Jerome Segers, with his Wife Lijsken Dircks, and Big Henry, in the Year 1551

In the year of our Lord 1551, Jerome Segers, with his wife Lijsken Dircks, and Big Henry fell into the hands of the tyrants, for the testimony of Jesus, at Antwerp in Brabant. They suffered many severe torments and sharp examinations, but, through the grace of God, they endured them all. And since they were so firmly bound by faith to their Captain Christ Jesus that nothing could make them fall away, they brought Jerome Segers and Big Henry to the slaughter, on the second day of September, in the year 1551. Both of them, each at a stake, surrendered their bodies in great steadfastness to God as a well pleasing sacrifice. Lijsken Dircks, the wife of Jerome Segers, who was pregnant, was (after she had given birth) thrust into a bag early in the morning, between three and four o'clock, and murderously thrown into the Scheldt and drowned, before people were up. Even so, there were some who saw it, and who testified to her firm and steadfast faith even to death. They now rest together under the altar. Read the following beautiful letters written by them, which attest their strong faith, firm hope and ardent love to God and His holy truth.