from Alexandria, taken from the Turks, with two hundred and fifty and eight Christians: whereof was principal, master JOHN FOX, an Englishman, Gunner; and one of the chiefest that did accomplish that great work, whereby so many Christians have recovered their liberties. In token and remembrance whereof, upon our earnest request to the same JOHN FOX, he hath left an old sword wherewith he slew the Keeper of the prison: which sword we do as a monument and memorial of so worthy a deed, hang up in the chief place of our Convent house. And for because all things aforesaid are such as we will testify to be true, as they are orderly passed and have therefore good credit, that so much as is above expressed is true; and for the more faith thereof, we the Prior and Fathers aforesaid have ratified and subscribed these presents. Given in Gallipoli the third of February, 1577. I Friar VINCENT BARBA, Prior of the same place, confirm the premises, as they are above written. I Friar ALBERT DAMARO of Gallipoli, Sub-Prior, confirm as much. I Friar ANTHONY Cellarer of Gallipoli, confirm as aforesaid. I Friar BARTHOLOMEW of Gallipoli, confirm as above said. I Friar FRANCIS of Gallipoli, confirm as much.
The Bishop of ROME'S letters in behalf of
JOHN FOX.
Be it known unto all men to whom this writing shall come, that the bringer hereof, John Fox, Englishman, a Gunner, after he had served captive in the Turks' galleys by the space of fourteen years, at length, through GOD's help, taking good opportunity, the third of January last past, slew the Keeper of the prison (whom he first struck on the face); together with four and twenty other Turks, by the assistance of his fellow-prisoners: and with 266 Christians (of whose liberty he was the author) launched from Alexandria, and from thence arrived first at Gallipoli in Candia, and afterwards at Tarento in Apulia: the written testimony and credit of which things, as also of others, the same John Fox hath in public tables from Naples.
Upon Easter Eve [29th March, 1577], he came to Rome, and is now determined to take his journey to the Spanish Court; hoping