The Examinations of Anne Askew

by Anne Askew, Elaine V. Beilin (Editor), John Bale (Editor)

In this vivid first-person narrative, Anne Askew (1521-1546), a member of the Reformed church, records her imprisonment for heresy and her interrogation by officials of church and state in the last days of Henry VIII. She represents herself arguing forcefully, learnedly, and wittingly with her accusers, continually demonstrating their theological errors and her own refusal to be the traditional silent woman in public debate on religion. As a spiritual autobiography, a historical document, and a carefully crafted polemic, this work gives new insight into Reformation politics and society in England. After Askew was burned at the stake in 1546, her work was immediately published by John Bale who wove his own historical commentary with her text to "elucidate" her role as a Protestant martyr. Askew's work also exists in several early editions without Bale's commentary, most importantly in John Foxe's Acts and Monuments (1563).

This volume includes two texts: the first edition of Askew's Examinations with Bale's Elucidation, and Foxe's edition uninterrupted version of her work. This book will have strong appeal for scholars and students of English Renaissance literature, Reformation history, and women's history.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Medieval, Religion, British Literature, Tudor Period, Renaissance

264 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 1996

About the author

Anne Askew (sometimes spelled Ayscough or Ascue; married name Anne Kyme) (1521 – 1546) was an English writer, poet, and Anabaptist preacher who was condemned as a heretic in England during the reign of Henry VIII of England.

Reviews

[Sarah u · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is brilliant. How amazing to hear from Anne Askew in her own words; her passion, her belief, her determination, and her bravery.

I read this for an essay about the sixteenth century Christian reformation, but it is worth reading in its own right.

[Justin Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of unforgettable moments like:
- you put the Eucharist in a box for three months and it turns moldy; my god does not turn moldy ever.
- Christ the door, Christ the chair, Christ the stone, yeesh.
- The new year in England began March 25th until 1725 or so.
- Saint Juthware, killed for laying fresh cheese to her breasts
- What about if a mouse eats the Eucharist? Does Christ dwelleth in a mouse?

[Orsolya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne Askew wasn’t a queen. She didn’t lead armies; nor was she a duchess during Renaissance/ Reformation England. Yet, her name and legacy is firmly ensconced in English history texts. Anne Askew was a young woman of only 25 years of age when she was penned as a heretic and was tortured on the rack by King Henry VIII’s men (torturing women was illegal). She was even accused of swaying the King’s own men and women in heretical views including his sixth wife, Queen Catherine Parr. Askew was found guilty and was sentenced to be burnt at the stake, having to be carried aloft a chair due to the abuse sustained to her body during her torture. Her name was then recorded for future generations as the first woman to be burned at the stake for religion. Askew personally recorded and wrote of her experience being detained, which was reprinted and published in countries around the world past and present. Editor Elaine V. Beilin gathers this account in, “The Examinations of Anne Askew”.

The most famous publishing s of Anne Askew’s examinations were released by John Bale and John Foxe (in “Acts and Monuments”), respectfully. Each took a contrasting approach with Bale radically analyzing, addressing, and “talking up” each statement made by Askew relating it to religion and describing her almost as a divine saint; while Foxe took a straight-forward recap strategy. Both men were quite accurate with direct quotes and/or paraphrases concerning Askew’s words. Beilin presents both versions in “The Examinations of Anne Askew”.

Beilin begins “The Examinations of Anne Askew” with a min-biography/background look at Askew, offerings details and information generally overlooked in all Tudor texts that generally focus more on her torture and indictment. Even readers familiar with the subject and Anne’s martyrdom will gain a new perspective and become educated with new facts. This is followed by a political analysis on the effects of Anne’s experiences and the subsequent printings of her account with Beilin highlighting the timeline of published pieces and those who published them. “The Examinations of Anne Askew” successfully offers a macro look at the entire incident inputting a large amount of data in a small, confined space in an easy-flowing way that doesn’t overwhelm the reader. This makes the text ‘sticky’, memorable, and intriguing.

Before diving into the actual examinations, Beilin shares with readers the locations/libraries containing the original texts making the documents more ‘real’ and credible ( side note: one of Foxe’s original “Acts and Monuments” is housed at the Huntington Library – one of the biggest research libraries in the nation and one of the top in the world located near my home. It is my favorite place in the city I live in).

The first section of “The Examinations of Anne Askew” offers the compilation of John Bale. Much of the text concerns Bale’s reaction and theoretical explanations/connections regarding Askew’s arrest and torture more so than Askew’s actual words. Although her statements are powerful and make for incredible reading; the ratio is too high on Bale’s end and would have profited from Bale restricting himself. Not only is the text semi-difficult to read, being written phonetically and without the benefit of modern English; but Bale’s zealous obsession with religion and for eulogizing Askew is sort of a snooze fest.

Bale’s presentation of Askew’s second examination is slightly faster-paced with a solid heartbeat resulting in the reader anticipating the known outcome. Askew’s voice rings loud and clearly, eliciting an emotional response. Beilin supplements the second examination with some of Askew’s personal letters to both the Chancellor and King Henry VIII and concludes with the ballad dictated by Askew on the stake before her death. The images are vivid, readable, and round out Bale’s work with a smooth finish.

The second section feature’s Foxe’s publication of the examinations with Foxe eschewing criticism and instead showcasing Askew’s direct words. This is much more accessible and easier to read than Bale’s work. The combination of Beilin including these two diverse approaches results in a warm collection making “The Examinations of Anne Askew” very resonant and impactful.

Beilin infuses “The Examinations of Anne Askew” with appendices including the epitaph upon Askew’s grave and a ballad poem beautifully composed by Askew. Working as both an illumination and a solid summation; Beilin chooses well to end the text in such a manner.

“The Examinations of Anne Askew” delivers two of the most famous publications of Askew’s personal words and truly reveals what feels like a secret world to readers. Although more of a resource text and by no means a narrative; “The Examinations of Anne Askew” is recommended for all readers interested in Anne Askew, Tudor England, or the Reformation.

[Stephanie Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Anne Askew, a protestant martyr who was burned at the stake in 1546 after being imprisoned in the Tower of London and tortured by Catholic clerics. It's an interesting document because it's an account of her experiences in [ostensibly:] her own words, preserved by John Foxe [who also penned the Book of Martyrs and John Bale. This edition contains both Anne's testimony without interruption and the version published with commentary by Bale--who is quick to fashion her into a martyr of faith, but sometimes seems not to have really read what Askew was writing. It's a strange and fascinating disparity.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a woman! John Bale’s mansplaining additions didn’t add much though. The simple narrative of a woman brilliantly defending herself against a host of learned men who wanted to kill her was enough. Unfortunately, those men held the power at that time and Anne’s was burned at the stake regardless of the fact that no “heresy” or any other offense could be proved against her.

[Katelynn Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem in Reformation era literature. The Examinations of Anne Askew is the first-hand account of an ordinary young woman standing up for truth. This kind of account is rare, considering few women found themselves in her position and fewer still wrote as she did. The suffering she was subjected to is absolutely horrible, but seeing her courage under examination was inspiring.

[Iona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my Women and Authorship in Renaissance England module such an incredible and relatively unknown piece of literature. Anne reminds me of Antigone in her firm believes and valuing God over any law made by men. It's always incredible to read literature from women in a time were women were so heavily oppressed and usually unable to write like this.

[Arnab Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the finest and earliest record of feminism. Anne Askew's answer to Christian hierarchy are hilarious at the same time painful for the tragic outcome

[Mario · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never judge a book by its cover !