Martyrdom and Sainthood in Tudor England

Abstract

where exceptionally courageous female martyrs were portrayed with the masculine virtues of courage, analytical rationality or self-control, and allegedly negative feminine traits such as cowardice, deceit, treachery, or sexual misconduct were used to shame and discredit clergymen from rival religious groups or sects. This article will focus upon Catholic and Protestant efforts to identify 16th century martyrs with the saints of the early church, either literally or allegorically, with the aim of gaining reassurance from familiar historical patterns, and challenging the legitimacy of rival churches.