A chilling account of Amersham's history and the Martyrs Memorial that overlooks Old Amersham

‘In the shallow depression at a spot 100 yards to the left of this monument seven Protestants, six men and one woman, were burned to death at the stake. They died for the principles of religious liberty, for the right to read and interpret the Holy scriptures and to worship God according to their consciences as revealed through God’s holy word. Their names shall live forever.’

This is the inscription on the Martyrs Memorial statue on the hill that overlooks Amersham Old Town.

The statue, erected in 1931, marks the everlasting legacy left by the Martyrs who were condemned by the Lollards (followers of a rebellious religious movement started in the mid 14th century by John Wycliffe). Probably the most chilling bit of the story is that one of the Martyrs daughters was forced to light the fire beneath her father.

This film by Marco Williamson, was awarded a runner up prize in the ‘Your Winnipeg’ competition and subsequently aired on Channel 4 as part of a docu-fantasy by Guy Maddin. It shows an eerie interpretation and some incredible old footage of Amersham and the story of the Martyrs. Doesn’t it put a chill down your spine?