Kerby (Ipswich martyr) facts for kids

Kerby was a man who lived a long time ago in England. He is known for standing up for his Protestant beliefs during a time when it was dangerous to have different religious ideas. Kerby was put to death in Ipswich, Suffolk, in 1546 because of his faith. He is remembered as one of the Ipswich Martyrs, people who died for their beliefs in that town.

Kerby did not agree with the Roman Catholic Church's teaching about transubstantiation. This was a belief that the bread and wine used in church services truly became the body and blood of Jesus. Because Kerby did not accept this idea, he was sentenced to death.

His death was the first recorded time someone was burned in Ipswich for their religious beliefs. Many others followed in the next twelve years. When Queen Mary died in 1558, it's said that 77 people in Ipswich who were facing similar sentences were finally set free. Ipswich was also where Thomas Bilney was arrested in 1527, and it was the hometown of Thomas Wolsey.

Standing Up for Beliefs

Kerby was one of two men, the other named Roger, who faced serious charges. They were accused under a law called the Act of Six Articles. This law made it illegal to disagree with certain teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, including transubstantiation.

The Act of Six Articles

The Act of Six Articles was a strict law passed in 1539. It was meant to make sure everyone in England followed the same religious rules. If you didn't agree with these rules, especially about the church's teachings, you could be punished severely.

Imprisonment in Ipswich

Kerby and Roger were put in the town jail, which was located in the West Gate. This was an old stone and brick building that was part of the town's defenses. It was also very close to a famous church called Our Lady of Ipswich.

A Sympathetic Gaoler

Their jailer was a man named John Bird. He was known to be kind and understanding. Bird himself had faced trouble for his own religious views in the past. Later, he was even accused by officials for being too sympathetic to prisoners like Kerby.

An important person involved in the accusations against Kerby and Roger was William Foster. He was a local judge who lived in Copdock, a village near Ipswich. Foster later played a big role in the arrests of other martyrs, including Rowland Taylor, Robert Samuel, and Agnes Potten and Joan Trunchfield.

While Kerby was in prison, he received visitors. These included Robert Wingfield, a young man who was the heir to a powerful family, and Master Breuss from Wenham.

The Outcome

Kerby was sentenced to be burned in Ipswich. Roger, the other man accused with him, was sentenced to be burned in Bury St Edmunds.