hronicle of London, from which, in all probability, Fox drew the
materials for his description, makes one shudder at the reckless,
cold-blooded acquiescence of its author in the excruciating tortures
of a fellow-creature suffering for his faith's sake. In his eyes,
heretics were detestable pests; and an abhorrence of heresy seems (p. 346)
to have quenched every feeling of humanity in his heart. It must be
observed, that this contemporary document speaks not a word of Henry
having been "in a rage," nor of his having commanded the sufferer to
be "straight put into the ton," nor of his having used "horrible
menaces of vengeance," nor, even in the milder expression of Fox,
"threatenings which would have daunted any man's stomach."

"A clerk," (says the Chronicle,) "that believed nought of the
sacrament of the altar, that is to say, God's body, was condemned
and brought to Smithfield to be burnt. And Henry, Prince of
Wales, then the King's eldest son, counselled him to forsake his
heresy and hold the right way of holy church. And the Prior of
St. Bartholomew's brought the holy sacrament of God's body with
twelve torches lighted before, and in this wise came to this
cursed heretic; and it was asked him how he believed, and he
answered that he believed well that it was hallowed bread, and
nought God's body. And then was the tonne put over him, and fire
kindled therein; and when the wretch felt the fire he cried
mercy, and anon the Prince commanded to take away the ton and to
quench the fire. And then the Prince asked him if he would
forsake his heresy, and take him to the faith of holy church;
which if he would have done, he should have his life, and goods
enough to live by; and the cursed shrew would not, but continued
forth in his heresy: wherefore he was burnt."[265]

[Footnote 265: The chronicler adds, "A versifier
made of him in metre these two verses:

"Hereticus credat, ve perustus ab orbe recedat,
Ne fidem laedat: Sathan hunc baratro sibi praedat."]

There probably will not be great diversity of opinion as to the (p. 347)
conduct of Henry, and the spirit which influenced him on this
occasion. He was present at the execution of a fellow-creature, who
was condemned to an excruciating death by the blind and cruel, but
still by the undoubted law of h