Compare 1577 edition: 1 This Christmas being thus passed and spent with much mirth and pastime, wherewith the minds and eares of murmurers were méetlie well appeased, ac|cording to a former determination as the sequele shewed: it was thought now good to procéed to the execution of the iudgement giuen against the duke of Summerset, touching his conuiction & atteindor of the fellonie before mentioned. Wherevpon, the two and twentith daie of Ianuarie, then next fol|lowing being fridaie, he was brought out of the tower, and according to the manner,The executiõ of the duke of Summerset. deliuered to the shiriffes of London; and so with a great compa|nie of the gard & others with weapons, was brought to the scaffold where he should suffer, without chan|ging either voice or countenance, other than he was accustomed to vse at other times.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 The same morning earelie,Meanes to restraine the multitude from the dukes exe|cution. the conestables of e|uerie ward in London (according to a precept direc|ted from the councell to the maior) strictlie charged euerie houshold of the same citie, not to depart anie of them out of their houses, before ten of the clocke of that daie: meaning thereby to restreine the great number of people that otherwise were like to haue béen at the said execution. Notwithstanding, by sea|uen of the clocke, the tower hill was couered with a great multitude, repairing from all parts of the ci|tie, as well as out of the suburbs. And before eight of the clocke, the duke was brought to the scaffold, in|closed with the kings gard, the shiriffes officers, the warders of the tower, & other with halberds: where as he nothing changing neither voice or counte|nance, Iohn Fox. The dukes behauiour as his death. but in a maner with the same gesture which he commonlie vsed at home, knéeling downe vpon both his knees, and lifting vp his hands, commended himselfe vnto God. After he had ended a few short praiers, standing vp againe, and turning himselfe toward the east side of the scaffold, nothing at all a|bashed (as it séemed vnto those that stood by) neither with the sight of the ax, neither yet of the hangman, nor of present death, but with the like alacri [...]ie and chéerefulnesse of mind and countenance as before EEBO page image 1068 times he was accustomed to heare the causes & sup|plications of other, & speciallie of the poore (towards whome as it were with a certeine fatherlie loue to his children he alwaies shewed himselfe most atten|tiue) he vttered these words to the people.
21.1. The words of the duke of Summerset at his death.
The words of the duke of Summerset at his death.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 _DEerelie beloued friends, I am brought hither to suffer death, albeit I neuer offended against the king, neither by word nor deed, and haue beene alwaies as faithfull and true vnto this realme, as anie man hath beene. But forsomuch as I am by law condemned to die, I doo acknowledge my selfe as well as others, to be subiect there|vnto. Wherefore to testifie mine obedience which I owe vnto the lawes, I am come hither to suffer death, wherevnto I wil|linglie offer my selfe with most hartie thanks vnto God, that hath giuen me this time of repentance, who might thorough sudden death haue taken awaie my life, that I neither should haue acknowledged him nor my selfe.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 Moreouer (deerelie beloued friends) there is yet somewhat that I must put you in mind of, as touching christian reli|gion, which so long as I was in authori|tie, I alwaies diligentlie set foorth, and furthered to my power. Neither doo I re|pent me of my dooings, but reioise therein, sith now the state of christian religion com|meth most neere vnto the forme and order of the primitiue church. Which thing I esteeme as a great benefit giuen of God, both to you and me, most hartilie exhorting you all, that this which is most purelie set foorth vnto you, you will with like thanke|fulnesse accept and embrace, and set out the same in your liuing: which thing if you doo not, without doubt, greater mischiefe and calamitie will follow.