Anne Askew was born to a wealthy Lincolnshire family around 1521 and given an unusual education for a woman of her timeโone that included deep study of Scripture. When she was forced into a marriage to satisfy a business arrangement, she found herself wed to a Catholic man who would eventually throw her out for her Protestant beliefs.
Preaching Protestant Faith in London
Anne went to London, taking back her maiden name, and became connected to a circle of Protestant women that included some close to Queen Catherine Parr herself. She preached and taught openly, distributing forbidden books and engaging in theological debate. In 1545 and again in 1546, she was arrested and examined for heresy.
Standing Firm Under Interrogation
Her interrogators focused on her beliefs about the Eucharist. Did she believe the bread and wine became literally Christ's body and blood? Anne's answers were sophisticated and unflinching. When asked if she believed the sacramental bread was the body of Christ, she replied: "I believe that as often as I receive the bread in remembrance of Christ's death, and with thanksgiving, I receive therewith the fruits also of his most glorious passion."
Tortured in the Tower of London
When words failed to break her, they resorted to torture. Anne Askew became the only woman on record to be racked in the Tower of London. The Lord Chancellor himself reportedly turned the screws when the Tower officials refused, trying to extract names of other Protestant sympathizers at court. She gave them nothing.
Refusing to Recant at Smithfield
So damaged she could not walk, Anne was carried to the stake at Smithfield on July 16, 1546. Even there, she was offered pardon if she would recant. She refused.
Before her death, Anne smuggled out an account of her examinations, later published by Protestant reformer John Bale. Her final words: "I came not hither to deny my Lord and Master."
