Deep Dive into Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe - Flagellations by Bonner

Bishop Bonner was a notoriously cruel bishop during the reign of Queen Mary I, known for persecuting Protestants. The sources describe his harsh treatment of individuals like Thomas Hinshaw and John Willes, who refused to renounce their beliefs or conform to Catholic practices.Both Hinshaw and Willes were confined in Bonner's coal house and later held together in the stocks at Fulham for over a week, often with minimal provisions. Bonner employed various forms of abuse. He struck Willes on the head with a stick, seized his ears, and filliped his chin. More severely, Bonner personally scourged both men in an arbor in his garden or orchard, using willow and birch rods until he was exhausted.The reasons for their punishment stemmed from their defiance. Hinshaw angered Bonner by calling his archdeacon's efforts promoting "the dark kingdom of the devil." Willes provoked Bonner's rage by refusing to say he had "crept to the cross" and refusing to make the sign of the cross on his forehead, practices Willes rejected as a Protestant.Thomas Hinshaw ultimately escaped Bonner's fury due to external circumstances. After enduring prolonged suffering, he fell ill with a "burning ague" and was released into his master's care, as Bonner believed he would die naturally. Hinshaw survived the illness for over a year, and during that time, Queen Mary died, ending the intense persecution.John Willes' release was facilitated by his heavily pregnant wife. While he was in the stocks, she bravely confronted Bonner, threatening to give birth in his palace if her husband was not released. To avoid this inconvenience, Bonner agreed to let Willes go home if he repeated a specific Latin phrase, which Willes did while strategically omitting the sign of the cross. He gained full liberation the next day after subscribing to a minor Latin document at St. Paul's.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianPatreon: patreon.com/edi_reformed