16th of July - Anne Askew Day
16th of July is the 197th day of the year
Anne Askew Day:
Anne Askew is a historical figure easy to admire but hard to like. She was a precocious child, much given to bible study and debating with clergymen in Lincoln Cathedral (she being of a gentry family from either Stallingborough or Kelsey in Lincolnshire). Her readings led her to become a fervent Protestant, at a time when Henry VIII had veered back towards conservative Catholic views. Not one to withhold her own views she went to London (possibly to obtain a divorce from an exasperated husband who had thrown her out) and soon got on the wrong side of the church authorities. She was given various easy ways out but seems to have been intent on martyrdom, which duly followed: she was tortured on the rack in the Tower without once moaning (according to her own account); and on July 16th 1546 burned at the stake in Smithfield. Lincoln Cathedral holds a service in her honour every July 16th.
Choose another day:
Brit Quote: |
|
On this day: |