Twelve Christians at Bruges: Adriaen Brael, Lucas Hendricks, Marijn Amare

In the year 1561, on the evening before Saint Martin's day, some Christians were gathered together at Bruges, in Flanders, and they instructed one another with the Word of the Lord concerning the amendment of life. When the lords learned of this, they sent the servants of the bailiff there, who came running in and cried: "Surrender, or we will run you through; and hand over all your weapons and books." They replied: "We are not a people who seek to avenge ourselves; but we leave vengeance to God, who will avenge it in due time." They were then fettered together, two by two, and taken to prison; they walked on boldly, comforting one another with the Word of God. Three escaped, namely Rutsaert, and his wife, and one named Maeyken; but the others who were imprisoned were joyful. Francijntjen Meulenaers said to Maeyken: "Dear sister, let us remember that the kingdom of heaven is near, and let us be sincerely faithful to our Bridegroom."

Jelis and Hansken Parmentier each sang a hymn for joy. On Saint Martin's day they were brought before the lords, where they boldly confessed their faith, and also that they had been rightly baptized according to the command of Christ.

These ten brothers and two sisters remained in prison for about thirty days, where they praised and thanked God, and prepared themselves to suffer for His name. During this time they were brought before the lords once more, where they again confessed their faith, and said that they would hold firmly to it.

Afterwards, on the 10th of December, six of them were offered up, namely Adrian Brael, Lucas Hendricks, Marijn Amare, Nikasen Amare, Hansken Lisz, and Andries Meulenaer, who, boldly comforting one another, said, among other things: "Now the fight is fought, the course almost finished, the faith kept, and from now on, as Paul says, the crown of life is prepared for us." First Timothy 4, verses 7 and 8; James 1, verse 12. [n859-1]

The following day, the 11th of December, the other six were put to death, namely Teunis Keute, Hansken Parmentier, Jan, Jelis Outerman, Francijntgen Meulenaers, Maeyken Trams, who also boldly and joyfully, with their lamps, and adorned with their wedding garments, went to meet their Bridegroom, with such great love that for His sake they did not fear bitter death. Francijntgen called to one of her acquaintances, warmly charging her to greet the brothers and sisters in the Lord, and to tell them that she suffered so gladly for the name of the Lord, and would fight boldly, together with her Bridegroom.

So all of these, the first as well as the last six, were strangled and burned for the name of God and His truth. They are now at rest, and they wait for the coming of our Lord, who will avenge their sufferings.