Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/112

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own senses and judgments, how blinded and infatuated they were, in these so small matters and sensible trifles.

Thus this strong imagination of fire being fixed in their heads, as nothing could remove them to think contrary; but that the church was on fire: so everything that they saw or heard increased this suspicion in them, to make it seem most true which was indeed most false. The first and chiefest occasion that augmented this suspicion, was the heretic there bearing his faggot: which gave them to imagine that all other heretics had conspired with him, to set the church on fire.

Much hurt done in the throng, whereof some died. Some yet are alive whose mothers' arms were there broken. [1576. ]

After this, through the rage of the people, and running to and fro, the dust was so raised, that it showed as it had been the smoke of fire: which thing, together with the outcry of the people, made all men so afraid; that, leaving the sermon, they began all together to run away. But such was the press of the multitude running in heaps together; that the more they laboured, the less they could get out. For while they ran all headlong unto the doors, every man striving to get out first; they thrust one another in such sort, and stuck so fast: that neither they that were without could get into the church again, neither they that were within could get out by any means. So then, one door being stopped, they ran to another little wicket on the north side, toward the college called Brasennose, thinking so to pass out. But there again was the like or greater throng. So the people, clustering and thronging together; it put many in danger, and brought many unto their end, by bruising of their bones or sides. There was yet another door towards the West, which albeit it was shut and seldom opened; yet now ran they to it with such sway, that the great bar of iron (which is incredible to be spoken) being pulled out and broken by force of men's hands: the door, notwithstanding, could not be opened for the press or multitude of people.

At last, when they were there also past all hope to get out, then they were all exceedingly amazed, and ran up and down: crying out upon the heretics who had conspired their death. The more they ran about and cried out, the more smoke and dust rose in the church: even as though all things had now been on a flaming fire. I think there was never