Illustration of the Martyrdom of Anne Askewe, John Lacels, John Adams, and Nicholas Belenian (Protestant Christian Martyrs). Burned alive at the stake in 1546ad, England. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Read the Trial Proceedings of Anne Askewe in: "Select Works of John Bale, Containing the Examinations of Lord Cobham, William Thorpe, and Anne Askewe, and the Image of Both Churches (1849 Edition, The Parker Society) Hail & Fire REPRINTS 2009

A Ballad Composed and Sung by Anne Askewe in Newgate Prison

From "Select Works of John Bale" (1849 Edition)

Anne Askewe

Like as the armed knight,

Appointed to the field,

With this world will I fight,

And Christ¹ shall be my shield.

Faith is that weapon strong,

Which will not fail at need:

My foes, therefore, among

Therewith will I proceed.

As it is had in strength

And force of Christe's way,

It will prevail at length,

Though all the devils say nay.

Faith in the fathers old

Obtained righteousness;

Which make me very bold

To fear no world's distress.

I now rejoice in heart,

And hope bid me do so;

For Christ will take my part,

And ease me of my woe.

Thou say'st, Lord, whoso knock,

To them wilt thou attend:

Undo therefore the lock,

And thy strong power send.

More enemies now I have

Than hairs upon my head:

Let them not me deprave,

But fight thou in my stead.

On thee my care I cast,

For all their cruel spite:

I set not by their haste;

For thou art my delight.

I am not she that list

My anchor to let fall

For every drizzling mist,

My ship substantial.

Not oft use I to write,

In prose, nor yet in rhyme;

Yet will I shew one sight

That I saw in my time.

I saw a royal throne,

Where justice should have sit,

But in her stead was one

Of moody, cruel wit.

Aborbed was righteousness,

As of the raging flood:

Satan, in his excess,

Sucked up the guiltless blood.

Then thought I, Jesus Lord,

When thou shall judge us all,

Hard is it to record

On these men what will fall.

Yet, Lord, I thee desire,

For that they do to me,

Let them not taste the hire

Of their iniquity.

FINIS.

God save the King.

"God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound things which are mighty; yea, and things of no reputation, that no flesh should presume in his sight² ." 1 Cor 1

A Ballad Composed and Sung by Anne Askewe in Newgate Prison, excerpted from the "Select Works of John Bale, Containing the Examinations of Lord Cobham, William Thorpe, and Anne Askewe, and the Image of Both Churches" (1849 Edition, The Parker Society)