Colchester Martyrs facts for kids

The Colchester Martyrs were brave English Protestants who lived in the 1500s. They were put to death in Colchester, Essex, because of their religious beliefs. This happened during the reigns of King Henry VIII and Queen Mary I. Their stories are written down in a famous book called Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

This old picture from the 1600s shows Rose Allin (or Allen) being arrested with her stepfather and mother, William and Alice Munt. They were taken on March 7, 1557, because they were Protestants. They, along with seven other people, died for their beliefs in Colchester on August 2, 1557. They are known as some of the Colchester Martyrs.

What is a Martyr?

A martyr is someone who is willing to suffer or even die for their beliefs, especially religious ones. The Colchester Martyrs were Protestants who refused to give up their faith, even when it meant facing very harsh punishments.

Why Were They Persecuted?

During the 1500s, England went through big changes in religion. King Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and started the Church of England. Later, his daughter Queen Mary I, who was Catholic, tried to bring England back to the Catholic Church.

She believed that Protestantism was wrong and dangerous. Because of this, many Protestants were arrested and punished for their beliefs. This period is often called the "Marian Persecutions" because it happened during Queen Mary's reign.

The Martyrs' Stories

Many people in Colchester and the surrounding areas were affected by these religious changes. Here are some of the people who died for their faith:

Early Martyrs (1545-1555)

• In 1545 or 1546, a man named Henry and his servant were put to death.
• On March 29, 1555, John Lawrence, who was a priest from Sudbury, Suffolk, died for his beliefs.
• On June 14, 1555, Nicholas Chamberlain, a weaver from Coggeshall, Essex, also died.

The Year 1556

On April 28, 1556, several people from the Colchester area were put to death:

• Christopher Lister, a farmer from Dagenham, Essex.
• John Mace, a chemist from Colchester.
• John Spencer, a weaver from Colchester.
• Simon Joyne, a person who cut wood.
• Richard Nicol, a weaver from Colchester.
• John Hamond, a leather worker from Colchester.

The Year 1557

This year saw many more people die for their faith in Colchester.

• On August 2, 1557, ten people were taken to Colchester Castle and died for their beliefs. These included William Bongeor, Thomas Benhote, William Purchase, Agnes Silverside, Helen Ewring, Elizabeth Folk, William Munt, John Johnson, Alice Munt, and Rose Allen.
• On September 17, 1557, Agnes Bongeor (wife of Richard Bongeor), John Kurde, and Margaret Thurston also died.

The Last Known Martyrs (1558)

• On May 26, 1558, William Harris, Richard Day, and Christian George (a woman) were put to death.

Those Who Died in Prison

Not everyone died by execution. Some died while they were held in prison because of their beliefs:

• James Gore died on December 7, 1555, in Colchester prison.
• John Thurston, who had been arrested in Much Bentley, Essex, died in May 1557 while in Colchester Castle.

Remembering the Martyrs

Today, there are special monuments in Colchester to remember these brave people who died for their faith.

• One monument is in St Peter's Church on North Hill.
• Another monument can be found in the Colchester Town Hall. These monuments help us remember their courage and the importance of religious freedom.

See also

• List of Protestant martyrs of the English Reformation