William Pikes facts for kids

William Pikes (born around 1520, died July 14, 1558) was an English tanner from Ipswich, a town in Suffolk. He was arrested in Islington because he was part of a group that studied the Bible in English. During a time called the Marian persecutions, Queen Mary I punished people who did not follow the official church. William Pikes was later burned at the stake in Brentford. He is remembered as one of the Ipswich Martyrs, a group of people who died for their beliefs.

Who Was William Pikes?

William Pikes worked as a tanner, which means he prepared animal hides to make leather. He lived in a part of Ipswich called St Margaret's parish. This area was just north of the town center. The church of St Margaret's is near Christchurch Mansion and Park. This mansion was built when William Pikes was alive. It stood where an old monastery, the Holy Trinity Priory, used to be. This priory was closed down and its land was used for the new brick mansion.

His Life in Ipswich

Records from St Margaret's Church show the births and deaths of William Pikes' children between 1541 and 1558. This suggests he was born around 1520. William Pikes believed in the "reformed faith," which was a new way of practicing Christianity. He was known for being kind and generous. He often helped poor people and welcomed those who were being hunted for their religious beliefs.

A Dangerous Time for His Faith

After Queen Mary I became queen, William Pikes stopped going to public church services. He had not attended for three years because the Roman Mass, the official church service, went against what he believed. His name appeared on a list of people in St Margaret's who disagreed with the queen's religious rules. This list was made on May 18, 1556. It was called A complaint against such as favoured the Gospell in Ipswich.

The Forbidden Bible

William Pikes was a very dedicated student of the Bible. He owned a copy of the Matthew Bible. This Bible included translations by Tyndale and Coverdale. Even though King Henry VIII had once allowed this Bible, it was later banned. Owning it became very dangerous.

A Strange Warning

Soon after Midsummer in 1556, William Pikes was sitting in his garden. He had his Bible open on his lap. Suddenly, four drops of fresh blood fell onto his book. He did not know where the blood came from. He was very surprised. He wiped one drop away and called his wife. He told her, "What does this mean? Will the Lord want four sacrifices? I see the Lord will have blood. His will be done, and give me grace to face the challenge! Wife, let us pray, for I fear the day is coming soon."

Secret Meetings and Arrest

A few days later, William Pikes traveled to London. He went to join a secret meeting with about forty other men and women. They met to pray and study the Bible together. The meeting took place in a hidden garden in a field near Islington. They chose this walled garden so they would not be found. However, a man looked over the wall and spoke to them. He said they "looked like men that meant no hurt." One person from their group asked if they could stay, thinking he owned the garden. The man repeated his words and left.

They continued their Bible readings. Suddenly, the Constable of Islington appeared with six or seven armed men. He demanded that they hand over their books.

Taken to Prison

Many people, including the women, managed to escape. Some got away from the garden, others from the group as they were led away. The men were divided into groups and taken by the soldiers. Twenty-seven people were brought before Sir Roger Cholmley. Their names were asked. Twenty-two people willingly gave their names. They were immediately taken to Newgate Prison. They went calmly with their captors, even though they could have escaped.

At first, they were offered freedom from Newgate if they would attend a Mass. Those who refused were then questioned about fourteen articles of faith by Edmund Bonner. They had to answer these questions in a way that satisfied the authorities, or they would be condemned.

Standing Strong for Their Beliefs

Out of the twenty-two people who gave their names, thirteen stayed true to their beliefs. They refused to change their minds. They were sentenced to die. They were executed in two separate groups.

The Ipswich Martyrs

The first group of seven people was burned at Smithfield on June 27, 1558. This group included Henry Pond, Reinald Eastland, Robert Southam, Matthew Ricarby, John Floyd, John Holiday, and Roger Holland. Roger Holland bravely hugged the stake and the bundles of reeds for the fire. He prayed, "Lord, I most humbly thank You that You have called me from death to the light of Your Heavenly Word. Now I join Your saints so I may sing, 'Holy holy holy, Lord God of hosts!' Lord, I give my spirit to You. Lord bless Your people, and save them from false worship." He continued praying and praising God with his eyes looking to heaven until he died.

The second group of six people suffered in a similar way at Brentford on July 14, 1558. This group included Robert Mills, Stephen Cotton, Robert Dynes, Stephen Wight, John Slade, and William Pikes. William Pikes had prayed for "grace to abide the trial." Filled with his faith, he went to the stake "joyfully."

Sources

• John Foxe, Booke of Martyrs
• N.F. Layard, Seventeen Suffolk Martyrs (Smiths, Ipswich 1903)