ABOUT THE WALKS -

As I walked around Essex I kept seeing blue plaques to martyrs burnt nearby, at the stake in the 1550’s. Places such as Braintree, Rochford and Coggleshall. As a result I decided to look into their stories and opened up a treasure trove of history. I never realised that 72 were burnt to death in Essex, the highest total in any county, mostly during “Bloody” Queen Mary’s short reign and her accomplice Edmund Bonner, Bishop of London.

So called “heretics” have always fascinated me and in France I have walked the Cathar ways in the Langdedoc area of SW France and followed the Bon Hommes Way - Good Christians -  escape route to freedom in Spain. I have climbed several times to the chateau on the hill summit of Montsegur and seen the monument and burning field where 208 of them were burnt to death in the 13th. century. 600 years later we were still burning people for their faith. Burnings were believe to purify the soul and leave only dust of the individual. It didn’t stem the tide of belief. One can only marvel at the dedication, fortitude and calmness as they walked to the funeral pyre for their faith and beliefs.

As I began to do the walks and research, I remembered my history teacher talking about this bleak period in English history. Although I failed history O’Level, I was taking it all in and vividly remember his words. Today, I often cycle along the Thames past Chelsea, and unknowingly pause at Sir Thomas More’s statue outside his church and where he lived. Although Henry 8th had him executed. It was a turbulent religious time with Henry 8th a catholic, but as Rome would not sanction his divorce from Katherine of Aragon, he broke from Rome and we became Protestant country, with the monarch as the head of the church. His son, Edward took over, following his death, and the country became more Protestant, but he died young. Henry’s daughter, Mary took the throne and marrying Philip the Catholic King of Spain. the country once again embraced Catholicism with the Pope in Rome. But many rebelled and were interrogated. imprisoned  and  burnt at the stake at Smithfield, just outside the boundaries of the City of London and opposite St. Bartholomew’s church.

This is where my walks - pilgrimages - began on English Martyr Day - with a walk from there to the large Martyr monument in Stratford. From that walk I have attempted to walk to all the martyr sites in Essex and many have impressive obelisks. I hope that I have given a flavour of each martyr on the different walks but it is not designed as a history book! More of a pilgrimage to honour and respect both men and women who were burnt. It was a tumultuous period in our history, but you will soon realise little has changed over the centuries!

Enjoy the walks and may God go with you.

Revd. John N. Merrill.

THE MARTYR PILGRIMAGE WALKS -

Ten walks fully exploring the sites, where Protestant Martyrs were burnt to death in the 1550"s, with full history, walking instrutions and amenities guide.

Thomas Higben - Ockendon to Stanford-le-Hope - 12 miles 

Rayleigh or Hockley to Rochford - John Simson - 12 miles  

Martyrs Walk - Smithfields to Stratford - 10 miles . 34

Stephen Knight - Chelmer & Maldon - 11 miles 

Denham - Uxbridge (Middlesex)- Lynch Green - 3 martyrs  - 5 miles .……56

William Hunter Pilgrimage - Brentwood to Billericay - 11 mies ……….… 64

Braintree (William Pygot) to Coggleshall (Thomas Hawkes) - 8 miles 

Copford Hall & Church - Colchester - 25 Martyrs - 8 miles  (Bishop of London, William Bonner residence who played a major role in these martyrs).

Chelmsford - Thomas Watts - 2 miles 

Footnote - Stanstead Abbots to Hoddesdon via Hunsdon  - 10 miles - "Bloody" Queen Mary's route to becoming the Roman Catholic Queen of England in 1555.

Special Martyr certificate available from John Merrill.

A5. Wire bound. 120 pages. Signed by John Merrill.

Succesful walkers added to the Walkers Roll of Honour page.