Main content

Burned for her beliefs: The story of Anne Askew

Her defiance of King Henry VIII and refusal to recant her beliefs led to her being burned at the stake for heresy in 1546.

Anne Askew lost everything by refusing to bow down to authority, even when she knew she was risking her life.

She was a Protestant who clashed with King Henry VIII and the newly-established Church of England, which initially retained many Catholic traditions, over whether communion bread actually became the body of Christ.

Anne also provoked the Church by openly reading the Bible in Lincoln cathedral - a radical act in Tudor England - and was arrested and burned at the stake for heresy in 1546.

Produced and narrated by Patrycja Boryka.

Release date:

Available now

10 minutes