saints" was sung.
A Play About the Martyrs
In March 2016, the local community in Amersham put on a play. It was called The Life and time of the Martyrs of Amersham and the Community in Which they Lived. The play told the story of the martyrs and their community.
What the Inscription Says
The memorial has an important inscription. It says:
- THE
- NOBLE
- ARMY OF
- MARTYRS
- PRAISE
- THEE
This part means that the martyrs are honored for their bravery.
Why They Died
The inscription also explains why these people died. It says they were burned to death for their beliefs. They died for "religious liberty." This means they wanted the freedom to choose their own faith. They also wanted the right to read and understand the Bible for themselves. They wished to worship God in their own way.
The Names of the Martyrs
The memorial lists the names of those who died. It says:
- THEIR NAMES SHALL LIVE FOR EVER
- WILLIAM TYLESWORTH BURNED 1506
- THOMAS BARNARD BURNED 1521
- JAMES MORDEN BURNED 1521
- JOHN SCRIVENER BURNED 1521
- ROBERT RAVE BURNED 1521
- THOMAS HOLMES BURNED 1521
- JOAN NORMAN BURNED 1521
These names are remembered so their sacrifice is not forgotten.
Who Built It
The inscription also states who built the memorial. It was "ERECTED 1931 BY THE SUBSCRIBERS OF THE PROTESTANT ALLIANCE." Mrs. E.M. Rowcroft also helped with money.
