Posts Tagged “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs”
My quest to uncover the home and Bible of Martyr George Marsh
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, Martyr George Marsh on April 24, 2024
“the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.” (Psalm 112: 6. KJV)
In the 16th century a farmer from Deane (Bolton) by the name of George Marsh became a curate in the Church of England and was accused of heresy and condemned at the consistory court in Chester Cathedral. Marsh was burned at the stake in Chester on April 24, 1555.
Today marks the 469th anniversary of his death.
My documentary about George Marsh has been seen by many people and has helped raise awareness of his story, even Chester town Crier gave it the thumbs up.
It was a film that took me a while to make. After learning about Marsh at Smithills Hall I had been fascinated to discover how his story was in the Book of Martyrs. Yet when I looked for the narrative in printed copies, I found that many modern versions had edited him out. This inspired me to want to know more about him. So I looked to see if any documentaries had been made and there hadn’t.
In John Rylands Library and Chetham’s Library I read through original 16th century prints of the Book of Martyrs and sure enough, his story was there. After repeatedly reading it and anything I could find about him, it was as though the story came alive to me and I couldn’t shake it off.
Before long I knew a film needed to be made about George Marsh. At that time I wasn’t a documentary maker although I had had some ambitions to become one. After a number of failed attempts to get a Marsh documentary made I decided to film it myself.
After all documentaries and films won’t make themselves.
I continued researching and in June 2012 I was ready to began filming at Chetham’s Library.
I had no budget or agenda so this allowed for freedom. I repeatedly visited Deane Church, and Smithills Hall and the story utterly consumed me.
Despite many obstacles I completed the documentary in 2013. However the journey was not over. While filming I had learned about a possible location for where Marsh lived. Later I learned about a Marsh family Bible in Bolton Library rumoured to be his. So I viewed both the farm and the Bible at different times. Sadly my research revealed the Marsh family Bible could not have actually belonged to George Marsh since it dates to 1566. However after reading an old newspaper article I was set yet again on another journey, this time to find his Bible. I knew it was rumoured to have been seen in Deane in the 1850’s.
Suddenly I found myself on two separate journeys, the quest to find George Marsh’s Bible and the quest to find George Marsh’s farm.
As my research progressed another Bible turned up and a number of proposed locations for the Marsh farm. However I was unable to reach any conclusive proofs for either. So the location of George Marsh’s farm became an unsolved mystery. The Bible ongoing.
Last night however I felt compelled to revisit the area and it brought back a lot of memories. So I came up with the idea to write an appeal to see if anyone has any further insight into the location of the George Marsh farm?
Over the years I have been regularly contacted by Marsh descendants, many of whom find references to George Marsh in ancestral documents. So I appeal to anyone with insight to help locate the Marsh farm.
The area at Broadgate farm is the strongest suggestion in my opinion and where my instinct has led me. The site is situated up and beyond Deane church, overlooking a lake.
I may never know for sure since I haven’t yet found any absolute proof that George Marsh lived at Broadgate Farm but information may yet be out there. If anyone does have any insight, either through ancestral research or further source information please feel free to get in touch.
It is likely that George Marsh’s farm was either a medieval timber structure or a 16th century building.
The Sentencing of George Marsh
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Church of England, Martyr George Marsh on September 12, 2023
In 2015 Chester Cathedral put on a series of “scheduled short re-enactments” of the trial of George Marsh. These took place in the Consistory Court between 10th – 12th September.
The play was called “The Sentencing of George Marsh” and was performed exactly eight years ago.
At the Cathedral that day one of the ministers prayed a long prayer and remembered Marsh and all those who have suffered for the sake of the gospel, and for all those who are still suffering for the sake of the gospel. The minister read out the Lords Prayer and the re-enactment began. The beat of the drum sounded and the actors walked up the central aisle. As the telling of the story began the narrator explained how George Marsh was born in Deane and how he was accused of heresy. It was the Bishop of this very Cathedral (George Cotes) who had Marsh executed.
The Sentencing of George Marsh did not re-enact the burning and Marsh kept his Book in his hand throughout the trial.
It was a fitting re-enactment in memory of Marsh and I viewed it as a real breakthrough. To my knowledge no such acknowledgement had ever been done before. For me, to hear the prayer and watch the re-enactment was very significant and showed me how the Church of England can recant its failings in future years. It was a hopeful moment.
George Marsh 500th anniversary sermon now on YouTube
Posted by simon peter sutherland in 500th Anniversaries, Martyr George Marsh on July 27, 2015
George Marsh, Martyr 500th anniversary appeal 2015
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Martyr George Marsh on March 4, 2015
“Martyr George Marsh” Revelation TV premier
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, Martyr George Marsh on June 5, 2014
Special thanks to Tim Vince and the folks at Revelation TV and the Lancashire County Council Corporate Communications Team (Lancaster Castle) the first ever documentary on “Martyr George Marsh” will be given a Network premier this month. George Marsh’s story is recorded for us in the “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs” and the documentary is scheduled for a midnight showing on the evening of Monday 9th, that is technically Tuesday 10th June, and again at 12: 30 am on Saturday 14th June 2014.
- Details are as follows;
- Tuesday 10th June 2014 at 12 am.
- Saturday 14th June at 12: 30 pm.
Thanks everybody. Praise the Lord!
George Marsh, Martyr: On this day ’12th of March’
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, Martyr George Marsh on March 12, 2014
Smithills Hall
© 2013 Simon Peter Sutherland
George Marsh, the Protestant Marty was burned alive at the stake in West Chester on April 24th 1555.
His story is told in ‘Acts and Monuments’ known as ‘The Foxe’s Book of Martyrs’ by John Foxe.
He was born in 1515 in Deane, Bolton and lived his early life upon a farm and married around 1540 at the age of 25. He and his wife had several children and upon her death around 1548-49, Marsh secured his children with their grandparents (a common practice in those days) and left Lancashire and went to Cambridge. There he studied the Bible and Reformed doctrine and soon became a Curate to Laurence Saunders. He is also said to have become employed by King Edward V1.
In 1553 King Edward V1 died and Mary 1 came to the throne. She imposed Roman Catholicism upon England and many Protestants were burned alive at the stake during her reign. Marsh planned to leave England for Germany and he returned to Lancashire.
Between January – February 1554 Marsh preached at the Parishes of Eccles, Bury, Bolton and Deane.
Smithills Hall
© 2013 Simon Peter Sutherland
On 12th Marsh 1554, Master Barton of Smithills hall sent his servants to find George Marsh by order of the Earl of Derby. They search for him around Deane and Bolton. The following day, Marsh surrendered willingly at Smithills Hall and he was sent to Lathom House, near Ormskirk, where he stood trial accused of heresy before the 3rd Earl of Derby. Marsh was imprisoned at Lathom and was later sent to Lancaster Castle where he was imprisoned for around 8 months.
Around November/December 1554 he was taken to Chester with the Bishop of Chester Dr George Cotes and there he stood trial a number of times and was imprisoned at the Northgate. He was condemned a heretic and to be burned alive at the stake on 24th April 1555.
Marsh never recanted his faith in Jesus Christ as head of the Church, and the Word of God as the rule of Faith and practice. He would not deny justification by Faith alone or the Reformed/Biblical position concerning the Eucharist.
He died because he was loyal to the God of the Bible and His revealed Word.
A true man of Faith. A true Christian. And it was on this day so many years ago that his trial began.
‘Ne obliviscaris‘.
“Martyr George Marsh” Internet premier on YouTube
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, Martyr George Marsh on November 5, 2013
Watch it now from 5Th November 2013
“Martyr George Marsh” – PRESS RELEASE
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, Martyr George Marsh on September 9, 2013
PRESS RELEASE
“Martyr George Marsh” A new documentary on Protestant preacher and martyr, George Marsh. Direct from the maker of “The Apostles at Paphos” is a powerful and touching story in many ways and is a story that England should ‘never forget’.
Starting in the year 1515 from the birthplace of George Marsh at Deane, Bolton in Lancashire, moving towards the later death of his wife and Marsh’s time studying Theology at Cambridge and working as a minister in London and Lincoln, the story moves towards the death of Protestant King Edward V1 in 1553 and the ascending of the Roman Catholic Mary 1 to the throne and her persecution of protestants that followed. The story tells how George Marsh returned to Lancashire to preach and see his family, where his presence caught the attention of the authorities and a charge was put out by the Earl of Derby, of Lathom House to Master Barton of Smithills hall, Bolton, to find George Marsh and charge him to appear trial before the Earl and his council. Marsh handed himself in at Smithills and was charged to appear before the Earl of Derby and he stood trial at Lathom House and was imprisoned at Lathom and was afterwards sent to Lancaster Castle where he was imprisoned for several months before being taken to Chester where he stood trial yet again and was condemned to death. He was burned alive at the stake on April 24th 1555 by order of the Bishop of Chester, Dr Cotes.
Two years in the making, the documentary ‘Martyr George Marsh’ has a unique structure and feel. The film is written, produced, directed and presented by Theologian (B.Th, Th.M) and Singer/Songwriter Simon Peter Sutherland (stage name: Shimeon).
Following the theme, Simon Peter begins his research at Chetham’s Library, Manchester and tells the story of George Marsh from historic sites at Deane, Deane Parish Church, Deane Clough, Smithills Hall, Lathom, Ormskirk Parish Church, Lancaster Castle and Chester Cathedral, the Northgate and Gallows hill.
The documentary bases its proof text upon the earliest account of George Marsh from the grand narrative contained in the earliest 16th century prints of “Acts and Monuments” (The Foxe’s book of Martyrs) by John Foxe. The oldest known narrative of the George Marsh story and an account published using the actual text of George Marsh himself. The research for the film has been done at and from the archives of Chetham’s Library, John Rylands Library and Bolton Central Library.
Simon Peter Sutherland has also composed and produced the soundtrack for the documentary and has also provided some traditional hymns as a backdrop.
In conclusion, Simon Peter Sutherland has produced a fine and well researched documentary, which in a time where many are concerned for the future of England, Simon draws upon the past, that a nation may never forget their own history, lest they find themselves condemned to repeat it.
The documentary is none profit and its release will include a free internet distribution.
Picture format: 1080i
Audio format: Stereo
Release date: 5 November 2013
Internet: YouTube
Email: simonpetersutherland@shimeon.co.uk
Websites:http://simonpetersutherland.com and http://shimeon.co.uk
Blog: http://martyrgeorgemarsh.wordpress.com/
Documentary poster for Martyr George Marsh
“Martyr George Marsh” – Trailer 2 – 5/11/13
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, Martyr George Marsh on September 7, 2013
New poster for “Martyr George Marsh” Documentary
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Documentaries, new atheism on May 27, 2013
Documentary poster for Martyr George Marsh
Simon Peter Sutherland
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Simon Peter Sutherland 