When the Seven came forth under a guard, the emotions of the people broke through all restraint.

Thousands fell on their knees and prayed aloud for the men who had, with the Christian, courage of Ridley and Latimer, confronted a tyrant inflamed by all the bigotry of Mary.

Many dashed into the stream, and, up to their waists in ooze and water, cried to the holy fathers to bless them.

All down the river, from Whitehall to London Bridge, the royal barge passed between lines of boats, from which arose a shout of "God bless your Lordships." The King, in great alarm, gave orders that the garrison of the Tower should be doubled, that the Guards should be held ready for action, and that two companies should be detached from every regiment in the kingdom, and sent up instantly to London.

But the force on which he relied as the means of coercing the people shared all the feelings of the people.
The very sentinels who were under arms at the Traitors' Gate reverently asked for a blessing from the martyrs whom they were to guard.