Description

RAYLEIGH HIGH STREET
TQ 8090-8190
(east side)
7/86
Martyrs Memorial
Obelisk on pavement
in front of No. 85
GV II

Obelisk. Dated 1908. Marble obelisk on plastered double base with chamfered
upper edges. The lower block with ornate cast iron drinking fountain to west
face, this with semi-circular bowl and pendant, moulded head and lotus head
fosset. Moulded marble base to obelisk "Thy word is truth" to west face. The
obelisk polished with rough centre panels. Side panels read: "Erected 1908 by
the Protestants of Rayleigh and District. The Noble army of Martyrs praise
Thee". "On this spot suffered for the truth Thomas Causton 26 March 1555, John
Ardley 10 June 1555, who, in reply to Bishop Bonner said, If every hair on my
head were a man I would suffer death in the opinion and faith I now profess."
"Also commemorating Robert Drakes, Minister of Thundersley and William Tyms
Curate of Hockley, both suffered in one fire at Smithfield 24 April 1556."
Situated between the pump q.v. 9/85 and horse trough q.v. 9/87 forming an
important group in the former market place.

Listing NGR: TQ8059890676

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26461758

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
• 
  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)