John Foxe. Actes and monuments of matters most speciall in the church. 4th edition. London: John Day, 1583. Vol. 1 of 2.
This case features the 1583 fourth edition of the work commonly known as Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.
An English theologian, clergyman and historian, John Foxe (1516-87) was the author of this famous chronicle telling of Christian martyrs throughout Western history, particularly the sufferings of English Protestants and Proto-Protestants from the fourteenth century to the reign of Mary I.
In 1563, the first edition of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (as it was known even at the time) was printed by John Day (ca. 1522-84), who specialised in printing and distributing Protestant literature. The fourth edition was the last, longest and most physically imposing version issued in Foxe’s lifetime.
Despite provoking the ire of Catholic theologians, the book was widely popular, and became the second most widely read English language book after the Bible. Publication made Foxe instantly famous, and despite a hefty price of more than ten shillings, he gained little financially from its success. The cultural impact of his magnum opus however has been immense, as the work helped to shape the depiction and legend of Mary I as ‘Bloody Mary.’
John Foxe. Actes and monuments of matters most speciall in the church. 4th edition. London: John Day, 1583. Vol. 1 of 2.
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