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A virtue more than human.

The absurd.

tion.

In

however were named or accused by a word of theirs. this inquisition their limbs were cruelly racked, and all but torn asunder, by the ministers of torture; yet it is said that the executioners were exhorted by one of exceptional fortitude, who cried out to them not to spare the wretched body since it had so much resisted the spirit and will of the Creator. On the next day, (64) whereon their punishment was to be carried out, the doctors of theology renewed the discussion with them, dealing especially with the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. But Picard and the rest were uncertain of their argument, and had nothing whatever to say when LeClerc asked them what was the ground for their transubstantiation, and whether in ity of tran. eating the bread or in drinking the wine they perceived any substantia- taste of flesh or of blood.(65) In the end these terms were offered, that any who were willing to whisper into the ear of the priest, which is a phrase they use for confessing sins, should obtain some favour, and their tongues should not be cut off. Out of the fourteen above named, then, seven accepted this condition,(6) whether because they considered it of little moment, or because they thought they could by this stipulation redeem the privilege of speech. This caused profound sorrow to the others, whose resolution was never relaxed, nor their determination ever abandoned, for threat or promise. Now at the second hour of the afternoon, which had been fixed for the execution of their punishment, when they were led out of prison the executioner first demanded of Estienne Mangin to put forth his tongue. He put it forth in ready compliance. It was then cut off, and he, spitting out blood, yet spoke in a manner to be fairly understood, and prayed three times with such phrases as: Blessed be the name of the Lord. He was presently dragged upon a hurdle, as was LeClerc also. (51) (67) (a) The rest, however, were placed on a cart, and so carried off. Those that were not condemned to death followed close by on foot, to the great market place. Here were fourteen gibbets put up in a circle in the neighbourhood of Mangin's house.(6) A separate gibbet was also erected, a little further off, on which was to be hung up by his armpits a youth called Michel Piquery (9) whose tender age, and the shame it would cause, saved him from being burnt. Then like lambs for the sacrifice these men were bound fast by the executioners. (70) Those whose tongues had been cut off still ceased not to call with stammering voice on the Lord; while the others, who had the full use of speech, kept singing psalms. This threw the priests and monks present into a frenzy of

Mangin

spoke after his tongue

was cut off.

The faithful as sheep appointed to

be slain.

before the

rage, who on their part struck up their monotonous chants:(72) The mad belO Salutaris Hostia,(73) then, Salve regina,(74) and other lowing of the priests. (71) like blasphemies. Nor did they leave off this impious and insane singing until those most holy victims (75) were burnt and consumed as a sacrifice of sweetest savour. On the following day, (76) the eighth of the month, the adversaries, as if they had well conducted their operations, and were willing to bring the truth conquered and captive to adorn their triumph, Public arranged a magnificent procession. Here they carried round prayer that all healing idol of theirs (77) accompanied by numberless couches of torches and tapers lighted at the height of day. Arrived at the gods.(78) the place of execution, where the fire was still burning, they there set up their idol. Picard then mounted a platform in the middle of the market place, covered with a canopy or golden integument, a splendid and comfortable protection for the head of some luxurious person. So placed, that remarkable theologian began after his wont to rage without measure against those on whom punishment had been carried out. His exhibition of anger went so far that he distinctly Behold thy affirmed it was necessary to salvation to believe that they Khadamanwere condemned to the pit of hell,(79) and that, should an thus. angel from heaven say otherwise, he was to be rejected; nay, that God himself would not be God unless he condemned them for ever. However, the wives of the burned men could never be brought to that opinion of their husbands, even on being liberated from prison. (80) On the other hand they rather The wives' contended that during the whole time they had spent together loyalty to in this life, they had found their husbands blaineless in the their husfear of the Lord and in true piety, and that this integrity is generally the companion of eternal life. Now their enemies were not satiated nor contented with shedding the blood of these men, but summoned all their zeal and endeavour to the work of scattering the Lord's flock, of crushing and entirely wiping them out. Thus many of them, fugitives from this great and barbarous persecution, came into various towns near and distant. (81) This scattering and dispersing of the Church A benefit caused the Gospel to be more spread abroad. Each man took from the dispersal of upon him the duty and study to use every occasion for con- the faithful. fessing and testifying to the truth. Such was at Orleans (2) and other places the behaviour of Pharon Mangin (83), who showed the greatest fervency of spirit; such also at Aubigny (84) was the conduct of Pierre called Bon-pain (85) who soon after was burnt at Paris. (86)

bands.

Translation of certain passages from an old MS., in the Public Library at Meaux; entitled

Antiquitez De la Ville de Meaux.

Par Claude Rochard

Mtre Chirurgien Juré et Chirurgien "du grand Hotel Dieu dudit Meaux"

1721.

[At page 379 of the First Part.]

In the year 1546 on the day of the Nativity of Our Lady the Lieutenant General of the said Meaux who then was Maître Philippe Rhumet, and the King's Attorney (87) who was Maître Louis Cosset, were advised that at the Marché of the said Meaux were assembling many persons both from the said Marché and from the country, who held conventicles (88) at the abode of Estienne Mangin and that they entered the said house over the ramparts.(89) The said Lieutenant General and his King's Attorney having been advised hereof, they sent for the Provost of the city who was Maître Adrien de la Personne, and all the sergeants (90) of the said Meaux, and with them the Provost Marshal, by name. Gilles Berthelot, with all his archers(1). In entering the said house they feigned that they would seize some persons who, they said, had stolen salt in some boats that were on the river. The assemblage of all these officers took place at the abode of Maître Antoine du Guet an attorney dwelling in the Place Saint Maur.(92) As soon as they were all assembled they walked some by the Grand Marché and the others over the ramparts towards la folie. (93) The said Sieur Rhumet was the first to enter the house, and opened the upper room (93a) where were assembled those whom they sought; and when he saw so large an assembly, not having his retinue near at hand, he certainly had some fear, as he afterwards owned. (94) At last he shut again the door of the said upper room and, while awaiting his band, he listened to what was being said. One of those that were within, called Pierre LeClerc, who was reading and explaining some text of the Bible, continued nevertheless, though they had perceived the said Lieutenant General, and though they even heard some noise from those who attended him. And at that moment when he was joined by those people they went in there armed; and, having made provision of ropes, they took and bound the said Estienne Mangin and all the others, whom they brought to the prisons of the castle of the said Meaux (95) the number of which

prisoners, men as well as women, girls and lads of an age to marry, sixty; against whom charge was made; and being examined they were all brought into the Court with their charge; in which Court by judgment() made in the Chamber of Vacations, the said LeClerc, Mangin, and twelve other men were condemned to be burnt alive ..

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[At page 397 of the same MS.] Execution de l'arrest des Quatorze Huguenots (a) Bruslez Vifs au grand Marché de "Meaux."

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Following the said judgment and to cause it to be executed the seventh day of October in the said year 1546, the said imprisoned Blasphemers were put into the hands of Gilles Berthelot Provost Marshal (97) who conducted and brought them, assisted by his lieutenants and archers, into the said town of Meaux on the said day. Two doctors were appointed by the said court or chamber namely Maître Maillard and Maître Picard who were conveyed to the said Meaux, to subdue and convert the said blasphemers. (97a) And the next morning the Lieutenant General of the said Meaux, accompanied by the Lieutenant Particular (97b), King's Attorney and Advocate, the Provost, with several other officers of justice in different ranks. of the said Meaux (98), caused the torture and question extraordinaire to be given to fourteen of the said Lutherans according to the import of the said sentence. On the said day people began to throw down and demolish the house of the said Estienne Mangin, where the said blasphemers had been found and made prisoners in the act of holding their conventicles; and before the said house the next following day of the said month they erected fourteen gibbets in a circle at the Grand Marché of the said Meaux; and in the midst of them was a great quantity of faggots, straw and gunpowder, brimstone, balks of timber; and close by there was a great platform for those who should not be punished with death, and who had to be present at the said execution; and around the said gibbets there was a barrier to place the officers of justice apart from the said blasphemers and heretics, on account of the great quantity of people at Meaux. And before the said Huguenots came from prison the tongues of eight ("") of the

said blasphemers were cut off, because they would not confess at all nor turn to the Catholic faith, and died stubborn. On the said day the said blasphemers and heretics were brought to the said Grand Marché, to be executed. The Provost Marshal walked first with his lieutenants and archers, the said Mangin and LeClerc (66) were seated each on a hurdle, (51) on which they were brought to the place of punishment; after went three carts whereon were the other heretical blasphemers, and after walked on foot the rest of the said prisoners; and behind them walked the said Lieutenants General and Particular, King's Attorney and Advocate, and the Provost of Meaux, with several advocates and attorneys and the chief merchants of the said Meaux, who accompanied them to the said Marché, and in this order they passed before the cathedral church of Saint Estienne. Being arrived at the Grand Marché the said fourteen heretical Blasphemers were bound with ropes and iron chains, each to a gibbet, by the executioner of the High Justice of the city of Paris with that of the Baillage (100) of the said Meaux; then they were raised into the air having their faces towards each other, their heads and breasts towards the fire, which was lighted shortly after, and were thus burnt alive. (100) During the said execution a young lad called Louis Piquery (101) was continually in the air hung by the armpits to a gibbet which was near. There were sung: O Salutaris hostia, and other hymns in honour of God and of the glorious Virgin, wherein the priests and the people sang, and this was done until the said fourteen were burnt and fallen into the said fire. And that Piquery, after the execution, was beaten with rods by the executioner of the said Meaux. And upon a platform adjoining the said place of the execution were the rest of the poor imprudent people, who had been present at the diabolical readings, and at the blasphemies against the honour of God and of our mother holy Church. The which were to the number of thirty-six, (101) both men and women, of whom there were four in shirts the rope round the neck, who (102) were flogged and beaten with rods at the said Grand Marché and cross-roads (*), of the said Meaux, after which they were brought back to the prisons of the said place.

The next day there was made a general procession at the said Meaux, where was carried in great reverence the body of our Lord Jesus Christ. [First came] the scholars and other children of the said Meaux; thereafter the torches which were to the full number of 3000, or about, and perhaps more; after followed the clergymen, namely the monks of our Lady

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