Martyrs of Coventry

Submitted by Alan Marsden on Mon, 09/02/2026 - 00:00

During last year’s visit to Coventry, I made a mini pilgrimage to a stone cross, erected in 1910 in memory of the martyrs of that city. It was not easy to find, for I was hindered by a complicated series of road junctions. The deceased were all lollards, the name given to English Bible Christians before the reformation, and who were influenced by that most marvellous of Yorkshiremen, John Wycliffe:

Joan Washingby, burnt 12 March, 1512

Mistress Smith (widow), burnt 5 April, 1519

Master Archer (shoemaker), burnt 4 April, 1520

Thomas Bond (shoemaker) burnt 4 April, 1520

Master Hawkins (shoemaker or skinner) burnt 4 April, 1520

Robert Hockett (shoemaker or leather-dresser), burnt 4 April, 1520

Thomas Lansdail or Lansdale (hosier) 4 April, burnt 1520

Master Wrigsham (glover) 4 April, burnt 1520

Robert Silkeby, burnt on 13 January, burnt 1522

Mrs Smith was going to be released until the Bishop of Coventry’s officers found a copy of the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Apostle’s Creed in English hidden in her sleeve. This was deemed sufficient evidence to have her roasted.

The place of the actual burnings is likely near the darker foliage across the road. Truly, the world was not worthy of them.