The Actes and Monuments by John Foxe, sometimes referred to as Foxe's Book of Martyrs is a masterpiece of Protestant martyrology and history. It contains a polemical narrative of the persecution Protestants endured at the hands of the Catholic Church. The book had a significant impact on common conceptions of Catholicism in England and Scotland."Persecutions, awful tribulations, the suffering of martyrs, and other similar things incident... in England and Scotland, and all other foreign nations," is what is described in the book. The title ends with "in this kingdom of England and Scotland as partially as to all other distant nations apparteynyng," once more leaving the specific church in question.Tales of valiant bravery and triumphant faith. Tales about Christ and God's love. Stories of how God's incredible grace enabled men, women, and children to survive persecution and frequently horrifying deaths.
Actes and Monuments, often known as Foxe's Book of Martyrs, was written by English historian and martyrologist John Foxe (1516/1517 - 18 April 1587). His writings detail the hardships of Christians throughout Western history, but especially those of English Protestants. The book, which was extensively read and held by English Puritans, had a significant role in shaping British attitudes against the Catholic Church for several generations. Foxe was born into a rather well-known family in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. He appears to have been an uncommonly studious and devout child. In July 1538, he was made a probationer fellow, then in July 1539, a full fellow. Foxe left his college in 1545 after converting to Protestantism and adopting views that Henry VIII's Church of England forbade. In Frankfurt, he became embroiled in a strident religious debate, which resulted in his exile from the city. He penned a Latin history of the persecutions of Christians, which served as the basis for his Acts and Monuments. Foxe was buried at St. Giles' in Cripplegate after dying on April 18, 1587.
