Of a Bloody Decree, in the Year 1401

Tyrants generally find a reason for their tyranny in the orders they have received from their superiors in authority; this is for them a wide cloak, which can cover much evil. In the meantime they vent their anger, indeed, they rejoice in their wickedness, while the unoffending and the innocent have to suffer.

Now, if this held true only of the worldly, what would it matter, knowing that they are worldly-minded? But even the so-called ecclesiastics, or clergy, who are credited with everything good, are guilty in this matter.

All this is briefly shown at the beginning of the fifteenth book of the Chronijk van den Ondergang der Tyrannen, in these words: "In the year 1401 a decree was issued in England, against the confessors of the Gospel, or those who gave them assistance or showed them favor; in consequence of which much innocent blood was shed by the ecclesiastical prelates, priests, and monks of antichrist." See the above-mentioned chronicle, page 753, column 1, from Hist. Adrian., folio 85, Henr. Boxh., folio 27.