In the first of a regular feature on monuments in the Borough, Julia Omari retells the story of Stratford Martyrs Memorial.

With reality TV still drawing such a huge audience it’s not too hard to imagine the 20,000 strong crowd that showed up to witness the execution of 13 protestants at Stratford Le Bow in 1556.

In June of that year, 16 people from what was then Essex and its surrounding area were arrested and charged with heresy, a belief contrary to orthodox religious doctrine .

England was under the reign of Queen Mary who saw it as her duty to return the country once more to Catholicism. While only reigning for five years, she managed to have some 300 Protestants burned at the stake, earning her the nickname Bloody Mary.

The accused were given the opportunity to recant their faith with three of them doing so, thus regaining their freedom. On 27 June 1556 the remaining 13, that is 11 men and two women, one of whom was pregnant, were taken to an area that is today believed to be north of Bow Church DLR station, (then called Stratford Le Bow), and burnt alive at the stake for their religious beliefs.

In 1879, Reverend William Jay Bolton of St. John’s Church raised money from the public to erect the Stratford Martyrs Memorial, commemorating the 13, plus others who were executed or tortured for the same offence at later dates, including Rev. Thomas Rose, then vicar of All Saints Church, West Ham.

The memorial, which has the names of the Martyrs inscribed and is grade 2 listed, stands as a reminder of the previous religious intolerance we hope never to see again.

It is definitely worth a visit next time you’re out shopping in Stratford.

Would you like to write about a local statue or memorial? Let us know at editor@newhamvoices.co.uk

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