The manner how to understand the letters and figures.
[A specimen of a Stanza of the Register as originally given by Brice, will help the reader to understand the unnecessarily complicated form in which he put it; and also the following Instructions, which were omitted in subsequent impressions.
Three stanzas occupy each page of the original edition. They are printed like this.
| 63 | 1558. March. | C ✠ |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | When that John Dewneshe and Hugh Foxe, | |
| In Smithfield, cruel death sustained, | ||
| As fixed foes to Romish rocks; | ||
| 28 | And Cuthbert Symson also slain. | |
| When these did worthily receive their death, | ||
| We wished for our Elizabeth. | ||
| 7 |
A comparison of this Stanza, with its fellow at page [167], will show our method of reproducing this text.]
In primus, the figures, which are always four in number, are placed in the middle of the two strykes [strokes, or rules], which go between the verses, within two short strikes; signify the year wherein those persons were slain under them contained.
And where you see a little cross, ✠, on the outside of the outmost line, it signifieth the changing of the year [i.e., on the 25th March], as from 1554 to 1555; and in such manner.
The letters which stand in the little square place, on the right side of the book, signified the month wherein they died; and for the plainer understanding thereof I have used twelve letters, for the twelve months: that is, A, for January; B, for February; C, for March; D, for April; E, for May; F, for June; G, for July; H, for August; I, for September; K, for October; L, for November; M, for December.
But where one letter standeth in the little square place; and another is placed under it between the two lines before the verse be ended; it signified the changing of the month: so that the person or persons, where against the letter so changed doth stand, was put to death in that month which that letter doth signify.
And whereas, in the third Verse [or Stanza, p. [154]], and nowhere else, there standeth figures on the right side, between the two lines; that giveth to understand that Hunter, Higbye, Picket, and Knight, which are placed in one line, were burnt at three sundry days.
The figures which standeth in the little square place, on the left side of the book, is but the sum of the Verses. But those which stand between the two lines on the left side of the book, signified the day of the month, wherein that person or persons died, where against those figures stand.
The figures, which stand without both the lines, on the top of the right side, signifieth the folio or number of the sides; but the figures which stand underneath the nether strike, between the two lines, is the number of persons murdered on that side [i.e., of the page].
This is done, gentle Reader! that thou shouldest understand the year, month, and day wherein every person died; according to the knowledge that I have learned.
Also, in some places, where you shall see a name or names stand without figures; that signifieth the certain day to be unknown. Some, therefore, perchance, will judge much rashness in me to write with ignorance; to whom, with reverence, I answer, that as I received the names registered and gathered by a good gentleman: even so, at a friend's desire, I have put them in metre, in this little book, thinking that, by pleasantness of reading, and easiness [cheapness] of price, they might be the more largely blown and known.
For my desire is that all men should participate [in] this my travail: and were the author and inditing half so worthy as the matter; then would I most earnestly wish and desire that it might be conveyed and delivered to the Queen's Majesty's own hands. Wherein Her Grace might see, what unmerciful Ministers had charge over the poor sheep; who, wolfishly, at their wills, devoured the same: and, also, what ruin and decay of Her Grace's subjects (that might have been), they have brought to pass. Therein might Her Grace see, as in a glass, how that bloodthirsty generation, neither spared hore [hoary] headed and ancient age, which all men ought to honour; neither youth, nor middle age; neither wife, nor widow; young man, nor tender virgin. But like the unnatural eggs of Astyages that tyrant, destroy, and spill the blood of all: besides stocking [putting in the stocks], racking [putting on the rack], and whipping of the younger sort; whom shame would not suffer to kill, as some are well enough known, and I am not altogether ignorant [of].
Should such tyrannical tragedies be kept one hour, from the hands of so noble and virtuous a Governess? whose princely and natural heart, I doubt not, should have occasion thereby to be, in both kinds, both heavy and joyful: heavy, for the innocent blood spilt; but joyful for the praises of her GOD, and that our GOD shall be honoured thereby, while the world doth endure. I doubt whether [doubt not but] Her Grace, inwardly wrapt up with Paul and John in divine science, will brast [burst] out and say, "O happy Latimer! Cranmer! Hooper! Rogers! Farrer! Taylor! Saunders! Philpot! Cardmaker! Bradford! &c.; you members of Christ! you faithful Fathers and preaching Pastors! you, that have not defiled yourselves with abomination, but have washed your garments white in the blood of the Lamb! you, that in fiery torments, with Stephen, have called upon the name of your Redeemer, and so finished you lives! you that are now clothed in white garments of innocency, with crowns of consolation, and palms of victory in your hands, following the Lamb withersoever He goeth!" Or else, in anguish of soul, sighingly to say, "O thou tyrannous and unmerciful world! thou monstrous and unnatural generation! what devil inflamed thy mind such malicious mischief? to torment and shed the blood of such innocent livers, perfect preachers and worthy counsellors, learned ministers, diligent divines, perfect personages, and faithful shepherds. They were constant Confessors before, but thou (with the Roman Emperor) thoughtest to prevent the determination of GOD, in making them Martyrs, to be the sooner with their Christ, whom they so much talked of. O cruel Neros! that could kill, through malice, such worthy men, as have often preached to our dear father [Henry VIII.] and brother [Edward VI.] the everlasting gospel of GOD. Could neither honourable age, innocent single life, chaste matrimony, inviolate virginity, nor yet pity move you to cease shedding of blood! Alas, too much unnaturalness!"
Whether the sight of this simple book, I say, should bring to her Grace's natural heart, the passions of heaviness or joy, I doubt: but I think rather both.
Therefore, would to God! it were worthy to enter into the hands of so noble and natural a Princess and Queen; whom the LORD, of His eternal and foreseeing determination, hath now placed in this royal dignity: to the redress of such unnatural and bloody facts, as in this book are contained.
But forasmuch as some imperfection is, and may easily be in this Gathering; I commend it to thy goodness, gentle Reader! beseeching thee, not to be precise in perusing the day; for it may, that, either through my negligence, or [that of] some other writing [manuscript] before me, we may miss so narrow a mark.
Such as it is, I commend unto thee! only, judge well!