Laurence Saunders (b.1519 Welford, Northamptonshire - d.February 8, 1555, Coventry, Warwickshire) England was an English Protestant martyr, whose story is recorded in Foxe's Book of Martyrs. He was the son of Thomas Saunders and Margaret Cave of (Sibbertoft, Northamptonshire)[Agutter, Doreen M.K., Midland Ancestor quarterly, Dec.2004] England.
He was educated at Eton and at King's College, Cambridge.[1] After his graduation he engaged in trade, but when the Reformation began in the reign of King Edward VI, he resigned his mercantile pursuits, obtained a licence and began to preach. Being a man of much ability he was very popular, and was appointed by the authorities as lecturer in the college at Fotheringhay and later to a position in Lichfield Cathedral. After that he went to All Hallows Church in London where George Marsh was his curate.
On Sunday, October 15, 1553, he preached at Northampton against "the errors of the popish religion", warning that they were to be restored to the church by the rise of Mary to the throne. He told the congregation that England was threatened with the visitation of God, for her "lukewarm indifference in the cause of Christ, and the privileges of his glorious gospel".[2] He was arrested on the afternoon of the same day, by the order of the Bishop of London.
He was led barefoot to his execution and burned at the stake on February 8, 1555. Before being executed he was known to have said, "Welcome the cross of Christ, welcome everlasting life!".[3]
Transcript of Heresy Trial: birth 1520 per his own statement