It was on this day in 1549 that Elizabeth was arrested as an Anabaptist. We don’t know her last name, but we do have records of the details of her trial before a council of Roman Catholics.
Council: What do you think of the Mass? Elizabeth: I do not approve of your Mass; but whatever agrees with God’s Word, that I highly esteem.
What do you think of the most holy sacrament? I have never in my life read in holy Scripture of a holy sacrament; but I have read of the Supper of the Lord.
What did the Lord say when he gave the Supper of his disciples? Reply: What did He give them, flesh or bread? Did not the Lord then continue sitting there? Who then could eat the Lord’s flesh?
What do you hold concerning infant baptism, that you should have had yourself baptized again? No, gentlemen; I have not been baptized again; I was baptized once on my confession of faith; for it is written that baptism belongs to believers.
Do you not expect salvation from baptism? No, gentlemen. All the water in the sea cannot save me; but salvation is in Christ.
Have the priests power to forgive sins? No, my lords; how should I believe this? I saw that Christ is the only Priest through whom sins are forgiven.
Utterly frustrated the council ordered Elizabeth’s torture. Screws were applied to her thumbs and some fingers until the blood gushed from under her nails. Then iron screws were placed on either of her ankles, but other than praying for the Lord’s assistance, she quietly endured the pain.
In total frustration the council pronounced her death sentence. On March 27,1549 she was placed in a sack and drowned in a nearby river. All the waters in the sea could not save her, but the waters of that river carried Elizabeth into the presence of her Saviour.