A Community Under Attack: Protestant Letter Networks in the Reign of Mary I Ahnert, R; Ahnert, SE ©2014 ISAST For additional information about this publication click this link. http://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/jspui/handle/123456789/7540 Information about this research object was correct at the time of download; we occasionally make corrections to records, please therefore check the published record when citing. For more information contact [email protected] Ruth Ahnert, School of English and Drama, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, U.K. E-mail: [email protected] S. E. Ahnert, TCM Group, Cavendish Laboratory, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K. E-mail: [email protected] See <www.mitpressjournals.org/toc/leon/XX/X>for supplemental files associated with this issue. Submitted: <leave for Editor to date> Abstract This article uses mathematical and computational techniques to reconstruct and analyze the social and textual organization of the underground community of Protestants living in England during the reign of Mary I from 289 surviving letters. Keywords: Protestant Reformation, correspondence, quantitative network analysis Wittrance Richardson Wittrance Richardson Palmer Cooke Palmer Cooke London London Christopher Goodman Christopher Goodman Elizabeth Clarke Thomas Witton Elizabeth Clarke Thomas Witton William Fletewode Thomas Simpson William Fletewode Thomas Simpson Farneham Rosewel Farneham Hussey Rosewel Goring Bell Hussey Goring Bell Gerard The Frenchman Gerard The Frenchman All the true professor and lovers of God's holy gospel All the true professor and lovers of God's holy gospel Good Wife Cooper Thomas Edward Frensham Randolph William Hunter Good Wife Cooper Henry Jones John Oswald Alice Alexander Anne Knevet Cutbert Marmaduke Glover Ms Coningham Master Nowell Henry Jones Henrye Aprice John Oswald Alice Alexander Hugh Glover Cutbert Marmaduke Glover John Manning Master Nowell Henrye Aprice Hugh Glover John Manning Hancock Joan Warren Bockingham John Went Hancock Joan Warren Bockingham John Went Anon_289_female_E.K. Isabel Foster Lancelot John Tudson Hugh Burrows Richard Brice Harry Adlington Carre Anon_289_female_E.K. Isabel Foster Hugh Burrows' wife Morley John Tudson John Careless's co-religionists in London Thomas Harland Hugh Burrows Richard Brice Harry Adlington Carre Bartlett Green Hugh Burrows' wife Morley Hobbes Master Newport Cornelyus John Careless's co-religionists in London Thomas Harland Lother Bartlett Green Mrs Roberts Filles Hobbes John Philpot's godly brethren Homes Master Newport Cornelyus William Aylesbury Mistress Cotton Mrs Roberts Filles John Philpot's godly brethren Homes Elizabeth Bernher John Trew's sister-in-law the flock in London William Aylesbury Elizabeth Careless Mistress Cotton Elizabeth Bernher John Trew's sister-in-law John Philpot's sister the flock in London Elizabeth Careless Anon_234_female_E.K. Margaret Careless John Philpot's sister Anon_234_female_E.K. William Hunter's mother Margaret Careless Master Crooch John Clements John Grove Master Crooch Master Marshall's wife John Clements John Grove Mistress Martipole Master Marshall's wife Mistress Martipole Master Mering Master Marshall Rice Aprice Master Mering Master Marshall Rice Aprice Anon_218 Master Fokes Anne Glover Anon_218 Thomas Philpot Master Fokes Anne Glover Thomas Philpot Thomas Whittle Thomas Whittle Margery Cooke's mother Richard Woodman John Careless's co-religionist AC Traiford Anon2_218_S Margery Cooke's mother Richard Woodman John Careless's co-religionist AC Traiford Chyttenden Anon2_218_S Sister Chyllerde Northumbrians Chyttenden Mary Glover Rafe Whitfield Sister Chyllerde Northumbrians Thomas Upcher Mary Glover Rafe Whitfield Mistress Lounford Mistress Heath Thomas Upcher Mistress Heath Mistress Lounford Dorothy Punt Dorothy Punt John Careless's co-religionist EH Master Heath Margery Cooke's husband William Turner widow of Hugh Ridley John Careless's co-religionist EH Master Heath Thyme/Thynne Margery Cooke's husband William Turner widow of Hugh Ridley Thyme/Thynne Agnes Glascocke William Cooper Barthram Calthorpe Agnes Glascocke Richard Cox William Cooper Richard Cox Barthram Calthorpe John Careless John Careless John Cavell John Cavell Alice Shipside John Glover Cole Richard Chambers Alice Shipside John Glover Cole Richard Chambers Augustine Bernher Augustine Bernher John Ridley Elizabeth Ridley John Ridley Elizabeth Ridley Boyer Boyer Robert Drake Thomas Sampson Robert Drake Thomas Sampson Richard Spurge Richard Spurge Thomas Spurge godly women from William Tyms's parish of Hockley, Essex Thomas Spurge godly women from William Tyms's parish of Hockley, Essex Nicholas Hopkins Nicholas Hopkins George Ambrose Edward 'Erkenwald' Rawlins George Ambrose Edward 'Erkenwald' Rawlins Anne Hooper Anne Hooper William Porrege John Philpot William Porrege John Ledley Robert Cole John Philpot Stephen Gratwick John Ledley Robert Cole Stephen Gratwick Elizabeth Fane Daniel Hooper Elizabeth Fane Daniel Hooper Robert Skelthorpe Sir John Cheke Robert Skelthorpe Sir John Cheke Margery Cooke John Trew Edmund Grindal Margery Cooke John Trew Edmund Grindal Robert Glover Robert Glover William Punt William Punt a female sustainer Anon_189 a female sustainer Anon_189 Master Monger Master Monger John Jackson John Jackson Tyms - all Gods faithfull seruantes Tyms - all Gods faithfull seruantes William Tyms's congregation in Hockley, Essex Mr Martin William Tyms's congregation in Hockley, Essex Mr Martin Ms Colfoxe George Shipside Ms Colfoxe George Shipside Joyce Hales Anon_170_C Nicholas Ridley Joyce Hales Nicholas Ridley Anon_170_C Robert Harrington Robert Harrington William Tyms William Tyms Thomas Hall Thomas Hall Amos Tyms Nicholas Ridley II Edward Crome Nicholas Ridley II Edward Crome Amos Tyms Cuthbert Warcup Cuthbert Warcup Monger Monger John Warren John Warren Joan Wilkinson Joan Wilkinson Elsing Elsing Mary Marlar Mary Marlar Mistress Wod Mistress Wod Cornelius Stevenson William Tyms's friends in Hockley, Essex Cornelius Stevenson William Tyms's friends in Hockley, Essex Chamber Chamber John Hullier John Hullier Elsing's wife Elsing's wife Anne Warcup Rachel Hooper Anne Warcup Rachel Hooper Anon_170_B Anon_170_B Richard Proude Richard Proude Mistress Pierpoint Mistress Pierpoint Mr Shorte Mr Shorte Richard Porrege Richard Porrege John Barry John Barry William Kempe William Kempe M. Vicar Heinrich Bullinger M. Vicar Hugh Latimer Heinrich Bullinger Hugh Latimer Mother Pike Katherine Phineas Thomas Cranmer Katherine Phineas Oporinus Mother Pike Thomas Cranmer Oporinus John Searchfield William Lawrence John Searchfield William Lawrence Humphrey Middleton John Cotton Catherine Hall Humphrey Middleton Robert Ferrar John Cotton Catherine Hall John a Lasco Robert Ferrar Dr Albun Hill John a Lasco Dr Albun Hill Mr Lavatar John Bradford John Butler Mr Lavatar John Gibson John Traves John Bradford John Butler John Traves John Gibson Cambridge congregation Cambridge congregation Thomas Avington Lucy Harrington Thomas Avington Lucy Harrington Henry Hart Humphrey Hales John Hooper Rodolph Gualter Henry Hart Roger Newman Humphrey Hales John Hooper Rodolph Gualter Roger Newman Anna Bullinger Anna Bullinger Theodor Bibliander William Downton John Bradford's mother Theodor Bibliander John Bradford's mother Laurence Saunders William Downton Laurence Saunders Richard Gibson Anon_99 John Hooper's wife Christopher Froschover John Hall Richard Gibson Anon_99 John Hooper's wife Christopher Froschover Richard Bleacher John Hall M. William Brasburge Richard Bleacher M. William Brasburge R. Bolton town of Walden Nicholas Sheterden John Hullier's Cambridge congregation Rowland Taylor Richard Bleacher's wife R. Bolton W Charelton town of Walden Master Royden Nicholas Sheterden John Hullier's Cambridge congregation Rowland Taylor Richard Bleacher's wife W Charelton Master Royden Simon Jen Edward 'Erkenwald' Rawlins's wife I. Wild George Heton Simon Jen Margaret Butler Edward 'Erkenwald' Rawlins's wife I. Wild George Heton Mary Honeywood Master Osbourne James Haddon Margaret Butler Thomas Lever Thomas Lever Richard Hopkins's wife John Hooper's co-religionists in London Rodolph Gualter's wife Conrad Pellican's wife Mary Honeywood Master Osbourne James Haddon Town and University of Cambridge Elizabeth Browne Roger Bradford John Bradford's brothers and sisters Elizabeth Browne Roger Shalcross John Bradford's brothers and sisters Roger Bradford Theodor Bibliander's wife John Utenhovius Alice Seddon John Spenser Anne Fitzwilliam John Hooper's brethren, relievers and helpers Alice Seddon John Spenser Anne Fitzwilliam Town and University of Cambridge John Schmutz John Hooper's brethren, relievers and helpers Richard Hopkins's wife John Hooper's co-religionists in London Rodolph Gualter's wife Conrad Pellican's wife John Schmutz Roger Shalcross John Utenhovius Sir Laurence Hall Theodor Bibliander's wife citizens of London Sir Laurence Hall Lancashire and Cheshire, Manchester Roger Shalcross's wife citizens of London Dr Albun Hill's wife Coker female co-religionist, A. B., widow Dr Albun Hill's wife unnamed London merchant Laurence Bradshaw Roger Shalcross's wife Lancashire and Cheshire, Manchester Coker female co-religionist, A. B., widow John Harman Laurence Bradshaw unnamed London merchant unnamed Freewiller Elizabeth Longsho John Harman unnamed Freewiller Master Chambers Thomas Riddleston the Christian congregation, prob. London Anon_247_Anne Elizabeth Longsho Anon_247_Anne Master Chambers Thomas Riddleston the Christian congregation, prob. London Richard Nicholl Master Chester Conrad Pellican Thomas Sorrocold Richard Hopkins Richard Nicholl Master Chester Steven Cotton Master Royden's wife Conrad Pellican Parson of Mottram Thomas Sorrocold's wife William Fitzwilliam Bow churchyard congregation Thomas Sorrocold Richard Hopkins Steven Cotton Master Royden's wife Parson of Mottram Christopher Lister George Marsh's congregation at Church Langton Thomas Sorrocold's wife William Fitzwilliam Bow churchyard congregation Elizabeth Bradford Margaret Bradford Christopher Lister George Marsh's congregation at Church Langton Justice Sir James Hales James Bradshaw brethren and sisters Elizabeth Bradford Margaret Bradford Justice Sir James Hales James Bradshaw brethren and sisters Father John Traves Lord Francis Russell Father John Traves Lord Francis Russell Master Pierpoint Henry Burgess Master Pierpoint Henry Burgess professors of the gospel in Lichfield Cuthbert Simpson Nicholas Sheterden's mother Elizabeth Warren Laurence Saunders's wife and friends professors of the gospel in Lichfield Cuthbert Simpson Nicholas Sheterden's mother William Mowrant Laurence Saunders's wife and friends Joanna Saunders Elizabeth Warren Walter Sheterden William Mowrant Joanna Saunders Walter Sheterden Mr Hurland Anne Smith Mr Hurland Rowland Taylor's wife, children and friends George Marsh's friends in Manchester Anne Smith Robert Smith Rowland Taylor's wife, children and friends George Marsh's friends in Manchester Samuel Saunders Robert Smith Samuel Saunders congregation of Freewillers scattered through Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Kent Peter Martyr congregation of Freewillers scattered through Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Kent Peter Martyr Anon_202 Sister B.S. Anon_202 Sister B.S. Edward Saunders George Marsh Nicholas Sheterden's wife Edward Saunders George Marsh Nicholas Sheterden's wife John Flood Watts Robert Smith's female friend and her husband John Ardeley John Flood Nicholas Watts Robert Smith's female friend and her husband John Ardeley Nicholas Margaret Taylor John Simpson Alexander Richard Wright Robert Bracher Margaret Taylor John Simpson Alexander Thomas Bentham Richard Wright Robert Bracher Dirick Carver Rafe Bradshaw Thomas Bentham Father Herault Dirick Carver George Tankerfield's wife Rafe Bradshaw John Launder Thomas Iveson Father Herault George Tankerfield's wife Anne Smith's parents Robert Smith's brother Cuthbert Simpson's wife William Andrew John Launder Thomas Iveson Robert Smith's children Katherine Smith Anne Smith's parents Robert Smith's brother William Flower John Crompton William Andrew Cuthbert Simpson's wife Robert Smith's children Katherine Smith William Flower John Crompton Richard Bradshaw Ellis Crompton Thomas Hawkes's congregation in (Coggeshall?) Essex Ellis Crompton Thomas Hawkes's congregation in (Coggeshall?) Essex James Lever James Lever Elice Fogge Clement Throgmorton Elice Fogge Clement Throgmorton Thomas Hawkes' wife Robert Samuel Anne Lock Rose Allin Alice Smith Robert Samuel Robert Samuel's congregation at Barholt? Thomas Hawkes's son Alice Smith Hugh Fox John Alcock Hugh Fox John Alcock Alice Mount John Alcock's co-religionists in Hadleigh, Suffolk John Knox Alice Mount Jane Grey John Alcock's co-religionists in Hadleigh, Suffolk John Knox John Bland Robert Allen Rose Hickman Ellen Ewring Christian congregation (at Barholt, Suffolk?) Rose Hickman Ellen Ewring John Devenish Sir William Lock John Bland's sister Female prisoners in the Counter Sir William Lock John Bland's sister Female prisoners in the Counter Richard Roth co-religionists in London, Newcastle, and Berwick Anthony Hickman John Johnson William Mount Richard Roth co-religionists in London, Newcastle, and Berwick Katherine Grey Anthony Hickman John Johnson William Mount Katherine Grey John Bland's father John Bland's father Ralph Allerton Robert Purcas Ralph Allerton Robert Purcas William Bongeor William Bongeor Elizabeth Folkes Elizabeth Folkes Thomas Reynold Agnes Smith/Silverside Thomas Reynold Agnes Smith/Silverside former parishioners in Much Bentley, Essex former parishioners in Much Bentley, Essex 2. M. Girvan and M.E.J. Newman, ‘Community Structure in Social and Biological Networks,” PNAS 99 (2002), pp. 7821-7826. John Devenish Robert Allen 1. Stephen P. Borgatti, “Centrality and Network Flow,” Social Networks 27(2005) p. 61. Christian congregation (at Barholt, Suffolk?) Jane Grey John Bland plex Networks – 4th Leonardo satellite symposium at NetSci2013. See http://artshumanities.netsci2013.net - For a full account of this research see Ruth Ahnert and Sebastian E. Ahnert, ‘Protestant Letter Networks in the Reign of Mary I: A Quantitative Approach’, English Literary History (forthcoming). Robert Samuel's congregation at Barholt? Thomas Hawkes's son Thomas Hawkes' wife Anne Lock Rose Allin *This paper was presented as a contributed talk at Arts, Humanities, and Com- Thomas Whittle's wife John Denley Thomas Hawkes Thomas Whittle's wife John Denley Robert Langley Thomas Hawkes Robert Langley Richard Bradshaw References and Notes Thomas Edward Frensham Randolph William Hunter Anne Knevet Ms Coningham Lancelot Lother William Hunter's mother Fig. 1: The entire letter network up to 28 July 1558 (left), and the letter network of those individuals that were still alive on 28 July 1558 (right). Mary I of England is famed for her persecution of the Protestant church. During her short reign (1553-1558) at least 284 “heretics” were burnt to death. This article is concerned with the question of what a community does when it is placed under systematic attack. In the case of the Marian Protestants, those who were not imprisoned or executed had to practice their faith in secret or exile. Despite this, the church survived and left behind a significant body of letters, which provides a valuable source for network analysis. By stripping these letters back to simple meta-data (identities of senders and recipients, dates of composition, and reported social links), we are able to partially reconstruct the social and textual organization of this dissident community. The 289 letters used for this study form a network with 377 actors (nodes), and 795 social interactions (edges). By analyzing the topological properties of this network we observed both expected patterns – that martyrs are central to the organization of this community – and some surprising facts: that letter carriers and financial sustainers were more significant than we may have previously suspected. The influence of a node within a social network is typically quantified by measuring its centrality. Betweenness centrality quantifies the number of times a specific node lies on a shortest path between two other nodes, which allows us to think about the routes Protestant communications took. The top 20 nodes by this measure are mostly predictable: 14/20 are martyrs; another is a leader of the separatist group known as the Freewillers. But it also highlights Anne Smith, Barthram Calthorpe, William Bowyer, Augustine Bernher, and Margery Cooke – figures almost entirely absent from historical accounts of the Marian persecutions. Significantly, these figures occupy similar roles in their relationship to the celebrated martyrs of the Marian reign, funneling letters, goods, and oral messages between prisoners and communities elsewhere in England. Bernher was a valuable letter courier, and Cooke was one of a group of (mostly female) financial sustainers, who sent Protestant prisoners money, clothes, food, and other means of physical and emotional support. The significance of those financial sustainers is emphasized further when we measure the eigenvector centrality of each node. A node that has a high eigenvector score is one that is adjacent to nodes that are themselves high scorers: “the idea is that even if a node influences just one other node, who subsequently influences many other nodes (who themselves influence still more others), then the first node in that chain is highly influential” [1]. The top 20 nodes by this measure include 12 martyrs, 2 letter couriers and 6 financial sustainers (5 of which were women). Therefore we see that many of the most “influential” people in this community were not those dying for their faith, but rather those infrastructural figures who served the needs of others. The significance of couriers and sustainers becomes more marked as Mary I’s reign progresses. Studies have shown that one of the most effective ways to fragment a network is to remove nodes with the highest betweenness [2]. The underground Protestant community in the reign of Mary I was placed under systematic attack by the authorities. Through the program of burnings, 14 of the top 20 nodes for betweenness were removed between Mary I’s accession and the end of July 1558. If we compare the complete network with the network that remains after this date (Fig. 1), it is clear that the executions had a devastating effect on the shape of the Protestant community; but, crucially, the network does not fragment. This is because the network retains its infrastructural backbone: we are left with a network in which sustainers and couriers (Bernher, Cooke and one William Punt) have the highest betweenness. Bernher and Punt seem to have taken on increasingly important roles as leaders died, themselves providing leadership within the underground London congregation. By applying network analysis to the study of this important letter collection, we can provide an alternative view of Reformation history. Martyrs have dominated the history of the Protestant church, from contemporary accounts of the Marian persecution through to modern scholarship. By contrast, this work shows that we should not underestimate the role of apparently minor figures in the maintenance of the faith during this period of intense persecution. As such, it offers a hypothesis about the organization and structure of underground communities, from persecuted minorities to terror cells: that their success and longevity depends upon infrastructural figures. A COMMUNITY UNDER ATTACK: PROTESTANT LETTER NETWORKS IN THE REIGN OF MARY I
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