Anne Askew martyr

Anne Askew, (married name Anne Kyme (1521-1546) was an English writer, poet and Protestant martyr. She was condemned as a heretic in England during the reign of Henry VIII.
She is the only woman on record known to have been tortured in the Tower of London and burnt at the stake.
She is also one of the earliest female poets to compose in the English language.
She is the first woman to demand divorce using scriptural grounds.

Anne was born in 1521 in Lincolnshire, England. Her father was Sir William Akew a gentleman in the court of Henry VIII.
Her father arranged for her eldest sister Martha to marry Thomas Kyme. Martha died before the marriage so to save money her father had Anne married to him instead.

Anne was a devout Protestant, studying the Bible and memorizing Biblical verses and remained true to her beliefs for the whole of her life. Her pronouncements against transubstantiation ( the belief that the bread and wine at Holy Communion actually changed into the body and blood of Christ) created controversy in Lincoln. Her husband was Catholic. They had 2 children before he threw her out for being a Protestant - alleged that she was seeking divorce so this did not upset her.

In London she was a ‘gospeler’ or a preacher to all.
March 1545 husband had her arrested.
He demanded she returned to Lincolnshire but sh escaped.
Early 1546 arrested then released.
May 1546 arrested and tortured in the Tower of London.
18th June 1546 convicted of heresy and condemned to be burned at the stake.
16th July 1546 martyred in Smithfield, London
(Read ‘Background on 1546’, ‘Plain speaking’, ‘Arrest and interrogation’ plus ‘Execution’)

Those who watched her execution were impressed by her bravery. Anne listened to BIshop Shaxton when he preached from the pulpit. She audibly expressed agreement when he spoke anything considered truth. Anything contrary she exclaimed There he misseth, and speaketh without the book
She did not scream until the flames reached her chest.

After her death Anne Askew’s autobiographical and publishished Examinations - in its original form - chronicle her persecutions and offer a unique look into 16th century femininity, religion and faith.
(Read ‘Legacy’ and ‘Examinations’)

Anne Askew was an intelligent, articulate Christian woman who used written Scripture as her defence.
*God hath geven me the gyfte of knowledge, but not of utterance, And Salomon sayth, that i Wolde not throw pearles amonge swyne, for acornes were good ynoubh * Matthew ch7 v 6