I'm aware of the martyrdom of Bishops Latymer (? spelling) and Ridley , a vague memory from my childhood reading. Can anyone tell me a specific doctrine(s) for which they died? I seem to remember that one of them thrust his hand into the flames as that same hand had signed a document under duress which he later recanted
I'm not sure what the formal charges against Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were, but it seems clear that Queen Mary wanted them out of the way because they were popular reformers. Thomas Cranmer, when he was put to death, specifically mentioned his opposition to the doctrine of transubstantiation as it was taught by the Roman church at that time. He was the one who put his hand into the fire so that it would be first burnt. The formal charges against him may have included his opposition to transubstantiation, as well as political charges related to his support for Lady Jane Grey.
Here is a link to Fox's Book of Martyrs regarding the martyrs under Queen Mary's reign, including Cranmer, Ridley and Latimer. http://www.ccel.org/f/foxe/martyrs/fox116.htm