John Foxe first published his massively popular and influential

Acts and Monuments

on March 20, 1563. Later known as

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs

, the lengthy book is best known for depicting the martyrdoms of English Protestants executed during the reigns of Henry VIII and Mary I (“Bloody” Mary). Also included in the volume are the accounts of the martyrdoms of several notable early Christians like St. Stephen and St. Mark, the history of the medieval church, and a history of Wycliffite and Lollardite reformation movements. The narratives are accompanied by more than sixty woodcut illustrations – a massive undertaking for the time. The first edition was published just five years after Elizabeth came to the English throne after her sister Mary died, and celebrates the restoration of…

1624 words

Citation: Kimbro, Devori. "Actes and Monuments". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 31 March 2014 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=6856, accessed 19 March 2024.]

6856 Actes and Monuments 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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