Franchoys van Elstlandt, in the Year 1561

A brother, Franchoys van Elstlandt, also called France van Meenene, a mason by trade, went from Meenene to Arien in French Flanders, to work at his trade there, and so earn his living. There, on Saint Denis' day, the ninth of October, 1561, just as he was leading a horse to water for the master he worked for, he was apprehended, because he no longer worshiped the priest's idol; and when, after many urgings, threats, and much suffering, he would not renounce his faith, he was finally, on the 21st of October, burned alive, as a witness of God. On this occasion, a monk shamelessly cried: "Go, you accursed one, from this into the eternal fire." But Franchoys bore it patiently, leaving vengeance to God, who will judge righteously in due time.