The Martyr's Elm, Brentwood — where William Hunter burned

London · United Kingdom · Avrättningsplats · Scare 4/5

A nineteen-year-old was burned at the stake for reading the Bible in English. An elm was planted on the exact spot.

On 26 March 1555 the nineteen-year-old silk-weaver's apprentice William Hunter was led out onto Ingrave Road in Brentwood and burned at the stake. His crime was reading the Bible in English in the village chapel. He had been imprisoned for nine months and refused again and again to recant — Bishop Bonner offered him forty pounds and the freedom of the City of London to take it back, and he said no. He became the first Essex martyr of Mary Tudor's reign. On the spot where he burned an elm was later planted, known as the Martyr's Elm, and the ground became the site of Brentwood School, founded in 1558. A plaque carries the words "WILLIAM HUNTER. MARTYR. Committed to the Flames March 26th MDLV". Pupils have passed down stories of a figure in the corridors and stairwells for generations.

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The Martyr's Elm, Brentwood — where William Hunter burned has a scare factor of 4/5 according to Haunted Places’ verified ratings.

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The Martyr's Elm, Brentwood — where William Hunter burned is in London, United Kingdom.