A brief notice of this very zealous preacher is given at page 187. I
regret that only a portion can be added in this place of the interesting
account of his examination and death in December 1558, as preserved in
Foxe's "Actes and Monuments." Calderwood's account of Rough's martyrdom,
(Hist. vol. i. p. 251,) is abridged from the same authority.
"THE DEATH AND MARTYRDOME OF JOHN ROWGH, MINISTER, AND MARGARET MEARYNG,
BURNED AT LONDON THE XXII. OF DECEMBER.
In this furious time of persecution, were also burned these twoo
constaunt and faithfull Martyrs of Christe, John Rough a Minister, and
Margarette Mearyng.
This Rough was borne in Scotland, who (as him selfe confesseth in his
aunsweres to Boners Articles) because some of his kinsfolke woulde haue
kept him from his right of inheritaunce which he had to certaine landes,
did at the age of xvij. yeares, in despite (and the rather to displease
his frendes) professe hym selfe into the order of the blacke Friers at
Sterlyng in Scotland: where he remained the space of xvi. yeares, vntill
suche tyme as the Lorde Hamulton, Earle of Arren, and Gouernour of the
Realme of Scotlande aforesaid (castyng a fauour vnto hym) did sue vnto
the Archbishop of S. Andrewes, to haue him out of his professed order,
that as a secular Priest he might serue hym for his Chaplaine. At whiche
request the Archbishop caused the Prouinciall of that house, hauyng
thereto authoritie, to dispence with hym for his habite and order.
This sute beeyng thus by the Earle obtained, the said Rough remained in
his seruice one whole yeare: during which time it pleased God to open
his eyes, and to geue hym some knowledge of his truthe, and thereupon
was by the said Gouernour sent to preache in the freedome of Ayre, where
he continued four yeares, and then after the death of the Cardinall of
Scotland, hee was appointed to abide at S. Andrewes, & there had
assigned vnto hym a yearely pension of XX. pound from kyng Henry the
eight, kyng of England. Howbeit, at last waiyng with him selfe his owne
daunger, and also abhorryng the Idolatrie and superstition of his
countrey, and hearyng of the freedome of the Gospell within this Realme
of England, hee determined with hym selfe not to tary any longer there:
And therefore soone after the battaile of Musclebourough, he came first
vnto Carliell, and from thence vnto the Duke of Somerset, then Lord
Protectour of England, and by his assignement had appointed vnto him out
of the kinges treasury XX. poundes of yearely stipend, and was sent (as
a preacher) to serue at Carliell, Barwicke, and Newcastell. From whence
(after he had there, according to the lawes of God, and also of this
Realme, taken a countrey woman of his to wife) he was called by the
Archbishop of Yorke that then was, vnto a benefice nigh in the towne of
Hull: where hee continued vntill the death of that blessed and good
king, Edward VI.
But in the beginnyng of the reigne of Queene Mary (perceauyng the
alteration of Religion, and the persecution that would thereupon arise,
and feelyng hys owne weakenes) he fled with his wife into Friseland, and
dwelt there at a place culled Morden, labouryng truely for his liuyng,
in knittyng of Cappes, hose, and suche like thinges, till about the ende
of the moneth of October last before his death. At whiche tyme, lackyng
yearne and other such necessary prouision for the mainteinaunce of his
occupation, he came ouer againe into England, here to prouide for the
same, and the x. day of Nouember arriued at London. Where hearyng of the
secrete societie, and holy congregation of Gods children there
assembled, he ioyned himselfe vnto them, and afterwardes beyng elected
their Minister and Preacher, did continue moste vertuously exercised in
that Godly fellowship, teaching and confirmyng them in the truth and
Gospell of Christe. But in the ende such was the prouidence of God, who
disposeth all thinges to the best, the xij. daye of December, he with
Cutbert Simson and others, through the crafty and traiterous suggestion
of a false hipocrite and dissembling brother called Roger Sargeaunt, a
taylor, were apprehended by the Vicechamberlaine of the Queenes house,
at the Saracens heade in Islington: where the Congregation had then
purposed to assemble themselues to their godly and accustomable
exercises of prayer, and hearyng the word of God: which pretence, for
the safegard of all the rest, they yet at their examinations, couered
and excused by hearing of a play that was then appointed to be at that
place. The Vice Chamberlaine after he had apprehended them, caried Rough
and Simson vnto the Counsell, who charged them to haue assembled
together to celebrate the communion or supper of the Lord, and therefore
after sundry examinations and aunsweres, they sent the saide Rough vnto
Newgate: but his examinations they sent vnto the Bishop of London, with
a Letter signed with their handes, the copy whereof followeth.
¶ A LETTER SENT FROM THE QUEENES COUNCELL VNTO BONER BISHOP OF LONDON,
TOUCHING THE EXAMINATION OF IOHN ROUGH MINISTER.
After our hartye commendations to your good Lordship, we sende you
here inclosed the examination of a Scotish man, named Iohn Rough,
who by the Queenes Maiesties commaundement is presently sent to
Newgate, beeyng of the chief of them that vpon Sondaie laste, vnder
the colour of commyng to see a Play at the Saracen's head in
Islington, had prepared a Communion to be celebrated and received
there among certaine other seditious and hereticall persons. And
forasmuche as by the sayd Roughes examination, contayning the
storie and progresse of his former life, it well appeareth of what
sort he is: the Queenes highnes hath willed vs to remit him vnto
your Lordship, to the end that beyng called before you out of
prison, as oft as your Lordship shall thinke good, ye maie
proceede, both to his further examination, and otherwise orderyng
of him, accordyng to the lawes, as the case shall require.
And thus we bid your Lordship hartely wel to fare. From S. James
the XV. of December, 1557.
Your Lordships louyng frendes.
NICHOLAS EBOR.
F. SHREWSBERY.
EDWARD HASTINGES.
ANTONY MOUNTAGUE.
IOHN BOURNE.
HENRY IERNEGAM.
Boner now minding to make quicke dispatch, did within three dayes after
the receite of the letter (the xviij. day of December) send for thys
Rough out of Newgate, and in his palace at London ministered vnto him
xij. Articles: Many whereof because they containe onely questions of the
profession and religion of that age, wherein both he and his parentes
were christened (which in sundry places are already mentioned) I do here
for breuitie omit: minding to touch such onely, as pertayne to matters
of faith now in controuersie, and then chiefely obiected agaynst the
Martyrs and Saintes of God, which in effect are these."
* * * * *
For these Articles against John Rough, and his Answers, and also a
Letter written by him in prison, with a further notice of his appearance
before Bishop Bonner, the reader must be referred to Foxe's own work.
His fellow-sufferer Margaret Mearyng, was one of his flock: after being
condemned and degraded, both of them were "led vnto Smithfield the xxij.
daye of December 1558, and there most joyfully gave up their lives for
the profession of Christes Gospell."
No. XI.