Martyrs Mirror 700Sentence of Death of Ryer Dircks

Whereas Ryer Dircks, boatman, citizen of this city,. did, about three years ago, embrace the doctrines, errors, sects, and heresies of the Anabaptists, and is holding pernicious views with regard to the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith, the ordinances of the holy church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty, our gracious lord, and, moreover, persists in his errors and heresies, notwithstanding the instruction given him in the true faith; therefore, my lords of the court, having heard the demand made by my lord the bailiff, in the name of his Imperial Majesty, concerning the afore mentioned Ryer Dircks, as also his confession, and having duly considered the circumstances of the case, condemn said Ryer Dircks, pursuant to the aforesaid decrees, to be executed with fire by the executioner; and, furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as Count of Holland, without derogation and'prejudice to the privileges of this city.

Thus pronounced, and committed to the executioner for execution, this sixteenth day of August, A. D. 1550, in the presence of the bailiff, all the burgomasters, and all the judges, with the exception of Jan Dunen.

Ryer Dircks was examined by torture the ninth of July, A. D. 1550.

Extracted from the book of criminal sentences, in the keeping of the secretary of the city of Amsterdam.