What's the story behind the Martyr's Memorial at Lewes in Sussex?

Kainantu

On June 20th, 1556, Thomas Wood, described by Foxe as a minister, and Thomas Miles were burnt to death at Lewes for 'resisting and denying the erroneous and heretical doctrines of the pretended Catholic Church of Rome'. It is the morning of June 22, 1557,. Outside the Star Inn, Lewes, men are busy with the grim preparations for a great auto - da - fe. The spirit of persecution has broken out again with increased bitterness and intensity. In the cellars under the Inn wait ten prisoners, six men and four women. They are Richard Woodman and George Stevens of Warbleton, William Maynard and Thomasina Wood of Mayfield, Alexander Hosmer and Ann Ashden of Rotherfield, Margery Morris and James Morris of Heathfield, Denis Burges of Buxted, and Groves' wife possibly %5B Lewes %5D. Of these ten only Woodman and Hosmer were brought to trial. The others had been apprehended within the two or three days prior to their martyrdoms. Without any authority or writ of condemnation from the proper authorities they were hurried to Lewes, and together in one fire suffered. Probably it was hoped that such a terrible happening would result in crushing the spread of the Reformed faith, but as always, efforts to burn out the truth of God only burnt it the deeper in the hearts and affections of those who had experience of its power. http://members.madasafish.com/~lewes398/ Jan 25 03, 2:56 AM

boing

Many thanks! Jan 25 03, 10:08 AM