UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

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THE UNIVERSITY
OF ILLINOIS

LIBRARY

Z7Z.7
P76 a.

ACTS OF ENGLISH MARTYRS.

QUARTERLY SERIES.

SEVENTY-FIFTH

VOLUME.

IIOEHAM PTON
PRINTED BY JAMES

STANL~V

[All nights reservd.J:

ACTS.
OF ENGLISH
HITHERTO

MARTYRS

UNPUBLISHED,.
BY

JOHN- HUNGERFORD

POLLEN

Of the Society oflJesus.

With~ a Preface by

JOHN
0/

MORRIS
the same Soddey-

LONDON:
BURNS AND
LIMITED.

189 L.

OATES

PREFACE.
"

ACTS" is the name that has been applied from

the earliest times of Christianity to the records
of all that concerned the last days upon earth,
the judicial examinations, the sufferings and
death, the sayings and doings, of the Martyrs.
Everything that belonged to those who gave
their lives for God and were the champions of
the Church, was most highly prized; and
certainly the example of their constancy and
fidelity was not less held in esteem than the
material relics of their bodies, their property,
or the instruments of their martyrdom. The
Church took pains to secure faithful narratives of what befell her most glorious children, and the first duty of the Notaries was to
see to the compiling of such records. These
were read in the assemblies of the Faithful, and
we have still traces of them in the historical
Lessons of the Breviary. The various persecutions, however, rendered the preservation of

736634

vi

PREFACE..

these official. Acts very difficult, for they were
eagerly sought: after,.. and, whenever the tyrant
could obtain possession of them,, destroyed,
together with the Sacred Books.
Not official records only were called" Acts,'
but the use of the word was extended to..
include similar narratives- of martyrdoms and
of the, events preceding them, though drawn up.
withoat authority by private individuals. This
has in, fact come to be the admitted meaning of
the term., The splendid collection due to, the
unwearied industry of the Bollandists goes by the
name of the A cta,x..Sanctorum. In this sense the,
word is used in the title of thisvolume. There
is nothing.. official in these records. They are
documents .collected together for biographical
purposes,. and they are here printed in their
integrity that the reader may not only know
something. more than has hitherto been known
of the Martyrs themselves, but also of ou.ri
sources of information respecting them.
Hitherto, the English reader has practically
been limited to Bishop Challoner's Memoirs of
Missionary Priests for his knowledge of the holy
men, not priests only, but laymen, too, in full
proportion, who, under Elizabeth and her
successors, gave their lives for their religion.
That book, which, was. compiled with the most,

vii

PREFA CE.

conscientious :care by the good Vicar Apostolic
of London in the last century, has kept alive
Until comparatively

the memory of the Martyrs.
recent times
English
'taste

popular book

Catholics, but

of late

amongst

years

literary

that it has fallen into

has so changed

neglect.

The time has come when a new book

is required
the

it was a

to take its place.

English Martyrs

must

The

Lives of

be rewritten,

the present volume is a contribution
that work, and will
paratively easy.
are

hitherto

and

towards

make its execution com-

The documents in this volume
In

unpublished.

one

or

two

instances a document quoted by Challoner finds
place

among them, in

reader

order that the

;might have the full story before his eyes, and
now and again a paper has been printed here,
though it has previously appeared

in Brother

Foley's Records; but these cases are

so rare,

that they do not prevent the series of papers
from rightly bearing the title of "Unpublished
-Acts."
Two different collections of these documents
were possible, and each in
desirable.

its own way was

For the Cause of the Canonization

of the Martyrs it would have been most useful
that =a volume should
respects

resembling

>the

have
two

appeared
grand

in

all

volumes,

viii

PREFACE:

called Records of the English Catholics; for which
we are indebted to the zeal and diligence of
the Fathers of the London Oratory. Nothing
could have been better for the purpose of the
Postulators of the Cause of the English Martyrs
than that the documents now published should
have appeared, each in its own original language,
edited with the care and skill that the Oratorian
Fathers have brought to bear on their volumes.
But such a book would not have been popular,
and another form seemed necessary if it was to
help to spread a knowledge of the sufferings
of our Martyrs amongst Catholics in general.
The documents that follow have all been translated from their respective original languages into
English, and sufficient comment accompanies
them to make them intelligible to all readers.
It must be remembered that this book does
not profess to make mention of all our Martyrs.
Its title is Acts of English Martyrs, that is to say,
of some of them; and its object is in no way
to supersede Challoner, but to supplement him.,
The book does not even profess to containall
that is not to be found in Challoner. It confines
itself to hitherto unpublished matter; and information respecting the Martyrs drawn from
manuscript sources in other publications, as for
instance, the accounts of Martyrs given by Father

PREFACE.

ix

John Gerard in his Autobiography, 1 or again, the
most interesting chapters contributed by the late
Mr. Richard Simpson to the Rambler, find no
place in this volume. If, however, it should be
proved, by the sale of this collection of documents, that English Catholics care sufficiently
for their glorious Martyrs to render such publications feasible, it is intended to produce another
volume, or perhaps two, similar to this, containing documents which have already been printed,
but notwithstanding are now, for the most part,
Bishop Challoner's
practically inaccessible.
authorities are, many of them, well deserving of
publication in full. He was obliged to be very
cautious, writing as he did before the repeal of
the penal laws, but there is no need for reticence
now.

An example may illustrate this, and besides, be
itself of some interest. Challoner, speaking of the
Venerable John Kemble, says, "The following
account of him was sent me from a worthy prelate
in that part of the kingdom;" and he winds up
the extract with: "Thus far my Right Reverend
correspondent." The original letter addressed to
1 The Life of Father John Gerard, S.Y. By John Morris, S.J.
Third Edition, re-written and enlarged. London: Burns and
Oates, 1881. Many Martyrs are mentioned by Father Gerard,
and in some cases his account is very full, for instance of the
Venerable Anne Line and the Venerable John Rigby.

x

PREFACE.

Challoner is preserved with the rest of Challoner's materials at St. Mary's Seminary, Oscott,
and thus we come to know that the worthy prelate
was Matthew Pritchard, the Vicar Apostolic of
the Western District, who dates his letter from
Perthyre,

February

27,

174 ° ,

and

addresses

it to Bishop Challoner in this disguised form
"To Mr. Fisher, next door to Mr. Sherwood,
surgeon, in Devonshire Street, near Red Lyon
Square, London."
Perthyre, whence Bishop
Pritchard dates his letter, was a community of
Franciscan Fathers, to which Order Bishop
Pritchard himself belonged; and it makes a
difference in the meaning of the Bishop's phrase,
which Challoner prints as "three or four of the
family of P

," to know that "the family of

Perthyre" means the community of Franciscan
Fathers living at that place.
The materials, then, exist for one or two
more interesting volumes on the Martyrs,
which, though they have in some way appeared
in print already, would be almost as new and
fresh to the reader as these which have never
been printed; but it is a matter of doubt
whether the publication of such volumes would
not entail a loss. Those who would be inclined
to subscribe for them, would probably be
encouraged by knowing that the publication

PREFACE.

X1

PREFACE.

x

of such volumes would greatly facilitate the
labours of the.Postulator and the Roman lawyers,
when the Cause comes to be heard in its later
stages by the Sacred Congregation of Rites.
The collections in which the documents now
published are found in manuscript, are all indicated in the lists prefixed to each chapter of the
following book. It may be well, however, here to
say that the chief sources of information of which
Challoner knew nothing, are the following:
First the Public Record Office. The documents of all kinds that form the collection of State
Papers are now easily accessible: and, as may
well be imagined, they throw a great light on the
history of the persecution. Some few reputations
have suffered from the disclosures there made.
Now and then a priest, whose character stood all
the higher with his Catholic contemporaries in
consequence of imprisonment borne for the faith,
is now found to have given way under the pressure
brought to bear upon him, and for a time to have
tried to purchase gentler handling or money help
by treacherous revelations, made to Elizabeth's
Ministers, of the names and whereabouts and
doings of other Catholics, and especially' of
priests. The temptation was so great that our
surprise is not so much to find that such cases
existed, as to know that they were not numerous.

xii

PREFACE.

xii

PEA CEZ.

An instance occurs in this volume, where Dr.
Younger or Young writes an account of Martyrs
for Father Persons, the accuracy of which is
corroborated by letters written by him, when a
prisoner, to Lord Keeper Puckering. One or
two of the Lives of the Martyrs require re-writing
in consequence of the further information afforded
by the State Papers. This is the case with the
Venerable Henry Walpole, S.J., as may be seen
from the documents quoted by Dr. Jessopp, in his
One Generation of a Norfolk House. The same
may be said of the Venerable John Hambley,
whose confessions were printed in the Rambler
for November, 1858, by Mr. Richard Simpson.
Mr. Simpson presses, as it seems to us, too
hardly on the one, and Dr. Jessopp on the other,
of these holy Martyrs. Both did what was inexcusably wrong, but their martyrdom is all the
more glorious for the knowledge that we thus
have obtained of the weakness, in spite of which
they recovered themselves and persevered to the
end in a fidelity and constancy that is enhanced
by what had gone before.
Privy Council Books at Whitehall can be

IThe

seen, but they are far more difficult of access.
than the State Papers in the Record Office. We
must be thankful for what.we have obtained, but
the Editor of this volume met with what would.

PREFACE.

xiii

seem to be needless obstruction, when in his
search for purely literary purposes, he was not
allowed to make any complete transcript. The
passage of the letter of the Lords of the Privy
Council to the Lieutenant of the Tower ordering
that, if Blessed Thomas "Sherwood shall not
willingly confess such things as shall be demanded of him, he is then to commit him to
the dungeon amongst the rats," is not published
here for the first time. Other extracts from the
Privy Council Warrant Book, given in chapters
iv. and v. are new and interesting.
The Westminster Archives and those of Stonyhurst College are spoken of in very sufficient
detail in the course of the book, to which they
contribute by far the larger share.
Of these
great collections, with the exception of a very
few papers, Bishop Challoner knew nothing.
Our volume pretty nearly exhausts the documents contained in them, supplementary to
Challoner's work. In several cases the story
of a Martyr is not all gathered up into one
place. This was inevitable, unless the documents were to be cut up and distributed more
than seemed advisable. In some instances this
has been done in such a way that the document
can be easily reconstructed; but it was not
feasible when many Martyrs were mentioned in

xiv

PREFACE.

the same paper, as for instance, the "Relation
of the Penkevels," in chapter xiii.
Bishop Challoner's manuscript materials are,
as has already been said, at St. Mary's Seminary,
Oscott. They were collected for him chiefly by
Alban Butler, and thus they have a peculiar
interest as associated with two great men. In
addition to this original information and all
that was to be found at Douay, to which he
had free access, Challoner had recourse besides
to various scattered printed books, some of considerable bulk, such as Bridgewater's Concertatio
and Yepez' Historia Particular,and others more
fugitive, which have become rare and are as
hard to get a sight of as the manuscripts themselves. These, as we have said, we propose to
collect and publish, if Catholic readers share
our sense of their interest.
And now for a few remarks called for by the
contents of the following pages. Amongst the
laymen who suffered, James Layburne is here
included, whose name was omitted by Bishop
Challoner as he denied Elizabeth's right to the
throne. It will be understood that the insertion of
his history amongst those of his fellow-sufferers,
is not intended as in any way prejudging the
question which the Holy See will one day be
called upon to decide, that is to say, his right to

PREFACE.

xv

PRErFACE.x

the title of Martyr. It is no more in the power of
private individuals to decide this, than it is in
their power to say to which of those who died
in prison the like honour is to be accorded. It
cannot properly'be said that the admission of
others, whose case is similar to Layburne's, into
the decree of equivalent beatification, is a virtual
decision of his case by Rome; though no doubt it
has made a great difference. The truth is that in
that decree of beatification the various cases were
not judged on their merits, but only on the single
fact of whether or not they are included amongst
those whose pictures were put up in the College
Church at Rome under Gregory XIII. When
Plumtree, Felton, Storey, and Woodhouse, who all
now have the title of Blessed, come to be proposed
for Canonization, their claim and right to the title
of Martyr will be investigated and decided precisely in the same way as James Layburne's.
Meanwhile it is our duty to regard the matter as
undecided by the only tribunal that can speak in
the name of the Church and with her full authority.
One or two Martyrs, hitherto unrecognized,
find their place in these narratives. There is the
interesting case of John Thomas, who suffered
at Winchester in August, 1593.2

He had been

condemned to death with the Venerable James
2 Infra, pp. 232, 234.

xvi

PREFACE.

Bird, but through fear he had promised to go
to church and was reprieved accordingly. He
repented at once, and following the example of
the " lapsed " in the primitive Church, he offered
himself for martyrdom, his dread for which was
changed into desire.
Another instance is that of a Martyr named
Symonds, the omission of whose name from the
Catalogues is perhaps to be attributed to a false
report that he was a spy. Yet "at Tyburn he blessed
himself, and kissing the halter said it was the
happiest collar that ever went about his neck." 3
It is less clear that the Queen Mary priest
called William or Williams is a Martyr unknown
to Challoner. The only difficulty of identifying
him with one of those who come in Challoner,
and now enjoy the title of Venerable, is the date.
Our

Martyr

died

in

1592.

Challoner

says:

"About the same time (some say the same day)
[as Ven. John Weldon, 4 October 5, 1588], Richard
Williams, a venerable priest, who had been
ordained in England before the change of religion,
was also, for religious matters, hanged at Holloway, near London." 5
3 P. 289.

4 Pp. 229, 289, 309.

5 He may very possibly be the same, again, as Maurice Williams, who was committed to the Clink, June 17, 1586, and is
called by Justice Young, "an old priest " (Troubles, ii. pp. 179,
232).

xvii

PREFACE.

This seems to be a mistake of date, due to
Williams having taken Symonds' place in some
Catalogue of Martyrs, which Challoner has followed ; Father Persons, in his Ressonsio ad Edictum
Elizabethce Regine,6 gives both under their right
dates.
The case of the Venerable Richard Williams,
as we may safely call him, as described 7 by
James Young and by Father Garnet, is well
deserving of attention. He was ordained priest
under Queen Mary, had become a minister in
Elizabeth's time, and had married.
Now the
marriage of one in sacred orders, or of a Regular
under solemn vows, though in itself invalid, is
called in Canon Law, bigamia similitudinaria.

Alexander III. declared it to entail irregularity,
from which the Ordinary can dispense, and
Clement V. punished those thus offending with
excommunication latcs sententice reserved to the
Ordinary. A dispensation was therefore needed
for such a one to resume his priestly functions,
and as Williams was found acting as a priest, it
was presumed that he must have been reconciled.
On this he was condemned to death and executed. We, in our turn, may draw an argument
from this as to the feeling of the Catholics of
those days about the validity of Anglican Orders,
.

Edit.

1593,

P. 376.

7 Infra, p. 20.

PREFA CE.

xviii

and as to what Protestants knew to be the feeling
of Catholics.

There were many cases of English

clergymen becoming Catholic priests. No difficulty on the score of this sort of bigamy was
made respecting any convert clergyman who had
been married.
simply

a

If

Richard Williams had been

"married

this

minister,"

objection

would not have been made about him.

It was

because his Orders were valid, that his subsequent marriage made a dispensation necessary.
Father

Persons'

account 8

of

this

Martyr,

though not referring to this point, may well be
added here:
I ask then, what crime or wickedness had those
seven servants of God committed, whom you slaughtered in London last December? I mean Edmund
Genings, Eustace White, and Polydore Plasden,
priests, Swithin Wells, and Bryant Lacy, both
gentlemen of good family, and two servants.. Could
you prove anything against them except that they
were Catholics, and had heard Mass together?
What again of the other priests whom you have
executed since with such great cruelty? What of
Patenson and Williams, and those many others,
whose names, though still unknown to us, are inscribed in the Book of Life ? Were they convicted
of any other crime beyond that of being priests ?
Had they joined with the Roman Pontiff and the
Catholic King of both Spains in any conspiracy
SElizabethe Regina Anglia Edictum, cum responsione ad singula
capita. Per Andream Philopatrum. Rome, 1593, P. 339.

PREFACE.

xix

except that of faith and religion, to which you are
bitterly hostile ?
Of the latter, that is Williams (a man who had
once been of your religion), I have heard the following account from an eye-witness of his martyrdom,
which took place but few months ago.
While,
according to his sentence, this servant of God was
being dragged along the streets on a hurdle like a
felon, he was set at nought by some of your ministers, who were mounted on horseback. Amongst
these was a very foolish fellow, and ridiculous
preacher, a man of notoriously bad fame, by name
David Dee, who often vexed the Martyr, and tried
with many shouts to impress upon the people that
they must carefully avoid the idea that this man
was condemned for cause of religion, since he was
suffering for high treason. To whom, however, the
Martyr answered nothing, being wrapped in silent
meditation on death and heavenly things.
At length he came to the place of martyrdom,
where another of your preachers (seeing the sufferer's
modesty, constancy, and great patience) adopted a
very different line of attack, for he with alternate
flattery, praise, and prayer, most earnestly begged
him to save his life, which he would certainly
promise him, if he would only confess that the
Queen was the head of the English Church.
The other listened to him with a smile, and made
answer that he had now completed a good part of
his journey to Heaven, having already reached the
spot where he was to die; and hoped God would
not fail to give him strength to complete the rest of
his journey. With these words he dismissed the
heretical minister, and prepared himself for death,
to which he yielded very cheerfully.

xx

PREFACE.

In this place it may be well to say that the
distinction drawn 9 between William Flower alias
Way and William Wigges alias Way, as two
different Martyrs must be withdrawn as untenable. The two dates of martyrdom given, both
at Kingston, September 23, and October I, 1588,
do not quite correspond to the diversities of
style, but though we cannot decide which of the
two is the true date, the doubt expressed by
Bishop Yepez whether Way and Flower were
two different persons is set at rest by the entry
in the prison list, 0 " William Flower alias Way,
Seminary in the Clink." The diversity of a few
days in the date assigned to the martyrdom of
Wigges alias Way is insufficient ground for
making him out to be another person.
Another identification to be found in this book'1
is not without interest. It establishes that the
priest who was set free from the Bridewell Prison
by the Venerable Margaret Ward, through fear
lest his constancy which had broken down once
should yield again, was William Watson, who
was executed in 1603 with another priest named
Clarke for a plot against King James. Of the
priest whom the two Venerable Martyrs Margaret
Ward and John Roche liberated at the cost of
9 Troubles ii. p. 234.
10 P.R.O., Doran. Eliz. ccii. n. 61.

11 P. 312.

PREFACE.

xxi

their own lives, Father Christopher Grene wrote, 1
" Sacerdos hic vocabatur Watsonus, qui postea
seditiosus fuit, et de vero crimine lese majestatis plexus anno 1603." This William Watson,
the author of the notorious Quodlibets, has not
hitherto been identified with the priest for whom
Margaret Ward heroically gave her life, through
the error of the Christian name in Challoner,
who calls him Richard. This mistake Challoner
3
took from Yepez. 1 There is, however, no such
person as Richard Watson, while on the other
hand the Douay Diary, speaking of his return to
England in 1590, calls him William Watson,
priest, who had already suffered much in prisons
in England. 14
A curious point in this work is the additions it
makes to bibliography. There are various books
spoken of 15 in the account of the martyrdom of
the Venerable James Duckett, there is also a
hitherto unknown first edition of Genings' Life of
Genings, and there is a puzzle that we have not
been able to solve in the title of a book, given as
Verepceurnm.
It does not seem to be necessary to draw the
reader's attention in any especial manner to the
12 Stonyhurst MSS. Collectanea P. fol. 527.
13 Historia, lib. 5. c. 2, erroneously given by Challoner lib. 2,
c. 5.

14 Douay Diary, p. 236.

15 pp. 239-246, 216 and 274.

xxii

PREFACE.

xxii

PREFACE.

various accounts of the Martyrs. Practically, a
full analysis of this volume may be found in
the Index under the heading "Martyrs."
The
headings, "Books," "London," "Manuscripts,"
may also be found of interest.
The narratives will speak for themselves, and if
they are read, they can hardly fail to arouse in the
heart of the reader a more earnest devotion and
affection to our English Martyrs than he possessed
before. But though I need not rehearse the
results of the labour of my colleague and friend
Father Pollen, I may be allowed to thank him
warmly for his excellent work. The book itself,
without any echo from me, testifies to his pains
in collecting these materials, and to his care in
editing them. I have long desired to see a book
like this published, for the sake of the Martyrs,
whose Cause it is meant to advance; and now
that in the Martyrs' name I thank Father Pollen
for what he has done, I venture to say that all
friends of the Martyrs will look to receive much
more at his hands in due time.
JOHN MORRIS, S.J.
31, Farm Street, London, W.
February 3, IS9z.

CONTENTS.
PAGE
PREFACE..

.........

CHAPTER I.-Blessed Thomas Sherwood

.

.

V

.

.

.
.
,,II.-Blessed Edmund Campion, S.J. .
III.-Venerable John Slade and Venerable John

21

Bodey
.......
IV.-Venerable Robert Anderton and Venerable
,William Marsden .
.
.
.

49

,,
,,

V.-Venerable

,,

Ralph Milner........
,,

66

Roger Dicconson and Venerable
83

VI.-Venerable Edmund Genings and Companions

,, VII.-Venerable William Davies

.

.

.

98

.

127

,, VIII.-Venerable John Roberts, O.S.B., and Venerable Thomas Somers
IX.-Venerable John Almond

.
.

.

.

.

.

.

.17

143

,, X.-Venerable John Thulis and Venerable Roger
Wrenno..
..
,, XI.-Ten Martyred Laymen ..

.

.
...

.

. 194
. 208

,, XII.-Father Warford's Recollections .
.
.
, XIII.-Selections from the Westminster Archives.

249
279

.
.

298
338

Decree of equivalent Beatification of 54 Martyrs.
.
Decree of Introduction of the Cause of 261 Venerable

369

.
.......
Servants of God ..
Table of the Blessed and Venerable English Martyrs .

376

, XIV.-Selections from Stonyhurst Manuscripts
,, XV.-Papers from Nymphenburg .
.
.
APPENDIX :-

INDEX

..

....

..........

.

384
385

CHAPTER I.
BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.
Suffered at Tyburn, February 7,

1577-8.

DOCUMENTS.
I. Account by his brother (Stonyhurst MSS. M. fol.

157).

2. Contemporary account of his imprisonment (Westminster
Archives, vol. ii. p. 75). Latin.
3. Official records of his torture, trial, and execution.
(i.) Privy Council warrants for his examination and torture
(Council Books, Whitehall, vol. vi. pp. 68, 69, 80).
(ii.) Record of his trial, condemnation, and execution
(Coram Rege and Controlment Rolls. P.R.O.). Latin.

i. The account of the Blessed Thomas Sherwood,
written by one of his brothers, which is here printed
from a transcript in Father Christopher Grene's
Collectanea M, now at Stonyhurst, throws, as might
be expected, being composed by one of his own
family, much" light upon the home influences by
which his character was moulded.
It is also of
special importance as it corrects one of the very few
mistakes to be found in Dr. Challoner's Memoirs.
He represents Sherwood as having been a student
at Douay, quoting the College Diary as his authority.
The admirable edition of that Diary, published by
the late Dr. Knox of the London Oratory, enables
B

2

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

us to say for certain that Challoner is here mistaken.
Thomas Sherwood was never a student at Douay,
nor was he as young at the time of his death as
some have supposed from the application to him of
the Latin epithet juvenzis. He was about twentyseven years of age.
THOMAS

SHERWOOD THE MARTYR.

A Relation written by his Brother for his Nephews.
Henricus Sherwood,
pater martyris.

Henry Sherwood, born in Nottingham, in his childhood brought up in

the chapel of the Earl of Northumberland, and
afterwards by the same'Earl put to study at
Oxford in time of King Henry VIII., where he
continued six or seven years, and for that, being
to take degree in the schools, he would not take
the oath of supremacy, he left the University and
being near to thirty years of age, he put himself to
a worshipful merchant, dwelling in Watling Street,
called Mr. Holt, who employed him into Spain
as his factor. Returning to London, he married
a virtuous maid called Elizabeth, and used the
trade of a woollen draper, although he was free
of the Company of Merchant Tailors, as his,
master was. In thirty years or thereabout which
he lived with his said wife, he had by her fourteen children. Three or four of them died very
young, all the rest lived to man's and woman's
estate, all brought up in the Catholic religion.
After the coming of Queen Elizabeth and
change of religion, with consent of his wife he
went into Flanders, to enjoy the free use of his

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

3

religion, and lived for a time at Mechlin, where
then the English Nuns of St. Bridget's dwelled.
After one year of absence he returned to England,
and soon after, both he and his wife being taken
at Mass in London, he was committed to prison,
where he remained six months.
He was delivered thence by means of the Spanish Ambassador, Gusman. Departed from London with
his wife and younger children, he went to live
at Nottingham, where after some years being
called in question for not coming to church, &c.,
they went to live with one of their sons married
in Dorsetshire. That son being molested for the
same occasion, they all went to London, where
the old man lived whollyretired, attending only to
his devotion, &c., and not going out of his lodging.
Shortly after his coming to London, his son
Thomas was apprehended (de quo mox plura).
By this occasion he, together with his other
son with whom he lived at London, was forced
to depart and travel divers months up and
down, none of their friends daring to receive
them, till, after the said Thomas was executed,
and the fury of the matter was past, he was
conveyed to Bristow [Bristol], where his wife
had been some time before with [John] her
eldest son married there; and where he remained
till he died, wholly retired and not going out of
his lodging. While he did traffic in the world
he was noted to be very wise, discreet, and
temperate in his carriage, just in his dealings,
frugal but not covetous, much beloved by his

4

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

neighbours, courteous to all, full of compassion,
very liberal to the poor, &c.
For the space of ten years before his death he
retired himself wholly from all worldly dealings,
and passed his time for the most part in prayer
and contemplation, through which by little and
little he became voluntarily ignorant and simple
in matters of the world.
He was of such
patience and quietness of mind as for divers
years before his death I never saw him subject
to any the least passion of choler or other discontentment 'or grief. Many examples I could
set down of his humility, patience, mortification,
and true charity, but this may suffice in satisfying
your desire. He lived about sixty-six years, rather
more than less, in Bristow, in the house of his
son, John Sherwood, Doctor of Physick, &c.
Thomas Sherwood,
Martyr, 7 Februarii,
578s.

Thomas Sherwood, son of the
said Henry Sherwood, born in
London.

For some years brought

up in learning, but about fifteen years of his
age taken from school to serve his father in the
trade of a draper, which he did divers years.
Afterwards, being more devoted to a religious
course of life than to a worldly, he obtained from
his parents leave to pass the seas and come
to Douay, where, having conferred with certain
venerable Fathers, by them he was encouraged to
fall again to study; and determining upon that
course, it was thought fit he should first return
into England, as well to adjustate his accounts

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

5

with his father, having the best part of his substance in his hands and charge, as also to procure
some competent means to maintain him for some
time at his study.
Upon which occasion he returned back, and
whiles he travailed in the despatch of his business, he was met one morning in Chancery Lane
by one George Marten, son to the Lady Tregonwell in Dorsetshire, which George had seen
him divers times at his mother's house in the
company of one Mr. Stampe, a priest; and so
meeting him and calling for the constable, caused
him to be apprehended. He was carried before
Mr. Fleetwood, then Recorder of London, who
upon the urging of the said Marten, saying he
used much the company of priests, and that
he had been beyond the seas and conferred with
traitors there, did very strictly examine him,
and urged him with divers capital questions, as
what he thought of the Bull of Pius V., and
whether if the Pope had excommunicated the
Queen, she were then lawful Queen or no, and
divers other such dangerous questions ; whereto
as he answered plainly according to his conscience, so showed he himself void of all passion
or irreverent manner, being of his nature very
As touching the Bull of
meek and gentle.
Pius V., he said he did not know thereof; and
touching the excommunication, he answered that
if the Pope had indeed excommunicated her (as
he did not know whether he had or no), then he
thought she could not be lawful Queen.

6

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

Of his answers to other questions (as, where hehad lived, with whom he had talked beyond seas,
&c.), little hold was taken; but for his resolute
answer touching the excommunication, the Recorder sent him before the Council, who committed him to the Tower, where he was twice
racked, and within three months arraigned, condemned, and rigorously executed, being sensibly
alive when he was cut down and opened.
He was of small learning, scarcely understanding the Latin tongue, but had much read books
of controversies and devotion, and had used
much to converse among Catholic priests, and
by reason thereof, having a good wit and judgment, and withal being very devout and religious,
he was able to give good counsel, as he did to
many of the more ignorant sort, being much
esteemed fbr his virtuous life and humble and
modest behaviour: besides, God did give a
special grace in his [conversation], whereby
together with his good example of life, he much
moved and edified others. He was a man of
little stature of body, yet of a healthful and good
constitution, and very temperate in his diet.
After his first racking in the Tower (which was.
said to be rigorous), being visited by a certain
Catholic gentlewoman, he showed himself of that
joyful and comfortable spirit as she was astonished,
As also his keeper with compassion
thereat.
giving him warning that he was to be racked
again, he was so little moved therewith, as merrily
he said these
and with a cheerful

-countenance

BLESSED THOMAS

SHERWOOD.

7

words: "I am very little, and you are very tall;
you may hide me in your great hose and so they
shall not find me;" which the keeper did afterwards report to divers, much marvelling at his
great fortitude and courage. He was about the
age of twenty-seven years when he was martyred.
I think it not amiss to set down
few words touching my mother,
carcere.
your grandmother, who was a very
virtuous woman and ever Catholic. She was,
as I have said before, in the beginning of the
Queen's reign taken at Mass with her husband,
and appeared before the High Commissioners, at
what time she showed herself very constant in
her religion, answering without any fear Dr. Cocks
[Cox], then pretended Bishop of Ely, using
railing, speeches against Catholic priests, and
among others saying it was not possible for them
to live without women. She, moved with zeal,
answered him that if she had the dieting of him
three months together, he should confess that it
was possible for a priest to live without a woman,
but living in pleasure and good cheer, it was no
marvel if he held the opinion he uttered.
Many years after she was called for her conscience before the Judges of Assize in Dorchester,
and bound to further appearance, at what time
also she showed great constancy in her faith.
After that, she was taken again at Mass in London
(being then a widow),and was imprisoned, and
continued for the most part in prison fourteen
Elizabetha, mater
Thoma
Sherodi na
Martyris,

obiit

in

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

years together, although by friends she was sometimes gotten out upon sureties, but stayed little
out, being still troubled and committed; and in
the end died in prison, after she had spent and
consumed all her substance.
My brother John, the younger,

JoannesSherwood,
Jesu, fra-being
ter Martyris Thome

Societatis

a forward grammarian about
gm
r

the age of fifteen years, was put to
serve one Mr. Waferer, a Catholic and counsellor
of the law, with whom he continued certain years,
profiting well in that course; but being moved
by God's grace, he came over to the English
College then at Rheims, and afterwards entered
into the Society and died in the same, much
commended as well for his learning as life.
Finis hujus relationis de Sherwodis.
Sherwodi.

2. We now give a somewhat fuller account of
Blessed Thomas Sherwood's imprisonment from a
contemporary document, by an anonymous writer.
Though undated, it must have been written before
1582, as it is quoted by Father Persons in his De
Persecutione A nglicana, which was printed in that year.
The introductory paragraphs containing no fresh
matter have been omitted.
The brave youth was sent to the Tower and
most cruelly confined in a very dark cell near the
torture-chamber: meantime the chamber he had
in the city was ransacked (according to the custom
of those harpies) and all his goods removed,

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

9

together with about ninety pieces of gold, belonging to other persons, which were owing to his
needy and afflicted father, as if the pieces themselves were guilty of high treason and denial of
the Supremacy. In the prison Sherwood suffered
very grievous things with a constancy worthy of
all praise, so as to cause us great regret that they
should be noticed so briefly. This, however, was
not peculiar to Sherwood; many others also are
involved in obscurity, not figuratively only, by
the negligence of our writers, but literally also,
through the malice of the heretics. Thus the
worst tortures are applied in dark dungeons, in
order to hide the victory of the Martyrs over their
tormentors and their own brutality. Certainly
I think that if all the things these illustrious
champions of the Catholic faith have suffered in
the Tower of London and in the private houses
of the magistrates, had been undergone in public,
we should see that there were not a few whose
noble conflicts equalled those of the early Martyrs.
But God wills otherwise, at least for the present.
Yet we may well hope that soon, either in our
time, or in that of our posterity, there will be
very few of these secret doings which shall not
be revealed, and what they have done in darkness
:shall be proclaimed to the glory of those who
suffered and to the shame of those who caused
their sufferings; but let us return to our Sherwood.
To begin with, the holy youth was harassed
by repeated torturings, in order that overcome

Io

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

with pain, he might confess where he had heard
Mass, to the intent that any he might name,
might be punished with like plunder of goods
and bodily injury. But he was brave beyond his
years [as one of the Protestants there present confessed 1]; no racking, no cross-examination could
Thus baulked, his
make him name any one.
barbarous torturers changed their proceedings
and cast the Martyr, who had now lost the use
of his limbs, into a very dark and fetid dungeon.
Here he was left without necessary clothing, in
order that the terrors of darkness, the stench, and
most of all, the shameful nakedness, might break
his resolution, which no torture could move. As
to food, it is easy to conjecture of what sort it was,
seeing that he was not allowed to buy anything to
sustain life. Nay, more, what calls for theutmost
commiseration is, that when a certain good man
[Mr. Roper, son-in-law to Thomas More 2], touched
by the report of the extreme hunger which the
blessed youth was suffering, sent him some money,
and by means of a prisoner conveyed it to Sherwood's own keeper (this every one in the Tower
has), the keeper returned it the next day, because
the Lieutenant would not allow him to have the
benefit of any alms. The Martyr's friend asked
whether the keeper himself would not expend it
for his benefit, but he was told it was impossible.
All that the most earnest prayers could effect was
to induce him to take sixpence to buy straw for
1 This is Father Robert Persons' note to this passage.
2 Father Persons' note.

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

II

the youth to lie on, so great was the inhumanity
of the Lieutenant towards his starving prisoner.
These things he suffered for six months,
without any hope of relief from man, though
doubtless Divine consolation did not fail him.
At length, after having courageously borne a most
cruel imprisonment, chains, hunger, cold, stench,
nakedness, and the rack, being hanged and
disembowelled, he passed to Heaven on the 7th
February, 1578, to receive the reward of his
sufferings in mind and body.
Farewell, most holy Martyr, and help with your
patronage me, a most unworthy sinner, who am
labouring to increase your honour here on earth.
Amen.
3. It now remains for us to refer to some of the
official documents, which authorized the perpetration of the cruelties just narrated. They are the
more important, because Sherwood was the first
Catholic who was systematically put to the question;
that is to say, who was examined under torture in
order to extort admissions that might be used against
him on his trial9 or avowals that might incriminate
other Catholics.
(i.) The first warrant was sent by the Privy
Council from Windsor, Nov.

17,

1577.

A letter to the Attorney General signifying
unto him that he shall receive the examination
of one Thomas Sherwood, lately committed by
the High Commissioners, for hearing of a Mass,
and since examined by Mr. Recorder of London,

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

12

which examination, containing matter of high
treason against her Majesty's person, their lordships have thought good to require him, after he
shall have substantially considered thereof, to
acquaint the Lord Chief Justice therein, and
presently to give order that the said Sherwood
be this term arraigned and proceeded against
according to the laws of this realm in that behalf
provided, but before they proceed to his arraignment [they are also to examine him on his
previous examination, to see whether he can
discover any other of his knowledge to be of
his opinion, and where he gathered the substance
of the arguments of his confession].3 Wherein
perhaps he may bolt out some other matters or
persons worthy to be known.
At the same time they sent
A letter to Mr. Lieutenant of the Tower
requiring him to receive into his hands of
Mr. Recorder of London the person of Thomas
Sherwood, and to retain him close prisoner and
from conference with any person, until such time
as he shall receive order from Mr. Attorney
General, who is appointed to examine him upon
such matters as he is to be charged withal.
He is required in a postscript, that if the said
Sherwood shall not willingly confess such things
as shall be demanded of him, he is then required
to commit him to the dungeon amongst the rats.
3 The passages within brackets exactly represent the sense of

the original.

Complete copies were not allowed to be made.

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

I3

According to Mr. Jardine, 4 this dungeon "is
described as a cell below high water mark and
totally dark. As the tide flowed, innumerable rats,
which infest the muddy banks of the Thames, were
driven through the orifices of the walls into the
dungeon. The alarm excited by the irruption of
these loathsome creatures in the dark was the least
part of the torture which the unfortunate captives
had to undergo; instances are related, which
humanity would gladly believe to be the exaggerations of Catholic partisans, where the flesh has been
torn from the arms and legs of prisoners during
sleep by the well-known voracity of these animals."
To return to our Martyr. From the dates given
in his indictment, it appears that shortly after the
issuing of the above writs by the Privy Council,
Gilbert Gerard, the Attorney General, went to
Westminster, where Sherwood was then confined,
and there obtained again from the Martyr the statements as to the excommunication of the Queen, which
Fleetwood had already wormed out of him. According to the iniquity of the times the utterance so
obtained was treated as an act of high treason, and
for it he finally suffered. As, however, he would not
confess the names of any other Catholics, he was
sent to the Tower, where his examination was continued under torture, and the next letter from the
Lords of the Privy Council abundantly shows how
constant was his fidelity to his faith and to his
fellow-Catholics. It opens up, however, some points
on which we would gladly know more.
Dec. 4, 1577. To the Lieutenant of the Tower,
the Attorney General, Solicitor General, Recorder
of London, or any of them.
4 On the use of Torture in the Criminal Law of England, p. 26.

14

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

That where their Lordships by their letters of
the 25th of November, do understand the pains
they have taken in the examination of Sherwood
in the Tower, for the which their Lordships yield
them right hearty thanks, and where they signify
that Sherwood doth not only stagger in his first
confession, and fain would retract his words in
respect he affirmed her Majesty to be an heretic
and usurper, and also will in no case be brought
to confess or answer such other interrogatories as
they have propounded unto him, their Lordships
are of opinion that, if he be used thereafter, he can
discover other persons as evil affected towards her
Majesty as himself. They are, therefore, to assay
him at the rack, upon such articles as theyshall
think meet to minister unto him for the discovering either of the persons or of further matters.
This letter, we say, opens up some points, which
we would gladly understand better, though it is
improbable that we ever shall. The exact words
of the Martyr have not been preserved, and it is
clearly unreasonable to place implicit trust in his
enemies' insinuations of inconstancy. Of course he
would have been glad never to have uttered the
words in question about the Queen at all; clearly,
too, he never professed them unconditionally, as the
Council here falsely represents. His examiners in
the Tower informed the Lords of the Council that he
"staggered and would fain retract his words." Be
this as it may, the letter bears ample witness to
his constancy in his religion, in his fidelity to his
fellow-Catholics, in short, in all that certainly concerns his faith.

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

15

(ii.) We now give the official record of Sherwood's
trial from the Coram Rege Roll (20 Eliz. rot. 3).
We have translated the record as it stands, omitting
only from the second count of the indictment the
amplifications, which are repeated exactly as in the
first count. Our lay readers will perhaps understand
the report better, if they remember that it only professes to recite the legal proceedings, no notice being
taken of the pleadings for and against the accused.
They should also bear in mind that the Sovereign is
supposed to be present in person in the Court of
Queen's Bench.
RECORD OF SHERWOOD'S TRIAL.
Middlesex to wit,
by indictment Michaelmas,

20

Otherwise,

to wit, in

the term

of St. Michael last past, before our

Eliz.

Lady the Queen at Westminster,
by the oath of twelve jurors, it was presented
that Thomas Sherwood, late of London, yeoman,

on the 20th day of November, in the 20th year of

the Lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God Queen
of England, France, and Ireland, Defender of the
Faith, &c., in the city of Westminster, in the
county of Middlesex, diabolically, maliciously,
and traitorously, compassing, imagining, thinking, devising, and intending the deprivation and
deposition of the said Lady Queen Elizabeth,
from her style, honour, and royal title to the
imperial crown of this kingdom of England, did,
out of his own perverse and treacherous mind
and imagination, maliciously, expressly, advisedly, directly and traitorously in the city of
Westminster aforesaid, in the county aforesaid,

16

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

in the presence and hearing of divers faithful
subjects of the said Lady our Queen, utter,
answer, publish, and say these false traitorous
English words following about the aforesaid Lady
our present Queen of England, falsely, maliciously, advisedly, directly and treacherouslyto wit "that for so much as our Queen Elizabeth
(herein intending our said Queen now living)
doth expressly disassent in Religion from the Catholic
faith, of which Catholic faith, he sayeth that the Pope
Gregory the Thirteenth that now is, is conserver,.
because he is God's General Vicar in earth: and
therefore he affirmeth by express words that our said
Queen Elizabeth (meaning the aforesaid Lady now
Queen Elizabeth) is a schismatic and an heretic:'
to the very great scandal and derogation of the
person of our said Lady the Queen, and the
subversion of the state of this realm of England,
and traitorously and against his due allegiance,
and against the form of the statute in this case
made and provided in the third Parliament of
our said Lady now Queen at Westminster, in
the county of Middlesex, in the 3 th year of
her reign-moreover, also against the peace of
our said Lady now Queen, her crown and dignities, &c.

1

Middlesex to wit,
by indictment Michaelmas.

Also otherwise, to wit in the term
of St. Michael aforesaid, before our
Lady the Queen at Westminster, it

stands presented by the oath of 12 jurors, that
Thomas Sherwood, late of London, yeoman, on
the 20th day of November, in the 20th year of the

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

17

Lady Elizabeth aforesaid, &c., did diabolically,
maliciously, &c., in the city of Westminster, in
the county aforesaid, in the presence and hearing
of divers faithful subjects of the same Lady the
Queen, &c., utter, &c., the following words,
namely: that the Pope hath power and authority to
depose any Christianprince or king if he mislike with
him, and farther that Queen Elizabeth (meaning the
said Elizabeth now our Queen) doth expressly
disassent in faith from the Catholic faith; and
also sayeth that if the Pope had Pronounced our
Queen (meaning the said Elizabeth now our
Queen) to be deposed for any matter of Religion,
then she (meaning the said Elizabeth now our
Queen) is deposed, and that then she (again meaning
the aforesaid Elizabeth now our Queen) is an
usurper, &c., &c.
Whereupon a precept was given to the Sheriff
that he should not omit, &c., to take him if, &c.,
to answer, &c.
And now, to wit, Saturday next after the
18th of St. Hilary in the present term, before the
Queen at Westminster, the aforesaid Thomas
Sherwood came under ward of Owen Hopton,
Knight, Lieutenant of the Tower of our Lady
the Queen in London, to whose custody he
was before for this same cause and certain other
causes committed, in virtue of a brief from our
Lady the Queen de habeas corpus ad subjiciend. &c.
Thereupon he was at once brought to the bar
here in his own proper person, and is committed
to the aforesaid Lieutenant.
C

1S

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

And immediately, questioned separately as to
the several premisses alleged against him, how he
will acquit himself of them, sayeth that of them
he is in nowise guilty: and thereupon for good
and evil placeth himself upon his country. The
jury, therefore, then came before our Lady the
Queen at Westminster, on Monday, the morrow
of the Purification of Blessed Mary the Virgin, by
whom, &c., and who, &c., to take cognizance, &c.,
because, &c. The same day is appointed to the
aforesaid Thomas Sherwood, committed meanwhile to the custody of the aforesaid Lieutenant.
On which day the aforesaid Thomas Sherwood
in his own proper person came before our Lady
the Queen at Westminster, under ward of the
aforesaid Lieutenant. And the Sheriff returned
the names of twelve jurymen, which jurymen
having been impanelled and summoned for this,
came to say truth about and over the premisses.
Who, having been elected, tried, and sworn, say
upon their oath that the aforesaid Thomas Sherwood is guilty of the several high treasons
aforesaid, laid against him above in the form
aforesaid, according to the fashion and form
wherein they were charged against him above
in the several indictments aforesaid. Also that
the self same Thomas Sherwood hath no goods
or chattels, lands, or tenements to their knowledge.
Whereupon, Gilbert Gerard, Esquire, Attorney
General to our Lady the Queen, begged on
behalf our said Lady the Queen, for judgment

BLESSED THOMAS SHERWOOD.

'
9

and execution against the same Thomas Sherwood. Upon this it was asked of the aforesaid
Thomas if he had or could say anything for himself, why this Court should not proceed to judgment and execution upon the aforesaid verdict.
Who sayeth no otherwise than as he said above.
Whereupon the Sheriff, &c., by the Court, having
understood all and each of the premisses, the
same Gilbert Gerard, the Attorney of our said
Lady the Queen, being summoned and present
for this purpose, judgment was given that the
.aforesaid Thomas Sherwood be led by the aforesaid Lieutenant unto the Tower of London, and
thence be dragged through the midst of the
city of London, directly unto the gallows of
Tyburn, and upon the gallows there be hanged,
and thrown living to the earth, and that his
bowels be taken from his belly, and whilst he
is alive be burnt, and that his head be cut off,
and that his body be divided into four parts, and
that his head and quarters be placed where our
Lady the Queen shall please to assign them.
There is no account preserved of the details of
Sherwood's conduct at the place of execution. In
the Controlment Roll (20 Eliz. rot. 29) may be read

the writ addressed to the Lieutenant of the Tower,
directing him "on Wednesday, to wit, the seventh
day of this instant month of February, to meet the
sheriffs of our city of London on Tower Hill, and to
deliver there the said Thomas Sherwood to the same
sheriffs." Immediately following this comes the writ
to the sheriffs, who in turn are directed to meet the

20

BLESSED THOIIMAS SHERWOOD.

Lieutenant on Tower Hill, to receive Sherwood, and
"to do execution upon him according to the form
above recited, as is fitting."
Three weeks later, news of the death of this blessed
Martyr reached the Seminary at Douay, and is thus
entered in their diary. 5
On the first of March Mr. Lowe returned to us
from England, bringing news that a youth, by
name [Thomas] Sherwood, had suffered for his
confession of the Catholic faith, not only imAmidst all his
prisonment, but death itself.
torments his exclamation had been, "Lord
Jesus, I am not worthy to suffer this for Thee,
much less to receive those rewards, which Thou
hast promised to those that confess Thee."
5 Douay Diaiies, p. 135.

CHAPTER II.
BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION OF
THE SOCIETY OF JESUS.
Suffered December, I, 1581.

DOCUMENTS.
i. Metrical life (Bodleian Library, MS. Laud Misc. 755).
2. Notes by Father Thomas Fitzherbert (Westminster Archives, vol. ii. p. 185).
3. Father Walpole's conversion

at

Campion's martyrdom

(Bibliotheque de Bourgogne, n; 2167 and also n. 4554). Latin.
4. Notes by the Ven. Father Walpole on Campion's trial and
execution (Archives S.J.). Italian.

Of none of our Martyrs has more been written
than of Blessed Edmund, and of none do more
ample materials for biography exist. Nor is this
to be wondered at. There was something unique
in his powers, something electrical in his character
that moved and roused men, as few have ever done.
His coming, too, raised to its highest pitch the wave
of Catholic reaction against Elizabeth's reformation.
He came to be regarded as the leader and ideal
It is therefore
representative of English priests.
only natural that much should have been written
and much preserved about him.
This, however,

22

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

makes it difficult to select, amongst papers yet inedited, which shall be accounted worthy to represent
the life of so great a man. Three documents only
have been chosen, the two latter as valuable records
of some of Campion's doings, the first as giving
a brief outline of the Martyr's life, and much more
as letting us see incidentally how strong a hold
Campion had won on the sympathies of his fellow-

Catholics.
1. The original of the "Brief of the life and
death of Sir Edmund Campion" is among Laud's
manuscripts in the Bodleian Library, and is.
written in a minute hand on a small roll of paper.
That it was composed at the time of Campion's
death, appears from the motive of its author, which
is to dispel unfavourable rumours current against
the Martyr. These had been set afloat some months
before by the cunning of Lord Burleigh, who gave
out that various Catholics, imprisoned by him, were
arrested because Campion had betrayed their names.
But the Martyr's speech from the scaffold and his
constancy in death dispelled this cloud on his.
fame, and though the Catholics of the time were
never able to trace the rumour home to its originator as we can now, it was soon discredited.
As it seems unlikely that "Light Report " would
have been described as she is here, more than
six months after Campion's death, the composition can with probability be assigned to the beginning of the year 1582. Its occasional roughness of
rhyme and rhythm does not point to a great scholar
as its compiler, but it rather enhances the enthusiastic fervour so eminently Elizabethan, in which
it is conceived and composed.

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

23

A BRIEF OF THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SIR EDMUND
CAMPION,

PRIEST OF THE BLESSED SOCIETY OF

THE NAME OF JESUS.
The Christian Mourner.

"And is he dead

indeed; is virtue

so foreset ?
Hath malice clouded humble mind: shall fraud
on good men fret?
Is learning now forlorn; hath blood imbrued the
ground?
Is no remorse for to be had where virtues all
abound ?
Do all the muses mourn in losing of their light?
Did pity playne in every heart to see this rueful
sight ? "
AS thus amazed I mused, like one
with sorrow fed,
Out stept me Light Report, and said, that he
indeed is dead:
And that no life was left,where treason did attaint,
But brought himself to wilful wreck, and other to
distraint.
Light Report.

Scant Report had said, but forth
there comes in place
A worthy wight, the truest form that ever showed
forth face,
All clad in virgin white, of silver pure her gown,
A laurel in her happy hand, and on her head a
crown.
Who gravely gave a pause, and after, thus she said,
Truth.

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION

24

As far as I remember, came her words, which
then I weighed.
"Let Light Report go pack: begone," quoth she,
"with speed.
The noble Sir thou hast belied, he is not dead
indeed.
Thou rudely dost catch up a tale, at first pursuit,
And seekest to stain the purest bright, with false
redoubled bruit.
But for this worthy man, with joy he ends his
plaints:
He liveth still, I say, he lives among the sacred
saints.
Therefore thou Light Report, thou loudly bruitest
lies.
Make up thy mouth, and be thou blind where
truth doth ope her eyes.
This man of mighty mind unto the world I blaze,
What fame, what life, what death he had, which
time shall never raze.
In London rose this star, a blessed
womb him bore,
As good an Edmund for his time, as Thomas was
before.
Then London herein joy, and hope return from
sin,
Since thou unto such happy saints a holy nurse
hast been.
Brought up.
Whilst here with deep desire he did
the schools frequent,
Born.

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

25

Even for the muses born he seemed, so forward
was he bent.
A youngling as he was, he flamed in virtue's love,
That even then the wise did say, this child will
passing prove.
They were not then deceived that deemed of him
so true,
He proved in fine their judgment just, as life with
learning grew.
NOW when the city schools had
yielded all their skill,
And that no more was to be had to feed his
worthy will,
Then to the learned sort of Oxford was he
set,
Of virtues rare the fountain clear, and full desire
to get.
Where as that famous knight the noble Whyte
did found
A College brave of learned heads built on a happy
ground.
Here, as a blossom gay, in fresh desire he grew;
He won his praise, in this his prime, of all that
well him knew,
For memory, for wit, for will, for skill sublime.
He then began for to appear the wonder of his
time.
In Oxford who him knew, knew well his passing
praise,
Even then was he a lamp of light to pass in
virtue's ways.
Sent to Oxford.

26

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

So fraught with learned lore, so full of fruitful
shows,
That every wight that saw him said, lo, there a
gallant goes !
What wisdom then he had, what goodly gifts of
grace,
They can report that live and know the person,
time, and place.
Truth may it boldly speak, Oxford had few before,
And since, for aught mine eye discerns, his peer
was seen no more.
I come not to compare, nor to reject the rest,
But that I say, because I know Truth may report
it best.
So rare in every art, his words of such a power,
That of the learned of his time he proved the
rarest flower.
Saint Mary Church can tell, and all
the schools do know,
The walls may yet resound his praise, where he
excelled so.
How sharp in science sound, how ripe in skill
was he,
How sweet for tongue, how grave for truth, how
deep for memory!
How skill'd in antique writs, how rare in every
art,
And how the Bible in each point he could repeat
by heart.
And that which most appeared, yet rarest for to
find,
Proceeded.

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

27

The more of learning he possessed, more humble
was his mind.
In travail how expert, in studies grave and long,
How apt for to remember right, and to forget the
wrong.
No book to him unknown, where learning was
compact;
The graces waited where he went in every learned
act.
In English if he wrote, he penned it passing well;
If Tully's tongue he took to speak, he did therein
excel.
Despite must it report, when she the cause hath
scanned;
In every part he did surpass, what erst he took in
hand.
His couched cunning such, as blazeth out his
name ;
His works, that ever more shall live, do well
declare the same.
Oh, that one day should take, and drive him to
be gone!
Oh, that so many virtues rare, should so be slain
in one!
Proctor in the
University.

In Oxford so beloved, and blazed of
the best,

That he at last was chosen one to rule above the
rest.
By due desert obtained, he did the learned guide;
His wisdom did appear therein as in each act
beside.

28

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

Thus reaping earned praise for learning fully tried,
It would have made a youthful head to pitch himself in pride.
And to have launched forth a large desire to seek
Of worldly weal and worship both, a seat among
the like.
But he by special grace to heaven cast up his
eyen,
And with a noble courage flamed, he then became
Divine:
And mounting up his mind above all worldly toys,
He sought forhonours uncorrupt, and undistressed
joys.
He sought the endless realm of the eternal bliss.
What nobler heart, what honour more, what better
choice than this ?
Now having stayed his time, he
travelled foreign land,
As ever careful to increase the mean to understand.
And when he did depart, to run a Christian race,
He left a pattern to the house, and praise unto
the place.
Thus travelled he abroad, possessed with noble
mind,
As Plato did, that pierced far, the perfect skill
to find.
What virtues then he had, Prague can report
it well,
The Universities abroad, the courts of kings
can tell.
Travelled.

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

29

Wherever that he came, his virtues ever shined,
Like as the sun is ever bright, and keeps his
course by kind.
Now when eight years were spent, in.sacredorder
set,
When he had lived in passing fame, which no age
will forget ;
He feared not this world, nor praise wherein he
stood,
But ventured life and limb and all, to do his
country good.
Returned.
So to his native soil, upon command
he came,
Of only love to save the souls, that fell from
virtue's frame:
To cure enchanted minds, to end our mortal
strife ;
What greater love, what faster friend, than to
bestow his life?,
He came not long to land, but that he taken was.
Apprehended.
What then ? to them that love our
Lord, nothing amiss doth pass.
I do remember well a sentence that he said :
' I may' (quoth he) 'for Truth.be slain, yet not
be conquered.'
But first his foes dispute, attempting every way,
Whereby they might entrap the truth, and blessed
man betray.
Imprisoned.
The Tower had never man that stood
in more defence,

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

30

More far from foil, more full of
sincere of sense.
And eke thereto so wise, and of a
Amid the furies of his foes he
smiled.
And when they rail and rave as

faith, or more
mind so mild,
sweetly always
rages on them

ran,

It was a wonder to behold the meekness of the
man.
Disputed.

How grave he answers gave, how

patiently he sat,
That they which hardly wished him well, were
much amazed thereat.
How wise he silence gave to many words of
wrath,
An answer best to fond replies, where wisdom
dwelling hath.
Then say they he was weak, their fautors so they
feed,
And blear the eyes of yielding imps, that take
thereof no heed.
But let them lie and limp, let chafing tongues go
chat,
As they that bark against the sun, and cast their
cap thereat.
For he in prudent speech did drive them all to
pause ;
In words but few, full sense he gave, well armed
for his cause.
When prate could not prevail, nor
furies him astone,

Allured.

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

31

Then, with attempt of promise fair, the battery
was begun.
In vain do they allure, preferment to bestow,
With honour high, with seat of lord, with many
a glory mo.
For neither honours, name, nor threats, nor rope,
nor rack,
Could move the rock from off his place, nor draw
the constant back.
Then to the rack they hale, with

Racked.

torture they him tear,
That more amazed the lookers on, than put him
ought in fear.
Arraigned.
The last assault was made; for, after
diverse pains,
And torment of the torn limbs, that pierced all
his veins,
Yet nothing could they win, the fact would
nothing yield;
He builded was upon'the rock, his sufferance got
the field.
Condemned.
Then was he threatened death, he is
condemned to die.
'Judge and discern my cause' (quoth he), 'our
Lord that sittest on high.'
In modest, wise demands his praise was bruited
far

:

And his prudent speeches were in pleading at the
bar.
For learning passing rare, for life and learning like,
The banks of Brute possess no peer, if equal there
she seek.

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

32

Of Emperor beloved, and for him princes strive:
And yet not thought a worthy man, among us
here to live.
A Solomon for wit, a Solon for his will,
A Cato for his public care, a Tully for his skill.
A Socrates for mind, that feared no loss of breath,.
A mirror for his godly life, a martyr for his death.
A Joseph to forgive, a Josua to guide,
As far from malice everyway, as prudence is from
pride.
Then to his death he came, where
with a constant heart
He did protest he never thought a treason for his
part.
As loyal to his prince as any wight beside,
That by his prayer for her life, that by his death
he tried.
That every wight might say, with heavy heart
that stood,
Here dies a lamb, here spake a saint, here flows
the guiltless blood."
Executed.

When Truth had said all this, now Light Report
was bashed
And looked away with blushing brow, to see her
dealing dashed.
And ran for to demand the worthy reverent youth,
What was her name. " Forsooth" (quoth she),
"my name is called Truth,
By whom the God Eterne takes chief delight on
high:

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

33

In whom this worthy man did live, for whom he
chose to die."
This said, now Light Report began away to
trudge,
As one that had no power of speech where Truth
did sit as judge.
Then Truth called out for Fame, forthwith Fame
comes in sight.
"Sound out" (quoth Truth) "thy silver trump,
of this most worthy wight."
No sooner Truth had said, than [Fame'] began
to sound
With such a blast unto the world as it did large
rebound.
Which pierced the cheerful skies and made the
angels glad,
And those were .then the words of Fame which
full in force she had.
If virtue ever live, if valour never
His fame after death
evermore,
die,
If learned arts for ever stand with grace eternally,
If perfect life get fame, if perfect fame endure,
If endless durance make us live, and set our
honour sure;
If constance earn a crown, if conquest join the
gain,
If learning armed with godly life do evermore
remain;
If ardent thirst for souls, if aged acts in youth,
If for to sweat and die the death for the Eternal
truth,
1 In MS. " Truth."
D

34

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

If martyrs purchase life, if meekness last in praise,
If charity of highest degree do flourish green
always,
If mind invincible do ever blaze and bide,
If all the gifts of manly mind, and virtues therein
tried:
Then is not Edmund dead, but gone to bliss
before,
He lives among the sacred saints, and reigns for
evermore."
When I had heard this Fame that Truth had
sounded out,
And that indeed he was not dead: then, being
void of doubt,
I cast mine eyes to heaven, I feared none annoy,
I wiped mine eyes, and thanked God, and clapt
my hands for joy.
2. Father Thomas Fitzherbert, writer of the
following recollections, was a man of note in his
time, some account of whose long and busy life may
be read in Foley's Records, vol. ii. p. 188. Here it will
be sufficient to say that he inherited Swynnerton,
which he was obliged to leave for conscience' sake.
As an exile he was highly trusted by the Court of
Spain, as a priest he was selected to represent the
English clergy at Rome, and finally, as a Jesuit he
was entrusted with important posts of responsibility
and authority. The original MS. is in the Westminster Archives, vol. ii. p. 185, and a Latin
translation of it (Ibid. p. 181) has been corrected by
Father Fitzherbert himself, as Father Grene notes.

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

35

Mr. Simpson found a paper, apparently similar to
this, dated February i, 1628 (Edmund Campion, p.482).

Our paper may have been written sooner, for the
use of one of the 'biographers of Campion, perhaps
Bombino, who published his life in 1618.
RECOLLECTIONS

OF FATHER CAMPION.

By Father Thomas Fitzherbert.

About the year of our Lord 1567, I knew Father
Campion, of blessed memory, in Oxford, who
was then Master of Arts (which degree in that
University is as much as Doctor in Artibus here
[in Rome]), and was famed for his eloquence, in
which respect he was made Junior of the Act,
when he proceeded Master of Art, which place or
title is always given to the best orator of those
And for the
who take degree at that time.
opinion and fame which he had for his eloquence,
the orations which he made in the University
upon occasions then occurring, were diligently
copied and greatly desired by all the scholars of
the University, whereof I myself saw some copies
at that time.
The year after, he was made Proctor of the
University (which is the principal office after the
Commissary who is head thereof). And although
he was not then Catholic, yet he was held for no
enemy to Catholics but rather a friend, and was
generally esteemed and loved of all men. But
after this time he departed Oxford, and I never
saw him until he returned into England being
of the Society, in the year 1580, together with

36

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

Father Persons; at what time I was familiarly
acquainted with him. But in this meantime I
heard that he was gone over the seas, and not
only become Catholic but also of the Society, and
that he was so much esteemed for his eloquence,
that [Sir Philip Sydney] an heretical ambassador
of the Queen of England, being sent to the
Emperor, and relating at his return of certain
things remarkable and worthy of memory which
he had noted in the time of his embassage, recounted for one an eloquent sermon which Father
Campion had made before the Emperor in Prague
whilst he himself was there, and present at the
sermon.
After his return into England he was of singular
estimation and fame, no less for his religious
virtue and exemplar life than for his learning and
rare parts, whereby the Catholics are exceedingly
comforted and edified, and particularly by his
sermons, wherein he was generally esteemed to
have a singular talent.
Shortly after his return into England,. he set
down in writing the reasons of his return, for the
satisfaction as well of heretics as Catholics, concerning his mission thither, as that he was sent by
his Superiors for the only good of souls, with
express prohibition to deal in matters of State,
as it was generally and slanderously given out
by the heretics. And by the same occasiot he
offered to maintain the verity of Catholic Religion
by a public disputation if he should be permitted,
to which purpose also he published shortly after

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

37

in print his little book of Ten Reasons which
moved him to desire and offer a disputation;
dedicating the same to the two Universities of
Oxford and Cambridge.
And that the same was his own work I can
well testify, for Father Persons being his Superior
gave it me in written hand to be printed, and
told me that it was Father Campion's, and therefore recommended it to me, not only to read but
also to examine the places of Fathers alleged
therein (because I might have more free recourse
to public libraries in London than priests or
religious could have). Besides that, after it was
printed, Father Campion himself gave me one of
the first printed copies as his own work.
Shortly after he had published this book he
was taken by the heretics, being betrayed by a
false brother, who having been a known Catholic
became a secret spy for the heretics, and having
gotten a commission from the Council to search
for priests and namely for Father Campion, came
to the house of a gentleman where he was, not
knowing him to be there, and being taken for a
Catholic, as he was formerly known to be, was
admitted to hear Mass and a sermon of Father
Campion's. Whereupon departing, presently after,
he went to the next magistrates, and brought
them thither to search the house, whereby Father
Campion was taken and brought to the Tower of
London prisoner.
And albeit I was in London at the same time
when he was arraigned and condemned, yet I

38

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

was not present thereat for divers respects, but
understood sufficiently of what passed therein
concerning the condemnation of him and divers
other secular priests, which were condemned with
him under a false pretence of a conspiracy made
at Rome and Rheims by them all against the
Queen and the state of the realm; whereof the
injustice was most notorious, by reason that
the manner of the trial of prisoners in England
being public, and the witnesses produced before
the accused in the presence of all the people, it
evidently appeared- that neither the prisoners had
ever all of them known or seen one another
before they came thither to the bar, neither yet the
witnesses (as it was here proved by the confession
of some of themselves) had ever seen them
beyond the seas; yea, and that divers of the
accused were in England at the same time when
the conspiracy was supposed to be made at Rome
and Rheims. And moreover that the particulars
alleged and testified by the witnesses against
them, did not concern at all Father Campion,
nothing at all being testified against him in particular, which he urged notably, to the confusion
of the witnesses and the judges. Besides that
both he and the other prisoners took such
exceptions to the witnesses for their infamy,
that it appeared clearly they were suborned and
deserved no credit. Finally, Father Campion so
substantially pleaded for himself and the rest,
that a gentleman of good account, a lawyer, and
an earnest Protestant, yet a friend of mine, who.

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

39

was present at the arraignment, told me the day
after, that in truth the evidences that were given
against Father Campion were so weak, and his
answers so sufficient and clear, that he could not
persuade himself that he should be condemned,
until he heard the chief Judge give the sentence
of death. And when I asked him how itcould
stand with conscience to condemn innocent men,
he answered that it was necessary for the State.
And the like I heard credibly reported of another
of the judges, who being asked afterwards by a
familiar friend of his, with what conscience he
could condemn Campion and the rest upon that
evidence, he answered that he could do no less,
for otherwise he should not be taken for a friend
to Caesar.
It was also constantly reported and very
that one of the assessors to the chief
Judge found his hand spotted with blood at'the
time of Father Campion's condemnation, and
that he showed it to some with great admiration.
As concerning his death I can say nothing but
by report of others, because I was not present at
it, only I think good to relate that the same day
the River of Thames, which daily floweth and
ebbeth with the sea, did change his course,
ceasing to flow or ebb all that day; which was so
notorious that some poets employed their pens to
make sonnets thereupon to celebrate the wonder,
applying it to the martyrdom of Father Campion.
-And one of the sonnets was presently after set

,famous,

,40

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

forth in music by the best musician in England,
which I have often seen and heard.
3. An account of one Martyr cannot fail to become
additionally interesting when written by another. In

this case the interest becomes all the greater, when
we remember that the scenes, which Walpole here
records, were the very means which converted him to
the practice of the Catholic religion. Every action in

the tragedy, we may well believe, had its part in preparing his soul to receivethe grace of the true faith.
How the conversion was finally effected is best
shown by the following paper, from the Bibliotheque
de Bourgogne at Brussels:
FATHER WALPOLE'S

CONVERSION.

The Rev. Father Henry Walpole related of
himself to the Rev. Father Ignatius Basselier,
that when the body of the Rev. Father Edmund
Campion was quartered at the place of execution,
he, Father Walpole, then a heretic, stood looking
on amongst the rest. As the executioner threw
the quarters of the Martyr into a cauldron full of
water, a drop of it, mixed with the blood of the
Martyr, was splashed out, and fell on Walpole's
coat. From a heretic he became a Catholic without delay, from a layman a religious of the Society
of Jesus, from a spectator of martyrdoms a most
admirable Martyr, the most distinguished among
the ten thousand converts said to have been made
by Campion's death.
These things, which the aforesaid Father

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

41

Ignatius heard from Father Walpole himself, he
afterwards related to Father Antony Sucquet.
4. It is to be regretted that in the account we
now proceed to give of the martyrdom of Blessed
Edmund Campion, Father Walpole onlyset himself
the humble task of filling up the omissions of others
in a story, which no one was better fitted to recount
than himself. But so it is, and the story has not
gained by being only known to us in the Italian
version, which was prepared for Father Bartoli as
material for the construction of his history. The
transcript here used was made by Brother Henry
Foley from a MS. volume entitled Fragmenta Hist.
Angl, preserved in the Archives of the Society
now at Fiesole.
THINGS

OMITTED

IN THE

FATHER CAMPION'S

ACCOUNTS

OF

MARTYRDOM.

By Father Henry Walpole.

I was present during his arraignment in Court
and indictment, and stood near him when
sentence was passed. The English custom is
that the prisoner should not speak, but lift his
hand and answer either "guilty" or "not guilty."
On the second day he, with seven companions,
stood at the bar from eight in the morning till
seven in the evening, during all which time the
Queen's Solicitor and Attorney kept heaping up
odious presumptions against them. A witness
deposed, &c.
To which Campion replied in
his own behalf as well as that of the rest. (As
well as I remember Mr. Cottam said: "For

42

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

the love of God let Campion answer for us all.")
Campion's speech was entirely unprepared, yet
carefully adapted to meet their calumnies. So
complete was his reply that some, who came
from curiosity to see what passed, and to set
down the speeches of the opposite side, were
astonished at his remarkable talent and presence
of mind in this predicament.
Others, again,
considering the merits of the case, were amazed,
thinking that one and all, and especially Campion, were innocent, and quite beyond the reach
of the law. It was really a wonder that men
such as they, who were after all only students,
should have made such able answers to arguments on legal subjects, and that, too, with
an unassuming grace of manner which reflected
much credit on their cause and themselves. Here
indeed our Lord's promises were wonderfully
fulfilled : "I will give you a mouth and wisdom,
which all your adversaries shall not be able to
resist and gainsay." 2
Accordingly, in proof of all this, I may point
to the conduct of Lord Chief Justice Wray. He
addressed Campion with greater courtesy, calling
him Master Campion, and afterwards, taking
some one to task for not speaking in his turn
or to the point, said: " Look you, imitate the
good example of Mr. Campion." In fact he was,
like Pilate, desirous of liberating him, but for
fear of Caesar, upon the verdict of the jury,
condemned him to death.
2 St. Luke xxi. 15.

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

43

A certain Mr. Hewes, a heretical doctor, who
had been engaged by the Earl of Warwick to
take notes of everything that happened, promised
me a copy of them, if his master would allow of
their publication. When the Earl saw the notes,
as the aforesaid Hewes told me, he asked him
whether Campion really answered as well as he
was reported to have done. "Yes, my lord,"
said he, "and better too, if I could have understood or remembered all." "God's will," replied
the Earl, "he is a rare fellow. But let the
business die-I undertook it for my own satis3
faction."
Thus the whole day passed, and the jury
retired to consider whether they should find a
verdict of guilty or of not guilty. I asked a
lawyer called Strickland, a friend of mine, who
stood near me, if he thought they would be
condemned, and what he thought of Campion.
"As far as he is concerned," was the answer,
"he surely cannot be touched, his answers to all
that has been laid to his charge have been so
excellent. I should say the same of all the rest,
except of one or two, who may be found guilty on
the insinuations against them." As this man is
known to be a heretic, he cannot be suspected
of partiality.
What the Catholics felt, I can
conjecture from my own impressions.
Never
before or since did I listen to any one with so
much pleasure, and I am well assured from the
testimony of others that his words and his
3 The transcript is here defective.

44

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

bearing gave strength to the faithful who heard
and saw him, and converted many who were not
blinded with passion and prejudice.
Now to touch on a few incidents which are
still fresh in my mind. In the first place, after
he had heard the exaggerations of the Attorney
and lawyers endeavouring to please the Government, to maintain heresy, and display their skillexaggerations which doubtless he never expected
-he seemed wonder-stricken; then, lifting his
eyes to heaven, and recollecting himself, he began
his answer. His innocence, he said, had not
looked for such elaborate, earnest accusations,
and he asked how they could in conscience utter
all that stuff. The answer was, that in this they
had done their part in pleading on behalf of the
Queen, and now he and the rest must speak for
themselves.
" Well," said Father Campion,
"you have said enough without doubt, but
whether justly or no remains to be seen. Reason,
moreover, requires that we should have one
learned in your law to answer for us, and time
to meet such long accusations, especially seeing
that it is not only we here present, who are
accused at this bar, but also the greatest princes
in the world-the Pope, the King of Spain, and
all the Catholics in the world. For what you
say against myself and these others, about the
Northern Rising, the book of Doctor Bristow,
and the coming of Doctor Sander to Ireland,
does not affect us more than all the rest of our
religion.
Again, where you call us traitors,

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

45

you ought to prove, first, that those acts were
traitorous, and then that we were their authors.
This you have not done, and have therefore
arrived at a conclusion without establishing your
premisses."
Here one of the Court took him up: "If you
want to dispute as though you were in the
schools, you are only proving yourself a fool."
" I pray God make us both sages," was Campion's
reply.
"As for the accusation that we plotted treason
Reflect, my lords, how just this
at Rheims.
charge is. For see; first, we never met there at
all; then, many of us have never been at Rheims
at all; finally, we were never in our lives all
together, except at this bar and in prison." He
enlarged a good deal on this point, but I could
not hear all, because of the noise, and I do not
recollect much.
After Campion had answered clearly the more
urgent charges to the general satisfaction, they
began to press him with various particulars, &c.
After this he treated of the false testimony of
Elliot, &c., ut in libro.4 To him Father Campion
said: "Why do you tax us with the affair of
If he is a man of blood, let him
Mr. Paine?
answer for himself. Why do you not call him ?
And, in his absence, why charge us with matters
that are not ours ? I profess myself free and far
removed from all desire of bloodshed; moreover,

4

The book here alluded to, must be some contemporary
account of Campion's trial, not now known.

46

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

it is repugnant to the priesthood to undertake
Why do you say such things,
such actions.
except to pre-occupy the popular ear, and
prejudice the jury, who, hearing these odious
calumnies, may condemn us for that which
others have done, or for what is alleged against
them in their absence ? Moreover, there ought
to be a separate accusation against each of us
in particular, so that each of us might answer for
At present the charge against all in
himself.
general falls upon me individually, and those
which are laid against me affect all without
exception."
Answer was made that he had the law, and
capable honest men for the jury (though in fact
neither the one statement nor the other appeared
to be true).
The witnesses being already sworn, Father
Campion said: "Pray tell me, Elliot, did I
mention the Pope's name in my sermon, or not?"
"I don't remember," was the answer.
"Then, my lords, and you, sirs," said Campion,
"I beg you to notice what a conscience this man
has, and how he should be trusted in the rest of
his story, seeing that after he has sworn that I
exhorted him to abandon the Queen and obey the
Pope, he now says that he does not remember
what I said."
"I told you so," was Elliot's answer. "If you
will listen he has a pestilent tongue."
Campion turned to the jury and said: "Sirs,
our cause is committed to your hands. Bear in

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

47

mind that the matter in debate is not an affair of
small moment, nor one concerning mere temporal
affairs, but it touches the lives of innocent men,
an account of whose blood will be demanded of
you. It is not our cause only, but that of all
Englishmen, and of all Catholics in the world.
Let not yourselves be deceived, but imagine it
were the case of a single man, accused of stealing
a sheep, or something similar. You would not
condemn him without good proof and evidence.
If it were given in evidence that a sheep was
stolen in his absence, that his father used to be
suspected of sheep-stealing, that he liked mutton,
and therefore (it was concluded) had stolen the
sheep, would you on this account condemn him
without mercy, unless other evidence appeared to
prove that he had stolen the sheep at such a time
and place? 5 Much more in this our case, where
so many are accused of the crime of treachery
and treason, and that, too, on slight presumption,
some of us on no presumptions at all, surely you
ought to be cautious lest you condemn the innocent, and become guilty of shedding their blood."
Such words, and more to the same effect, did
5The meaning of the Italian, when compared with the report
of Campion's trial given by Simpson (p. 287), is evidently as
above, though the transcript is defective.
A more spirited
version of this passage is given by Father Fitzherbert in his

Ajology (pp. 18, seq.): "If a sheep were stolen, and a whole
family called in question for the same, were it good manner of
proceeding for the accusers to say, '
Your great-grandfathers and
fathers, and sisters and kinsfolk, all loved mutton, ergo you have
stolen the sheep.' "

48

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

Father Campion use, but notwithstanding all,
after consulting for half an hour, or rather without any consultation at all, the jury found the
fatal verdict against all, proclaiming on their
return that all were guilty, to the amazement
and horror of every one present.
Father Campion and the rest often protested
that if they would make acts of religion the cause
of their death, they would die most willingly.
At his martyrdom Father Campion said: "I
pray all present who belong to the household of
the holy faith to say a Credo with me, and that
when I am in my agony." This many did bareheaded. The last words which I heard him say
in a loud voice, while the rope was round his
neck and the cart moving from under him were:
"I die a true Catholic."

CHAPTER III.
VENERABLE JOHN SLADE
AND VENERABLE JOHN BODEY.
Suffered, the one at Winchester, October 30, the other at
Andover, November 2, 1583.

DOCUMENTS.

I. Writ of Privy Council for the arrest of Slade (Lansdowne
MSS. 1162, fol. 202).
2. Extract of a letter from the Rev. George Birket to Dr. Allen
(Westminster Archives). Latin.

3. Account of their trial (Stonyhurst MSS. Anglia, vii. n. 25).
4. Part of a letter of Bodey (Ibid. Anglia, i. n. 16).
5. Details of their imprisonment, &c. (Stonyhurst MSS. M.
131, by Father Warford, S.J.). Latin.
6. Account of their execution by R. B. (Westminster Archives,
vol. ii. p. 341).

i. The lives of these two Martyrs are wonderfully
similar. Born at no great distance one from another,
they both entered New College, Oxford, where Bodey
proceeded Master of Arts, February I, 1576. Both
were expelled for Catholicity, and both went over seas
for a time to be able to practise their religion in
peace.
Again they both apparently wished to
follow the law as a profession, but were prevented
by the persecution then raging.
Slade devoted
E

50

VENERABLE

JOHN SLADE

himself to the work of education, probably in the
capacity of a tutor in some gentleman's family,
though in contemporary legal form he is described as
a schoolmaster. Bodey was imprisoned about the
time of the great increase of persecution which
followed the advent of Fathers Persons and Campion.
The directions for the arrest of Slade are given in
the following extract from the Registers of the
Privy Council, under date June 14,' 1582.
A letter unto Sir John Horsey, Knight, and
George Trenchard, Esq., for the apprehending
and sending up of one Selad [Slade], a very
dangerous Papist lurking within the county of
Dorset, and all such superstitious ornaments and
trumpery as they can by diligent search find
out, together with the said Slade. And by like
authority of their Lordships' letters to make
search and apprehend from time to time any
Jesuit or Seminary priest, that they shall hereafter know or understand to be within the said
county, &c.
2. Slade was arrested in due course and confined
with Bodey in Winchester gaol, and sometimes they
were shut up together in one cell. On the I ith of
January, 1583, a search was made in the prison
by Sir Richard Norton knight, William Wright,
and Thomas Fleming, esquires, and the following
Catholic books were found in their chamber: Allen
of Purgatory, A Christian Exercise, A Treatise of the
Church, Smyth of the Mass.1
1 P.R.O. Dom. Eliz. vol. clviii. n. 19.

AND

VENERABLE JOHN BODEY.

5;

Shortly after this they were put on their trials, and
from a letter 2 of the Reverend George Birket, afterwards Archpriest, to Dr. Allen from London in April,
1583, it would seem that their conduct had male a
considerable stir in the country.
Bodey and Slade [he writes], two most
valiant soldiers of Christ, have been condemned
to death at Winchester, but have not yet suffered.
At the bar they pleaded the cause of Catholic
religion with answers so apposite, and a zeal so
fervent, that they have recalled well nigh the
larger part of Hampshire from frequenting the
Protestant churches. Many gentlemen of position
in that county were indeed Catholic before, but
now not only the greater number of these, but
leven the country folk flock to us from all sides.
3. By some piece of legal chicanery, or freak of
persecution overriding all law, these Martyrs were
twice tried and twice condemned. The date of
Dr. Birket's letter shows that it refers to their first
trial, which took place at Winchester. It does not
appear whether the next document from the Stonyhurst manuscripts belongs to the spring or the
autumn Sessions held at Andover, where they were
sentenced for the second time.
John Bodey and John Slade were arraigned
.at the Assizes holden at Andover upon the SupreAmongst the rest were present Dr.
macy.
Humphrey, who used persuasions to convert
2 Printed by F. Knox, in the Douay Diaries,p. 353.

52

VENERABLE

JOHN

SLADE

them, and vouched a place out of Eusebius, that
Con;tantine the Great did call the Nicene Council
upor; his own authority as he says, whereby he
concluded that the Emperor's authority was
above the Pope's; and urged upon the place in
this sort. " Constantinus vocavit concilium." Mr.
Bodey answered, " Indeed Constantinus vocavit
concilium, sed ex sententia sacerdotis," and that
these were the words of the author, whereof the
one said yea, the other nay.
"Will you pawn your consideration thereon,"
said the Doctor.
"Yea, and my life and all that I am worth,"
said Mr. Bodey, "if you will pawn your credit,"
and so demurred upon that issue.
The book that night was sent for. Next day
when judgment was to be given, the Judge
according to the course, asked:
"How sayest thou, Bodey, what canst thou
say for thyself why thou shouldst not have
judgment to die ? "
Slade answered, "What! is the matter come
thereto ? where is Mr. Doctor ? " and Mr. Bodey
drew out the book from under his cloak, and
opened it, and pointed to the place where the
words were as he had said. One of the Judges
plucked a pamphlet out of his bosom, which the
doctor had left with them and cast it unto them,
for the doctor had gone away overnight ...
The dispute with Dr. Humphrey seems to have
excited much interest, and a gentleman named John

AND

VENERABLE

JOHN

BODEY.

53

Hardy got into serious trouble with the local Dogberry, for saying that Bodey had the better of the
argument. A Protestant minister was present at
the dinner-table where the remark was made and
laid the matter before the Justices. Thereupon all
the guests were had up and examined, and the
examinations forwarded to the Privy Council.
These papers have been preserved,3 and from
them we learn that there was "a conference had
at Winchester [apparently after the trial] between
the Dean of Winchester, the Warden of the College
of Winchester aforesaid, and one Slade and Bodey,
who were condemned for maintaining the Supremacy
of the Bishop of Rome. At which time the said
Dean and Warden did urge the said Bodey to show
what he had collected or could avouch for the maintenance of his said erroneous opinion. Whereupon the
said Bodey did pull a paper out of his bosom, with
notes collected out of the story of Eusebius touching
a Council holden at Nice in the time of the Emperor
Constantine, by which the said Bodey would have
proved that the Bishop of Rome was above the
Emperor. Whereunto the said Warden did make
answer," &c.
The answer of Dr. Humphrey has not been
preserved, but the paper which Bodey pulled out of
his bosom at the dispute, or a similar (if not the
same) one which he gave to the Sheriff at the time
of his execution, is still to be seen in the Public
Record Office. 4 As it contains no further information concerning the Martyr's life, it has not been
reproduced here. The substance of the argument
is accurately stated by the writer of the Stonyhurst
document just quoted.
SP.R.O. Dom. Eliz. vol. clxvii. n. 15.

4 Ibid. vol. clxii. n. 8.

VENERABLE JOHN SLADE

54

4. After their second condemnation Bodey wrote
a letter to some friends at Rheims, a copy of a part
of which is preserved at Stonyhurst. This seems to
have been made for transmission to Rome, and is
endorsed by Dr. Barrett :
A

PART

OF

BODEY,
MR.

A

LETTER WRITTEN

OUT OF

REYNOLDS,

TYRDOM,

IN

[GILBERT],

PRISON,
A

THE

TO

LITTLE

MR.

BY
D.

BEFORE

BEHALF

OF

HIS

MR.

JOHN

ELIE AND
HIS

MAR-

BROTHER

NOW AT RHEIMS.

I hope it shall not hinder him in this point
that he was taken with a blessed Martyr, Mr.
Briant, in London, lying in one chamber together,
for whose sake he was piteously scourged in
Bridewell, and afterwards imprisoned in one of
Since which time, being then
the Counters.
enlarged upon bond of appearance at a call
within a limited time, which long ago is expired,
and he never called, he hath kept himself secret,
not daring to come into the view of the world
for fear of another apprehension; and now he
hopeth to be there, where he may live in some
quietness of serving God without fear. I beseech
you, therefore, and either of you, even for charity
sake and for the love of God, that he may have
your lawful furtherance either by your letters or
as you shall think good.
As for my own part, here I live twice condemned, which perhaps may seem strange unto
you, and not once dead. I have not wanted, I
thank God, anything necessary for me except the

AND VENERABLE

JOHN

BODEY.

55

full service of God [i.e. Mass] for the space of
these three years, and somewhat more since I was
first imprisoned. I am now cunning, I thank God,
in wearing of iron shackles, and can take heed
of interfering. I have been now twice clogged
with them. The first time was from the 5th of
September,'1581, as well night as day, until the
28th of April next following; at which time my
keeper (not the first, for he is deceased, but
another) was grievously reprehended for showing
such favour, and commanded to lay irons upon
me and Mr. Slade again, with strait charge to
keep us one from the other and to see that no
access might be to us. But we consider that
iron for this cause borne on earth shall surmount
gold and precious stones in Heaven. That is our
mark, that is our desire. In the mean season we
are threatened daily, and do look still when the
hurdle shall be brought to the door. I beseech
you, for God's sake, that we want not the good
prayers of you all for our strength, our joy, and
our perseverance unto the end. And thus with
my commendations to yourselves and others
which know me, I commit us all to the grace
From our
and mercy of the Blessed Trinity.
school of patience, the 16th Sept., 1583.
Yours, as you know,
JOHN BODEY.

5. Father Warford's " Relation of Martyrs whom
he had known" gives us a little incident which befel
one of our two Martyrs on his way to execution.

56

VENERABLE

JOHN SLADE

Mr. John Bodey and Mr. John Slade. Expelled
from New College, Oxford, by Horne, the pseudobishop. Afterwards in Winchester gaol, they
distinguished themselves by their edifying lives
and zeal for souls. On this account Cowper,
the Superintendent, brought about their death,
which they underwent with admirable constancy.
Facilities for escaping were oftentimes afforded
them, even by the keepers themselves, of whom
one or two were converted by them to the
Catholic faith.
One of these two, Bodey, I think, as trustworthy Catholics relate, saw in a dream the
night before his death, two bulls attacking him
very furiously, but without at all hurting him, at
which he was much astonished. The next day
two hangmen came down from London to execute
him, and as they walked on either side of him,
he chanced to ask their names, and as they one
after the other answered that they were called
Bull, 5 he at once remembering his dream, said:
"Blessed be God; you are then those two bulls
who gave me such trouble last night in my dream,
He then joyfully
and yet did me no harm."
composed himself for death.
6. We conclude with an account of their deaths,
from the Westminster Archives, which is probably
the same as that printed in London by Richard
Jones, in 1583,6 of which no printed copy is extant.
s Bull is called "the hangman of Newgate" in the account
quoted by Challoner of the martyrdom of B. John Paine.
6 Concertatio, p. 293.

AND

VENERABLE

-OHN

BODEY.

57

It may be noted that though the Martyrs are
described throughout as traitors, the report is in
other respects not unsympathetic. May it not be
that while written by a Catholic, this half transparent device was adopted in order to allow of its
publication in England ? The initials would suit
Robert Barnes, who was condemned in 1598 to be
hanged for felony, because he had harboured the
Martyr John Jones, alias Buckley, O.S.F.

THE
OF

SEVERAL
JOHN

EXECUTIONS

SLADE

AND

AND

JOHN

CONFESSIONS
BODEY,

TWO

OBSTINATE AND NOTORIOUS TRAITORS, THE ONE
DRAWN,
CHESTER

HANGED,
ON

AND

QUARTERED

WEDNESDAY

THE

AT

WIN-

XXXTH

DAY

OF OCTOBER, 1583, AND THE OTHER AT ANDOVER
ON

THE

SATURDAY

FOLLOWING,

SECOND DAY OF NOVEMBER.
WAS

SENT

IN

WRITING

TO

BEING

THE

SET DOWN AS IT
A

WORSHIPFUL

GENTLEMAN, BY ONE THAT WAS THERE PRESENT
AT BOTH EXECUTIONS UPON SPECIAL OCCASIONS.

To the worshipful and his very good friend,
Mr. H. G.
Whereas your worship, at my last being with
you, desired me to let you have knowledge of the
manner of the end and confessions of Bodey and
Slade, two notorious traitors, I have, according
to my promise, sent you the true discourse thereof. For I being present thereat (as you know)
upon some especial occasions have set down, so
,near as memory would serve me, the certainty
thereof, which you may be bold to declare to your

58

VENERABLE JOHN SLADE

friends for a very truth, notwithstanding the
sundry flying tales, rumoured abroad by the
Papists, according to their accustomed manner,
as their affection serveth them. I have sent you
the truth and nothing but the truth, and thereof
you may assuredly persuade yourself. Thus with
continual desire of 'your welfare with all yours, I
commit you to the heavenly protection.
From Winchester, by your friend to use,
R.B.
These Gentlemen and Justices of Peace were
present at these executions:
Mr. Robert White, High Sheriff of the Shire.
Sir Wm. Kingsmell, Knight.
Mr. Tho. Fisher, Justice of Peace.
Mr. Wm. St. John, Justice of Peace.
Mr. Thomas West, son to the Lord Delaware.
Mr. Francis Coke, Justice of Peace.
Mr. William Wright, Justice of Peace.
Mr. Benjamin Tichburne, Justice of Peace.
Besides many other gentlemen of countenance
and credit.
THE EXECUTION AND CONFESSION OF JOHN SLADE,
AN
WAS

OBSTINATE
DRAWN,

AND

TRAITOR,

WHO

QUARTERED,

FOR

NOTORIOUS

HANGED,

AND

HIGH TREASON AGAINST HER MAJESTY, AT WINCHESTER, ON WEDNESDAY,
OCTOBER,

THE XXXTH DAY OF

1583.

On Wednesday, being the 3oth of October,
John Slade,, sometime a schoolmaster, was drawn

AND

VENERABLE

7OHN BODEY.

5

upon a hurdle from the prison at Winchester
to the market-place, where the execution was
appointed. Being come to the aforesaid place,
and taken off the hurdle, he came and kneeled
down by the gallows, making a cross with one of
his hands upon the posts thereof, and kissed it,
using silent prayers in Latin to himself. Afterwards, being come upon the ladder, he began in
this manner:
"I am come hither this day to suffer death for
my faith. What faith ? No rare faith, but even
the faith that hath continued from all posterities."
Whereupon, Sir William Kingsmell spoke to
him as thus:
"Slade, do not thus delude the people with
plausible speeches. You are come hither to suffer
death for high treason against her Majesty. You
have been lawfully and sufficiently convicted
thereof, and therefore you are brought to endure
the punishment that law hath assigned you. You
have denied her Majesty to have any Supremacy
over the Church of Christ in England, both in
causes ecclesiastical and temporal, which fact is
high treason. And therefore you are worthy to
suffer death in that you will not give her
Majesty her duty and your allegiance."
"0 Sir William," quoth he, "I will give her
Majesty as much as has been given to any prince
in this realm, and will show her as much duty, as
he that is her most obedient subject."
"That you do not," answered Sir William
Kingsmell. "For you rob her of her ecciesi-

60

VENERABLE

JOHN SLADE

astical and temporal government, which all
princes have enjoyed and you traitorously take
from her. Therefore, how do you give her as
much as any Prince hath had, and how do you
show yourself a subject in this unnatural dealing,
to prefer a foreign government before your own
lawful Queen ?"
"Sir," said Slade, "the Supremacy hath and
doth belong to the Pope by right [derived] 7 from
Peter, and the Pope hath received it as by divine
providence. Therefore, we must not give those
things belonging to God to any other than him
alone. And because I will not do otherwise, I
may say with the three children in the fiery oven,
and the first of the widow's seven sons in the
Machabees: 8 Paratisumus mori magis quam latrias

Dei leges rcevaricari."
Then Mr. Thomas White, High Sheriff of the
Shire, said to him that he showed himself very
undutiful to her Majesty, and therefore willed
him to ask her forgiveness.
" Oh, Mr. Sheriff," quoth he, "if Paul and
Peter would have obeyed their Princes, they had
not suffered death."
At these words, Mr. Dr. Bennet, one of the
chaplains to the right honourable the Lord
Treasurer, came to him and said, "Slade, do
not abuse the people thus with these words.
Paul and Peter were put to death for Religion,
they were commanded not to preach in the name
of Jesus. Are you commanded any such thing ?"

7 Wanting

in MS.

8 2 Mach. vii. 2.

AND

VENERABLE JOHN BODEY.

6r,

" Oh, sir," answered Slade, "I would wish you
to behave after the manner of a truant, whose
nature is to forget. And so would I have you to
forget your wicked life and begin a new."
"Slade," said Mr. Bennet,
I come as one
that wisheth well to thy soul. Thou art now
at the pit's brink, consider how highly thou
offendest God, and likewise how thou hast transgressed against her Majesty. I desire thee in
the bowels of Christ, be not so wilful, lose not
that so lightly, which He hath bought with His
precious blood. And if my words may not prevail with thee, yet for the love of thine own soul,
forsake this damnable opinion. Let not that
unworthy Priest be preferred before thine own
natural Princess, who is the lawful supreme head
of the Church next under Christ. Thou knowest
how he hath deprived her of her government by
his excommunication, and wilt thou be so wicked
as lean to him, and forsake her ?"
" Sir," answered Slade, "you are very busy in
words: if the Pope hath done so, I think he hath
done no more than he may, and than he ought to
do. I will acknowledge no other head of the
Church, but only the Pope: and her Majesty
hath no authority in temporal causes likewise,
but only what he shall think good to allow
her."
At these words the people cried, "Away with
the traitor. Hang him. Hang him."
Mr. Sheriff willed him again to ask her
Majesty forgiveness.

VENERABLE

62

7OHN SLADE

"Why should I ask her forgiveness?" quoth
he. "Wherein have I offended her? "
Then Mr. Bennet desired him to commend his
soul to God, and desire the people to pray for
him: but he said they and he were not of one
faith, and therefore they should not pray for him,
"and I desire all blessed people," quoth he, "to
pray for me, anal all the saints and blessed
company of Heaven."
So, after he had stayed so long as pleased himself, and had mumbled a many Latin prayer
silently to himself, he was cast beside the ladder,
and afterwards was cut down and quartered
according to his judgment.

THE

EXECUTION

AND

CONFESSION

TRAITOR,

NOTORIOUS

NAMED

OF ANOTHER
JOHN

BODEY,

SOMETIME A MASTER OF ART IN OXFORD, WHO
WAS LIKEWISE FOR HIGH TREASON AGAINST HER
MAJESTY,
AT

DRAWN,

ANDOVER

ON

HANGED,

AND

QUARTERED

SATURDAY

THE

SECOND

OF

NOVEMBER, 1583.

John Bodey, a Master of Art sometime in
Oxford, and companion to this Slade was carried
from Winchester to Andover, a town ten miles
from Winchester, where the Assizes were holden
and where they were condemned. There was he
on the Saturday following drawn on a hurdle to
the place of execution, and being laid on the
hurdle he said thus, "Oh, sweet bed, the happiest
bed that ever man lay on! Thou art welcome to

AND

VENERABLE

JOHN

BODEY.

63

me." Then, being taken from the hurdle, he
spake to Mr. Sheriff as concerning a disputation
which had passed between him and Doctor
Humphrey about Constantine the Emperor. He
had writ in a sheet of paper certain articles in
answer to Doctor Humphrey, which he would have
read before the people, but because the time was
short he could not read them, but gave them to
Mr. High Sheriff, that Doctor Humphrey might
see them.
When the hangman put the halter about his
neck, he said, " Oh, blessed chain, the sweetest
chain and richest that ever came about any man's
neck!" And so kissing it, he suffered the hangman to put it about his neck. There was also
present Mr. Bennet, who laboured very godly and
earnestly to dissuade him from ,his evil opinion,
but all was in vain, he was so obstinate and wilful.
He likewise appealed upon his faith, which he
said was the cause of his death. But Sir William
Kingsmell told him he died for high treason
against her Majesty, whereof he had been sufficiently convicted.
"Indeed," quoth he, "I have been sufficiently
convicted, for I have been condemned twice.
And you may make the hearing of a blessed Mass
treason or the saying of an Ave Maria treason,
but I have committed no treason, although indeed
I suffer the punishment due to treason."
"Why," quoth Mr. High Sheriff, "you know
the Pope hath excommunicated her Majesty, and
you forsake her and cleave to him. What say

64

VENERABLE JOHN SLADE

you to this? You deny her spiritual 9 authority, and will not acknowledge her for your
lawful Queen."
"Yes," quoth he, "in those cases that appertain
unto her I acknowledge her my lawful Sovereign
and Queen.
But for the spiritual 9 cause I
will abide a thousand deaths before I consent
to it. And if the Pope have done well, let
him answer it; and if he have done ill, let him
likewise answer it.
I acknowledge her my
lawful Queen in all temporal causes and none
other."
"You shall do well then," said Sir William,
"to satisfy the people in the cause of your death,
because otherwise they may be deluded by your
fair speeches."
"You shall understand," quoth he, "good
people all, that I suffer death for not granting her
Majesty to be Supreme Head in Christ's Church
in England, which I may not, nor will not,
grant."
"Well then," quoth Mr. Sheriff, "ask her
Majesty forgiveness, and then desire the people
to pray for you."
"In truth," quoth he," I must needs ask her
Majesty forgiveness, for I have offended her
many ways, as in using unlawful games, excess
in apparel, and other offences to her laws, but
in this matter you shall pardon me. And for the
people, because they and I are different in religion,
I will not have them pray for me, but I pray God
9.,1Special"

in MS.

AND VENERABLE

JOHN BODEY.

65

long to preserve her Majesty in tranquillity over
you, even Queen Elizabeth, your Queen and mine,
and I desire you to obey none other."
At length saying, Jesu, Jesu, esto mnihi Jesu,
three times, he was put beside the ladder, and
quartered according to his judgment.

CHAPTER IV.
VENERABLE ROBERT ANDERTON
AND VENERABLE WILLIAM MARSDEN.
Suffered in the Isle of Wight, April 25,

1586.

DOCUMENTS.
i. Father Warford's relation (Stonyhurst MSS. M. fol. 134)
Latin.
2. Privy Council warrants for their examination (Council
Registers, Whitehall, vol. vi. fols. 23, 28, 51, 77).
3. Royal Proclamation read at their execution (Brit. Mus.
Grenville Library. Proclamations of Queen Elizabeth).

i. A charming account of these two martyrs is
given in Father William Warford's recollections of
martyrs whom he had known, a manuscript at Stonyhurst from which we have already quoted.
FATHER WILLIAM WARFORD'S REMINISCENCES.

Mr. Robert Anderton and Mr. William Marsden
were both Lancastrians, of whom is truly said
what the Church sings of the Holy Apostles:
Gloriosi frincipes terrce, quomodo in vita sua, &c. 1
1 " Glorious princes of the land, as in their life they have
loved one another, so in death they are not divided" (Antiphon
at Lauds within the Octave of SS. Peter and Paul).

VENERABLE

ROBERT ANDERTON.

67

From their early youth to the time of their death,
they cherished for one another a chaste and holy
friendship, approved by God and man. Both
young and both learned, they were well matched
in virtue, piety, and letters; by birth, indeed,
Anderton would have had the precedence, for he
was sprung from the distinguished family of the
name, though his parents were not wealthy.
Both again were educated, if I am not mistaken,
at Oxford, for I knew Anderton intimately at
St. Mary Hall; and Marsden, unless my memory
deceives me, was at Brasenose.
They came
a little before me to Rheims, where they both
received me most kindly on my arrival, and
I knew them both familiarly. Moreover, Anderton
taught me Hebrew, and afterwards went through
the Psalms of David with me privately, pretending that he would like me in return to teach
him Greek, lest I the elder should be ashamed
to learn of him without remuneration. He taught
extremely well, and quickly, and was very proficient in the sacred language [Hebrew], chiefly
on account of his intimacy with Gregory Martin
and William Reynold, both well skilled in that
tongue. He took great pains in helping the latter
while he was writing his books, especially against
Whitaker. He was skilful in controversies, and
not deficient in scholastic learning.
Anderton was also an excellent preacher, so
that, when in 1583, one had to be selected out
of the whole College to deliver a solemn oration
.before a very learned and noble assembly of

68

VENERABLE

ROBERT ANDERTON

Frenchmen, whom Allen, the President of the
College, had invited to a public entertainment, he
was chosen out of all, as in the general opinion
best fitted for the purpose, and accomplished
the task with the highest applause, and even to
the astonishment of the whole audience. 2 He was
somewhat disposed to blush on account of a certain virginal modesty, but in other respects he was
very calm in preaching both in voice and manner.
When it was determined to establish a junior
school for those who were not fit for theology,
these two were chosen as examples and patterns
of virtue, to be prefects over the boys. This
office they discharged for a long time, until God
called them both (for they were never divided
either in affection or occupation) to set out for
Every one in the
the harvest in England.
Seminary regretted their departure, but great
things were hoped from their labours.
They travelled straight to the French coast,
where embarking on ship-board, so severe a
storm arose in mid-channel, that the sailors gave:
themselves up for lost, and were ready to abandon
themselves and all they had to the sport of the
This sermon is still preserved in the Westminster Archives,
and is headed, "Ad Prmcipuos Prelatos et Canonicos Ecclesia
Rhemensis, Primariosque civitatis viros. Oratio habita Cal.
Aprilis 1583 in Refectorio Collegii Anglorum."
It begins,
"Coetera beneficia vestra, ornatissimi viri," ends, "corona
and
vestra futuri sumus." It covers two and a half sides of folio;
expresses the thanks of the English to the clergy of Rheims,.
but contains nothing historical. It has been thrice endorsed,
by Cardinal Allen, Father Persons, and Father Christopher
Grene, and it is presumably in the Martyr's own handwriting.

AND

VENERABLE

WILLIAM

MARSDEN.

69

waves. They, meanwhile, threw themselves on
,their knees, and lifting most devoutly their hands
and eyes to heaven, made this prayer together:
"0 Lord, Thy will be done! But if we are to
Edie, suffer us to die for Thy cause in our own
country. We do not pray against death, but
against the manner of it. Let us not, we beseech
Thee, be remembered as the first of the Seminarists, who have perished in the waters." (For
it is to be remarked that none of the priests who,
during so many years, went from the Seminaries
to England, perished at sea.) "Spare us, 0 Lord,
and hear our prayer! Let us be taken onthe
English coast, let us be dragged to death, but
excuse us from being swallowed up in the waves."
So they prayed, and lo! quickly driven by the
wind far across the sea, the ship reached the
Isle of Wight in safety, and anchored in port,
contrary to every expectation of the sailors;
indeed not without a miracle. There they found
men and fellow-citizens more cruel than the
waves and rocks they had left behind them; for
the island is full of heretics, and in no place in
the kingdom are Catholics fewer. So that immediately they came into the town, they were
,examined, recognized, and taken, and at once
cast into prison. But when the Sessions came
on, they were brought before the Court, and
bearing themselves with great constancy were
subjected to a long examination.
Tried. by
threats, entreaties, and offers of reward, they
accounted as nothing all that was offered to

70

VENERABLE

ROBERT ANDERTON

induce them to abandon their faith. The Justices
of the whole county were there, nearly all the
gentry and two principal Judges, one of whom,.
Anderson by name, was the Chief Justice of the
whole kingdom; and that such a tragedy should
not take place in the absence of a false prophet,
Cowper, the pseudo-bishop of Winchester, another
Caiphas, a well-known crafty old fox, a persecutor,
captious and cruel, was also present.
Casting a look on the two young men, whose
beards were naturally slight, he began at first in
a flippant way to test the courage, learning, and
abilities of each. Finding them better instructed
and cleverer than he had supposed, he attacked
them somewhat sharply, raising many objections;
but the Martyrs answered so much to the point
that Cowper hardly escaped the open laughter
of the audience in the lower benches. Many,
struck by noticing in such youths such remarkable
prudence and learning, began to waver.
All
listened with wonderful attention, captivated by
the speech and answers of the priests.
The
discussion turned chiefly on the power of the
Pope, for defending which all the orthodox are
condemned in England. When therefore the
arguments of the Superintendent failed, he betook
himself, as the heretics are wont to do, to abuse;
he taunted the priests with the foulness of Pope
Joan, and dilated on that fable with many words.
The audience listened with eager ears for what
the Martyrs would answer, and Anderton said:
" Although it is very easy to refute this fable,

AND VENERABLE

WILLIAM MARSDEN.

71

being only the foul fabrication of heretics long
since exploded, yet if it were true, surely, my lord,
it was not for you to propound so absurd a contumely." "Why?" asked the other. "Because,"
said Anderton, "the basis of your faith, the
citadel of your religion, is this, that you profess
a woman to be the Head of your Church. Surely
whether we call her Pope Joan or Pope Elizabeth
matters little. With what face, then, can you
object that to us as an infamy, which is your
special glory? How taunt the Roman See with
that which you proudly regard as the bulwark of
your religion ?"
The pseudo-bishop being silenced, and not
daring to utter a word in reply, was the laughingstock of all. Then breaking off the discussion, he
turned to the Judges, and said
"You see what egregious traitors these fellows
are, not being ashamed to insult the Queen's
Majesty in the presence of the Court. Their
condemnation, surely, should not be deferred.
They alone are enough to pervert many thousands."
But Anderson the Judge, though he
consented to their being declared guilty of high
treason, would not pronounce the capital sentence,
saying that the Queen would not have any Seminarists condemned to death without her knowledge and special authority. (This may have been
so, or perhaps he had a mind to spare such good
holy priests, whom he saw to be guiltless of any
crime.)
Cowper was thus silenced, and the
Martyrs were sent back to prison.

72

VENERABLE

ROBERT ANDERTON

But'he, not unlike a lioness deprived of her
cubs, raging and breathing threats and slaughter,
because he could have them put at once to death,
prevailed by his importunity on the exceedingly
timid Judge, that these priests should accompany
him to London; and this was done athis cost,
so exceedingly did this wolf thirst for the blood
of these lambs. The old man set off for London
to his great inconvenience and cost, obtained an
interview with the Queen, and told her the whole
story. From her he obtained licence for their
execution, and then carried the Martyrs bound
hand and foot as before, back to the Isle of
Wight.
2. We here interrupt Father Warford's story to
add some details from other sources.
Challoner
records that during their trial the Martyrs urged in
their defence the plea that they had not yet been
in England the number of days requisite to constitute
a breach of the law as it then stood. The Registers
of the Privy Council also throw a new light upon
some of the proceedings. Father Warford represents
the Protestant Bishop as moving the Queen to
obtain their execution, and speaks as though this
was done immediately, without the intervention of
officials.
In point of fact, however, the whole
business passed through the hands of the Privy
Council, and the Bishop, whatever may have been
his influence, is nowhere named in the warrants. 3
3 See infra p. 88, the account of the Martyrs Roger Dicconson
and Ralph Milner, where the opposite happens, the Council
warrants showing the same Bishop as the prime mover in the
prosecution, while the Catholic reports do not name him.

AND

VENERABLE

WILLIAM

MARSDEN.

73

From them we learn that the letters were "written
by the Justices of Assize signifying their [the
Martyrs'] conformity to her Majesty in civil causes."
Thereupon they were on the Ioth of March brought
up to London by the Sheriff of Southampton, and
sent to the Marshalsea. On the I6th letters were
issued to the Master of St. Catherine's, and Dr.
Hamond :
To examine William Marsden and Robert
Anderton, Seminary priests, concerning their obedience and subject-like duty to her Majesty and
the Estate, and if they find that they remain
constant in the faithful protestations they did use
before the Justices of the Assizes at the time of
their arraignment, to cause them to set down the
same in writing, and subscribe thereunto, that
thereupon her Majesty may be moved to extend
mercy unto them, &c.
The London inquisitors were more skilful than
their provincial brethren in extracting confessions of
treason from their victims, and they succeeded in
eliciting several treasonable statements. What these
were the reader will see immediately in the Royal
Proclamation, issued at the time of their death.
Meanwhile they were handed over to Thomas
Taylor, "one of the Knight Marshal's men," who,
"with three of his fellows..., and a guide," conveyed
them to Winchester, 4 where they were handed over
4 P.R.O. Enrolled Accounts.

38, Eliz. rot. So.

Treasurer of the Chamber, 21-

Taylor received on his return the sum of £9

for "horsecheer, diets, watches, and other charges." He had
also been furnished with a "placard" from the Council "to

receive aid and assistance " on his way if he required it.

From

74

VENERABLE ROBERT ANDERTON

to the Sheriff of Southampton on the 21st of April.
The Lords of the Council also sent the following
letter to Sir George Carey:
April Io, 1586. To Sir Geo. Carey.
That whereas for some special considerations
(as shall appear to him from the enclosed)
the execution of William Marsden and Robert
Anderton, Seminary priests, who by his care
were apprehended in the Isle of Wight (for the
which their Lordships yield him, as well in her
Majesty's behalf as in their own, right hearty
thanks), hath been respited; and now order given
to the Sheriffs of that county to see them executed
according to the judgment upon the late statute
given against them at the last Assizes at Winchester. Forasmuch as it is thought meet by
their Lordships to have the execution there
within that Isle where they were apprehended,
either in the place of their landing, or in some
other fit place or places within the said Isle as to
him shall seem convenient, their Lordships have
appointed the under-sheriffs of that county to
resort to him to understand his opinion and
determination

of the place. . ..

And at such

time as they shall be executed their Lordships
think it meet that the declaration herein enclosed
be publicly read and published, that the people
this grant and another ordered to be made to the Sheriff of
Southampton for bringing them to London, it would seem that
Father Warford's statement, that the Bishop paid for their
journey to and from London, is incorrect. He may, of course,
have advanced the money in the first instance.

AND VENERABLE

WILLIAM MARSDEN.

75

may understand the cause and reason of their
reprieval, and what hath moved her Majesty to
suffer the judgment of the laws to be executed
upon them, &c.
3. The proclamation which was enclosed in the
above letter, is also entered in the Council Registers,
and a copy of the printed form is preserved in the
British Museum, and runs as follows:
A DECLARATION OF THE QUEEN'S MAJESTY'S MOST
GRACIOUS
AND

DEALING

ROBERT

SINCE

THE

TION,

BEING

LAWS,

AND

TO

WITH

WILLIAM

TIME

MARSDEN

SEMINARY

ANDERTON,

PRIESTS,

OF THEIR JUST CONDEMNA-

CONVICTED

ACCORDING

TO

THE

OF THEIR OBSTINACY IN REFUSING

ACKNOWLEDGE

THEIR

DUTY

AND

ALLE-

GIANCE TO HER MAJESTY.

1586.
Whereas at the last session of Parliament,
among other good and necessary laws and
ordinances established for the maintenance, continuance and preservation of her Majesty's most
happy and quiet Government, and for the preventing and avoiding of treasons and practices
traitorously attempted by certain of her Majesty's
evil affected subjects, being Jesuits and Seminary
priests, made and created at Rome and Rheims,
and other places beyond the seas, who at the
instigation of the Pope and others favouring his
pretended tyrannous authority over the Crown of
England, and envying the happy and blessed

76

VENERABLE ROBERT ANDERTON

estate of her Majesty's said Government, come
daily into the realm to pervert and seduce her
Majesty's good subjects under colour of religion,
to draw them from their due and natural obedience
towards her Majesty and her Crown, and to
prepare their minds and bodies to assist such
foreign invasion as was certainly discovered to be
intended by the said Pope and his adherents, as
by sundry effects and proofs hath manifestly
appeared: namely, by the late rebellion in the
North, the invasion attempted in Ireland, and by
the discovery of sundry late plots and purposes of
treason, as well against her Majesty's sacred
person, as against the common quiet of the
realm; there was for these considerations an
Act made against the said Jesuits and Seminary
priests, by the which their access into the realm
for the like seditious and traitorous purposes was
prohibited, and ordered to be punished as in cases
of Treason.
Contrary to which Act of Parliament, one
William Marsden and Robert Anderton, Seminary
priests (being.reconciled at Douay in Artois by a
Jesuit called Father Columbine, and made'priests
by the Cardinal of Guise at Rheims, arriving
secretly out of France, lately, at the Isle of Wight,
where they were apprehended), have confessed
their purpose of coming into the realm to have
been to win souls (as they term it), being in effect
(as is before mentioned) to persuade her Majesty's
subjects, under colour of maintenance of Popery,
to rebellion. For the which they, having been by

AND

VENERABLE

WILLIAM

MARSDEN.

77

the due and orderly course of her Majesty's laws
tried and convicted at the last Assizes holden at
Winchester in the county of Southampton upon
the Statute aforesaid, were nevertheless by the
Judges of that circuit (knowing the merciful mind
and gracious dispositions of the Queen's Majesty
towards all her subjects) conferred withal, concerning their meaning towards her Majesty's
person and the realm.
At which time they
pretended in words and exterior show to acknowledge her Majesty to be rightful Queen of this
realm, and to vow and protest that they would
at all times adventure their lives in defence of her
Majesty and her realm against the Pope, or any
foreign power whatsoever, that should attempt to
invade the realm with force, and that they would
not meddle or persuade with any in matter of
religion, but only keep their own consciences to
themselves. 5 Whereupon they Were stayed from
their execution, her Majesty minding nothing
less, than that any of her subjects, though disagreeing from her in Religion, should die for the
same, as by them and their companions hath
been most falsely and slanderously published and
affirmed.
Upon report whereof made by the said Judges
to the Lords and others of her Majesty's most
5 As will be seen immediately, the Martyrs until the last declared
that they never made any such promise. In truth, falsifications of
their victims' words are of frequent occurrence in the utterances
of the persecutors, and ought to make us very cautious in receiving
their statements. That these were made openly by no means
shows that the accused could reply.

78

VENERABLE

ROBERT ANDERTON

honourable Privy Council, they, following the mild
and temperate course of her Majesty's Government, caused the said Marsden and Anderton to
be stayed from execution, and to be removed from
Winchester to London. There they were further
conferred withal, and examined concerning their
obedience and duty towards her Majesty for civil
causes, only to prove whether they would remain
constant in their protestations in that behalf made
to the Judges at their arraignment and conviction,
that her Majesty might thereupon have been
moved to extend her mercy towards them.
The said Marsden and Anderton, being accordingly examined by two principal persons thereunto appointed by her Majesty's Privy Council,
were put in remembrance of their former show
of duty made before the Justices of Assize, and
advised to confirm the hope conceived of their
reformation in matters of their allegiance to her
Majesty, to the end they might thereby move her
WhereMajesty to show mercy unto them.
upon, first the said Anderton, being required to
explain his true meaning in his protestation of
her Majesty's right to the Crown, and of his
allegiance, and particularly whether he did acknowledge her Majesty to be lawful Queen, notwithstanding any sentence which the Pope either
had given, or could give against her, and whether
he meant that it was his duty and the duties of
all her Majesty's subjects, to withstand the Pope,
not only if his invasion were for temporal respects,
as to make conquest of the realm, but also if he

AND

VENERABLE

WILLIAM

MARSDEN.

79

would attempt such an invasion by force, to
reduce the realm to his obedience by colour of
Religion: he answered that they be questions
wherewith he doth not deal, and required to be
respited for his answer until such cases should
happen, adding by way of abusion that in the
meantime he may possibly become a Protestant,
and so then become of other opinion than he is
now of.
William Marsden, to the same questions before
propounded to Anderton, answered, that he acknowledged her Majesty to be lawful Queen of
this realm, and of other her dominions; and
that he took himself bound to obey her Majesty,
so far as his obedience impeached not his duties
to God and tothe Church (meaning the Church
of Rome): requiring that he might not be asked
his opinion any further, until such case of sentence
given by the Pope should happen: and further
saith, that in case the Pope would send any
forces into the realm, to reduce the same to the
Catholic Religion (meaning Popery) he would then
do the duty of a priest, that is, he would pray
that right might take place.
And whereas they had both promised before
the Justices of Assize, that they would not meddle
in persuading of any person in matter of Religion,
but only keep their own conscience to themselves,
they now in their examination deny that ever they
promised not-to deal with her Majesty's subjects
to persuade them in matter of Religion. Anderton
saying, that he. taketh such as be out of the.

80

VENERABLE

ROBERT ANDERTON

Unity of the Church of Rome, to stand in state of
damnation, and that therefore he is bound in
conscience to do what he can to reclaim them.
And Marsden saith, he may not promise not to
'deal with any of her Majesty's subjects in matters
of Religion, for that he coming into the realm to
persuade the Catholic Religion (meaning Popery),
he cannot bind himself not to do that duty.
Hereby may appear to all her Majesty's loving
and true hearted subjects, the traitorous purpose
of these two Seminary priests, being born sub
jects of the realm, who, though in general terms
and speeches they seemed and made show, to the
Justices of Assize, of true and dutiful allegiance
to the Queen's Majesty, their natural Sovereign, yet
when endeavour is used to uncover their masked
and feigned protestations, they cannot hide their
malice and treasonable intentions, even to their
own confusions. Which appearing thus manifestly to the Queen's most excellent Majesty,
having subscribed these former answers with
their own hands, whereas she was much inclined,
upon the report of the said Justices, to afford
them grace and pardon if they would have
persisted in their former protestations, finding
them now unworthy thereof, hath left them to
the punishment appointed by the law, to be
inflicted upon them for their just offence.
God save the Queen.
Imprinted at Londofi by Christopher Baker,
Printer to the Queen's most excellent Majesty.

AND

VENERABLE

WILLIAM

MARSDEN.

81

This proclamation is a sample of the "mild and
temperate course" used by the Government to
justify a procedure; the manifest iniquity of which
might easily cause grave discontent among the
people. Two priests are condemned simply and
solely for their sacred character, and after this they
are questioned about private opinions, of which the
law cannot take cognizance. They answer by protesting that they are perfectly loyal, and refuse to
discuss opinions, hypotheses, and theories. A skilful
appeal to a prejudiced people based upon such a
refusal will easily raise some show of odium, and
then the execution under the persecuting statute
may proceed according to the sentence previously
passed.
We may now give the death-scene from Father
Warford's narrative.
There on some high ground in sight of the
moaning sea the scaffold was erected, and, as in
many other cases, their life was promised them
with pardon, yea and honour too, and every sort
of advantage if they would recant, but in vain;
the nearer virtue comes to its triumph the more
courageous it grows. The Martyrs, having fulfilled
with great piety and constancy the duties of their
priestly function, underwent the extreme penalty,
being hanged, disembowelled, and mangled. It
is said that from that time the Catholic faith was
much discussed, and a notable occasion offered to
that people of learning the truth. In fine, many
returned to their homes striking their breasts,
and now there is great hope that a plentiful
G

82

VENERABLE

ROBERT ANDERTON.

harvest of souls will arise from such pure and
holy seed. 6 . . .

Anderton was of moderate height but somewhat
less then Marsden; the latter had always a pale
complexion, Anderton had a more manly countenance, but had evidently suffered from sickness
when a child.
Both had black eyes, beards
slight, which would have been brown when fully
grown. Both of them were most unassuming but
full of life and spirits, and they were remarkable
for their piety and zeal for sacred things.
6 Father Warford here indulges himself in an elegant rhapsody,

"Taceant omnes Thesei et Perithei, Pylades et Orestes sileant," &c.,
which we spare the English reader.

CHAPTER V.
VENERABLE ROGER DICCONSON AND
VENERABLE RALPH MILNER.
Executed at Winchester, 7uly 7,

1591.

DOCUMENTS.
i. Examination (P.R..O. Domestic Eliz. vol. clxvii. n. 59).
2. Extract from Father Stanney's narrative respecting Miner
Challoner's translation). Latin.
3. Privy Council Warrants (Council Registers, Whitehall,
vol. ix. pp. 79, 328).
4. Account of Dicconson's trial and death (Stonyhurst MSS.
M. fol. 146).
.5. Shorter accounts :

(i.)Account

of Winchester Martyrs (Stonyhurst

MSS.

Anglia, vii. n. 25).
(ii.) Relation by a Priest in England (Stonyhurst MiSS,
M. fol. 195).
(iii.) Extract from a letter of John Cecil (Westminster
Archives, iv.

p.

321.

Collectanea B. 65).

i. Of the Venerable Roger Dicconson very few
particulars have yet been published. Challoner's
diligence could only gather some dozen lines, and
other writers have hardly anything more to add.
The additional information about him given

here

show him to have been one whose character will

well bear more detailed study and inspection.

84

VENERABLE

ROGER DICCONSON

As to his birth we know only this, that he was a
native of the diocese of Lincoln, and of his early life
no more than that he was at one time a frequenter
of Protestant churches. On April the 2nd, 1582,
he came to the English Seminary at Rheims, and
after a short course of studies was ordained priest,
and returned to England in the May of 1583. He
seems to have laboured with success in Hampshire,
and to have there met with Milner, his future companion in martyrdom. But he was soon arrested,
sent to Bridewell, where he was very barbarously
used, and on December the i ith, subjected to one
of those terrible examinations, the answers to
which might prove the subject-matter for a capital
charge. Though this examination is lost, some notes
of almost greater value have survived, for they show
us what were considered its most incriminating
points. These had been picked out in order that
legal advice might be taken upon them with a view
to further proceedings, and they are as follows:
EXTRACT FROM ROGER DICCONSON'S EXAMINATIONS.

A. He was made priest, and took the oath of
the Pope's Supremacy at Rheims.
B. He is not bound in conscience to name his
associates that came over with him.
C. Is sorry that he went so long to the church.
D. Hath been conversant with Thomas Hall.
The result of these confessions was that on the
Roger Dicconson was sent
9
to the Gatehouse, by command of the Privy Council,
"for religion," 1 and was only freed after a year or so

1th of January following,

1 P.R.O. Dom. Eliz. vol. clxix. n. 24.

AND

VENERABLE RALPH MILNER.

85

by being exiled for life, and transported out of the
kingdom. But Dicconson was not the man to be
thereby frightened from his duty. He returned at
once, and took up his abode in Worcestershire,
where he was little known. The incidents which
led to his finally settling at Winchester belong to
the life of Ralph Milner, who was from henceforth
to become his companion until the end.
Ralph Miller, or as Challoner calls him Milner,
was a husbandman living near Winchester. Though
born before the changes of religion, he was not
constant to his faith from the first, but submitted,
like the rest of his neighbours, to the different
alterations in belief, which were imposed by law.
Father Thomas Stanney, a Jesuit Father, who was
in later days his confessor and afterwards his
biographer, tells us that his conversion was effected
by comparing the self-indulgence of Protestants,
especially that of the unworthy ministers intruded
by Elizabeth, with the more devoted lives of
Catholics. The contrast affected him deeply, he
applied to a Catholic priest for instruction and was
soon reconciled to the Church of his baptism. Nor
was he long before he found what need the Catholics
had to cultivate that self-abnegation, which had
originally charmed him. On the very day that he
made his General Confession and received absolution
and Holy Communion, he was arrested and thrown
into gaol.
Gaol treatment was a very variable quantity in
those days. Sometimes the prisoners were used with
the most horrible barbarity, sometimes under a
sympathetic keeper they enjoyed considerable liberty.
Milner succeeded in winning his gaoler's confidence,
and was often allowed to leave the prison on no other

86

VENERABLE

ROGER DICCONSON

security than his own promise to return. Nay, from
time to time, even the prison keys were left in his
possession. He was thus able to do much good,
making himself a sort of guide to Father Stanney,
whom he led to many houses, to complete the work
of conversions, of which he himself had laid the
foundations.

z. Once [says Father Stanney] he came to
me, desiring that I would take a journey with
him to preach and administer the sacraments
according to our custom. I was obliged of necessity to answer that I had been in those parts not
long since, and was very much fatigued with
preaching, hearing confessions, and administering the sacraments: the more because I was
obliged to watch whole nights and to celebrate
Mass twice a day, so that I had not as yet been
able to recover myself.
"Well but, master," said he, for so he used to
call me, "we have still a great many hungry souls
that want bread, and there is no one to give
it them, we have many also that would be
glad to shake off the yoke of bondage and
embrace the Catholic faith, but I can find no one
to help them, or receive them into the Church.
What then am I to say to them ?"
"I tell you, Ralph, the very truth," said I, "I
want not good-will, but strength; wherefore I beg
they will have a little patience, and in a short
time, by the grace of God, I purpose entirely to
satisfy their good desires."

AND

VENERABLE

RALPH MILNER.

87

" But what shall I do," said Ralph, "if your
Reverence's health will not permit you to come
amongst us?"
I replied that I had been desirous of a long
time to have another priest who might be able
to serve those parts; and that, if he could find
a proper place for him, I would endeavour to
procure them a proper priest.
" That I will do with all my heart," said Ralph,
"and I hope to be able in a short time to provide
him all necessaries."
Soon after this our Superior [Father Henry
Garnet] with another priest happened to come
to me, and I consulted him what I was to do.
He bade me ask Ralph if he would be willing to
have for their priest Mr. Roger Dicconson, whom
he was very well acquainted with. On my asking
him, Ralph immediately answered, "With all
my heart. I would be glad to live and die with
that good man above all others." This was what
afterwards happened. 2
Milner soon completed his arrangements, and in
a few weeks the future Martyr came down to take up
his abode in or near Winchester. He laboured
chiefly among the poor and the prisoners, and had,
like all other priests, many strange escapes. Once
he was arrested and sent up to London, but his
keepers got drunk on the way and he made his
escape.
2 Quoted by Challoner, vol. i. Appendix, p. 231. His copy is
at Oscott, in Alban Butler's Collections, p. 389. The St. Omers
MS. from which it was taken is now in the Archives d'Etat at
Brussels.

88

VENERABLE

ROGER DICCONSON

In Hampshire [so wrote a priest 3 from England
at the time of the Martyr's death] Roger
Dicconson continued for three or four years,
taking great pains both by day and night, to
comfort his old flock by preaching and ministering the sacraments, and by reconciling unto
the Church no small number of all sorts of
people, for reward of which in the end he was
taken with twelve others lay people. He was
betrayed by one that counterfeited to be reconciled, but his drift was to get certain land from
his brother, who was then in company with
this priest. Presently afterwards they were all
imprisoned in the common prison, from whence
this priest with the poor man called Ralph Milner
was conveyed to London to be there further
examined.
3. Dicconson was at this time passing under the
alias of Richard Johnson, and his arrest, as we learn
from the Council Registers, was due to the pastoral
diligence of Thomas Cowper, Bishop of Winchester,
of whom we heard before in the accounts of the
Martyrs Marsden and Anderton. It is worth remembering that, whereas in that case the Catholic
account laid great stress on Cowper's conduct, while
the Council Registers appear to ignore him, in this
case the positions are reversed, the Catholics know
nothing of Cowper's action, which is plainly described
in the records of the Council. Thus they write to
him on January

24,

1591:

3 The rest of this relation will be found later, p. 96.

AND VENERABLE

RALPH MILNER.

89

To the Bishop of Winton.
Their Lordships having perceived his care and
,diligence in the apprehending of Richard Johnson
the Seminary priest and the rest taken at Mass,
&c., wherein he doth deserve their Lordships'
thanks, they have thought good to pray and
require him to cause the said Johnson together
with Ralf Miller, of Slackstead 4 (who, as they
likewise perceive from his letters, is a yery
dangerous and ill-affected member in those parts),
to be presently sent hither by the bearer, a
messenger of her Majesty's Chamber, assisted
by such as his lordship shall think fit for the
more safe and speedy bringing of them hither, in
such order as in his discretion shall seem convenient. And the rest taken with the Seminary
priest as is abovesaid, they pray him to give
strict order that they be forthcoming, as the rest
.of that disposition, in the gaol there, &c.
To advertise their Lordships of the priest's
examinations, &c.
To London they accordingly came, where Dicconson
was sent to the Marshalsea, and Milner probably to

Bridewell. "Thomas Beddam, servant to the Bishop

,of Winchester,"

having seen his prisoners safe in

their respective gaols, received, "upon the Council's
warrant dated at Richmond 8 Feb. [1591], for the
charges and pains of himself and seven others with
their horses in bringing up from Winchester to the
Star Chamber one Richard Johnson, a Seminary
priest, and Ralph Miller, a recusant, and returning
4 Slackstead, not as Challoner prints it, Flacstead.

go

VENERABLE

ROGER DICCONSON

back again," the sum of eight pounds from the
Treasurer of the Chamber. 5
Father Stanney, whom we have quoted before,
says that the Martyrs were subjected to divers tortures
during their stay in London, which lasted for five or
six months. By that time the inquisitors of the
Council, one of whom was Lord Burleigh, and
another will surely have been Topcliffe, then at the
zenith of his power, had done their work, and on the
I4 th of June another order was issued to the Knight
Marshal, ordering him "to send them both down to
the Sheriff" of Southampton, "with a sufficient guard
of your servants, and to cause the said prisoners to
be delivered into the hands of the said Sheriff or his
under-sheriff, by them to be committed to the common
gaol, to the end they may receive their trial according
to the law at the next Assizes there to be holden."
4. Father Grene has made some long extracts
from a contemporary account of Dicconson's trial,
respecting which we have no information. The parts
enclosed in square brackets are his abbreviations.

THE ARRAIGNMENT OF MR. DICKENSON, EXECUTED
AT WINTON,

1591.

First, as the order is, they said, "Johnson,
thou art here indicted by the name of Johnson,"
&c., and read the indictment, which in effect
was, that he, made priest beyond the seas,
came to this realm against the statute, and said
Mass, &c.
Answer. He answered that he was not acquainted
SP.R.O. Accounts of Treasurer of Chamber, 1590-i, rot. 155 b.

AND VENERABLE RALPH MILNER.

91

with any such statute, and "no man can prove
that ever I said Mass."
Demand. " Art thou guilty, or not guilty ? "
A ns. "Not guilty."
Dem. " By whom wilt thou be tried?"
Ans. " By God and the country."
Dem. "If he had ever said Mass in Widow
White's house, or no ? "
Ans. " Let any man prove it, my lord."
Dem. "If he had ever heard confessions there,
or no ? "

Ans. " Let any man accuse me."
Then there was a green silly youth brought for
a witness that he had heard his confession [and
*he contradicted himself often and plainly. I omit
other things concerning this boy, they cannot
be read]. They said, "Fie, Johnson, that thou
wilt persuade poor souls from God's religion," &c.
Ans. "I never did anything but to use my
office, and that, I hope, was no offence."
Demn. "Thou art made a priest beyond the sea
according to the Church of Rome."
Ans. "I was made a priest as other priests are,
and have been before me."
Dem. "Are you a Yorkshireman ?"
Ans. "Aye, my-lord."
[Here is added in the margin: "I think this
is a mistake, for he told me that he was a
Lincolnshire man."]
The Judge demanded, "What can you say more
that you should not receive judgment for these
treasons ? "

92

VENERABLE

ROGER DICCONSON

Ans. "Truly, my lord, I can say no more than
I have said. I came into the realm, my native
country, to give myself to study, to prayer, and
devotion, and use my function, and that, I hope,
'
is no treason."
Then they said, "Well, Johnson, it is too
evidently proved against thee. Notwithstanding,
call to God for grace, for that thou hast seduced
the people," &c.
His answer was nothing but an humble beck.
[To many other frivolous things that were said,
the Martyr gave almost the same answers as
before.]
The mannerofhis
execution,

First, as he was drawn upon the
hurdle, they rested twice by the way,

once without the town-gate, the other at the
place of execution, where he rested on the hurdle
all the time while five felons were hanged, and
his fellow-martyr was put to death named Ralph
Miller, a husbandman. All this time the ministers
were very busy about him.
He said, "If you
were in my case, you would be loth to be
troubled, and therefore I pray you let me alone."
They said that if he would recant his religion,
he might have mercy, which he stoutly refused.
One said, " Acknowledge the Queen to be your
Sovereign." As much as I could hear, he said he
did.
Then the Sheriff's men unloosed him from the
hurdle, and led him to the gallows. Then the
Sheriff and gentlemen of the shire talked with
him, whilst he himself put off his doublet, his

AND

VENERABLE RALPH MILNER.

93

band, his hose and shoes, all persuading him to
recant and he might have mercy, which he always
stoutly refused.
Then they had him to the
ladder, which, without altering countenance, he
went up, and turned his back to the ladder, and
said, "God bless you all, God give us all the
Kingdom of Heaven."
Then the halter being
put about his neck, he said it was [too tight],6
and with his own hand made it wider. Then he
said: " I confess myself to be a Seminary priest.
I came into the realm to give myself to prayer
and devotion, and here I am accused to have
seduced the people from their obedience, which
I take to my death I never did."
"No ?"'' said the Sheriff., "Look upon the man
that is dead (which was the blessed Martyr); you
are the cause of his blood, and here is one that
will bear witness against you" (which was the
silly youth that accused him at his arraignment).
Ans. "I never dealt with him."
Then George Powlett, a new Justice of Peace,
said he lived under a merciful Prince, whose laws
were good, and " you will not obey them, therefore yet I pray you ask mercy."
Ans. "I never offended her Majesty unless by
using of my office, and that I hope is not
offensive."
Then the Sheriff said: " If you will deny the
Pope and become a good subject, you may yet
have mercy."
Ans. "I will never deny my religion" (and
6 Blank in MS.

94

VENERABLE ROGER DICCONSON

this he spoke twice). "But for her Majesty, I
have prayed for her, and if I had a thousand
days to live I would; and at His house, I pray
God, she may both body and soul inherit the
Kingdom of Heaven."
Then they being about to speak, he said, "I
desire you to give me leave to say some few
prayers, for that I have but a little time to
live."
Theti he most reverently lifted up his hands
and eyes to heaven, and prayed softly to himself,
and in the end he said, "In manus tuas, Domine,
commendo spiritum meum. Redemisti me, Domine
Deus veritatis, &c.-'
Into thy hands, 0 Lord,' &c.
Here I acknowledge my redemption and justification."
They asked him by whom.
Ans. "By Christ."
They said: " And by no other?"
Ans. "Yea, only by Christ."
They said, "What say you to the Pope ?"
Ans. " He is a man subject to all calamities,
&c., as we all are, and can do nothing without
Christ."
They said, " Well said, Johnson." Then he
said, "I beseech you all to pray for me." And
they said, "Well said." Then he said, "I pray
you all Catholics to pray for me." Mr. Cotton
bid him confess his treasons and ask pardon, and
said he was not condemned for being priest, but
because he came in against the statute and
seduced the people.

AND VENERABLE

RALPH MILNER.

95

Ans. "Pardon me, Mr. Cotton, I have been
examined before my Lord Treasurer, my Lord
Bishop, and others, and you have nothing to say
against me, but a statute of your own making,
and God knoweth how unjust it is."
Then
holding his hands together, and his eyes lifted
up to heaven, praying secretly, the hangman
pulled his kercher over his eyes, and cast him
off the ladder.
At his going down, he said,
Domnine Jesu, accipe. The word accipe he did
scarce speak, because he was almost choked with
the halter.
Finis.

5. We

may

here

throw together

some

brief

accounts of these Martyrs. Being independent, they
naturally record several fresh particulars.
(i.) From the account of Winchester Martyrs.
Ralph Miller was hanged at Bardich 7 for felony,
for that he was in the company of Mr. Dickenson,
a Seminary priest, contrary to a statute made
felony in that case. Being asked by the Judge
why he would not go to church, he said that he
was born in the reign of King Henry VIII., and
that he would live and die in that faith wherein
he was born and christened. At the gallows, his
pardon being offered him if he would go to
church, he answered, "No, -no, I will hang,"
reached his hand to the ladder and went up.
;7 Bardich, that is the ditch at the Bar or city gate.

96

VENERABLE

ROGER DICCONSON

(ii.) From the Relation writtez by a Priest in England,
already quoted in part. This is his account of their
trials and death:
The priest was condemned of treason for reconciling of malefactors unto the Catholic Church,
and this poor man was condemned of felony upon
the Statute of Persuasion.
The priest was hanged, drawn, and quartered,
all which he endured so cheerfully and constantly
and without any change of countenance, that the
heretics said, "The villain dieth desperately and
feareth not death;" he should have had pardon
if he would have yielded in anything untothem.
When he was cast off from the ladder, he was
heard to say, In mianus, &c., and turning about,
another heard him say softly, Susciie siriturn
'meurn, knocking his breast twice and holding
up his hands as close as he could, for that, his
arms were pinioned.
One of his quarters was taken away, shortly
after they were hanged up on the gate, by a
maid who was imprisoned for the Catholic faith,
but yet made this adventure in the night, and
returned to prison again with the quarter under
her cloak; for the which afterwards was made:
great search, but yet it could not be found.
The old man abovesaid was offered his pardon
if he would go to church, but he stoutly refused
it. Having a wife and children, a Justice of
Peace told him that he should have care of them,
but he answered that he hoped to do them as

AND

VENERABLE RALPH MILNER.

97

much good where he went as if he were with
them. Having the halter about his neck, his
son asked his blessing, which he gave him in
this following manner, " I pray God send thee no
worse end than thy father," and so he was cast
off the ladder. Before, a Justice said unto this
man, "Thou art worse than, any Seminary
priest," and he answered, "You say truly, for I
shall never be so good as they."
(iii.) Finally, we add an extract from the letter
of John Cecil, a priest, to Father Robert Persons.
It seems to be the original source from which
Champney and Ribadeneira derived the whole of
Dr. Challoner's story.
At Winchester, Roger Dicconson and Ralph
Milner, who, desiring the Judges to be good to
his wife and 8 or 9 small children he had, was
answered thus: " Go to church, fool, and look to
thy children thyself." He replied that the loss of
his soul was too high a price to pay for so small
and vile a commodity, and so he died blessedly
in Domino. With them were condemned 8 or
9 young damsels, but not sentenced, the which
with open outcries and exclamations urged the
Judges most constantly that as they were all
culpable of the same crime, viz., of hearing Mass,
relieving a priest, confessing their sins, and
serving their Saviour after the rite of the Catholic
Church, so they might drink all of the same cup,
with such fervour and vehemence that they made
the whole assembly astonished.
H

CHAPTER VI.
VENERABLE

EDMUND GENINGS AND
COMPANIONS.

Executed December o, 1591.

DOCUMENTS.
I. Relation of James Young, otherwise called Younger (Stonyhurst MSS. Anglia, vi. 117).
2. (i.) Writ of Privy Council for the torture of Eustace White
and Brian Lacey (Council Registers, Whitehall,
vol. x. p. 30).

(ii.) ,Letter of the Ven. Eustace White (Stonyhurst MSS.
Anglia, i. 117).

The following document needs but little introduction, save some words as to its author. Of his
adventures very much that is interesting may be
found among the State Papers in the Record Office,
but they do not specially relate to the English
Martyrs, and indeed would not have been mentioned
here at all, were it not that it would not be right to
let James Young tell his story without a hint of our
knowledge of a sad stain on his life.
A native of Durham, and educated at Durham
College, he left his birthplace under pretence of
going to Cambridge, but really to pass over seas to
France. There he was advised to enter the English

VENERABLE EDMUND GENINGS.

99

Seminary at Rheims, and he was admitted in
November, 1581. In March, 1583, he was sent to
Rome. Having been there ordained priest in 1587,
he went to the newly-founded College at Valladolid
in September, 1589. He returned to England in
1591, and was arrested and committed to the
Poultry about Easter, 1592.
In the following
August he began a series of letters addressed to
Lord Keeper Puckering, in which he told all that
he knew respecting his fellow-priests and Catholic
.affairs in general. If any.one will take the trouble
to study his letters carefully, it may yet appear
that he played this part more to save his own
skin, than out of real ill-will to the people he
informed against. However, the fact remains that
his letters of information to Lord Keeper Puckering
are still extant in the Record Office, and may
be followed, in the year 1592, under his various
aliases of Dingley and Christopher, through the
Calendar of State Papers. Once he even offered
to "displace" the very Father Persons, to whom
the following letter is addressed. But, as we have
said, perhaps some advocate on the other side may
show that Young's discoveries were not really of so
dangerous a nature as they seem, and that his offer
to "displace" Father Persons was only a blind to
obtain leave to escape from the country. He thus
succeeded in obtaining his liberation, and he soon
went abroad. Certainly, after he did get back to
I)ouay in 1593, we hear no more of correspondence
with the persecutors at home. His reports to
Puckering were unknown to the Catholics, and
before 1596 he took the degree of D.D., probably
at the University of Douay.
The martyrdoms described by him took place

100oo

VENERABLE

EDMUND GENINGS

just before his imprisonment, with the exception of
Margaret Ward's and John Neele's, which were
before his coming to England, and those of Davys
and Cornelius, which happened after he left it.
The credibility of the following "relation of
Martyrs" is proved by its close correspondence with
the full and entirely independent account of these
Martyrs, written by Father John Genings, O.S.F., a
charming little volume with most interesting plates,.
published at St. Omers in 1591. This.book, with
its plates, was reproduced in 1887 by Messrs. Burns
and Gates, edited by Father W. Forbes Leith, S.J.
RELATION
PRIEST.

OF

MARTYRS,

BY

MR. JAMES

YOUNGE,

WRITTEN FROM DOUAY, FEBRUARY, 1595.-

:59I. Dominica

Edmund

Genings,

priest

of the

College of Rheims, was apprehended
in the house of Swithin Wells, gentleman,.
dwelling in Holborn, and with the said priest
were taken many other Catholics men and women,
whereof two serving-men made resistance against
the pursuivants breaking into the house, but being
enforced to surcease from arms by the multitude,
they with all the rest were led to prison. At
this time Mr. Wells was not at home, but hearing
what had happened he absented himself from
his own house, to know in time what would
become of his wife now imprisoned with all
the others. When, lo! a rumour was made that
the priest was not taken, but had escaped privily.
Which Swithin Wells hearing, and believing it,
ir

Adventus.

1 So endorsed by Father Persons, to whom it was sent in
Spain.

AND COMPANIONS.Io

presently went to Topcliffe, entreating him for
his wife's freedom, especially seeing there was no
cause to detain her, as he supposed, for "there
was no priest," saith he, "in my house." "Yes,
said Topcliffe, "thou thyself didst know it well
enough."
Whereupon presently he sent Mr.
to prison.
Wells
Within one week he was arraigned at the
King's Bench, Westminster Hall, together with
many other Catholics and three priests, Mr.
Genings, Mr. Plasden, and Mr. White; I myself
was present in person and stood fast by Topcliffe
next to the Judges. The Chief Judge was the
Lord Chief Justice of England, my Lord Wray,
now dead; there was also present Anderson,
Chief of the Common Pleas, John [Aylmer], the
false Bishop of London, Popham, then the
Queen's Attorney, now Lord Chief Justice of
England, Wade, Clerk of the Council, Mr. Gilbert
Garret [Gerard], Master of the Rolls, with divers
others, whom I do not now remember.. The quest
of twelve men was now empanelled, and after
evidence was read and avowed by Topcliffe,
forthwith was found by the twelve billa vera,
[true bill], as they speak.
Then they were asked what they could say
why the Judge should not pronounce sentence of
death against them, according to the verdict of
the twelve men. Mr. Plasden began to answer,
saying they had not offended against any just
law of the realm, wherein they reported themselves to the conscience of all the Bench there,

102

VENERABLE

EDMUND GENtNGS

who better knew what was law than twelve
simple men, that understood not what it was to,
be a priest.
"They find us guilty," saith he,.
"of treason for exercising our priestly function,
which was in all ages an honourable calling, as
you the learned on the Bench have read in your
own laws and histories, if yet you dare to speak
the truth."
"What," saith Fleetwood, for he also was
present, "dost thou talk so, Plasden? Methinks.
thou wouldst better wind a horn; for I think thy
father is an horner dwelling at Fleet Bridge," at
which all men laughed.
And then Popham began to showthe equity
and necessity of the late English statutes, made
for the reclaiming of the Queen's subjects in their
obedience; wherein he roamed wide.
Who
having ended, Anderson followed the same point,
and showed what commodity had ensued of those
statutes; to wit, that many.traitors were weeded
out of the commonwealth by the practice of those
laws, "of which myself," saith he, "can give
testimony, having in my time adjudged above
sixty of these Papistical traitors to the gallows."
Then Topcliffe, avowing so much as had been
said, adjoined, moreover, that all priests must
needs be traitors. For they all did hold opinion
(whatsoever they said otherwise) with Sander,
Bristow, and Allen, and forthwith he read out
of the Apology of the Seminaries that Allen did
maintain it lawful for the servant in case of
heresy to forsake his master, the son his father,,

AND COMPANIONS.

03

yea, the wife her husband. " Oh, forgive," said
he, "all you English hearts, that hears this,2
I know abhors this doctrine, which maketh
married men not to be sure of their wives.
But," saith he, "I will make your hair stand
upright upon your head, telling what another
of them executed of late did hold." Then he
drew out a little note-book, some time Mr.
Beesley's the Martyr, said in verbo "Ihomicidio,"
that it was lawful for the subject to disobey, yea,
to kill his Sovereign in case he be an heretic.
"And this all priests do hold," said he, "although
peradventure they dare not utter their mind
plainly, therefore they are all traitors."
Then John of London began a heretical and
a wise speech, I warrant you, speaking in this
sort: "Young [fools], so I must needs call you,
because you are greatly abused by those whom
you call your Superiors; yourselves having no
experience, and thus are the sooner deceived.
Think now of my counsel, which is to help yourselves, and to acknowledge your fault and
error; then doubtless I dare promise you from
the Queen's Majesty sure pardon. Poor youths,
how greatly do they deceive you who send you
hither, with danger of your lives to perform
this. You, miserable men, do what in you is, to
kill yourselves; which is a damnable thing unless
2 Topcliffe's grammar is always outrageous.
3 This means that the note-book was arranged under various
headings, and that this statement was found
under the word
homicide." It is extremely improbable that the Martyr's notebook contained anything of the sort.

104

VENERABLE EDMUND GENINGS

you now repent. But your blood shall be one
day demanded at the hands of [Allen] and
Persons who wittingly send you hither, where
justice must needs be executed upon you, according to the godly laws of this realm. They
dare not come themselves, but by flattery and
cosenage, they get you fond men to venture your
lives for the Pope. And then if they durst come,
we would dispute with them, and I know her
Highness would condescend unto it, so all the
world should perceive their ignorance and yours,
who, because forsooth you are priests, think that
her Majesty can not, nor ought not, to control
you nor the Pope. But the ancient Fathers
were of contrary judgment."
Then he alleged a place out of Tertullian:
I do not remember in what book. This I marked,
that upon those words, Omnis anima otestati sueriori subdita sit, he quoted St. John Chrysostom,
saying, that every soul should be subject to a
prince, yea, even bishops, wherefore (where was
the man's wit, think you ?) if the Pope has a son,
he must needs be subject to some prince. I
could not but smile hearing the long-bearded
dolt, and Mr. Genings began also to smile;
saying that he was but a young student, yet with
my lord's leave he would show how vain such
allegations were. "Peace," said John of London,
"I see you are all wilful. Here I acquit myself
before all this audience that I have given you
sound counsel. At the latter day when you and
I shall all stand before the Judge, this my word

AND COMPANIONS.

105

now shall then condemn you," and with that the
dissembling wretch wept, as it seemed, [and]
wiped his eyes trickling down with tears, every
one as big as a millstone. "Almighty God pardon
your: obstinacy. I may not stay to hear the
just sentence of blood pronounced against you,
because it is not according to my profession."
Which said, he presently departed from the
Bench. Many silly people commended his great
charity and tender heart as I heard them speak.
Then the Lord Wray began, saying thatmany
things had been well urged against the priests
by them of the Bench; as that they were men
who took part with Spaniards, who by all likelihood would kill the Queen if they possibly
could, who solicited the people secretly to
rebellion and change of religion, all which are
of great moment. "But I at this present am
to pronounce sentence against you, for that
against the statute made in this behalf, you have
been made priests by authority from the See
of Rome, and have returned into this country
to exercise your priestly functions, as you term
them, and have confessed, wherefore you are
found guilty of high treason.
And therefore
you shall return to the place from whence you
came, and from thence be drawn," &c.
Which words were no sooner heard, but the
catchpoles who guarded the prisoners at the
bar, began every one to catch some a hat,
some a cloak, others the ruffs and handkerchiefs
which the condemned persons had, yea, they

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EDMUND GENINGS

pulled their very points from their hose. When,
lo ! one of the priests spake to the Judge about
the cruelty used amongst Christians. "Besides our
priesthood, we are freemen born, and yet in the
sight of you, Judges of the land, we are thus
despoiled and bared, even before we be dead."
Which heard, Wray commanded their hats and
cloaks should be restored.
Amongst these Catholics there was arraigned
one Robert Sydney,4 sometime a serving-man,
taken at Mass with Mr. Genings; he, by the
entreaty of the Judge, and of the Lord Anderson,
asked pardon of the Queen for his fault, which
being done the Judge told him that he had showed
himself a good subject, and therefore should
have favour at her Majesty's hands. Presently
he was unpinioned, every man thinking he should
be dismissed; for he was not condemned with
the other; but only was singled out as a poor
simple man whom they thought would yield
easily, and so every one judged of him, because
he had craved pardon. The Lord Anderson said
unto him, " Sydney, thou must go to my Lord
of London, and he will instruct thee in the truth."
To whom he answered, " My lord, I would not
have you to think that I will deny my faith,
although I have asked her Majesty's forgiveness.
I will die twenty times first."
Which being heard, forthwith the twelve men
were commanded to go upon him, and, I think,
before I could have said Credo to the end, they

4This

is the Venerable Sydney Hodgson.

AND COMPANIONS.

l07

returned and found [him guilty], and anon the
Judge pronounced sentence against him as he had
done on all the rest.
I will report you their deaths in order, one after
another, as they happened. The next day Swithin
Wells, a man of good birth and ancient years, his
head almost as white as snow, was brought by
the Sheriff of London and Topcliffe with many
other officers into Grays Inn Fields, where before
his own house was erected a gibbet. Many
hundred people were there present, myself stood
fast by the gibbet, and heard whatsoever was
said. Mr. Wells was commanded to go up the
ladder, which done, Topcliffe called for a minister.
At last a hot-spirited Sir John came, who persuaded Mr. Wells to acknowledge his fact with
this reason. Saith he, "It is a point both of
Papists;, and also of Protestants', religion, that no
man can be saved without confession. Papists
say to a priest, but we say to the congregation;
wherefore, if thou wilt be saved, thou must needs
confess that thou hast offended God and her
Majesty by following false doctrine and traitorous
priests." Swithin Wells, then saying his Pater
noster, ended, and turning about looked upon the
minister. "Although I heard you say somewhat,"
quoth he, "yet it is but one doctor's opinion, and
he also a very young one." With which the
beardless minister was so daunted, that he could
not reply one word more.
Then Topcliffe bade Mr. Wells look upon the
priest Mr. Genings, who lay upon a hurdle at the

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VENERABLE

EDMUND GENINGS

foot of the gibbet. "I see him well," quoth he,
"and I thank God that ever I did know him.
Good Father, give me your blessing," which the
priest did. "Nay," quoth Topcliffe, "rather
reprehend him for having brought you to this
shameful end." "I count it honourable," quoth
the other. "Dog.bolt Papists!" said Topcliffe,
"you follow the Pope and his Bulls; believe me, I
think some bulls begot you all." Herewith Mr.
Wells was somewhat moved, and replied, If we
have bulls to our fathers, thou hast a cow to thy
mother." And anon he corrected himself saying,
"Good sir, forgive me. I request all Catholics
here to pray for me. At this time, Mr. Topcliffe,
you should not use such speeches to drive me to
impatience. God pardon you and make you of a
Saul a Paul, of a bloody persecutor one of the
Catholic Church's children; by your malice I am
thus to be executed, but you have done me the
greatest benefit that ever I could have had. I
heartily forgive you." "This dialogue," said
Mr. Topcliffe, "will be talked of hereafter, for I
warrant-you there are some of thy own profession
who hears thee." Anon the ladder was turned,
and Mr. Wells was suffered to hang until he was
dead, and afterwards was worshipfully by his
friends buried in St. Andrew's Churchyard in
Holborn. The cause why Mr. Wells was condemned was, because it was proved he had
served a priest to Mass some three days before
this happened.
Edmund Genings then was taken. from the

AND COMPANIONS.

109

hurdle, and commanded to put off his doublet,
which done he mounted the ladder and kissing
'the rope turned himself to the people and began
to speak. He was bid to confess his fault first,
otherwise he could not be suffered to talk. All
the people in my hearing much pitied him, for
.that he was of a comely and gentlemanly countenance, fair and young, of great courage, showing
no fear at all of death, but thanking God that he
had lived until that time to die for Christ's cause.
He was turned off the ladder and presently was
cut down, where the hangman taking him yet
alive and speaking, he ripped his belly and showed
his heart to the people crying, " Thus God grant
it may happen to all traitors! God save the
Queen!" When scarce one voice was heard
amongst all the people to say Amen, at which
they much wondered who were the chief executors. His heart and bowels were there burnt.
His head and quarters were set upon London
Bridge and other gates of the City.
Whiles this was happening, the other Sherjff
carried to Tyburn Mr. Brian Lacey, John Mason,
and also Robert Sydney, laymen, Mr. Plasden,
Mr.Eustace White, priests; and anon Topcliffe
hastened to Tyburn, whither I also went to see
the execution.
Brian Lacey had sometime, as I think, served
Momford Scott, a priest and martyr. He was
arraigned before the Lord Mayor of London,
called Webb, a salter by occupation, at Sessions
House in the Old Bailey. Others who were

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EDMUND GENINGS

present I do not now remember, except Young,
the arch-persecutor; he was condemned quickly
and in such sort, that in truth I thought they but
jested with him. Such ridiculous matter was laid
to his charge, as also to all the others aforenamed,
that in good truth I was persuaded that they
would never make so small account of men's
lives as to take them away on such slender and
childish accusations, as they must needs seem to
any man of judgment who heard them. But
yet it proved good earnest.
Lacey, now having the rope about his neck,
was willed by Topcliffe to confess his treason.
" For," saith he, "there are none but traitors
who are of thy religion."
"Then," said Lacey, "answer me. You yourself in Queen's Mary's days was a Papist, at least
in show. Tell me, were you also a traitor?"
At which all the people laughed aloud.
"Well," quoth Topcliffe, "I came not here to
answer thy arguments. Thou art to answer me."
"I have said," quoth the other, with smiling
and cheerful countenance, and voice as merry
as though he had been far from death. Anon
the cart was drawn away, and he suffered to hang
until he was dead.
Then followed John Mason, servant to Mr.
Owen of Oxfordshire, who was condemned at
the bar as an aider or abettor of priests. He
was first indicted for knowing a Seminary priest,
and not revealing him.
He answered that the
law allowed three days' space, within which time

AND COMPANIONS.

III

if one did not betray the priest, he is guilty of
felony. " As for me, I was taken in his company,
and therefore you know not what I would have
done, if I had had longer time."
Then a second indictment was framed, in which
he was charged to have aided the priests, which
was proved thus. When the pursuivant came
into the house, this young man met him at the
top of a pair of stairs, and clasping with him,
tumbled him down to the foot of the stairs, he
himself being fastened in the pursuivant's arms,
and thus much the young man confessed. Hereupon they proved that he aided the priests,
because if there were any window in the house
the priests might have escaped. For this he was
condemned in my hearing, and executed the
morrow after. He was demanded if he were not
sorry for the fact. "No," answered he, resolutely, " if it were to do again, I would resist the
wicked, that they should not have God's priests,
yea, although I were to be punished with twenty
deaths." In the same cart was also Sydney of
whom I spake before, to whom they never
tendered any question, wherefore he prayed all
the time secretly, holding his hands towards
heaven, and so both, gloriously confessing their
faith, they were suffered to hang until they were
dead.
Oliver [Polydore] Plasden, 5 priest, born by Fleet
Bridge, in London, was next put into the cart,

6In Rome, Polydore Plasden was called Oliver Palmer. He
signed himself Oliver Plasden in x586 (Foley, Records, vi. p. 5o8).

112

VENERABLE

EDMUND GENINGS

who prayed for the Queen and the whole realm,
which when Sir Walter Rawlin [Raleigh] heard,
"What," said he, " dost thou think as thou
prayest? "
"Otherwise," quoth he, "I expect no salvation
at God's hands."
"Then thou dost acknowledge her for thy lawful
Queen ?" . said Rawlin.
"I do sincerely."
"Wouldst thou defend her," quoth Rawlin,
"against all her foreign and domestical enemies,
if so thou wert able?"
"I would," said Plasden, " to the uttermost of
my power, and so I would counsel all men who
would be persuaded by me."
The people hearing this, began to speak one to
another: "There is no cause why this honest
man should die. He would never say thus at
death, except he thought so in his heart."
Then Rawlin said: "How happened it that
yesterday before the Judges thou wouldst not
say thus much ? Then thou hadst not come thus
far. I know, good people," said Rawlin, turning
himself, "her Majesty desireth no more at these
men's hands, than that which this man bath
now confessed. Mr. Sheriff," said he, "I will
presently go to the Court, let him be stayed."
Which when Topcliffe heard, "I pray you,"
saith he, "suffer me to offer him one question,
and anon you shall hear that I will convince him
to be a traitor." Then he said:" Plasden, in
thy conscience, before all this assembly, tell me

4ND COMPANIONS.

II3

thy judgment. If the King of Spain or the Pope
would come into this country by force for no
other end precisely, but by his canonical law," for
so he spake, "to establish that faith which thou
believest and which thou thinkest to be the true
Catholic faith as you call it, tell me, wouldst thou
resist them ? "
" I am a priest," quoth he, " and therefore may
not fight."
"'Although thou mayst not fight, wouldst thou
give counsel to others who would fight to defend
her Majesty? "
" I would," said the priest, "counsel all men to
maintain the right of their Prince."
"He saith marvellous well," quoth RawlinSNo more. I will presently post to the
I know she will be glad of this plain dealing."
" Then," said Topcliffe, "let me say but one
word unto him," which was granted. "Thou
sayest, Plasden," quoth he, "that thou wouldst
counsel all to defend the Queen's right, but tell
me, dost thou think that the Queen hath any
right to maintain this religion, and to forbid
yours ?"
"No," said the priest.
"Then thou thinkest not," quoth he, "to defend
the Queen against the Pope, if he would come to
establish thy religion; speak, what sayest thou to
this ? I charge thee before God."
"I am a Catholic priest," quoth he, "therefore
I would never fight, nor counsel others to fight
against my religion, for that were to deny my

Queen.

I,

114

VENERABLE

EDMUND GENINGS

faith. 0 Christ," saith he, looking up to heaven
and kissing the rope, "I will never deny Thee
for a thousand lives."
Then lo! they cried, he was a traitor, and the
cart was drawn away, and he, by the word of
Rawlin, was suffered to hang until he was dead;
then was he drawn and quartered after their
custom.
Eustace White was put up into the cart last,
who kissing the rope said
"Christian people I was yesterday condemned
as a traitor for being a priest and coming into
this country to reconcile, and use other my
priestly functions, all which I confess I have
done in sundry places of this realm for some
years together.
I thank God, that it hath
pleased Him to bless my labours with this happy
end, when I now am to die for my faith and
priesthood; other treasons I have not committed.
If I had never so many lives, I would think them
very few to bestow upon your Tyburns to defend
my religion. I wish I had a great many more
than one, you should have them all one after
another."
The people cried: "Fie on the obstinate
traitor! "

"Confess thy fault," quoth Topcliffe.
" I will say no more," said the glorious Martyr.
Lifting his eyes to heaven, and saying, In manus
tuas, &c., he was presently cut down, and arose
from the ground after his fall from the gallows;
then they tripped his feet from him and trailed

AND COMPANIONS.

115

him to the fire, saying, "Sweet Jesu, sweet Jesu."
Two men set their feet upon his arms to keep
him down till the hangman had taken out his
heart. Then they quartered him and Mr. Plasden,
sending their members to divers parts of the City.
The other Catholic men were buried in a pit
made for that purpose by the highway-side.
In

the same

1591, on the third Sunday in

Advent, after I had seen the tragedy of these my
brethren and fellow-priests, I remained.in Clerkenwell at that time, in the house of a worshipful
gentleman, Mr. Lawrence Mompesson's, and
with me was also at that time another priest
called William Pattinson, a Yorkshire man, sometime of the College of Rheims, who was come
from the country to find some help amongst
priests, how he might rid himself from scruples
of conscience, wherewith he was much troubled,
as sometimes it happens to devout persons.
We had both said Mass that Sunday, and before
dinner I took the opportunity to explicate out of
the English Testament a text fit for the third
Sunday of Advent, when lo, there knocked at the
door, churchwardens, sidemen, and constables,
coming to know who were in that house that
Unawares, a maid
did not go to the church.
of the .house let them in, all the other doors of
the house were open, and before I could get
into a secret place which we had, and draw up
Mr. Pattinson after me, the searchers came into
the place, and espying his leg to hang out of an
hole, they bid him come down, which he did.

I16

VENERABLE

EDMUND GENINGS

I remained in an inner place made for that
purpose, if so be the other place should happen
to be found. They heard me go over their
heads, and calling for a candle they came up.
Mr. Pattinson said: " Here are no more but
myself." Yet one fellow came up, swearing that
the place were able to contain twenty. "Yet,"
saith he, "here are no more."
Then they asked Mr. Pattinson, what he was.
He told them.one of the country, who came to.
that gentlewoman because she had some skill in
healing a sore leg, which he also had. But they
believed him not, and therefore they carried him
to Justice Young, leaving charge in the Queen's
name that no person should stir out of the house
until they returned. Yet they being all gone, the
door was bolted, and I escaped 6 out of the back
door, and all the rest forsook the house, leaving
all, and losing all they had. Who are also now
living in Antwerp, having marvellous greatly well
deserved of all Catholic priests.
Mr. Pattinson, being known to be a priest, was
condemned at the first Sessions, after Christmas,
at the Sessions [House] in the Old Bailey, as I
think. Anderson was the Judge. In that little
time he was in prison he converted and reconciled three or four thieves, and communicated
SIn August, 1592, James Young wrote to Lord Keeper Puckering that he "said Mass every Sunday to Mrs. Mompesson, as did
Patenson, another priest since executed, to the rest of the household, Mr. Mompesson standing behind the door, to hear and not
to be seen by the servants; and at a search, he escaped and went
to Mr. Wiseman" (See Life of Father John Gerard, 3rd Edit. p. 75).

AND COMPANIONS.

17

them before their death. When they came to
the gallows they all confessed their faith, and
that they died Catholics. One only, hoping to
gain pardon, said that that traitorous priest had
dealt with him also to worship idols, but yet he
would never consent, nevertheless he was also
hanged with the rest. Mr. Pattinson was cut
down alive, and spoke unto the hangman even
when he was- ripping his bowels; I do not now
remember the words. He was quartered as the
others were.
All this I saw and beheld myself, with great
comfort to see the constancy of my fellows and
acquaintance; more particulars chanced, which
yet I think of no great moment. I recommend
myself heartily unto you, as likewise to all of both
Colleges. I trust you will freely use my labours,
if so be they may be profitable unto you in anything. My dictates came in good season, for
which I still acknowledge myself much indebted
to your mindfulness. These few lines I now write
in haste, you shall hear more at large from me
shortly.
Yours ever most assuredly,

JAMES YOUNG.
Douay, February 9, 1595.

[Postscriptto the above letter.]

Margaret Ward, gentlewoman, was hanged at
Tyburn, because she brought a rope, enwrapped
in a clean shirt, to one Watson, a priest, being in

I8

VENERABLE

EDMUND GENINGS

Bridewell prison, out of which he escaped by the
help of that rope.
John Neele, an Irishman, was also executed
with her at Tyburn. He, in a search, was found
in that apparel which the priest had on, when he
escaped out of prison. Neele, being a servingman, had given the priest his own clothes the
better to get away.
was examined what he
was, for at the first they thought he had been
Watson the priest, but he confessed that he was
a Catholic and had holpen the priest to escape,
for which he was executed at Tyburn.
William Davys, priest of the College of Rheims,
being about to go into Ireland, was apprehended
in Anglesea, and there put to death, anno 1593Thus much reporteth one Price, a student here in
Douay, who saith that assuredly he knows it for
a truth.
Anno 1594- John Cornelius was executed at
Dorchester, and with him Mr. Thomas Bosgrave,.
sister's son to Sir John Arundell. Patrick Salmon,
also an Irishman, servant to Mr. Cornelius, was.
also executed at the same time.

He

Thomas Pormort, priest, was taken in London,.
anno 1592,7 upon St. James's day, and after some

months' imprisonment escaped, but was taken
Many particulars worth the
again presently.
7 As the Venerable Thomas Pormort, or Portmore, was taken
in August, 1591, when he was committed to the Tower, this first
arrest on the 25th of July, from which he escaped after somemonths' imprisonment, must have been in 1590.

AND COMPANIONS.

I19

noting are reported of this man, which I cannot
write with any certainty. Yet this I know that
at his arraignment he pleaded that he came not
unto England to reconcile any, for that he had no
authority, wherefore he thought the law had not
been so rigorous, otherwise he would not have
come into England. He requested that he might
be banished, but Topcliffe, his sworn enemy, withstood it forcibly. The Judges offered him favour
if he would confer. He refused, saying that he
doubted of no article of faith. The twelve men
found him guilty of treason, and the Judge,
Anderson, I think, pronounced sentence of death
against him.
Then he would have admitted conference, but
the Judge replied that it was too late, nevertheless the false Archbishop sent his chaplains unto
him, and commanded also the Sheriff not to
execute him before authority had from his Grace.
But Topcliffe, hearing of this, went to the Lord
Treasurer, and got a mandamus to the Sheriff
to execute the priest that self-same day. The
cause why Topcliffe laboured his death so vehemently was because Mr. Pormort openly at the
bar had charged Topcliffe to have said unto him
[something not fit to be written]." Mr. Pormort
also charged him that he had likewise said that
there was not a true Stanley in all England.
There were present upon the bench when Mr.
Pormort related this, my Lord of Essex, and the
8 Pormort accused Topcliffe of having boasted to him of
indecent familiarities with the Queen.

VENERABLE

120

EDMUND GENINGS

Lord Strange, after Earl of Derby, now dead.
The Earl! of Essex frowned much, saying if
Topcliffe had said so much of a Devereux, he
would have stabbed him. The Lord Strange yet
,calmly said: "Topcliffe, I trust you know to
use noblemen with honour, otherwise you shall
understand of it." "My lord," qluoth Topcliffe,"
believe not a traitor priest, who doth belie me."
Yet Mr. Pormort avowed it for truth even unto
death. He was enforced to stand in his shirt
almost two hours upon the ladder in Lent time,
upon a very cold day, when Topcliffe still urged
him to deny the words, but he would not.
The gibbet was erected before the door of one
B3arrows, 9 an haberdasher, dwelling in the west
end of Paul's Churchyard in London. This man in
his sickness had been reconciled by Mr. Pormort,
which was known to Topcliffe, whereof he caused
Barrows to accuse the priest, or else he should
also be hanged and lose all his goods, by which
fear he did so, standing at the gibbet, and confessing that he had offended God and her
Majesty by being reconciled by the priest. At
last the ladder was turned, and the priest was
quartered after their manner.
The same year, the Saturday as I think after
Dominica in, A lbis, Richard Williams,10 priest in
a Stowe gives this name as Barwys.
The date here given is April 28, 1592. In a letter from Father
Garnet to the General of the Society, dated March 27, 1594
20

he says that the Martyr Pormort was followed by Mr. William,
one of the old priests of Catholic times, who was condemned to

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121

Queen Mary's time, was executed, especially
being condemned for that he had relieved with
money and clothes one Shaw, a relapsed priest,
and for that he was reconciled, which you know
is treason. They proved it thus: because he had
been a married minister sometime, and therefore
he could not become a priest again, except he
were reconciled. He was hanged, drawn, and
quartered at Tyburn, and afterwards his quarters
were set upon the gates of the City. He was
likewise, as I think, condemned by Judge Anderson in the Sessions House within the Old Bailey
in London. More I cannot report of him or the
rest.
JAMES YOUNG, Priest.

Your great friend and of ancient acquaintance,
Mr. Walker, " sendeth you most hearty commendations, saluting you with the good news of your
mother's well doing, now again being made
Catholic, and remaining in Wales. The gentleman keepeth at his wonted home, you know
where, I need not name the place.
2.

(i.) As an appendix to the account of this group

.ofMartyrs we may add the directions for the torture
death because he left Calvinism-that is, the Church of England

-in which he had been acting as a minister, and had joined
the Catholic Church and obtained a dispensation from the
irregularity of bigamy, caused by his having been married.
Nothing more is known of this Martyr.
S11 This may be Father Henry Garnet, who frequently mentions
"'the old woman," Father Persons' mother, in his letters to
Father Persons.

122

VENERABLE EDMUND GENINGS

of two of their number, with an account of its infliction
told by one of the Martyrs who bore it.
Oct. 25, 1591.

Letter to Dr. Fletcher, Richard

Brainthwayte, Richard Topcliffe, and Richard
Young, Esquires.
Whereas one Eustace White, a Seminary priest,
was of late taken, and there was also one Brian
Lacey, a disperser and distributor of letters to
Papists and evil affected subjects, in like manner
apprehended; these shall be therefore (in virtue
hereof), to require you to take the confessions of
both the said persons and very straitly to
examine them upon such articles as you Mr.
Topcliffe shall administer unto them. And if
they shall not declare their knowledges and
answer directly to all such matters as you shall
think meet and necessary to be propounded
unto them, then shall you by virtue hereof, for
the better bolting further of the truth, cause
them to be put to the manacles and such other
tortures as are used in Bridewell, to the end they
may be compelled to utter such things as shall
concern her Majesty and the Estate. And their
examination so taken, we pray you to send the
same to us.
This letter has also been published by Dr. Jessopp,
from Jardine's Use of Torture, in his very valuable
book, One Generation of a Norfolk House, p. 241. Dr.
Jessopp adds that our Martyr, Brian Lacey, was
brother to Richard Lacey, of Brockdish in Norfolk.
" He had been betrayed by his brother," we learn,

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123

" eight years before this horrible torturing, but had
apparently managed to escape apprehension." The
"confession" of Richard Lacey, to which Dr.Jessopp
refers, was taken before Sir William Heydon and
William Blenerhaiset, on the 13th of March, 1584-12
After giving information respecting Momford Scott
and other priests, Richard Lacey says that his
brother Brian is in the service of Sir John Arundell,
and he relates sayings of Robert Hartley and others,
that " if Sir William Heydon andMr. John Stubbes
could get hold of Brian Lacey, they would rack him,
even till the nails should start from his fingers."
(ii.) Of the treatment the Martyrs went through in
consequence of this order, the reader may form
some notion from the very modest but most touching
letter addressed by the Venerable Eustace White to
Father Henry Garnet. It is headed in Father
Garnet's hand:

A COPY OF MR. WHITE'S LETTER, LATELY
A MARTYR.

23 of November, anno 1591.
presume somewhat rashly to address
Sir,-I
unto you (as unto a patron of orphans in these
miserable days) importing my present calamity,
which surely without temporal comfort I am very
hardly able long to endure; the time of the year
and the hard handling of my torture masters,
with the malicious and devilish dealing of my
keepers against priests especially and all Catholics
generally, growing so fast towards their extremity.

12
P.R.O. Dorm.

Eliz. vol. clxix. n. 19.

124

VENERABLE EDMUND GENINGS

This bearer, Mr. N.1 3 I think can partly relate
unto you mine estate from the mouth of one 1
in prison by me, my dearest friend in bonds.
For he hath spared from himself to relieve me
with victuals as he could through a little hole,
and with other such necessaries as he could by
that means do, whom truly I did never see in
my life but through a hole. Nothing was too
dear unto him that he could convey unto me,
for whom as I am bound, so will I daily pray
while I live.
I have been close prisoner since the i8th day
of September, where of forty-six days together
I lay upon a little straw in my boots, ny hands
continually manacled in irons, for one month
together never once taken off. After, they were
twice or thrice taken off to shift me, and ease
me for a day together. This was all the favour
that my keepers did show. The morrow after
Simon and Jude's day,1 5 I was hanged at the wall
from the ground, my manacles fast locked into
a staple as high as I could reach upon a stool.
The stool taken away, there I hanged from a
little after eight o'clock in the morning till after
13 This has been inserted by Father Garnet, who has cautiously
blotted out the words which follow. At present, however, owing
to the ink drying in different colours, many of them may be read
in whole or part. They are: "Mr . . . late and last servant unto
the good Sir Thomas Fitzherbert (for he attended on him ..

his death in the Tower)."
14 Here again Father Garnet has substituted "one"
for "his
good . . ." erased.

15October 29, which follows closely on the date of the Privy
Council warrant.

AND COMPANIONS.

I25

four afternoon, without any ease or comfort at
all, saving that Topcliffe came unto me, and told
me that the Spaniards were come into Southwark
by our means: "for lo! do you not hear the
drums ?" (for then the drums played in honour
of the Lord Mayor). The next day after also I
was hanged an hour or two, such is the malicious
minds and practices of our adversaries.
For my clothes I have no other than my
summer weed, wherein I was taken; and then
I was rifled of all, of my horse that cost but then
£7, of £4 in money, and odd money, with my
rings, a silver pipe 1worth
"
twenty shillings, and
many other things. Nothing left, more than.on
my back, and he that took me had £5 of the
Council17 for his labour, before whom I was, at
Basing, a courtier, for a week at her Majesty's
charges.
This is mine estate till this hour, in extremity
of all worlidly comforts. Money may be conveyed
more easily unto me than other things whatsoever,
though with leave of Justice Young other things
also, but it must be done by some Protestant
friend. Mr.
11 doth owe me forty shillings
for a legacy from his father, which he promised
16That is, a flute.
' This corresponds exactly with the payment made by the
Treasurer of the Chamber "to Henry Adis, gent., upon the
Council's warrant, dated at Basing 14 Sep. 1591, for the apprehending one Eustace White, a Seminary priest, in Dorsetshire,
and bring him from thence to Basing at his own charges:c. shillings" (Enrolled Accounts, rot. 158).
18is
Blank space in MS.

126

VENERABLE

EDMUND GENINGS.

me this summer in
19
fields. I beseech you,
sir, make means unto him, that I may have it,
for he will pay it at the first sending. The
Catholics in the west country among whom I
bestowed my pains, would willingly help me if
I could convey unto them; though others I know
would not be unwilling, with them I would be
most bold.
I was taken at Blandford in Dorsetshire the Ist
of September, and there had disputations two
days together with Doctor Souicheand divers
ministers before people of all sorts, all whose
arguments were too too ridiculous. Thus I have
showed you my bold rashness with you in
troubling you so long, praying to have me excused
for the same, beseeching withal, if you can, to
work that some honest Protestant may have
access unto me, that by him I may be somewhat
relieved. And so commending you to our Lord's
protection, that can defend you from the mouth
of the roaring lion, that goeth about seeking
whom he may devour, I take my leave this
twenty-third of November, 91.
Your worship's,
[EUSTACE

WHITE.]

The letter has no signature.
This holy Martyr suffered at Tyburn on the Ioth
of December, 1591, seventeen days after the date of
this letter.

19

Blank space in MS.

CHAPTER VII.
VENERABLE WILLIAM
Executed at Beaumaris,

7uly

DAVIES.
27, 1593.

DOCUMENTS.
I. Letter of the Martyr (Stonyhurst MSS. Anglia, vii. 9).
2. Account of his trial and death (Ibid. M. fol. 107 a).

The Venerable William Davies was born of good
family in North Wales, and came to the Seminary
of Rheims in April, 1582, where he studied for the
priesthood, was ordained and sent back to his native
country in June, 1585. Here he laboured with great
success for more than five years, until in March,
1591, while he was arranging for the passage of
three students and a boy for the Seminaries of
Spain, he was arrested at Holyhead with them, and
with Robert ap Hugh, a priest. Whether through
the connivance or the blundering of Hugh ap
Robert, High Constable of Llynon, or some of his
inferiors, Robert ap Hugh escaped the hands of
Fulk Thomas, to whose "diligence" the arrest was
attributed.
The Council was very angry at this
negligence, and sent down stringent orders to the
Bishop of Bangor on the 25th of March to inquire
into the matter and examine the prisoners, and on

128

VENERABLE

WILLIAM

DA VIES.

the 9 th of July further orders to the Justices of
Assize to try the High Constable, the Bailiff and
his men on Fulk Thomas' evidence, and to proceed
against the priest and his companions " at the next
Assizes, according to the quality of their several
offences." 1
I. The Martyr's letter which we now give was
probably written shortly after this. He is so reticent
about the sufferings he had already undergone, that
it is necessary to inform the reader that he had
already been confined more than a month in one of
the worst dungeons of Beaumaris Castle. Father
Garnet has written on the back of this document :
" Mr. Davies the priest's letter, I know not whether
of his own hand." It does not seem a far-fetched
suggestion to suppose that the "faithful brother,"'
to whom it was addressed, was the same Robert ap
Hugh, the priest, who was in Davies' company when
he was arrested and managed somehow to escape.
\Whoever the " brother" was to whom the letter was
addressed, the Martyr thought that he had tried to
obtain for him some means of escape from prison
and from martyrdom, and it is touching to see that
he calls this "a hindrance to his preferment."
LETTER OF THE VENERABLE WILLIAM

DAVIES

AFTER HIS TRIAL.

Though you have been in some part a hindrance
to my preferment (faithful brother), but mine own
unworthiness most of all, yet nevertheless do I
acknowledge myself more bound unto you for
your care and travail in the behalf of me and my
a

Council Registers, vol. x. pp.

282,

469.

VENERABLE

WILLIAM DA VIES.

129

children than I can express in words or writing,
much less discharge in deed. Wherefore, giving
you hearty thanks, I refer the rewarding thereof
unto Almighty God, Who is able to do it, for the
which I daily pray unto Him, as I am bound.
You long, I am sure, to know how we have
sped in our suit. To declare every circumstance
would be too long, wherefore I think good only at
this time to touch the principalest matters which I
judge convenient to certify unto you; and if you
will be desirous to know particulars more at large,
send us word and you shall be certified hereafter
as occasion shall serve. Many enemies we have
had, which I construed for my part and in my sense
to be indeed my greatest friends (I thank God
Who helped me to keep that mind always), so
that I was nothing afraid of them. For if they
had prevailed, I hoped (by the help of God) to
obtain my chief desire; if they missed of their
purpose, I was to have that, which I was content
withal in respect of myself, and wished in respect
of my children and friends.
The means you wrought for us took great
effect as we do now think; they would have taken
greater, if we had been so well acquainted with
them in time, as after the time was past. Our
other friend did his part to further your means
and in removing all impediments, so that nothing
lacked but that we were not thoroughly acquainted
with your travail in our behalf, that accordingly
we might have done somewhat for our parts.
This (I suppose) happened through the simplicity
J

130

VENERABLE

WILLIAM DA VIES.

of a messenger that undertook to make us acquainted therewith. But I hope it was for the
best.
But to let you understand somewhat more
particular. First, ministers and preachers being
sent by the Ordinary, as they said, pretending
also good-will, flocked about me, having one
Burgess to be their principal, which laid hard
siege to me for the space of four or five days
together, at last they gave me over. The man
of Bangor 2 was sent for by the Justices. He
came and spake with them and departed immediately, seeming as though he had no mind to
deal with us. One Tuesday, the head Sheriff
came in the afternoon, to bring me solemnly
to Justice Leighton's chamber, where was also
Justice Philips, Sir Richard Fowler, and others.
Justice Leighton asked me some questions, as
where and when I was priested, upon what intent
I came to England, &c. Then he wished me to
be conformable and promising mercy, then he disputed a little about the Sacrament very civilly, at
last he said he was no divine, and bade Burgess,
which [was present] 3 to speak. After some
reasoning, Justice Philips stood, saying, I should
consider between that and the next morrow, and
declaring the danger of the law. Fowler asked
me the question of the Supremacy. Philips said
they would give me time till the next morrow to
SThis is evidently Hugh Ballot, Bishop of Bangor, to whom
the letters of the Privy Council had been sent.
MS. torn.

VENERABLE

WILLIAM DA VIES.

131

consider of that question, so the Sheriff took me
away.
Wednesday morning the said Burgess
came to us, declaring that now he was to deal
with us in principalest matter indeed which concerned our lives, being sent of purpose by the
Justices, for they were to deal with us touching
the Supremacy in the afternoon. I told him for
my part I was determined what to answer, and
that I would not be taught by him. He desired
I would give him leave to declare his mind in
the matter to the rest of my companions.
I
answered, if he would needs preach I would
depart; if I were stayed by force, I would answer
every falsehood. So seeing it would not be, he
departed.
After noon I was brought to Justice Philips
chamber, where were Sir Ric. Bulkley, Tho.
Moston, the Chancellor of Bangor, two or three
besides. Justice Leighton and Fowler came not.
Fowler had received by this time letters to stay
him a little. Justice Philips gave very fair words,
wishing me to look to myself, saying it was
come to that now, that a thread divided between
my life and death. I said I never made other
account of my life.
After many persuasions he began to examine
me, the Register of Bangor writing my examination, not requiring any oath at all. When I
had acknowledged my going over seas, my
coming back and my intent, "Alas," said he,
"you have spoken so much against yourself."
I said, I would not go from that I had spoken.

I32

VENERABLE

WILLIAM DA VIES.

Sir Richard said I was but a simple man.
Mr. Gruff, of Carnarvon, desired leave to ask
some question. The Justice granted. He asked
who had received me and maintained me since
I came to England. I said I would not answer
to such question. The gentleman was moved 4
with that answer. Then the Justice said it was
in vain to ask such question, and that I had
been asked often enough before, but would not
answer.
Then the Sheriff and the Chancellor took me
up sharply because I would not answer, they
being called by authority to demand. I being
then somewhat moved, told them that they knew
not what they said, and that I was not bound to
answer them, but what I thought meet, being a
spiritual man, whereas they were but laymen,
and that by right they had no authority to
examine me.
"What," said Mr. Sheriff, "do you not know
whose person Mr. Justice doth represent ?"
"So I do," said I, "yet he is but a temporal
man, yet I yield to the time."
The Justice said nothing, but proceeded mildly,
and from that time they asked me no such
question.
The Justice bade me read the examination and
put out what I thought good. I read it, and
said I would stand to it, and so put my name
to it.
Then was I brought away, and Roger called to
4 "Moved," that is, to anger.

VENERABLE WILLIAM DAVIES.

133

be examined, whom the Justice used courteously.
The Register moved the Justice to examine him
upon the Supremacy. He said he would defer it
unto the next morrow. The Register urged still.
At last the Justice was fain to say he could go
no further than his commission, and so this quest
was no more moved to any.
With the boy they kept great stir, threatening
to whip him, to set him on the pillory, to cut
off his ears and nose. Sometimes they spake
him fair, promising liberty and many other fair
promises; at last, if he would then but say he
would go to the church, he should presently go
from that place whither he would. But no persuasion would serve.
Thursday in the afternoon we were brought
solemnly with the felons, guarded with halberts
and bills, to the bar. The Grand Jury having
been called to give their verdict, my bill of
indictment was read, I being called and bidden
to hold my hand. Then Justice Leighton stood
up and took to him the statute book, and turned
to the statute according to the which the bill
was made, and sent to me bidding me read the
statute myself. I said it needed not, but yet he
would have me to read it. Then I took up the
book and read it. Then he asked me what I
would say for myself. I answered that I acknowledged that I had gone out of the realm and
was made priest, according to the Order of the
Church of Rome, which is the Catholic Church,
and came after to England to minister the

134

VENERABLE

WILLIAM DAVIES.

sacraments according to the use of that Church,
contrary to this statute, " but for the satisfying
of my mind I have this saying of St. Augustine:
Princies quandoque sunt in errore.
" There he
interrupted me, saying there was more skill at the
making of that law, than all the Papists in the
world had.
After their bills were read, then everybody
looked for sentence to be pronounced against me
the next day. So did I myself think, but I thank
God I was nothing dismayed, and I pray God I
may be resolute when the time come indeed. My
children were in great sorrow and heaviness;
Robert wept bitterly from the time the indictment was read at the bar, the space of two hours,
so did all the rest after they were brought to
the prison for anything I could say unto them.
[They] 5 spent all that night in weeping and
praying. The next morning, when the time
came that we should be brought to the bar, the
deputy sheriff came for them, saying I should
not be brought at that time to the bar, but the
morrow after, when the Justices were to depart,
I should be brought to have sentence pronounced.
When they came to the bar, they found Justice
Leighton sitting alone, for Justice Philips sat in
another place, hearing of matters belonging to.
the town. Then were they somewhat comforted,
for they hoped they should die with me, for
Justice Leighton seemed to be more sharp with
us. But it proved to be contrary, and at first he
5MS. torn.

VENERABLE

WILLIAM DA VIES.

'35

said the boy should go. Then the Sheriff said it
was not well to let him go without bonds to
appear the next Assizes.
The Justice said,
"Then let him be bailed."
John and Roger moved the Justice for their
money which the Sheriff had. The Justice said
they ought to have it: but the Sheriff answered
they, should have none, for they were indebted
to the Queen, and that they lived too well; he
would look better unto them, and they should
wear irons. The Justice said that for their debt
to the Queen he was to make inquiry for lands
and goods, and gave order that he should allow
3d. towards every meal as long as the money
lasted; but they doubt whether they shall have
any.
My children do hope, if you continue your suit
for us, that we all may be delivered the next
Assizes; they have no mind to be released without I might also.
The statute whereupon I was indicted was an
old one made in the first year of her Majesty's
reign, which appointeth certain time for such as
would not conform themselves to the statute to
depart the realm. The Justice bade me read the
statute and say what I could for myself. Seeing
he dealed with us so favourable where we expected no favour, it made me to think that if I
had pleaded ignorance of the statute at my going

out and coming into the realm, I might have
obtained banishment, alleging also the example
of divers in my case which have had that favour

136

VENERABLE

WILLIAM

DAVIES.

My children would needs have me to let you
understand of this to have your advice.
Also some colour must be devised for their
releasement, other than that some gentlemen
would beg Thomas and John, in respect of their
qualities, or some better than their own bonds'
being strangers in the country. Roger may be
released on his own bonds, the boy without a
bond.
I have not time to write as [fully as I could
wish. It would] 6 be very good to see my brother
William to confer further touching these matters.
I pray you commend us heartily to your [friend],7
oft letting him understand we forget not his
faithfulness and travail for us. Commend us
also to all the rest of our friends in his house.
God reward you for your goodness towards us,
and make us worthy to be heard for you, as our
duty is to pray. Commend me, I pray, to all
other good friends as you shall have occasion to
see them; and lastly, committing you to God, I
commend myself to your prayers.
2. A year passed away between the writing of this
letter and the final scene, which we are about to
describe. During that time the Martyr was first
hurried about from one prison to another, paraded
in the streets in the company of criminals, and confined in the undrained, unlighted dungeons into
which, according to the barbarous practice of our
forefathers, condemned prisoners were thrust previous to execution. At last he was sent back to
6 MS. much torn.

7 Some word is wanting.

VENERABLE

WILLIAM DA VIES.

137

Beaumaris Castle, where he rejoined his young
companions, whom he loved to call his children.
The pleasure of such a meeting can well be imagined,
and to their intense delight they were henceforth
allowed to live together, and occupy themselves as
they liked. They accordingly devoted themselves
entirely to prayer, study, and spiritual exercises,
making their prison into a sort of religious house.
"This manner of life they led for six months, and
seemed to all men to be dwelling, not amid the
miseries of prison, but in the joys of Heaven."
The following account of the trial and death of
this Martyr is taken from a transcript with abbreviations, made by Father Grene, who, without stating
whence he copied, heads it,

THE MARTYRDOM OF MR. DAY, OR DAVIES, PRIEST,
IN

ANGLESEA, 27 JULY,

1593.

The Sessions being at Beaumaris in the county
of Anglesea, Mr. William Davies, priest and
prisoner, was called to the bar upon Wednesday
morning, being St. Symphorosa her day [July 18].
The bill of the indictment, framed upon a statute
made in the 23rd year, as I think, of the Queen,
being read, Justice Leighton asked what he had
to say why he ought not to die.
" Sir," quoth Mr. William, "I acknowledge
the contents of the bill to be true, which is no
more, as I understand, than that I am a priest;
but for the statute whereupon this was framed,
I was never acquainted therewith, and therefore

138

VENERABLE WILLIAM DAVIES.

I trust I shall have mercy and the favour of the
law, as others have had being in my case."
" It is true," said the Justice, "that some
priests have been banished, but the most part
executed, which thou dost well deserve, because
thou art so stubborn, that thou wouldst not reveal,
for anything what was done unto thee, either the
parties or the places wherein thou didst use thy
trade, nor anything else to her Majesty's commodity." And so gave judgment that he should
be executed, as in case of high treason, to the
uttermost, commanding the Sheriff to look to his
office at time convenient. Then said Mr. William
Te Deunm Laudazmus, going forward. Wherewith
the Justice bid take him away, saying there were
better learned in that place than he was. His
countenance and behaviour at the time of his
condemnation all that [were] sober and wise did
admire, and do continually as yet talk of.
Immediately after his condemnation he was
put in a place of the Castle called the black alley,
a dark, loathsome aisle between two walls, where
he gave himself wholly to prayer and meditation,
and omitted none of his daily wonted exercises
until that very morning he was brought forth to
be executed. All his friends that came to visit
him, he did so replenish with comfort, that howsoever they came to him, they returned merrily.
For such as were Catholics, he hoped he should
meet with them merrily again; for his own
father, or such as were not, nor yet would not
be Catholics, he bid them farewell for ever.

VENERABLE

WILLIAM DA VIES.

139

When any would tell him that he hoped he
should be reprieved, he would wax very sad and
heavy; as contrariwise, when he were told that
he must be executed, he would be most merry
and pleasant.
A preacher was with him to have him recant
and swear to the Supremacy, and he should be
reprieved, whom he sore checked, and bid get
him away thence. There could not be found an
executioner in all the country; but at length the
Sheriff was forced to send to Westchester, fortytwo miles off, for a poor butcher, and a hangman
that was in prison for thievery. These two were
brought to the country and hired for four or five
pounds; and because they could have no lodging
in the town, they were hid in a barn, and there
kept like hungry dogs until the day appointed,
with stolen scraps and meat secretly conveyed
to them. The deputy sheriff had much ado to
provide necessaries for execution. The best man
there and the townsmen denied' the Sheriff of a
place to set the gallows upon [in] any of their
grounds. He was fain to make a new gallows,
and to set it within the liberties of the Castle,
out of the liberties of the town. The word is
about the country, that the Sheriff was fain to
send to his own house for a pan, but the truth is
that an old covetous woman in the town, that
would not be known of it, lent her pan, and gave
a few faggots withal to the deputy sheriff for
eight shillings of money.
That day morning being St. Pantaleon's day

'40

VENERABLE

WILLIAM DAVIES.

s
[July 27] 8, wherein he was executed, the blessed
Father delivered, through a crevice in the wall,
tokens to his children and brethren abroad for a
remembrance to persist in the Catholic faith. So
having done, he said, "Now let them come when
they will; I am ready for them." Thereupon the
sheriffs, bailiffs, and servant calling him forth,
bound his arms with a cord and set him upon
a cart, which they themselves were fain to drive
the horse to draw forward; whereat being
ashamed, the deputy sheriff threatened to hang
a poor boy that met him on the way, unless
he would drive the horse. Whereunto the boy
answered, "I am well content to be hanged with
this man with all my heart, but drive the horse
I will not, do what you will." Then said Mr.
William, "You shall not need, Mr. Sheriff, to
trouble any more; the horse will go of himself."
Being'come to the place, he was permitted a
good while to. pray upon his knees, which he did
very devoutly, until at length a preacher called
Burgess had overheard him say, Ave Maris Stella,
or naming our Blessed Lady, whereat the preacher
fretted, and bade despatch him. Here the deputy
sheriff (for the head sheriff was not there) asked
him what he thought of the Queen. " God give
her a long, prosperous reign, and grace to die a
member of the Catholic Church." Then caused
to climb up the ladder, he said: "This island
(meaning the Isle of Anglesea) was called in the

8 Challoner says July 21, but he does not take this date from
Yepez.

VENERABLE

WILLIAM

DA VIES.

'4'

old time the dark island, the which name it never
better deserved than at this present. But I
beseech God that the blood which I am brought
hither innocently to shed, may give a light unto
it of that faith which it hath received above a
thousand years agone."
So being interrupted,
he was not suffered to speak more but thrice, In
inanus tuas, Domine. The ladder was turned,
whereupon he closed his fists hard, and so kept
them till he died, at which time he opened his
hands broad. He was pulled by the hangman
to die, before he was taken down, the deputy
sheriff asking often to break the halter before he
was dead, for a colour belike lest he should be
complained upon.
After his death, he was bowelled, headed, and
quartered; his head set upon the top of his
fellow's chimney,9 and his two quarters in Beaumaris Castle, one other in Conway, the fourth in
Caers. 0
One or two [were] put in prison in
Conway, because they would not climb nor meddle
with the quarter that came thither.
Note by Father Grene.-This relation was sent
to Father Persons, as it seemeth, by two or three
words written thereon by him.
Of "his children," our histories only inform us
that one was entrusted by the judges to a schoolPresumably the chimney over the cell where his youthful
companions were confined.
10 Perhaps Caerwys.

142

VENERABLE

WILLIAM

DAVIES.

master, "with orders to whip him if he did not come
to the Protestant church on every festival-day. But
he finding himself at liberty, found means to escape
to Ireland." .

.

. Here he fell in with another young

gentleman, a Protestant, whom he instructed in the
faith, and brought to a priest to be reconciled.
Finally, " both finding themselves animated with a
desire to go to the Seminary of Valladolid, they
betook themselves thither, and are now living there
with great edification to all, whilst I write this, which
is in the 2nd of July, 1598." Suchare the concluding
1
words of Bishop Yepez, 1 in his History of this venerable Martyr, an account which, he tells us, was
furnished him by the youth himself. The whole of
the story as told by Yepez deserves a closer translation than that given by Challoner, who omits several
graphic particulars. For instance, we learn that the
Martyr's cassock and other clothes were' brought by
the hangman to the prison, to sell them to his companions, and they were laid, running with blood, on
the table on which the Martyr used to say Mass.
The clothes were divided amongst Catholics, and
"the cassock, stained with blood, was kept in a
certain part of the kingdom, that priests might with
much devotion wear it under their priestly vestments,
when they said Mass."
i1 Historiea, &c., p. 666.

CHAPTER VIII.
VENERABLE JOHN ROBERTS, O.S.B.,
AND VENERABLE THOMAS SOMERS,
SECULAR PRIEST.
Suffered at Tyburn, December io, 1610.

DOCUMENT.
Trial and execution of these Martyrs (Stonyhurst MSS.
Anglia, iii. n. 102). Italian.

The history of the trial and death of the Venerable
John Roberts shows us
of his vigorous,
manly character to make us regret that we know
so little of his adventurous life. Challoner suggests that he may be the Cambridge student of
the same name, who came to Douay while still a
Protestant, was subsequently converted, and, after
several years' study at the English College, Rome,
passed on to Valladolid, where our Martyr certainly
was a few years later. But the Cambridge scholar
seems to have been also a native of that place, while
the Martyr's name in Religion, Father John de
Mervinia, is said to point to Merionethshire as
Moreover, the first was certainly
his birthplace.
ordained in Rome in 1587, while the date of
the latter's ordination in Spain is given as 16oo.

'enough

144

VENERABLE

JOHN

ROBERTS

We know, however, that he was at one time an
alumnus of the English College at Valladolid, and
thence joined the Spanish congregation of the
Venerable Order of St. Benedict, was professed in
the Abbey of St. Martin of Compostella, and after
his ordination in 16oo, was sent to England. There
the ancient Order still lived on at least in the person
of Dom Sigebert Buckley, and there, too, others,
such as the Venerable Mark Barkworth, had obtained
admission to its privileges; but Father Roberts is
said to have been the first, who left a Benedictine
monastery, to labour on that. dangerous mission.
In England he displayed a devotion and constancy
worthy of his Order. With the examples of the
great Benedictine missionaries who first converted
this nation ever before his eyes, he strove heroically
Four times was he
to emulate their virtues.
arrested, imprisoned, and banished, and he returned
as often to post of danger; nor was he more chary
of exposing his life to danger when a severe outbreak of the "plague" devastated London. His
success was commensurate with his labours and
sufferings, which were becomingly closed by his
apprehension in the act of celebrating Mass, when
a trial on the charge of priesthood and a death
bravely faced, were turned, as only a skilful missioner
could turn them, into a notable occasion of bearing
witness to the Faith.
Of Thomas Somers, alias Wilson, his companion
in martyrdom, Dr. Challoner tells us that he was for
some time a schoolmaster in his native county of
Westmoreland, and that he so discharged his duties
as to do great service to religion. After his ordihe laboured chiefly in London, where
nation in
his diligence and zeal were such that he was com-

16o6

AND

VENERABLE THOMAS SOMERS.

145

monly called the parish priest of that city. Imprisonment and exile, the common fate of so many priests
at that time, had their part in preparing him for the
final struggle.
The following account of these two Martyrs, dated
May 16, 1611, is evidently translated from one of the
various narratives of such heroic deaths, which the
Catholics in England used to send to their friends
abroad. One such paper, sent to him from St. Omers,
has been used by Challoner in his account of the
death scene, and a comparison of the two shows
that, whilst they are independent sources of information, they strongly corroborate each other's fidelity.

THE ARRAIGNMENT AND CONDEMNATION
FATHER JOHN ROBERTS,
THOMAS

SOMERS,

O.S.B.,

OF

AND OF

SECULAR PRIEST.

Holden in the Justice Hall, Newgate, in the presence of the
Bishop of London, the Lord Chief Justice, and other
Justices, and Royal Officials. December 5, i6io.
Related by one present thereat.

The two prisoners having been removed from
Newgate prison and brought into the presence of
the aforesaid Court, Mr. Somers was first asked
by the pseudo-bishop if he would take the new
He replied briefly but
oath of allegiance.
pointedly, that he would not take it in the form
in which it was entered on the statute book.
Then the Bishop rose to his feet, and holding
in his hand a bundle of writings (containing the
examination of several Catholics, and amongst
K

X46

VENERABLE 7OHN ROBERTS

them that of Father John, who usually passed
by the name of Roberts), said,
"Mr. Roberts, you know how often you have
been brought before me, what trouble I have
taken for you, and with what kindness I have
treated you, and all in order to persuade you
to become a good subject to the King's Majesty,
who has shown you so much mercy. Hitherto
you have only been punished with exile on
several occasions, though you have been captured
and recaptured time after time. And even still,
in spite of your contempt for his laws and ordinances, notwithstanding your return contrary to
his express command and will, still, I say, he
desires to make one more trial of your loyalty
and good disposition in his regard, and to grant
you favour. It is, therefore, my duty to offer
you the oath of allegiance made and ordained
expressly by both Houses of Parliament, in order
to discover the loyalty and obedience of the
recusant Papists and priests, who are subjects
of his Majesty. Now what say you, Mr. Roberts?
Will you take this oath or not? "
"Sir,"

answered the other,

"you

know very

well what I think about this oath; I have
told you before. I have not refused, nor shall
I ever refuse to take any oath of allegiance
offered me, which shall in truth be only such;
but this oath contains other matter besides
allegiance. I have before offered to prove this
to you, and to point out what part concerns
If these parts be expunged,
matters of faith.

AND

VENERABLE

THOMAS SOMERS.

147

I was willing then, as I am now, to swear to
the rest, which only concerns allegiance to my
sovereign. At that time your Lordship promised
me a hearing, but as yet you have never given
me one. I therefore now again humbly beg that
I may now be heard by this Court."
" No, no, Mr. Roberts," said the Bishop, "it
is not seemly to discuss further what has been
legally decreed and established by both Houses
of Parliament, nor is it in my power to give such
a leave, seeing that the Houses have ordained it,
and that it cannot be altered. Wherefore you
must simply answer whether you will take it or
not."
"No," said Father Roberts, "I will not take it
otherwise than as I have said."
"Then we," said the Bishop, "shall deal with
you in a different manner."
"In God's name," replied Father Roberts,
"do as you will."
The Recorder, too, tried a long while to persuade Father Roberts to take the oath, but he
always gave the same answer.
The accusation against them was next called
for, the jury were picked and called over, and
then the indictment against Mr. Somers was
read. This was founded solely on the statute
prohibiting priests made according to the Roman
rite. Asked if he were guilty or not, he answered
that as regards his priesthood he was guilty, "for
priest I am," said he, "but no traitor for all
that."

148

VENERABLE JOHN ROBERTS

"That will do," said the Recorder, and turning
to the jury: "you have heard that he confesses he
is a priest, and this is enoughfor you to find him
guilty."
They next read the indictment against Father
Roberts, and then asked'him if he were guilty or
not. He answered that this was for them to prove.
"Ah," said the Lord Chief Justice, "I can see
that this is a cunning fellow. But speak plainly,
do you deny that you are a priest ? "
Father Roberts answered, "Sir, are you my
judge or my accuser? Both offices cannot be
united in the same person."
Then the Bishop of London said, "Surely, my
lords, we shall find this man is of a different
temper from his fellow."
And getting up he
spoke- as follows:
" Mr. Roberts, I am astonished that you want
to raise such difficulties for yourself and this
Bench.
You cannot now be ignorant that I
know you to be a monk of the Order of St.
Benedict, and, in fact, the Provincial of the
monks of that Order in England."
"How is it proved, my lord," said Father
Roberts, " that I know that you are acquainted
with these things ? If this is so, and has been
confessed to you, pray read it out openly here
in the presence of all."
The pseudo-bishop then handed him two sheets
of paper covered all over with writing, and after
Father Roberts had looked at them carefully for
awhile,

AND VENERABLE

THOMAS SOMERS.

149

"Perhaps you recognize the handwriting ? "
said the Bishop.
"Yea, my lord," said Father Roberts, "I
know it well, and if it please you, pray have it
read."
This was done, but first the Bishop made a
long address to the assembly, purporting to give
an account of its contents, but adding that Father
Roberts was a person of high standing and very
dangerous to the State, and that he had been
found on the very day of the Powder Treason in
the house of the wife of its author and contriver.
He concluded by saying, "Now you see, gentlemen, what sort of man this is, and from all these
circumstances you can infer how dangerous he is
to the King and country."
Father Roberts replied: "It would be better
for you to say no more about the Plot, as no one
knows better than you do how entirely I established my innocence at the time before the lords
of his Majesty's Privy Council. So clearly was
I justified that they declared me to be a man of
good repute, and in liberating me testified that
They
no imputation whatever rested on me.
could not have done this if they had considered
that I was in any way cognizant of or consenting
to that conspiracy, nor should I be here to-day
before this tribunal."
"No, Mr. Roberts," replied the Bishop, " I do
not intend to charge you with the guilt of the
Plot, I only say it by way of induction, but by
your leave I will pass on."

150

VENERABLE

JOHN ROBERTS

"Say anything you like," was the answer,
"but do not say what is not the truth."
The Bishop then began a long discourse as to
Father Roberts' first leaving England, in which
country he had lived, as well as in Flanders,
France, Spain, and Rome, also as to the time
he spent in studies, his progress, and the degrees
he had taken in the schools. Also that he had
lived at the Benedictine Monastery of St. James
of Compostella in Spain, and then returned to
England, the length of time he had remained in
England, and the mischief he had worked among
the subjects of his Majesty.
Then the aforesaid two sheets of writing were
read containing the substance of his examination,
most of the facts in which the Bishop had stated;
but there was no word directly proving that he
was a priest.
"' What is the use of all this, my lord ?" said
Father Roberts; "your lordship wants to prove
me a priest by an induction similar to that
whereby you tried to prove me guilty of the
Powder Plot, for there is no proof in this writing
that I am even the person referred to."
The Bishop then caused to be read a mandate
from the late Archbishop of Canterbury ordering
some of his officers and the keeper of the Gatehouse prison to bring before him one John
Roberts, priest and seminarist, a Benedictine
monk and scandalous and dangerous person, who
had recently escaped from prison.
To this Father Roberts answered, " What is

AND

VENERABLE

THOMAS SOMERS.

151

there in this mandate to prove that I am a
priest? The Archbishop can call me what he
chooses, but no one can maintain that that is
sufficient proof in this case, which is a matter of
life and death."
"Well, then," said the Bishop, "we will go a
little further," and ordered them to read out
a report of what passed in the examination of a
certain Mr. William Jennison, a Catholic gentleman, and at Father Roberts' second examination.
The Father hearing this, and finding himself
already weary owing to a weakness brought on
by many sufferings and a sickness which he had,
said freely and cheerfully,
"My lord, I will spare you this trouble; I can
see very well what you want; and I, too, wish you
to have your desire. I say it not to you only,
but to all the Court, and I acknowledge that
I am a priest and a monk of the Order of
St. Benedict, and you can take any advantage
you like of that."
" Ah," said Justice Crook,' " now you confess
at last what you are so much ashamed of."
" No, my lords," quickly answered the Father,
" I am not ashamed of acknowledging either my
faith or my religious profession. I am here to do
so, and (putting his hand on his heart) if my one
life were ten thousand lives, and every life ten
thousand times more dear to me than mine is,
I would give them all in this cause."
1 In MS. Crocche.

152

VENERABLE

JOHN ROBERTS

"And yet," said the Recorder, "you will not
die for your faith, but for treason; as it is not for
being ordained priest, but for returning to this
country to exercise your office of priest against
the order of the law that you have been declared
guilty."
"Sir," said Father Roberts, "I am bound by
mypriesthood to do the duty of a priest, and the
reason I have returned to this country is to work
for the salvation of souls, as I have done, and
should continue to do were I to live longer."
"No,"

said

the

Bishop,

"you

disturb

the

people, you have come to deceive the subjects
of his Majesty, and seduce them from their
loyalty and obedience, and this is the reason
of your coming back."
"No, my lord," said Father Roberts, "I do
not deceive, but try to lead back to the right
path those poor wandering souls whom you and
your foolish and ignorant ministers have led
astray, and infected with a thousand deceits and
heresies. If I deceive, then were our ancestors
deceived by Blessed St. Augustine, the Apostle
of the English, who was sent here by the Pope
of Rome, St. Gregory the Great, and who converted this country from error to the Christian
and Roman Catholic faith.
This same faith
which he professed I now teach. Nay, I am
of the same religious order, and have been professed of the same rule as St. Augustine, and
I am sent here by the same Apostolic See that
sent him before me."

AND VENERABLE

THOMAS SOMERS.

153

Upon this he was ordered to be silent, but he
replied,
"I must speak, as my mission is from Heaven.
St. Matthew says, chap. xxviii., 'Go ye and teach
all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you.' Your ministers do not do this, because
they do not fulfil in their lives and actions the
command of Christ: they do not administer the
Sacrament of Penance or of Extreme Unction.
I do, and withal I teach obedience to princes as a
matter of conscience against the false doctrine
All this I can
of Luther and his companions.
prove to you."
Then turning to the Bishop, he continued,
"For you indeed, sir, there is no time more
suitable than now. Your lordship professes to
be a man of learning, and you are considered a
bishop amongst the rest. I am here to speak
in defence of my faith, my profession, and my
religious rule, and I demand to be heard."
" No, no, my good sir," said the Chief Justice,
"you are not come here to preach sermons, we
will find you another place for that."
"Yea, my lord," was the answer. "I know
what that means, and I expected nothing else,
for I know right well that that must be the end
of the business."
And thus did the Bishop decline the offer of

disputation.
Notwithstanding that Father Roberts had
acknowledged that he was a priest, the Bishop

154

VENERABLE

JOHN ROBERTS

now had the confession of Mr. Gienison [Jennison]
read, as well as that of Father Roberts. In these
mention was made of certain Indulgences obtained
by the Father for that gentleman and his wife,
when they were received by him into the confraternity attached to the Benedictine Order. There
were also specified certain prayers, fastings, confessions and communions, as well as blessings
and privileges for the living.
The Judges on the bench took occasion to
laugh and jeer at these details, and the pseudobishop said that Roberts had been Superior of
the Benedictine Order in England, and had
himself ordained priests.
"You, my lords, and all you of the Bench,"
answered Father Roberts, "take occasion to jeer
at the ordinances and Indulgences of the Church
of Christ. But do you choose one or more
persons, and if I cannot clearly prove myself in
all this to be in exact conformity with the
ancient use and practice of the Catholic Church,
then consider me a reprobate." Then turning
to the Bishop, "Sir, you are quite mistaken, I
am not Superior of the Benedictines, nor did I
ever confer Orders, nor have I power to confer
them."
The Bishop said he was not there at that time
to dispute, but to act as a magistrate, and to
fulfil his duty to his King as a minister of justice.
"Well, then," said Father Roberts, "if that
is so, allow me to ask you a question."
"Ask what you like," replied the Bishop.

AND

"You,

VENERABLE

sir,"

THOMAS SOMERS.

said Father

Roberts,

"take

155

to

yourself the name of bishop, and make profession
of religion and learning. Have you the boldness
to offer a single instance, before these our
miserable times, which you have read of, written
of, or heard of, where a Catholic Bishop has
seated himself among secular judges in a capital
case?
Certainly you are not able to bring
forward one. You would have done much better,
my lord, to remain in your palace and in your
church and chapter reforming the dissolute conduct of your clergy, than to come and sit on this
Bench, while matters of life and death are being
decided."
"I am not come here," the Bishop answered,
"to give an account to you of the duty and
service I owe to the King my master in business
of this kind."
"Well," said Father Roberts, "I wish to ask
you and the other magistrates one more thing.
These twelve men, who have to give a verdict
in this case, are ignorant persons, unable to
discern or judge of the difference between the
priesthood and treason. You strive to do an
impossible thing, when you wish to make it
appear, that to be a priest is to be a traitor.
That would make Christ Himself a traitor, and
all His Apostles-St. Augustine also, the Apostle
of England, and all the priests and bishops, who
have succeeded him to this day, would also be
esteemed traitors, and you would condemn them
if they were brought before you. I therefore say

156

VENERABLE JOHN ROBERTS

that it is impossible that being a priest should
make one a traitor."
Here there were general murmurs, and before
Father Roberts could explain, several of those on
the Bench began to look at him and say, "Impossible for a priest to be a traitor?" They went
on repeating these words until Father Roberts
explained.
"A priest as such, and in regard to his office
as priest, which is sacred and holy, cannot be a
traitor. But if a priest commit treason, I am
not so ignorant as not to knowthat the man is
a traitor, but not by reason of his being a priest
or in consequence of exercising his priestly office.
With this I was going to conclude before.
However, as these are simple and ignorant men,
I humbly beg the members of this Court to decide
the case in their stead, so that these poor men
may not be responsible for our blood."
To this the Recorder answered: "We cannot do
this. You must be content to let the law take its
course, and you should be satisfied that your case
is decided by twelve of your own countrymen.
Where are the jury?"
"Yes," added the Bishop, "these men are
quite competent to judge rightly in your case."
"Well," said Father Roberts, "the account of
our blood will be demanded of you and not of
these poor men."
Then the twelve men retired together and
returned after a short time and pronounced them
guilty of high treason. The holy men heard the

AND

VENERABLE

THOMAS

SOMERS.

I57

verdict with joy as was apparent in their smiling
faces; they prayed God to pardon those poor
men who knew not what they did. They were
then taken back to Newgate till the Saturday
following.
WHAT

PASSED AT THEIR CONDEMNATION.

On Saturday the 8th of December, and the
Feast of the Conception of the most Holy Virgin,
Father Roberts and Mr. Somers were taken back
to the Court to hear their sentence. When they
arrived and had been placed with the other
criminals in the place set apart for those about
to be sentenced to death, silence was proclaimed
and the Recorder addressed them as follows:
"You know that on Wednesday last you were
brought up to trial, accused, convicted, and found
guilty by twelve jurymen of the offence of high
treason, and you also know that for the same
reason you are now called to appear before this
honourable Bench. If you have anything to say
to show reason why I (by virtue of my office),
should not pronounce sentence on you, say it
now, for hereafter you cannot expect to be heard."
Father Roberts then demanded a hearing, and
silence being again ordered, he spoke as follows:
"Most honourable Bench and you my dear
countrymen,-You will not have forgotten-for
I persuade myself many of you who are here now
were here then-how three days ago when I was
examined, I demonstrated my innocence, and
how I defended myself against the charges

158

VENERABLE JOHN ROBERTS

brought against me. The Bench simply sought
to convict me of being a priest, saying that that
of itself was high treason. I acknowledged then,
as I do now, that I am a priest and a monk of
the holy Order of St. Benedict, as were also
St. Augustine, St. Laurence, St. Paulinus, St.
Mellitus, and St. Justus; and as these monks
converted our country from unbelief, so I have
done what little I could to liberate it from heresy.
I leave it to you, Mr. Recorder and the rest of
you, to judge whether this is high treason.
"But suppose I had really offended against the
State and were worthy of death, I ought not even
then to be judged by you, Mr. Recorder, nor by
this Court, nor by these twelve men, they not being
men of my condition or quality, since it has been
decreed by the Councils of the Church and the
Popes, the Vicars of Christ on earth, that priests
should not be brought before secular judges to be
examined, but if their crimes are grave and merit
death, that they must be first examined and found
guilty by the ecclesiastical judges and be degraded
by them, and when all their ecclesiastical privileges are taken from them, then they can be
handed over to the secular arm to be dealt with
as the laws of God and man decree. This being
the case, I do not see, Mr. Recorder, that you are
competent to pronounce sentence against me."
The Recorder at this only smiled, and said,
"Have you anything else to say? " To which he
answered, "I have said enough, you can do what
you please."

AND VENERABLE

THOMAS SOMERS.

159

The Recorder then said, "God have mercy on
you," and then went on to make a violent attack
on them, especially on Father Roberts, pointing
him out to the people as the most turbulent and
dangerous priest in England, who had seduced
and drawn the people from their allegiance, and
had reconciled more subjects of his Majesty to
the Pope, than any other priest for many years.
He was Superior of the Benedictines in England,
had been taken for the Gunpowder Plot, and had
broken out of prison. And after having received
much grace and mercy from his Majesty, he had
repaid nothing but ingratitude, by returning
straightway to England contrary to his Majesty's
express will and order."
After that, he pronounced sentence on each in
turn, in the usual way for those convicted of high
treason. When this was done Father Roberts
asked again to speak.
This the Recorder
opposed, saying it was too late to say anything
in his own defence, nor did the law permit it.
But Father Roberts in a loud voice said:
"Dear countrymen, do not believe what this
man has said, because I clearly showed my
innocence the other day before all the Judges."
Turning to the Recorder, "I pray God to pardon
you and all who have plotted to shed my blood.
I pardon you all with my whole heart. May God
protect the King, the Queen, the Prince, and all
the family of his Majesty, and give them grace to
serve Him faithfully. I shall pray, as long as
my life lasts, for his Majesty and for all his, and

16o

VENERABLE JOHN ROBERTS

for the conversion of our country, and I hope
that after my death I shall have better opportunity
of doing so. May God grant us strength and
patience!"
The Recorder took off his hat and said, "I
congratulate you on making such a good end."
Their hands were then bound and they were
taken back to the prison, Father Roberts remarking that of all the days of his life this day had
been the happiest and most joyful.
WHAT PASSED ON THE DAY OF

THEIR EXECUTION.

Early in the morning of the ioth December a
hurdle made of osiers was brought dragging at a
horse's tail to the gate of Newgate Prison. On
it was bound Father John Roberts, and at his
left hand Mr. Somers. In this condition they
were drawn slowly along to Tyburn, the place
of public execution, about two miles from the
town.
When they came within about sixteen yards of
the gallows, they stopped for about half an hour,
while sixteen criminals who had been conveyed
thither on two carts, were fastened to the crossbeam by the hangman. During this time, and
during the whole route, many friends and
acquaintances gathered round the two holy men,
partly to show them reverence and also to profit
by their last prayers and blessings. There was
also, as is usual, a great crowd attracted by
curiosity.
Father Roberts after a time asked if the male-

AND

VENERABLE

THOMAS

SOMERS.

161

factors had all been executed-for he could see
nothing, being on the, ground fastened to the
hurdle and unable to see by reason of the crowd.
They said, "Yes."
" Then," said he, "we shall die without
company."
"No," said a bystander, "be of good cheer,
gentlemen; they are not really, dead, and you will
die amongst thieves, as your Lord did."
These words consoled the holy men very much,
especially as they were said by a Protestant.
After waiting a good half-hour, the executioner
wanted to drag them nearer and bring them if
possible under the gibbet, but could not owing to
the dense crowd, so they had to be unbound and
taken on foot.
Father Roberts came first, wearing a cassock,
and with a calm and smiling face. He tried to
climb upon one of the carts where eight of the
criminals were standing with ropes round their
necks, but owing to his weakness and long
illness, and the two hours of suffering on the
hurdle, he could not get up until the hangman
helped him.
No sooner had he climbed in,
than turning himself to the criminals and
stretching out his hand to bless them, he spoke
as follows:
"Here we are all going to die, nor have we
any hope of escape, but if you die in that religion
now professed and established in this country,
without any doubt you will be condemned to the
eternal fire of Hell. For the love then of our
L

162

VENERABLE JOHN ROBERTS

Blessed Saviour, I earnestly pray you to return
from the evil path, so that we may all die in one
and the same true faith, and to show this, say
with me the following words: I believe in the
Holy Catholic Church, and I desire to die a member
of that Church. I repent and am sorry for having
led so naughty and wicked a life, and that I have so
grievously offended my sweet and merciful Saviour.
If you say these words truly and from your
hearts I will absolve you, and then my soul for
yours."
At these words, spoken with so much love and
unction, one of the poor wretches was so affected
that he burst into tears. The Father then exhorted
him specially, and prayed silently to God for
him, covering his face with his hand, then again
spoke to him in a low voice. In the end the
poor creature publicly professed that he died
a Catholic. What further occurred, it is not
possible to be certain of.
All this took place in the presence of a
Protestant minister, who was there, as is usual,
to talk to the criminals, the better to prepare
their souls for hell-fire.
But when Father
Roberts appeared, he stood aside and, so far
from opposing himself to anything Father Roberts
said, seemed to yield to the dignity of the holy
man and to the doctrine he taught. Father
Roberts then turned to the other cart where
were the eight other condemned men, and began
to exhort them with many loving words, but a
churlish officer interrupted him and prevented his

AND

VENERABLE THOMAS SOMERS.

163

speaking. Then he fell on his knees, and making
the sign of the Cross on the gibbet he kissed it,
and, as he had before worked with so much love
and pity for the eternal salvation of others, he
now for a short time gave himself up to thinking
of his own soul. Then rising again and looking
at the people with great joy and cheerfulness, he
blessed them, and particularly saluted and blessed
his own friends, of whom many were present,
taking care to do this quietly towards those, who
in the presence of the great crowd, were not
afraid to show themselves openly Catholics by
asking his blessing.
Meantime Mr. Somers was taken to the same
cart, and Father Roberts giving him his hand,
helped him to climb up, and said, "Welcome,
dearest brother," and so they saluted and
embraced each other. The executioner then
began to strip off Father Roberts' clothes to
prepare him for execution, and a friend gave him
some aqua vitce to refresh and strengthen him,
in regard of his weakness. Having drunk a little,
he asked leave of the Sheriff to speak to the
people. There was a murmur of assent, and the
Sheriff replied that he might say what he liked.
He then raising himself up on the cart began to
speak, but was interrupted by the minister and
some of the criminals behind him singing hymns
made up from the Psalms according to the fashion
of Geneva. Turning therefore towards them, he
said, "I pray you, cease that noise: it wearies me,
and does you no good," and then turning to the

T64

VENERABLE

3OHN ROBERTS

Sheriff, he said very mildly, "In courtesy, sir,
remember I cannot be heard through that
singing."
The Sheriff upon this commanded silence, and
Father Roberts began, Audite cetli quce loquor,
audiat terra verba oris mei. Having spoken on
these holy words and wishing to continue, he was
again interrupted by the aforesaid churlish officer
as before, but several gentlemen of condition
interfered and reproved his insolence and presumption. The Father then continued:
" Dearly beloved friends, I am here to die in the
presence of God and His angels and of the saints
of Paradise, because being a priest, I returned to
this country in spite of a statute passed in the
27th year of the late Queen's reign which declared
this to be high treason. I have committed no fault
except this, if this indeed be a fault, nor have
I even been charged with any other offence. I
die therefore for my faith and for my faith only,
that same faith, I say, which St. Augustine, the
Apostle of England, preached when he converted
this country from idolatry. The vows of my
Order, and the habit I wear, are the same as his,
and I observe the same Rule, and live in the
same Religious Order as he did. I teach the
same faith that he taught. As he delivered you
from paganism, so I have tried to deliver you
from heresy. I affirmed this before the Judges
at my trial, and I repeat it to you now in this
place where I am about to seal my testimony
with my blood."

AND

VENERABLE THOMAS SOMERS.

165

While he was thus exhorting the people, the
executioners were busy preparing Mr. Somers for
his death, as they had already been with Father
Roberts, who after he had remained a few minutes
silent, returned, as well as he was able, with his
hand or by bowing the salutations of those who
were showing him compassion and reverence.
He then again broke forth into these words,
Memorare novissima tua-" Let every man remember his end." And reasoning on that said,
Quia nos omnes manifestari oportet ante tribunal
Christi-"We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ there to render an account
of our faith and of our deeds. Those who have
done well will have eternal life, and those who
have done evil will suffer eternal torments."
Having said this, and taken breath, he exclaimed
loudly, Extra ecclesiam nulla est salus-" Outside
the true Church of Christ there is no salvation."
The rude officer again tried to silence him, saying that he ought not to be allowed to speak to
the people in that way. But the Sheriff said that
as long as nothing was said against the King or
the State, that he saw no reason why the Father
The churl
should not say what he wished.
answered that he ought not to be allowed to
mislead the King's subjectswith such words.
Then the good Father replied, "I have never
said, nor will I ever say, any evil against the
King. On the contrary, I pray God to bless him
and the Queen and their children, and those of
his Council, also those of the Bench that con-

i66

VENERABLE

70OHN

ROBERTS

demned me, and likewise all you who are here
present, and all the other subjects of the King.
It is not the King who is the cause of my death,
but heresy--heresy desires my death, and is the
cause of it."
He then again bowed, and said a last farewell
to his friends and those who saluted him;and,
to be the sooner ready to receive the reward of
his labours, began to unbutton his doublet and to
loosen the strings of' his shoes, and distributed
these and other small things that he had to some
intimate and zealous friends who begged to have
them.
He then covered his eyes with his hand, and
prayed silently until they told him that Mr. Somers;
was ready. Then he arose, and looking at the
fire that was already burning to consume their
bowels, said, "Here's a hot breakfast ready,
despite the cold weather." A bystander, thinking
he must feel cold after standing so long with his
clothes loose, offered him a nightcap to cover his
head, but he said with a smile, " Do not trouble
yourself about that, sir, I am not afraid that
hereafter I shall ever suffer from headache."
Mr. Somers, who had had irons on his hands
up till now, said in a loud and cheerful voice,
Benedicat nos omnipotens Deus, Pater et Filius et
Spiritus Sanctus, and added: "Father Roberts.
has told you the reason- why we are to suffer
death, and so it is not necessary that I should
repeat more than one thing. I did not refuse
to take the oath because I refused any sort of

AND VENERABLE THOMAS SOMERS.

167

allegiance that his Majesty the King could justly
demand of me. I refused on account of the
matters of faith included in that oath, and that
is why it has been forbidden by His Holiness the
Pope, whom all of us who are sheep of Christ
are bound to obey in matters of faith. I pray
you all therefore and exhort you to be obedient
to the chief Shepherd of the Church of God."
He concluded with the same words as Father
Roberts, "Out of the Church there is no
salvation."
At last Father Roberts turned to the people and
asked them to excuse his speaking any more as
his strength failed him, but he begged those who
were Catholics to pray for him; then turning to
his dear companion, Mr. Somers, they embraced
and blessed one another, and then spoke for a
short time in a low voice (no doubt confessing)
until they were told that the moment had come
when they must die.
Both together once more as well as they could
blessed the people again, and, while they waited
with great constancy and cheerfulness for the
cart to be driven away, they used the following
words.

Father Roberts said, Omnes Sancti et

Sancetc Dei, intercedite fro nobis, and Mr. Somers
said, In mnanus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum
meumrn; when on a sudden the two carts were
pulled away at the same moment, and the two
Martyrs in the midst of the sixteen criminals
were left hanging, and quietly rendered their
souls into the hands of the Holy Angels. They

168

VENERABLE

7OHN ROBERTS

were allowed to remain until they were quite
dead, a special mercy which it was not usual to
extend to Catholics.
It was already late, and nearly an hour after
mid-daywhen the executioner cut the rope and
took down the body of Father Roberts; it was
first disembowelled, and the bowels thrown into
a large fire. Then he cut off the head, and
divided the trunk into four quarters. The same
thing was done to Mr. Somers.
But here a
remarkable thing happened. It is usual for the
hangman when he disembowels those executed
for high treason, to 'take out the heart, and
holding it up, to say, "This.is the heart of
a traitor," and the people answer, "Long live
the King." In this case when the hangman said
the words, not one person answered, but all
remained silent as if struck dumb.
About one hundred paces from the gibbet on
the high-road a large trench was dug, into which
the quarters of the two Martyrs were cast, and
over them were thrown the bodies of the sixteen
criminals.
This was done with the intention
that, as they had been persecuted and ill-used
by wicked heretics during their lives, so their
dead bodies should rest with those of evil-doers.
But God did not permit this further outrage, for
several religious and other Catholics (knowing
what a pious act it was always considered in the
early Church to give due honour and sacred
burial to the remains of holy Martyrs cruelly
treated and buried with ignominy by barbarous

AND

VENERABLE

THOMAS SOMERS.

169

pagans or heretics), went by night and with great
trouble removed the bodies of the holy Martyrs
to religious houses and churches on the Continent,
where they might be treated with honour, instead
of leaving them in a common ditch by the public
road, a fit place only for the burial of treacherous
heretics and criminals.
Dr. Challoner adds that the Catholics who recovered the relics met the watch as they returned
to London, and that one of them, in his endeavours
to escape, let fall one of the quarters of Father
Roberts, which was afterwards by command of Archbishop Abbot buried in the Church of St. Saviour,
" to hinder the Catholics from recovering it. The
rest of the relics were carried to Douay to the
Convent of the English Benedictines there.
But
one of Father Roberts' arms was sent into Spain,
to the Abbey of St. Martin at Compostella."
Some of these relics are still preserved in England.
One is in the possession of the Cardinal Archbishop
of Westminster, marked " Ex digito B. Somers, M.,"
and another at the convent of Our Lady of Dolours,
of the Third Order of St.Francis at Taunton, marked
"Joannis Mervin. digitus, Ordinis Sti. Benedicti,
Sacerdotis et Martyris in Anglia." Joannes de
Mervinia, it will be remembered, is the name which
Father John Roberts bore in his Order.
In conclusion, we may be permitted to remind the
reader of the wonderfully beautiful account of the
last evening on earth of these Venerable Servants
2
of God, recorded in the Life of Luisa de Carvajal.
Twenty confessors of the faith supped together in
2 Life of Luisa de Carvajal. By Lady Georgiana Fullerton.
1873, p. 220.

170

VENERABLE

JOHN ROBERTS.

the prison, with Donna Luisa at the head of the
table, and on her right hand and her left the holy
Martyrs elect.
It would be hard to find, in the
Acts of the Martyrs of any age or place, anything
more beautiful than the question of Father Roberts
to her, " Do you not think I may be causing disedification by my great glee? Would it not be
better to retire into a corner and give myself up to
prayer ?" " No, certainly not," Luisa answered.
"You cannot be better employed than by letting
them all see with what cheerful courage you are
about to die for Christ."

CHAPTER IX.
VENERABLE

JOHN ALMOND.

Executed at Tyburn, December 5, 1612.

DOCUMENTS.
I. Introductory

paper

(Stonyhurst MSS. Anglia, iii. 121).

Italian.
2. Letter written by the Martyr to Father Persons, April

16,

1604 (Stonyhurst MSS. Anglia, iii. 43).

3. His examination before the Bishop of London.

Extract.

Printed by Challoner.

4. Letter from a priest in Newgate with the Martyr (Stonyhurst MSS. Anglia, iii. 113).

5. An anonymous letter (Ibid. 114).
6. Narrative of the martyrdom (Ibid. 120).

i. The Venerable John Almond was born at
Allerton (then also called South Allerton), near
Liverpool.
There and at Much-Woolton he remained till he was eight, when he was taken to
Ireland, and thence passed, when twenty years of
age, to the English College at Rome. His early life
is summarized in the following document.
Father John Almond, student of the English
College at Rome, studied there for the space of

172

VENERABLE

7OHN ALMOND.

seven years,' and having successfully completed
his philosophy and theology, he publicly defended
theses on the whole course in the Roman College
with general applause. The disputation was under
the patronage of Cardinal Baronius, and when it
was over that man of holy 'memory, as though
foreseeing the still more glorious defence of the
faith he was going to make in English dungeons
and on the scaffold, embraced him many times
and kissed his tonsure and that blessed brow,
which was so soon to be encircled with the
heavenly andeternal crown of a most glorious
martyrdom.
Cardinal Tarugi, who was also
present, did the same.
He was an exemplary and holy priest, as well
as a learned man, and, like a good husbandman,
as soon as he arrived in England, he began at
once to work and labour in that vineyard, in
order to sow the Divine Word in a soil which
is hardened beyond measure by the perfidious
obstinacy of heretics.
When the news of the great good he was doing
came to the ears of the King's ministers, [they
were seized] with anger and ill-will against the
holy priest, and therefore sent out cunning spies
to catch him. He was taken prisoner, loaded
with chains, and thrown into a very dark prison
called Newgate, where for some years he, together
with some Jesuits and other priests, bore with
This is not quite accurate.
The College Registers give
March 30, 1597, as the date of his arrival, and September 16,
1602, as the day of his departure (Foley, Records, v. p. 201).

VENERABLE JOHN ALMOND.

173

unbroken patience incredible pains and discomforts, not only from the darkness of the place,
which was like an underground cavern, lit with
no other light than that of a lamp, but also from
the badness of their fare, for the King's officers
provided no other provisions but black barley
bread, such as one might throw to a dog, and
some cold dirty water.
Though thus maltreated, he often had to dispute with heretical ministers, who came away so
confused as not to know what to say. Finally, on
the 3rd of December, 2 a day so many years before
consecrated and immortalized by a similar defence of the faith in the same city of London by
Father Edmund Campion of the Society of Jesus
with six other blessed priests, he was brought to
the bar at the Sessions House, which is the place
for the public' trial of malefactors.
This document is a rough draft with corrections,
intended apparently to serve as an introduction to a
fuller narrative in the same volume.
2. Among the treasures of the Stonyhurst muniment-room is an autograph letter of the Martyr,
written before his arrest to his old Rector at the
English College at Rome.
THE VENERABLE

JOHN

ALMOND

TO

FATHER

PERSONS.

Reverend Father,-This bearer, upon other
occasion of business being resolved to travel so
2 There is an error of date here.

174

VENERABLE JOHN ALMOND.

far as the place where you remain, thought also
to defer his resolution in matters of religion until
he came thither. But being touched afterwards
with the uncertainty of his arrival, and certain
danger of his soul, if death should have prevented
his designment, he altered his resolution and is
become Catholic and a member of God His
Church here, nothing doubting but God Almighty
will afterwards water with His heavenly grace
and give increase there, to that which is already
planted here. The time of his conversion he
himself can declare, but that he is already converted and a Catholic I give you sure testimony,
because it pleased God to make me the instrument of his reconciliation. Your charity I know
will show him that favour and kind entertainment
which usually you do to strangers of his quality
and condition; but something more (much I dare
not desire because my deserts are few or none) I
hope he shall find at my request, and I shall not
fail to remain thankful.
Concerning my brother I have made much
inquiry, but can hear no certainty whether he
be in Spain or Italy, religious or as before; no,
not so much as whether he be dead or living. I
heard he was bitten by a mad dog in his return
from Compostella, but as yet I cannot learn any
more. Good Father, let me humbly request you
to certify me concerning him as soon as you
possibly can find the means. I remain about
London.
Mr. Blunt well knoweth the place of
my abode.

VENERABLE JOHN ALMOND.

175

Thus humbly recommending myself to your
Reverence, with great desire to be made partaker
in the prayers of that virtuous company, I leave
to trouble you any further.
London, this I6th of April, A.D. 1604.

Your assured and dutiful child,
JOHN ALMOND.

The "virtuous company" to whom our Martyr
commends himself must have been the community
at the English College, and the elder brother whom
he inquires about, was Oliver, some sixteen years
his senior. It is perhaps worth while pointing out
that Challoner has fallen into one of his extremely
rare errors in not distinguishing them, though in
truth there is little wonder in this, seeing that the
Douay Diary, which he followed, does not give their
Christian names. This Oliver must have been a
man of some worth, for he was recalled by Cardinal
Allen from England and stationed at Genoa with the
duty, an important one in those days, of forwarding
letters and the like from England to Rome. 3 How
long he remained there does not appear, nor where
he was at the time of this letter, but the last record
of him is a touching one.
Father Grene 4 notes, that at the time of his writing
-this is in the year i666-there was preserved at
the English College a chalice valued above all others,
with this inscription in Latin: "Oliver Almond, once
student of this College, in bonds for the faith, consecrated and gave this chalice in honour of the Holy
Trinity, Blessed Mary, and St. Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop and Martyr, A.D. 162O."
3

Foley, Records, vol. iv. p. 576.

4 Collectanea N. vol. i. p. 73.

176

VENERABLE

JOHN ALMOND.

3. The document first quoted stated generally that
our Martyr was arrested and confined in Newgate.
It appears, however, that he was really twice arrested,
and moved to different prisons.
Father Richard
Blount, whom the Martyr alludes to in his letter as
one who knew his place of abode, writes to Father
Persons, February 20, 1607 :5"While I am writing this, one telleth me that the
Bishop's pursuivants, searching a house in Holborn
of one Cook, have found his secret place, and therein
a priest called Almond, a young man. The times
were never so bad as now."
In July, I6o8, he was in the Gatehouse, having
the honour of taking the place of the Venerable
Father Thomas Garnet, S.J., who had lately been
martyred, 6 and then he disappears again from our
sight until he is re-arrested in March or May, I612,
when he was carried before Dr. John King, Bishop
of London. Challoner has given long extracts from
his examination, from an account of it written by
the Martyr himself.? The conclusion is as follows.
Bishop.
ance ?"

"Will

you take the

oath of allegi-

5 Whether this date is reckoned in the Old style or the New is
not stated in Father Grene's quotation (CollectaneaN.vol.i. p. 49).
6 "Three priests in the Gatehouse are going on bravely, for
now Mr. Molinax, alias Almond, takes Mr. Garnet's place."
Translated from a Latin letter of Father Michael Walpole to
Father Persons, July 26, 16o8. Father Grene adds this comment:
" I believe he means by tenet locum that he succeeded him, not

only in place, but in zeal of suffering and refusing the oath of
allegiance" (N. i. p. 49).
SChalloner only gives the parts quoted by Knaresborough

(vol. ii. p. 167), whose Collections were purchased by Lord
Herries at the sale of the Burton Constable manuscripts. To
him I am indebted for the highly valued privilege of consulting
them at Everingham.

VENERABLE

JOHN

ALMOND.

177

Almond. "Any oath of allegiance, if it contains
nothing but allegiance."
With that the Bishop reaches out his arm for
the oath, lying towards the middle of the table,
which I perceiving said:
A. "That oath you cannot with good conscience offer."
B. " Yes, that I can; and I thank God, I have
taken it myself seven times."
A. " God forbid !"
B. "Why?"
A. " You have been seven times perjured."
B. "Wherein ?"
A. " In taking this false clause.
And I do
further swear that I do from my heart abhor, detest,
and abjure as impious and heretical, this damnable
doctrine and position, that Princes excommunicated
and deprived by the Pope may be deposed," &c.
B. "There is no perjury or falsehood in
it."
A. " If in taking it you abjure that position as
heretical which is not heretical, then is it perjury
and falsehood to take it. But in taking it, you
abjure that position as heretical which is not
heretical. Ergo."
B. "I grant your major, I deny your minor."
A. "No position in your grounds can be
heretical, unless it is expressly censured for
heretical by the Word of God, or the contradictory expressly contained in the Word of God.
But this position is not expressly censured for
heretical by the Word of God; nor is the contraM

178

VENERABLE

7OHN ALMOND.

dictory expressly contained in the Word of God.
Ergo it is not heretical."
B. " It is censured as heretical by the Word."
A. " Allege the text, give us a Bible."
B. " Bring in a Bible."
Then turning with an evil will, he said it was
censured in the I 3th of the Romans.
A. " You mean those words:'He that resisteth
power, resisteth God's ordinance.' But I ask, where
is this position censured?
There is not one
word of the position in hand."
Other place he alleged none.
B. "You would have it censured in express
words ?"
A. "You are bound to bring a censure in
express words. Which because I see you cannot,
answer this consequence. This position is not set
down at all in the Bible; ergo it cannot be censured
by the Bible."
He answered not, but said I was a proud,
arrogant Jack.
To which I replied, " God forgive you; your
words trouble me not." And so two or three
times more I prayed God to forgive him,
when he miscalled me and abused me in
words.
Then leaving the oath, which he was weary of,
he asked:
B. " Have you gone to church? " And added,
"I forgot it before, but I go beyond you now."
A. "I have not gone to church."
B. "Will you go ?"

VENERABLE

JOHN

ALMOND.

179

A. " I will not. Is not this plain dealing ?"
B. " Now you deal plainly."
A. "If it would not offend you, I must tell
you that you went beyond yourself. For you
confessed even now that you should have asked
it before, and so go beyond yourself in asking
it now."

Much more passed between us before about a
disjunctive position, wherein the Bishop needeth
not to boast of his logic. At part of this, a
certain Dean coming in, after the Bishop was
weary, the Dean began to talk of the Pope's
power to depose kings, saying it was essential
to the Pope and a matter of faith in our doctrine.
To whom I replied, that it was not essential
to the Pope's power nor any matter of faith:
and that (whether the Pope could or could not
depose) it was perjury to take the oath in their
grounds and ours too. This, I said, I would
undertake to demonstrate before all the bishops
in England, or else I would lose my hand and
my head. The Dean said I was too quick with
him, and that my logic would deceive me if I
builded so much upon it, wishing me to look to
a good conscience. I replied that it was my
conscience which I did stand upon, and therefore
refused the oath for the reasons alleged. Yet
to give satisfaction, this oath I offered that I
would swear: "I do bear in my heart and soul so
much allegiance to King James (whom I pray God
to bless now and evermore) as he, or any Christian
king could expect by the law of nature, the law of

180

VENERABLE JOHN ALMOND.

God, or the positive law of the true Church, be it
which it will, yours or ours." 8
The Bishop and the Dean said they were fair
words, but the Dean added, he knew well which
Church I meant.
To this I answered: " Let you and me try that,
and then put it out of question." But he was
deaf on that ear.
Then the Bishop bade me put my hand to my
examination. I first perused it, and in the end
of it where the Register had set down: "Being
asked whether he would take the oath of allegiance, he answered he could not without perjury."
I bade him add also, as I had said: "I could not
in their grounds nor ours." The Bishop would
not suffer him to add that, but said I should
have another time. Upon that I put my hand
to it, though I said he had put it in by halves.
Thus ended the pageant, saving that I said
publicly (giving the honour to God) that I had
not sworn any oath, no, not so much as "in faith"
in sixteen year before, and therefore they needed
not wonder that I now refused an oath with
falsehood and perjury in it.
4. He was then sent to Newgate, and what he
suffered there may be gathered from the following
letter of his fellow-prisoner, Henry Cooper, a priest,
addressed:
8 An oath very similar to this had been proffered by the
Venerable Thomas Garnet (Foley, Records, vol. ii. p. 490).

VENERABLE

JOHN

ALMOND.

To his assured kind friend, Mr. Richard

181

s

+
Good sir,-I am sure you have heard of the
inhuman dealing of our new keeper with us,
putting us all into Justice hall without commodity of lodging; forcing divers of us to sit up
night by night, and yet exacting money for beds,
debarring all access of friends, suffering the
pursuivants to seize such as come unto our grate,
yea, vexing even Protestants themselves that
come unto us. Neither can we have any remedy
.against him, such is the malice of the B [ishop],
who maintaineth all injuries done unto us. Our
keeper's pride [is] in that excess, as overruled
with passion he will admit of no reason, insomuch as we are wholly ignorant of what course
to take whereby we may best redeem our vexations. Our comfort only is, that the cause for
which we suffer is good and honourable, being
for God Himself; and these our miseries are
infallible signs of His love towards us, according
to that of the Apostle: Quem diligit Dominus
castigat, flagellat autem omnem filium quem recipit.
This, I say, is our comfort; in this, I hope, we
shall overcome.
In the meantime I would desire your good
prayers for us, that we may so endure these our
troubles, as they may turn to God's greater
honour and glory, and our souls' comfort. And
so remembering my duty to yourself and a kind
9 This name has been blotted out.

182

VENERABLE

7OHN ALMOND.

remembrance to the rest of our good friends, I
humbly take my leave this 1o November, 1612,
though never leave to be
Yours,
HEN. COOPER.

Four of our company are fallen sick of late,
whereof Fr. Corneford is one, and not in least
danger, as Dr. Foster hath delivered his opinion
of him. If our keeper continue as he has begun,
we shall all fall into extreme misery.
5. Another paper from the Stonyhurst collections,
endorsed "Advices," and headed "November, 1612,"
continues the story.
Seven Catholic priests escaped of late out of
Newgate; their names are Cornford, Young,
Mayler, Yates, alias Boulton, Greene, Parr,
Cooper. Much search hath been made for them,
but none taken. The occasion of their escaping
was the hard usage without compassion or mercy,
whereupon they refused' to give their words to be
true prisoners, but told their keeper that as long
as they were used so hardly, they would give no
such word, but would escape if they could, and
within few days after they got away. And as
those seven went away, they might all have gone,
to the number of twenty, but they refused it,
choosing rather to stay. Those that remained
in prison have ever since been cast into the
dungeon with fetters and gyves.

183

VENERABLE JOHN ALMOND.

Addrcssed, For Marke, merchant at Florence.10
The paper is endorsed in Latin, " Of the flight
of the priests from Newgate. Almund remained
in prison, as appears from the Douay Catalogue of
Martyrs, published in

1614."

6. This time he did not lie in his dungeon for
long, but was quickly brought to trial. Here it is
provoking to have to state, that the record of these
proceedings is lost, though the cover which once
contained it is preserved in the muniment-room of
the Guildhall. On the fly-sheet of this is a list of
the prisoners presented from Newgate at the gaol
delivery, amongst whom we find " Francis Lathom"
(one name by which the Martyr was known, Molineux being another) fro proditione, with the marginal
note jud [icatus]. Probably the record, as in other
cases of treason, was separately filed, then got
separated, and so lost.
Happily there are several Catholic accounts of the
proceedings, and from them we learn that he was
indicted on the statute of 27 Elizabeth, which made
it treason for a priest ordained according to the
Catholic rite to live in England. He refused to put
himself upon the jury, but was nevertheless found
guilty and sentenced. Letters11 written at the time
of his death inform us that he was "arraigned and
condemned upon a question demanded of him by his
keeper's wife, whether if one should kill the King
he might absolve him." For thereupon "his enemy
Mr. Price, the keeper, deposed against him, that he
10 This was an address often used for Father Persons, but

when this was written, he had been dead two years.

1'Stonyhurst

MSS. Anglia, iii. nn. 118,

iI9.

The second is

unsigned, the first is signed William Bartlet, and addressed
"to my assured good friend, Mr. Luke, merchant att Venice."
Both names are probably aliases.

184

VENERABLE

JOHN

ALMOND.

heard him say that he had power to absolve one,
though he should kill the King. But Mr. Almond
upon his oath denied this, and said that he only had
said, 'Through true repentance Ravalliac might be

saved.' "
The Martyr disputed with the Bishop in court
with the same fearlessness and vigour which he had
shown in their private meetings. The Bishop was
silenced for the time, but afterwards persuaded King
James to allow the execution to take place, "promising him that it would be very profitable to their
cause, for that the priest was both timorous and
unlearned, which when the King heard to be otherwise he raged exceedingly, and said he would execute
no more." 12

+
A RELATION

OF THE DEATH AND

MR. JOHN ALMOND,

alias

EXECUTION

MOLINEUX,

THE

OF

20TH

DAY OF DECEMBER, 1612.

As he was drawn all the way from the prison
to Tyburn, he remained with his hands closed
and erected [up towards] Heaven, and so continued in silence, prayer, and meditation all the
way, except that sometime he spake to those that
were about him, but could not well be heard
because none were suffered to come near him but
those that guarded him.
Being come to Tyburn and raised up into a
cart right underneath the gallows, with a cheerful
12 Anglia, iii. 119, ut supra. Brother Foley (Records, vol. vii.
p. 1377) has printed a re-translation of a full account of the
trial, of which a copy in the original English may be found in
the Stonyhurst MSS. Anglia, iii. n. 117.

VENERABLE JOHN ALMOND.

185

countenance signing himself with the sign of
the Cross, and saying In nomine Patris, &c.,
he desired the Sheriff to give him leave to speak,
protesting he would not speak any one word
either against his Majesty'or the State. This
the Sheriff did yield unto, but first would have
had him put off his clothes, and speak in his
shirt, which he was unwilling to do, urging that
he could not speak so well with his clothes off,
desiring he might have them on and he would
be very brief; which at length was granted him.
Then kneeling upon his knees and saying some
private prayers to himself, which when he had
done, he rose up and making again the sign of
the Cross, he said : Domine, labia mea aperies, &c.
And then began his speech thus, as near as could
be gathered:
He said he was born in Lancashire, the town's
name was South Allerton, where he was brought
up until he was about eight years old, at which
time he was carried over into Ireland, where he
remained until he was at man's state. And when
he was last taken, which was on the 22nd of
May a year since, no man knew whether he was
an Englishman or no. He then being carried
before a Justice of Peace, "which here," he said,
"he would [not name, to avoid] offence," was by
13
him examined whether he was a priest or no.
He did not confess to him that he was. Whereupon the Justice offered him the oath (which he
called of allegiance), which by him was refused, in
13He seems to mean Dr. John King, Bishop of London.

i86

VENERABLE JOHN ALMOND.

respect that in conscience it could not be taken
without danger of perjury, both to his Majesty
and to him that shall take it.
Then he, kneeling on his knees, said he took
God to witness, and as he hoped to be saved by
the Death and Passion of our Saviour, that this
which he spake, he spake from his heart, without
any manner of dissimulation, that his Majesty
was sole and lawful King of this realm, and that
he bare so true and loyal a mind to him, as
either the King of Spain, or King of France, or
any other Catholic prince whatsoever could
desire, either by the laws of God, nature, or
He protested also
nations, of their subjects.
that never in all his lifetime any jot or least
thought of treason did enter into his heart,
neither directly or indirectly, by commission or
otherwise; and if he should have heard of any
intended against his Majesty, he would have
revealed it by all means possible.
Then a preacher standing by did ask him
whether he held the King to have sufficient
power to make laws or no. Before he could
answer him, another preacher asked him another
question. What it was I know not, but by his
answer it seemed to belong to the former question, for he desired him to hold him excused, till
he had answered the first, and then he would
speak to him.
Then turning to the former he answered his
question thus: that the King had as sufficient
power to make laws in England, as the King of

VENERABLE 7OHN ALMOND.

187

France, Spain, Turkey, or any other prince whatsoever had to make laws in their own realms.
"But as the King of Spain, France, and all
other princes have power to make laws over
their own subjects, so likewise both the Kings
of England, Spain, France, and all other princes
whatsoever are subject to our Saviour Christ
Jesus. And though the kings and other princes
have sufficient power to do this, yet they have
no power to make any one law against the law of
God, which I hope you will not deny," speaking
to hirri that first moved the question.
Then turning to the second he answered him
in this manner, alleging a place out of St. Matthew, the sixth or seventh verse, saith he (as
I remember), " our Saviour being with His disciples, said to them, All power which is given in
Heaven and in earth is given Me from on high.
Therefore go you and preach throughout the world,
&c., '4 this he said to them breathing on them His
breath." Thus out of St. Matthew he proved
that our Saviour, having power, gave it to His
disciples and they to others, "and by tradition,
it hath come down from one to another even to
this Pope, which is now living. And so consecrated priests have it from Him, and at His
commandment do go through the world to
preach the Gospel.
This being the law and
commandment of the Pope, who is the substitute
of Almighty God, to go and preach throughout
14 There seems to be some confusion here between St. Matt.

xxviii. 18, and some similar text, perhaps St. John xix. II.

i88

VENERABLE

7OHN

ALMOND.

the world, the priests in England are no traitors
in coming into England to preach the faith."
This was his answer to the second question,
which I think was grounded upon the first, that
if the King had power to make laws, and that
those laws were good and ought to be kept, he
making a law that no priest receiving Holy
Orders beyond sea should come into England
to persuade or pervert his subjects under pain
of treason, why did he and such others come
into England, contrary to these laws of his
Majesty made, &c.?
The first preacher told him he was not executed
as a traitor, but as an heretic. But he said again,
Why was he hanged then and not burned, which
is the death of an heretic ? The minister hereupon
was silent, and he went on with his speech as
afore.
He told that he was brought from the Justice
of Peace that first examined him and committed
to Newgate, where he remained until about ten
days since, when seven of the prisoners made an
escape out of prison, at which time on Sunday
morning he was taken out of his chamber with
all the rest that remained, put into a dungeon,
filthy and loathsome. The Sheriff said that he
did malign the State therein. Whereupon he
said, "Good Mr. Sheriff, I do not and will not.
For I thought that was done by the keeper, and
not by the State."
Then going on with his
speech, that being cast into that loathsome
dungeon where he had scarce meat and drink to

VENERABLE

JOHN

ALMOND.

189

sustain nature, or keep him alive, he there was
kept till the time that he was brought forth to his
arraignment, where he was indicted of two several
points. What they were I have forgotten, but
as I remember one of them was for denying the
oath of allegiance, which he told them he had
answered before, that in conscience he could not
take it, and being condemned he was now brought
to shed his blood, for our Saviour Jesus Christ
His sake, Who was crucified and shed His Blood
for his sins.
At which words, he being suddenly interrupted
by one of the preachers, who told him that he
held it no sin to kill the King, he utterly denied
that, and did abjure all such thoughts, and held
them as most wicked and abominable sins. The
minister answered again, "But if a man should
determine to kill the King, the Pope would forgive
him that sin." He denied that also, and said
that the Pope neither would nor could do it, but
if a man had committed a sin, after hearty repentance, contrition, and satisfaction, &c. At which
word satisfaction he took exception again, and
asked him what satisfaction would be made for
killing of a king. He answered that every venial
sin was great, and no satisfaction was sufficient
for it without the Death and Passion of our
Saviour. "Neither is His Death and Passion
sufficient without repentance and contrition of
heart. But if any man had committed a sin and
was truly penitent, the Pope both might and
would forgive him. And so for the killing of a

g19

VENERABLE JOHN ALMOND.

king, if a madman killed a king, and were heartily
sorry and repentant for it, God forbid that you
and I should then deny that his sin might be
forgiven him." Then asking him how he thought
of it, the minister answered that he must confess,
that if any man had committed a sin, and were
truly repentant for it, he held his sin might be
forgiven him. But although it were true doctrine,
yet it was an ill instance, and dangerous to
speak before a community: and so that argument
ended.
Then he went on with his speech, that he was
come hither to shed his blood for our Saviour's
sake, Who shed His for his sins. In which
respect he wished that every drop of blood that
he should shed might be a thousand, wishing to
have there St. Laurence his gridiron to be broiled
on, St. Peter's cross to be hanged on, St. Stephen's
stones to be stoned with, to be ript, ript, ript, and
ript again. Desiring to have a thousand lives to
suffer so many deaths for Jesus Christ His sake,
through Whose Death and Passion, and this of
his, he made no doubt but to enjoy the Kingdom
of Heaven.
Then putting his hand into his pocket he took
forth ten shillings, and gave it to the Sheriff,
desiring him to distribute it among those men
that took pains with him and went afoot with
him through the dirt, which were those that
guarded him with halberts. Then he hurled forth
by handfuls among the people to the quantity of
8 or 91. Then he gave to the Sheriff an hand-

VENERABLE JOHN ALMOND.

191

kerchief, and to the hangman an angel in gold,
which, he said, he gave him, not to spare him,
but to execute his office as he should do.
Then one of the preachers urged an argument
of faith unto him. That the Catholic Church
did teach that good works did justify without
faith. He answered that he believed the Catholic
Church, for it did teach that faith and good works
did justify together. The minister said that faith
alone justified. He asked what faith an infant
could have ere he had the use of reason? The
minister left that question and reason, and talked
of something else.
Then he desired the Sheriff leave to pray for the
King, and kneeling down he prayed for the King,
Queen, and Prince, and all his royal progeny,
and said there were two princes, but now there
is but one. He protested he loved the King, the
Queen, the Prince, and all his progeny, and
wished them as well as to his own soul, wishing
to God that the King had many more children,
especially of the male kind, which when he had
said, he rose up.
Presently one of the preachers bade him pray
for himself, for that he prayed for others, but
never a word for himself, as thinking he was no
sinner. He said he would not pray for himself
at his bidding, but to give th9 people satisfaction
that he had no such thought, he acknowledged
himself to be a great and grievous sinner, and did
ask God heartily forgiveness for his sins, not
doubting but that his intercession and blood that

192

VENERABLE JOHN ALMOND.

he should shed that day would be a full satisfaction of all his sins, and that he should enjoy
thereby life everlasting.
Then he kneeled down and said some prayers
in Latin, which when he had done he rose up.
Then he hurled from him amongst the people his
beads, and another handkerchief, his band he
gave away, and all his points he hurled, with his
discipline [for those] to get them that would.
Then the hangman pulled off his clothes, and he
blessed all the people round about him. Then
he took a gold ring off his finger, and gave it to
the Sheriff, earnestly entreating him to give it to
Mr. Muskett in Newgate, for that he gave it him
to wear so long as he lived.
The Sheriff told him that he should hang till
he was more than half dead. He answered they
should rip him up alive as he was, if they pleased,
and not hang him at all. So willing he was to
endure torment for so good a cause.
Then standing up after a pause he said: "There
is a doctor of divinity in this company, that holds
opinion that no man can live chaste, which I
deny, I myself having lived chaste, pure, and die
a maid."
Then the hangman put the rope
around his neck, and tied a handkerchief before
his eyes. With a cheerful and merry countenance
he willed him to tell him when he drew away
the cart from under him, because he desired'to
die with the name of Jesus in his mouth. At
which speech the minister which had conferred
with him all the while in scoffing manner, said

VENERABLE

JOHN

ALMOND.

193

to him that there was great virtue in that name
sure. For which audacious speech a gentleman
standing by took him up very roundly.
Then he signed himself with the sign of the
Cross and said: In manus tuas Domine commendo
spiritum meum. Redime me Domine Deus veritatis.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, esto mihi Jesus, and so died.
Amen.
The Stonyhurst letters, which we have quoted
before, add a few details. One says: "He craved
no favour to be shown in cutting him up alive. Yea,
he wished them if they pleased to begin with his
fingers' ends and so go forwards." Another adds:
"At his death a Protestant beholding his undaunted
courage and bold spirit, full of life and comfort, he
concluded in himself that he only was happy for his
religion. Thereupon he went from the gallows to
the Gatehouse, and desired to speak with a priest.
They bringing him to Father Blackfan, he resolved
to the best, and was reconciled within few days,
for which my Lord of Canterbury clapt up close
Mr. Blackfan, where he still remaineth, for at the
same Sessions there were between fifty and sixty
indicted."
Three days after the martyrdom of this Venerable
servant of God, Ussher wrote a letter from London,
in which he speaks thus of him: " On Saturday last,
Lathom, alias Molyneux, one of the learnedest and
insolentest of the Popish priests here (for so I might
easily discern by the conference which I had with
him and his fellows at Newgate), was executad at
Tyburn." 15
a Rawlinson, Letters, 89, n. 3.
N

CHAPTER X.
VENERABLE JOHN THULIS
AND VENERABLE ROGER WRENNO.
Suffered at Lancaster, March I8, 1616.
DOCUMENTS.
i. Account in verse of their imprisonment and martyrdom.
2. Song written by Thulis.
Both taken from a manuscript in the British Museum
(Add. 15,225, PP. 49 and 44).

I. The following account, in a north country
dialect, of the Martyrs' imprisonment and death,
is taken from a very interesting collection of Catholic
poems and songs written in a contemporary hand,
preserved in the British Museum. This manuscript
contains what seems to be the earliest version of
the familiar hymn, "Jerusalem, my happy home," 1
together with others of the same plaintive, earnest
character.
HERE FOLLOWETH THE SONG OF THE DEATH
OF MR. THEWLIS.
To the tune of "Dainty come thou to me."

I.

O God above relent,
And listen to our cry;

1 This hymn and the "Prisoner's songe" are printed in The
Month for September, 1871, p. 232.

VENERABLE 7OHN THULIS.

O Christ our woes prevent,
Let not thy children die.
2.

As at th' Assizes late

Good proof too much we see,
Thy lambs their lives have left
Through tyrants crueltie.
3.

One Thewlis is the man
Which makes me call and cry,
Come help me all that can
Of Christ to beg mercie.

4.

His courage mild and meek
And his most comlie glee,
His answers not to seek
In middes of miserie.

5.

In a dungeon he was cast
Amongst the thieves to lie,
Of all meats he did taste
Which came to felons fee.

6.

And in th' assizes week
In Lent arraigned was he,
Where friends and kinsfolk were
To see his constancie.

7.

Best preacher in the land
By name one parson Lee,
(No better can be found
Within the counterie).

8.

Three several days did tempt
Totry his constancie,
The Judge being present there
With all his companie.

195

VENERABLE

196
9.

JOHN

THULIS

To all things they demand
He answers cheerfullye,
His answer there was found
In all controversie.

10.

As they were apt to move
From point to point trulie,
He did not them reprove
But answered quietlie.

II.

When they could not prevail
To wrest his constancie,
They did him traetor call,
And said that he should die.

12.

Then smilingly he said
With sweete and pleasant glee,
No treason I have wrought
Nor wicked treacherie.

13.

No treason I have done
Against king nor countrie,
Christ Jesus, God's own Son,
A witness take for me.

14.

It is for His dear sake,
His Church both meek and free,
That I do undertake
A true Catholic to die.

15.

It is for His dear sake
That gave His life for me,
My crosse I undertake
His spouse to glorifie.

AND VENERABLE

ROGER WRENNO.

16.

Then gave they him a note,
Th' effect did signifie,
That he must take the oath
Or else prepare to die.

17.

Then answered he and said
For duty temporal,
I every oath will take
Whensoe'er you do call.

18.

For other oath, quoth he,
I utterlie denye ;
God save our king and queen
And send them mikle joy.

19.

According to the law
Death certain then had he,
And as all people know
He took it patientlie.

20.

On Friday in the morn
Attempted sore was he,
They willed him to reform,
And take the king's mercie.

21.

His kinsfolk in like cause
Did proffer gold and fee,
If his faith he would refuse
A Protestant to be.

22.

He gave them hearty thanks,
And told them cheerfullie,
His life they should not crave
A Protestant to be.

197

VENERABLE 3OHN THULIS

198

23.

In wresting of his bonds
Somewhat too hastily,
They hurt his tender legs
Whereat they seemed sorrie.

24.

Then smilingly he said,
" Forbear to mourn for me,
Small hurts do little grieve
When great ones are so nigh.

25.

" I thank my Saviour sweet
From these bonds I am free,
So soon I hope I shall
From all extremitie.

26.

"By afflictions God doth prove
Who His true children be,
Christ Jesus this can remove
In the twinkling of an eye."

27.

They forced him to the church
In spite of his bodie,
When he full mildlie sate
For all their crueltie.

28.

Then did he ask the Sheriffe
His brethren for to see,
With them to take his leave
Before he went to dye.

29.

The Sheriffe gave consent,
He thanked him heartilie,
He to his brethren went
With humble curtesie.

AND

VENERABLE ROGER

WRENNO.

30.

Then did he friendlie leave
Of all his brethren take,
Saying, "Do you not grieve,
Nor mourn not for my sake.

31.

"For it's God's blessed will
That I must lead the way;
But be you constant still,
And I will for you pray."

32.

And then with waterie cheeks
They parted mournfullie;
His gesture little shrank,
Such was his constancie.

33.

Another constant wight
Which I had near forgot,
Was constant day and night,
And tranquil for his lot.

34.

One Wrennol was he called,
A layman happie he;
They both prepared themselves
On hurdle for to lye.

35.

And thus these faithful wights
So mildlie framed the same,
The father and the son
Thus both their journey came.

36.

My muse begins to faint,
And grief me overflow:
But of these martyred saints
The second part shall show.

199

VENERABLE

200

JOHN

THULIS

THE SECOND PART.

I.

As Thewlis passed the way,
The poorest he did spy,
He gave what money he had left,
Their wants for to supply.

2.

O God above relent,
And listen to our cry!
Sweet Christ thy spouse defend
From tyrant's crueltie.

3.

To th' execution place
They being thither drawn,
Present before their face
Was fire and cruel flame.

4.

Then did they them attempt
Their faith for to deny,
Saying they must be hanged
And burned cruelly.

5.

Then smiling, Thewlis said,
"If that the worst may be,
Our Saviour Christ hath paid
Far greater pains for me."

6.

Then mildly they repaired
To th' execution place:
Three felons they did see
Hanged before their face.

7.

And at the ladder foot,
Where many people stood,
He held them with dispute,
While ever they would abyde.

AND VENERABLE

ROGER WRENNO.

8.

Then did they proffer them
Part of the oath to take,
And they should not be slain,
Such friendship they would make.

9.

But all could not prevail
Their minds for to remove,
Nor once their courage quailed
So constant was their love.

Io. With cross and signs so meek
The ladder he did take,
Where many a watery eye
Appeared for his sake.
II. A hundred pounds was there
For his life offered free,
If he would yet consent
A Protestant to be.
12.

Then smilingly he said,
" That ransom I denye,
That may no way be paid
But by death eternally.

13.

"I thank you for your loves,
Your good-will all I see,
But I must take the cross
That Christ hath left for me."

14.

Then willingly he did
Himself most ready make,
He proffered to unbare,
And his clothes off to take.

201

VENERABLE JOHN THULIS

202

15.

A cap as white as snow

Over his face pulled he,
His hat he threw him froe,
And purse away gave he.
16.

The hangman played his part
As he did him command,
Three strokes upon his breast
He gave with his right hand.

17.

The father being gone

The child did after hye,
Without all show of moan,
He suffered willingly.
I8.

At first the rope did break
Which parson Lee did see,
He said it was God's will
To shew him such mercie.

19.

Then proffered him the oath
Which he did still denye:
"This night I hope we both
Shall sup in Heaven high."

20.

The people moved and blushed
Both high and low degree,
And said they thought no less
But he should saved be.

21.

When that the rope was cut
And quartered he should be,
The hangman did denye,
And then away went he.

AND VENERABLE

22.

ROGER WRENNO.

The Sheriff did him oppress

With great extremitie,
And said, " Either thou or I
Must do this butcherie."
23.

When Thewlis was unbared
A vision there was seen,
Out of his mouthappeared
A colour bright and sheene.

24.

Most like the glorious sun,
Shining in clearest skye,
Downe over his bodie run
And vanish from their eye.

25.

The butcher played his part,
His bodie he did gore,
And sure the hardest hart
Did much his death deplore.

26.

A hundred handkerchiefs
With his sweet blood was dight,
As relics for to wear
For this said blessed wight.

27.

Then were his quarters set
Upon the castle high
Where hapt as strange a thing
As ever man did see.

28.

A flight of ravens came
And picked flesh from bones,
In the churchyard they did light
And scraped there deep holes.

203

204

VENERABLE JOHN THULIS

29.

O Christian hearts relent,
Prepare youi souls to save,
When feathered fowls shall help
For us to make a grave.

30.

O happy martyred saints,
To you I call and cry,
To help us in our wants,
And beg for us mercie.

31.

O Christ that suffered death,
Thy spouse for to defend,
Like constancie till death,
And in Heaven be our end.
Finis.

2. In the same volume is found another piece about
this Martyr. It is headed,
THE SONG WHICH

HERE FOLLOWETH
WRIT

MR. THULIS

FOR HIMSELF.

To the tune of 2

i.

True Christian heart cease to lament,
For grief it is in vain ;
For Christ you know was well content
To suffer bitter pain.
That we may come to Heaven bliss,
There joyfully to sing,
Who doth believe, shall never miss
To have a joyful rising.
2 Blank in MS.

AND

VENERABLE ROGER

WRENNO.

2.

But England hear, My heart is sad,
For thy great crueltie,
And loss of faith, which once thou had,
Of Christianitye.
In thee false doctrine cloth appear
Abundantly to spring,
Which is the cause I greatlie fear
Thou lose thy happie rising.

3.

205

As for myself I am not afraid
To suffer constantlie,
For why due debt must needs be paid
Unto sweet God on high.
Saint Paul he being firm of faith,
Hoping with saints to sing,
Most patientlie did suffer death.
Lord send us happie rising!

The fifth verse is curious, as seeming to indicate
that the power of giving Confirmation was entrusted
by the Holy See to some English priests. At least
it is difficult to see what other meaning the third line
can have. The "mighty power" is probably that of
exorcism.
5.

I have said Mass and Matins both,
And true instructions taught,
Confirmed by the Holie Ghost,
And mighty power wrought:
The holie Communion also
With manna ever living;
The holie Sacraments I taught:
Lord send us happie rising!

206.

VENERABLE

JOHN THULIS

The writer then goes on to dwell on his own
labours, and the sufferings of several Saints and
Martyrs, and continues thus:
13.

And many saints and martyrs moe,
Which were too long to write,
Have suffered cruel death, you know,
As Scripture doth recite.
They now with Christ above do reign,
And joyfully do sing,
That we may all God's love attain.
Christ send us happie rising!

14.

And then why should I be afraid
To suffer constantlie,
Sith in this cause so many saints
Did suffer patientlie,
And left examples for us all,
That we with them may sing.
God grant we may for mercie call,
And have a happie rising.

15.

0 you poor prisoners dread not death,
Though you have done amiss,
But pray to God with faithful hearts
To bring you unto bliss.
Confess your sins with contrite hearts
Unto your heavenlie King,
For He is merciful indeed:
Christ send us happie rising.

16.

The saints also did suffer death,
And martyrs, as you hear,

AND

VENERABLE

ROGER WRENNO.

207

And I myself am now at hand,
And death I do not fear.
Then have I trust of greater grace
Unto my soul will bring,
Where we shall meet both face to face
Before our heavenly King.
17. No hurdle hard, nor hempen rope
Can make me once afraid.
No tyrant's knife against my life
Shall make me dismayed.
Though flesh and bones be broken and torn
My soul I trust will sing,
Amongst the glorious companie
With Christ our heavenly King.
18. Thus I, your friend John Thewlis,
Have made my latest end,
Desiring God when His will is
Us all to Heaven send.
Where neither strange nor damned crewe
Can grief unto us bring.
And now I bid my last adieu:
Christ send us happy rising!
19. God grant you grace still in your hearts
False doctrine to refrain,
And hold the true Catholic faith,
Which Christ did once ordain.
All honour be to God of hosts,
All glory to His Son,
All praise be to the Holy Ghost,
Three Persons all in one.
Finis.

CHAPTER XI.
TEN

MARTYRED

LAYMEN.

DOCUMENTS.
I. Relation of Frances Salisbury about her father Blessed
John Felton (Westminster Archives, vol. ii. p. 3).
2. Narrative of the imprisonment of James Layburne, by an
eye-witness (Stonyhurst MSS. Collectanea M. fol. 168.)
3. Father Warford's account of John Jetter (Ibid. M. fol. 133).
Latin.
4. Father Grene's account of the Venerable Richard Langley
(Ibid. M. fol. 25 e). Latin.
5. Life, imprisonments, trial and death of the Venerable
Nicholas Horner (Westminster Archives, vol. iv. p. 263; Collectanea B. n. 9).
6. (i.) Relation of Winchester Martyrs, concluded (Stonyhurst
MSS. Anglia, vii. 25).
(ii.) Letter from Father Garnet to Father Claud Acquaviva.
Extract (Stonyhurst MSS. Anglia, i. 73). Latin.
(iii.) Father Grene's Collectanea E. (St. Mary's Seminary,
Oscott.)
7. Persecution and martyrdom of the Venerable James Duckett,
written by his son, a Carthusian (Westminster Archives, vol. vii.
P. 339).

i. Our previous chapters have consisted of a
document, or a series of documents, concerning a
single Martyr, or a group of Martyrs who suffered
together; henceforth we propose to collect some
shorter notices about different Martyrs, and we

commence with some papers concerning ten out of

BLESSED

JOHN

FELTON.

209

the eighty-three lay Martyrs who suffered under
Elizabeth and her successors.
Of these the first is Blessed John Felton, and
the account of him, which we now proceed to give,
was written down by G. Farrar, a priest, who is
elsewhere called a Notary Apostolic, in the year
1627 from the very words of Mistress Frances Salisbury, daughter of the Martyr, as appears from a
Latin note appended to the paper.
BLESSED JOHN FELTON.
Executed at St. Paul's Churchyardin London, August 8, 1570.

John Felton, gentleman, of the family of the
Feltons in Norfolk, dwelt at Barmesey [Bermondsey] Abbey, a place near to Southwark,
London. When Pius V. his Bull concerning the
excommunication of Queen Elizabeth was to be
sent into England, Mr. Felton, being known to
be a gentleman of approved resolution and virtue,
was dealt withal to undertake the business of
publishing it one way or other about the city of
London. The danger of such an employment,
which he took for an act of virtue, daunted him
not a whit.
Whereupon promising his best endeavour in
that behalf, he had the Bull delivered him at
Calais, and after the receipt thereof came presently to London, where being assisted with one
Laurence Webbe, Doctor of the Civil and Canon
Laws, the five and twentieth day of May, 1570,
betwixt two and three of the clock in the morning,
he set it upon the gate of the Bishop of London
o

210

BLESSED JOHN FELTON.

his palace, but stayed ,not by it, as Sanders
reporteth. He had given a copy of the Bull to
a gentleman of Lincoln's Inn, a special friend of
his. Now the houses and lodgings of all the
Catholics about London being upon the publishing of the aforesaid Bull narrowly searched,
the closet of this Inns-a-Court gentleman (for
he was a known Catholic) was in his absence
broken up, and the aforementioned copy found
therein. The gentleman being hereupon apprehended and put to the rack, confessed of whom
he had it.
Upon this were sent the next day to Mr.
Felton's house the Mayor of London, the Lord
Chief Justice, the two Sheriffs of London and
other officers, accompanied with men and halberts
to the number of five hundred, to apprehend him;
whom as soon as Mr. Felton from a window saw
knocking at the gate and ready to break it down,
he desired them to have patience, saying he knew
they came for him, and he would come down unto
them. His wife, who then stood by him at the
window, at those words of his, and the sight of
the officers, fell down in a swoon. From his
house he was carried by the Mayor and the Lord
Chief Justice to the Tower, where he remained
prisoner almost three months, having been in that
space thrice put upon the rack, notwithstanding
that at his apprehension he had confessed he was
the man that had put up the Bull upon the
Bishop's gate.
Being condemned, he was brought the eighth

BLESSED JOHN FELTON.

211

day of August, 1570, from the Tower to Paul's
Churchyard, near to the gate of the Bishop's
palace, drawn upon a hurdle to the place of his
execution. He hanged but a while, and was cut
down and bowelled, being yet alive, insomuch
that the hangman (whose name is said to have
been Bull') having his heart in his hand, he said
He was a man of
once or twice, "Jesus."
stature little and of complexion black, about the
age of
2 years when he suffered.
His whole substance consisted in plate and
jewels, which after his apprehension being forfeited to the Queen, were valued at three and
thirty thousand pounds sterling. He used to
wear a diamond on his finger worth 4001., which
the Lord Chief Justice having long before taken
a special liking unto, would fain have bought of
him, but Mr. Felton would no ways part with it.
After his apprehension the Justice thought to
have got it, which Mr. Felton prevented by wearing it still on his finger, and at his execution he
gave it to an earl standing by (who is said to be
the Earl of Sussex) to be delivered unto the
Queen from him.
His wife had been maid of honour to Queen
Mary, and wife to the said Queen's auditor, and
by the same Queen at her death was recommended to Queen Elizabeth, whose playfellow
she was in her childhood; for which cause Queen
Elizabeth always bare a good affection unto
her. After the execution of her second husband
1 See p. 56, supra.

2 Blank in MS.

212

JAMES LA YBURNE.

Mr. Felton, Queen Elizabeth at her humble suit
granted her liberty under her Letters Patent to
keep a priest.
Hcec ex relatione FranciscceSalisburiefilice predicti
Joannis Feltoni.

2. James Layburne, the Martyr, was the head of
an ancient family in Westmoreland, of Cunswick
and Skelsmergh in that county. Anne, Countess of
Arundel, the wife of the Venerable Philip Howard,
was his first cousin, and this is a relationship of
He
which any Catholic might well be proud.
married Bridget, daughter of Sir Ralph Bulmer,
and we know that he had a child named Lucy, who
was baptized in 1575,3 and another named Susan,
who became a nun at St. Monica's, for whom "the
old Countess of Arundel gave eighty pounds " as a
dowry for the sake of her father, " a holy Martyr."
Challoner does not include James Layburne in his
Memoirs of Missionary Priests," because his case was
different from that of all other Catholics who suffered
at those times; for both at his arraignment and at
his death he denied the Queen to be his lawful
sovereign, as we learn from Cardinal Allen and
other contemporary writers." And George Birket,
a priest, writing from London at the time to Dr.
Allen, expresses a doubt "whether his zeal was
according to knowledge," because " he altogether
denied the right and title of the Queen even in
SPaper read before the Cumberland and Westmoreland
Antiquarian and Archaeological Society in July, 1888, by Mr.
W. Wiper, of Manchester.

STroubles, i. p. 49.

FAMES

LAYBURNE.

213

temporals, and touched with some sharpness upon
her illegitimacy." Dr. Allen was not likely to have
shared in Birket's doubts, for in his Justitia Britannica
he relates the "illustrious martyrdoms" of John
Felton and John Storey, who neither of them
These
regarded Elizabeth as the lawful Queen.
are now both of them honoured with the title of
'Blessed," and so also are Thomas Plumtree
and Thomas Woodhouse, who avowed the same.
Sander names Felton, Storey, and Woodhouse in
the paragraph in which he describes Layburne's
The
death, and he calls them "four Martyrs."
honours of three of these have come to us from
Rome, but the Cause of James Layburne has not
yet been introduced. The passage from Sander is
given by Bridgewater and Yepez, and the first of
these two writers calls Layburne "a most glorious
Martyr." And this is not to be wondered at, seeing
that St. Pius V. distinctly says in his Brief to the
Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland that
death in resistance to Queen Elizabeth was a death
for the Church and for the Faith. Sander explains
that if priests did not go so far, it was because it
was not their business to interfere in matters of
State.
James Layburne lost his father Nicholas and his
mother Elizabeth before he came of age; and his
mother in her will, dated Nov. 17, 1567, makes this
curious mention 5 of her son, the future Martyr,
" I have bought the wardship of my son James
Layburne of my brother Thomas Warcoppe, and
From the same source we learn
paid for him."
that " Mr. James Layburne of his liberality, for the
use of the town [of Kendal] and those coming and
Mr. Wiper's paper on the Layburnes.

214

JAMES LA YB URNE.

resorting unto the same, did freely give and bestow
all his clock, furnished with the sounding bell belonging to the same, from his manor-house of Cunswick,
over and beside some oak trees for setting the clock
upon." It is remarkable that in the Book of Record
of Kendal, this gift is assigned to the year 1582, as
at that time the donor was in prison.
Of that imprisonment a curious trace still survives.
In the Life of the Venerable Edmund Genings by his
brother, published at St. Omers in 1614, the following passage occurs: "Behold here Edmund's first
entrance into the way towards Heaven, his first step
towards his glorious martyrdom . . . which I relate

the rather because the gentleman [his Master] himself, being a priest in Brussels of Flanders, told it
afterwards unto me; and this it was. The foresaid
gentleman, having dealt in matters of great importance with many recusants of our country, it so
fell out that one of them (whom for many respects
I forbear to name) was taken and committed close
prisoner in London; and because weighty matters
had passed betwixt the prisoner and the foresaid
gentleman touching lands and other affairs, and
thereby was like to ensue some damage extraordinary
to the gentleman, if some means were not wrought to
advertise the prisoner how to answer to those accusations which would be laid against him; and having
by himself sought all the means that he could to have
access to the said prisoner, and perceiving no hope
thereof without imminent danger, desisted, determining at last to send this his trusty servant
[Edmund Genings], confiding more to his approved
wit and lucky success in all his actions than to any
probability of accomplishing the same. And (thus
resolved) he sent Edmund, who was not yet seven-

JAMES

LAYBURNE.

215

teen years of age, to, effect that enterprise which
himself could not perform; and this only he imposed
upon him, not directing him how it was possible to
be achieved. The youth, having his charge, went
with all readiness, committing his cause to God, for
that ' nothing is impossible to God.' Determining
therefore to do, as a trusty servant, what did lie in
him, and thinking on no other means, he took up his
lodging near to the prison, hoping in time to get
acquaintance with the keeper or his man, and so to
bring to pass his intended purpose. Neither was
his hope frustrate, for within a few days he so ordered
the matter, as he fell into great familiarity with the
said keeper's man, who (as God would have it) had
the charge of the foresaid close prisoner; and, to be
brief, in a short time he dealt so judiciously in his
business that he did not only procure to speak with
the said prisoner, but also to have access unto him
three or four times with paper and ink, to write his
mind; and in the end concluded all things so effectually as if his master had been present, which was
no small marvel to all those that were in danger or
privy to the same."
In this passage Father John Genings neither
gives the name of Edmund's master, nor of the
" close prisoner" whom Edmund succeeded in visiting. Challoner tells us that Mr. Richard Sherwood,
a Catholic gentleman, took him into his service in
quality of his page. Where Challoner found the
name does not appear, as he professes to quote only
the Douay Diary and the Life by Genings, published
in 1614. From the former we learn that Richard
Sherwood reached the College at Rheims on the
, 4 th of December, 1583, and he left it for England
on the 2nd of August, 1584, having been ordained

216

1JAMES LAYBURNE.

priest meanwhile. And further, John Genings has
told us that his brother's quondam master was living
as a priest at Brussels. Of this we have corroboration in the narrative of Thomas Sherwood, nephew
and namesake of Blessed Thomas,6 who says that
his paternal uncle Richard was in Brussels when he
passed through it on his way to the English College
in Rome.
From Father Christopher Grene 7 we
also learn that Richard Sherwood was the Venerable
Edmund Genings' master, and at the same time that
the Martyr whom he visited was James Layburne.
This information he has derived from a book which
is entirely unknown to bibliographers.
A Brief
Relation of the Life and Death of Mr. Ednnd 7ennings,
Priest, martyred io Dec. 1591, in London: written by

7. 7., priest, i600oo, and published of late by 7. W.
Printed with licence, 1603. The edition of 1614 contains a letter from I. W. P., that is, John Wilson,
priest, to his " Very Reverend, ever dear and worthy
friend, Master I.G.P.," that is, John Genings,
priest. The later edition has adopted the spelling
"Geninges,"
and the date of the martyrdom is
changed in error from December to November.
From the title-page of this now extinct first edition,
we learn that John Genings wrote his brother's life
in i6oo00, and that John Wilson, priest at St. Omers,
printed it in 1603. From this book Father Grene draws
the substance of these two sentences. " A gentleman R. S. [Richard Sherwood] Catholic, by chance
passing by Lichfield in the inn where then Edmund
lived, about fourteen years old, took him for his page,
and soon after converted him to the Catholic faith.
Devout after his conversion, and fortunate in all

Mr.

6 Foley, Records, iv. p. 415.

7 Stonyhurst MSS. CollectaneaM. fol. 186.

DAMES LAYBURNE.

217

business, and particularly when he was sent to speak
with Mr. James Layburn, then most close prisoner
in Lancaster, after a glorious Martyr."
It will be noticed that the later edition has changed
Lancaster into London as the place of his imprisonment. It might be either, for Sander says that " he
suffered sharp imprisonment in Carlisle, London,
Lancaster, and Manchester." A similar variety of
statement is to be found respecting the place of
James Layburne's martyrdom.
Sander's account
is that " he shed his blood at last in Lancaster with
the utmost cheerfulness and gentleness, all who were
present at his death marvelling at his courage and
patience." s The same is found in all the editions
of Sander, but when this passage was reproduced in
1588 by Dr. Bridgewater, he substituted Manchester
for Lancaster as the place of Layburne's martyrdom.
Yepez translated the same passage in his Historia
Particular, 159 9 , but, puzzled by the diversity, he
has omitted the name of the place. In George
Birket's letter to Dr. Allen, written in London about
a month after the event, it is said to be at Manchester.
The unknown Jesuit Father, who wrote
the Lives of the Earl and Countess of Arundel,9 names
These are
Lancaster, but with some hesitation.
"Mr. James Labourn was so resolute
his words.
and constant therein [in the Catholic faith] that he
lost his life for it, being put to a painful and ignominious death, hanged, drawn, and quartered at
Lancaster, as I take it, in the year 1583, and 26th
of Queen Elizabeth, for denying her supremacy in
ecclesiastical affairs." In the archives 10 of the
8 Rise and Growth of the Anglican Schism, translated by David
Lewis, p. 317.

9 Edited by the late Duke of Norfolk in 1857, p. 176.
10 MSS. vol. iii. fol. 245.

218

JAMES LAYBURNE.

Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, there is a
Latin document, the heading of which states that
James Layburne was martyred at Lancaster a little
The paper is endorsed in
before Easter, 1583.
Father Persons' hand, De Domino 7acobo Laborno
martyre anno 1583, 22 Martii.

It is a mistake to suppose that this date is March,
1583-4. If it were the 26th of Elizabeth, as one
of our authorities has told us, it would have been in
that year; but this is entirely inconsistent with
letters written at the time. George Birket dates his
letter to Dr. Allen on the Friday after Low Sunday,
1583. Easter in that year was on the 31st of March
Old Style, and the ioth of April New Style, and the
letter was therefore written on April 12.11 This
writer has given Dr. Allen an account of the
martyrdom of Blessed William Hart, who suffered
at York, March 15, 1582-3, and he adds that Layburne's death was " about the same time." And
Father Persons wrote a letter 12 from Paris on the
24 th of August, 1583, naming "the last six Martyrs,
Kirkam [Kirkeman] ,Lacy, Hart, Jonson [Thompson],
Thirkell, and Laborn." It is therefore clearly a
mistake to say that James Layburne suffered with
the Venerable James Bell and John Finch, who died
at Lancaster on the 20th of April, 1584. The true
date, and probably the true place, are those mentioned in the life of the Martyr's nephew George
Layburne, D.D., where it is said that "the estate
belonging to the family in Queen Elizabeth's days
was still more reduced by the unfortunate circum11Its endorsement "April 24," is therefore wrong (Douay
Diaries, p. 353).
11 Historia Missionis Anglicane, S.J. a P. Henr. Moro. 166o,
p. 124.

JAMES LAYBURNE.

219

stances of James Layburn, who was executed at
Lancaster, March 22, 1583," that is to say,

1582-3-

Father Grene came across another copy of the
Latin document, which is to be seen in full in the
Archives of Westminster, and he transcribed two
or three sentences from it. He then broke off,
and made this note: " Having copied thus far,
I have found an English relation which seemeth
more like to an original, and much better. It is as
followeth."
Whiles he was prisoner in Carlisle, in Cumberland, and namely four months before his
death, he was lodged for a season in the keeper's
house, in a dampish and dark nether room, or
parlour, having neither chimney nor glass windows, and although it was winter, viz., about
Christmas, or a little before, yet could he have
there no fire. His bedding was a thin mattress,
and a poor coverlet, and very coarse sheets. His
diet he had by himself, which I have seen, being
coarse brown bread, small drink, and considering
his calling, very homely meat; his clothing very
poor and contemptible.
After this he was removed unto the Castle, and there put into a very
dark and loathsome cell, where he could not see
to read but at one only very narrow window:
in which room was also kept, besides another
Catholic gentleman, two poor persons for felony,
insomuch that for his own better quietness, he
chose rather to lie without the chamber-door at
the top of a stone stair, having nothing between
him and the cold stones but a mattress, and upon

220

5A

MES LAYBURNE.

him an old coverlet and his clothes which he did
wear in the day, and so short and strait was the
place, that his bed's feet came over the top of
the stairs: and he had no other place to be
private alone but between the door and the stairs
(in the day time rolling up his bed to the wall),
where he was with the coming in and out of
others much troubled and hindered from his
devotion. In this time notwithstanding, such was
his patience, his cheerful countenance, his quietness of mind, his gladness to suffer, his comfortable persuasions to myself and to others which
came to him, his utter contempt of all worldly
things, as I have not perceived generally in any
the like. Touching the Queen, his opinion was
that she was an usurper, and unlawful, a lascivious
and very wicked person; in which opinion he was
very resolute, &c., and he declared divers reasons
which moved him thereunto.
Such was his
charity and zeal, that if any came to him, he
would desire to know if they were Catholics. If
they were, he would greatly rejoice ; if they were
not, he would, by all means he could, persuade
them, and that with so zealous affection as he
could not have used more to his very children,
although he were very often abused herein.
Shortly after Christmas, being about three months
before his death, he was removed from Carlisle to
Manchester, in Lancashire, and was brought hard
by his own gate, but not suffered to go in: and
passing by the doors of some of his old tenants
and neighbours, he spake to them very cheerfully

JOHN YETTER.
3'HN

yETTER

221
2

and comfortably, and so passing away, was lodged
that night in Kendall, a mile or two distant from
two of his manor-houses, whither his wife with
one or two of his young daughters, and sundry
of his former acquaintance and servants coming
to him, he entertained them with very cheerful
and loving communication, without any show of
fear, grief, or astonishment [exhorting many to
return to the Church, &c.]. The next morning,
when he was to depart [a horse could hardly be
found, and he prepared to make the rest of the
journey on foot, which was near about fifty miles].
And so he departed from thence with no worse
cheer than if he had gone to his own house at
liberty. From which time till his death I cannot
say ought but upon report, but what is here set
down I can and do affirm of my certain knowledge, sight, and hearing. In all his opinions he
would submit himself to the censures of Mr. Dr.
Allen, and Father Persons, having in them a
singular confidence, and he hath said to me that
if he were able, he would give five hundred marks
to see them and speak with them. Being demanded by a friend whether he could be contented
to have his liberty procured, he answered, "Yea,
so as the same might be with credit and furtherance of the Catholic cause, else not."

3. John Jetter is an excellent representative of the
Martyrs who perished in prison. He was of a good
faaiily of Layscoffe in Suffolk, and his elder brother

222

JOHN

YETTER.

George a student and priest at Rheims. Thither John
followed him, but returned again in May, 1582, to
England before he had received any Orders. On
his return he was captured and had, for some unnamed cause, to sustain a singularly brutal persecution. Imprisoned at first in the Clink, he was moved
to the Tower on the 7th of August, the prison certificate 13 which tells us so describing him as "servant
unto one Mr. Higgins, scrivener, dwelling in St. Paul's
Churchyard." On the Ist of September the prisoner
in the Tower wrote: " John Jetter, after enduring
the 'Scavenger's Daughter,' was thrown for eight
days into the pit, then brought to the rack, and
extremely tortured till he was nigh gone. Even
when the pain was worst, and he seemed nearly
dead, he called upon the name of Jesus with a
wonderfully joyful countenance, and laughed at his
torturers." 14 This is confirmed by other letters from
5
the Tower, 1 but the following account 1 is more
detailed.

'

You shall understand that one Jetter hath been
monstrously racked, he showed great patience
and courage. In the extremity of torment he
never ceased to call upon the name of Jesus, so
that Topcliffe in a great fury said, "What in the
devil's name! Here is such a mumbling of Jesus
Psalter as I never saw."
13 P.R.O. Dom. Eliz. vol. 159, nn. 34, 35, 36. It is doubtful if
he was the Jetter mentioned in Troubles, iii. 28.
* Diarium Turnis, printed in Sander's De Schismate. The
"Scavenger's Daughter" was an iron hoop, which, after the
sufferer had clasped his knees in his arms, was fastened tight
round his body, clamping it into a ball.
15 Hart to Allen, November 15, 1582. Cf. Troubles, ii. p. 33.
16 Collectanea M. fol. 82.

_7OHN

ETTER.

7OHN 7ETTER

223
2

The tormented still calling upon Jesus, saying,
" Sweet Jesu, have mercy upon me!
With
Thee is mercy, I see there is none with
men."
His extremity was such, that being all in a
burning heat, which proceeded of the stretching
of his limbs to their highest power (unless they
should have rent him in pieces), they poured
upon his breast out of an ewer cold water,
whether for a further torment, or ad refocillandurn, I leave it for others to judge.
The poor man lieth in such misery that he
is able to receive nothing into his body but with
a quill at the hand of his keeper, who, God
knoweth, looketh but slenderly to him. I think,
notwithstanding this, he had been racked again,
had they not feared he would die of this already
done.
There is another now that far passeth the old
rackmaster, Mr. Topcliffe.
This letter I had from the Tower, I thought to
send you it, that you may see their countenance
in such barbarous cruelty.
Yours to command,
Oct. 25.
G.B.
The bills sent in by the Lieutenant of the Tower
for his expenses in keeping his prisoners, show that
Jetter continued in the Tower till July 25, 1583,
when he was removed to Newgate. Of his stay here
Father Warford has something to tell us.

224

JOHN

YETTER.

Mr. John Jetter (1585) died in prison. He has
a brother, a priest, who is still living in England.
Though but a youth, he showed more than a
man's courage, for being bound with fetters in a
most unusual manner in Newgate, his flesh nearly
eaten away by the constant chafing of the irons,
and his whole body swollen by the filth of the
place, he was finally, after most acute sufferings,
carried off by consumption, but could never be
induced to abandon his faith in God, or to betray
his neighbour.
I learnt these things from his brother George,
the priest before mentioned, a faithful eye-witness
who visited him in prison in order to encourage
him, and who has himself suffered much during
his many years of labour in the same cause. He
has had two or three wonderfully providential
escapes, and once suffered shipwreck, while flying
into Ireland.
Scrambling hurriedly along the
cliffs, and not seeing his way in the dark,
he so hurt one of his legs, that for a long time
afterwards he lay sick and unknown, until I,
happening to hear of it, found a remedy for his
troubles. This shipwreck was caused by the bore
of the Severn on the coast of South Wales.

In Newgate then he died, having been "long
kept," says Mr. Penkevell, " cruelly in the Limbo of
the same prison." 17 How long exactly we cannot say.
Father Warford gives 1585, and Mr. Penkevell seems
to imply the end of 1585 or the beginning of 1586,
17 Infra, p. 286.

VENERABLE

RICHARD LANGLEY.

225

as the time of his death, but Challoner's date, 1582,
is certainly wrong.
In common with the great majority of those who
died in prison, Jetter's claims to the honour of true
martyrdom have not yet been in any way recognized
The reason is evident.
It is
by the Holy See.
extremely difficult to prove that death in these cases
was actually caused by their sufferings in prison,
yet there must be evidence of death having been
positively inflicted on the sufferer, before the Cause
of his Beatification as a martyr can be admitted.

4. We have already printed many of the accounts
of Martyrs, preserved to us by the diligence of
Father Christopher Grene, who copied them out in
full. He also sometimes wrote Latin summaries of
longer stories, of which the originals were before
him.
The following is a translation of such a
summary, the original of which was in an MS.
volume entitled Collectanea E.p. 179. This volume
is now at St. Mary's Seminary, Oscott.

VENERABLE RICHARD

LANGLEY.

Suffered at York, December i, 1586.

Richard Longley [Langley], Esq., was taken
about the 2Ist of September in his own house
by officers and a large band of soldiers, who had
invested it. Among them was a certain Archdeacon (after the manner of the heretics) named
Ramesdell, with some magistrates, Gayes, Vaughan, and Bethel, 18 and there were taken with

is

See Troubles, iii. p. 93-

226

VENERABLE

RICHARD LANGLEY.

him two priests, who afterwards escaped out of
prison.
Mr. Longley was of such pleasant
manners that he won the friendship of the
gaoler, who in spite of his being a malicious
heretic could scarcely refrain from tears when
he was led out to execution. He was moreover
of good family and fortune, yet he despised
all these things, and declared before the Judges,
that if he had greater riches and a hundred
lives, he would willingly spend them all in that
cause.

The accusation against him was that he had
relieved the enemies of the Queen (for so they
styled God's priests), whereupon he was urged
to beg pardon for his crime of God and of the
Queen. He answered with constancy that he
had received them as messengers sent by God,
and that therefore while he considered he had
done an action pleasing to God, he could not
admit that he had thereby done any injury to the
Queen. This answer so irritated the Judges that
they thought him unworthy of any grace, not even
was the favour of an honourable burial allowed
him, however much his friends begged for it.
Permission was even refused for his corpse to
be wrapped in the linen shroud he had prepared,
and after his body had been thrown into the pit,
the bodies of ten thieves were cast in over him.
He died by hanging.
During the whole time of his imprisonment, he
was so merry that many wondered at him, for he
had always been shy at home, yet when brought

VENERABLE

NICHOLAS HORNER.

227

out for execution he showed such alacrity of mind
as to go to the scaffold even before the Sheriff, as
if he were a bridegroom going to his nuptials.
He suffered on December the 1st, 1586.

5. Our next paper is headed: "Of Nicholas
Horner, that suffered martyrdom the year 1589
concerning in part the course of his life, his imprisonments, arraignment, and execution." In Old Style
the date is in 1589, as it comes before Lady day,
which was then the first day of the year.

VENERABLE

NICHOLAS HORNER.

Executed at Smithfield March 3, 1590.

First concerning the place of his birth. It
was either in the city of York or near by; his
bringing up or education for the most part was
in the said city, being by art or occupation
a tailor.
The said good man was either his whole life,
or for the most part, a good and perfect Catholic,
a man of plain and just dealing, and one that
always, according to such learning and skill that
he had, endeavoured to draw and persuade others
to embrace the said Catholic faith.
It happened in process of time for curing of
a sore leg that he had, that he left York and
came to London, where he had not remained

228

VENERABLE

NICHOLAS HORNER.

long before he was apprehended and committed
prisoner unto Newgate (where at that time myself
in company of other Catholics was prisoner) ;but
he was not brought into the same place where as
we remained, but according to the accustomed
usage of other Catholics, was kept close in the
common gaol in a place alone, where through
occasion of irons which were laid on his legs, and
not being permitted to have his surgeon to come
unto him, his said leg became incurable, so that
afterwards when he had liberty of the house and
was released of close imprisonment, he was enforced to have his leg cut off.
Before the time came of the cutting off of it,
he always feared lest that he should give scandal
by impatience when it should be done, and therefore prayed earnestly for patience against the
said time. But afterwards when it was cut off
it pleased God to give him such patience that he
not only comforted the other Catholics that were
there prisoners, but also drove the surgeons and
other strangers that beheld the same into admiration. For whilst it was in cutting off, he being
made to sit on a form neither bound nor holden
by any violence, neither offered to stir nor used
any impatient screech or cries, but wringing his
hands together in very good order, often said,
"Jesus, increase my pains and increase my
patience."
As he afterwards reported, he did receive great
comfort, not only by means that a certain good
priest (to wit, Mr. Hewett, who was afterwards a

VENERABLE NICHOLAS HORNER.

229

Martyr) 19 did hold his head betwixt his hands
whilst it was adoing, but also by means of a
certain meditation, which he purposely used at
the beginning of his pain, which was of Christ
bearing of His Cross to the Mount of Calvary.
Which meditation at that time was so imprinted
in his mind, and with such earnest apprehension,
that it seemed unto him that he even saw our
Saviour as He did bear His Cross on His
shoulders towards the Mount of Calvary. Of
all these things many other Catholics besides
myself were eye and ear witnesses.
After that he had endured almost twelve
months' great pains in the healing of his said
leg, and after earnest suit made for him upon
sureties, he was set at liberty and got him a
lodging in Smithfield, where as he wrought for
his living.
But he had not long enjoyed his said liberty,
before Mr. Topcliffe took occasion to search his
lodging, and after taking away all that he had,
carried him prisoner unto Bridewell. There, to
make him confess what priests were wont to
come unto his said lodgings, besides many
railing words and threatenings according to his
accustomed tyranny, he hanged the old man up
by the wrists of his arms in irons made for that
purpose, leaving him in that torment until he was
almost dead.
At the next Sessions he was brought forth and
19 Venerable John Hewett, alias Weldon, alias Savell, was
martyred at Mile End Green, October 5, i588.

230

VENERABLE NICHOLAS HORNER.

arraigned, and was condemned and adjudged
to die, for no other cause nor on none other
evidence, but that, as Mr. Topcliffe and Justice
Young affirmed then at the bench, that he had
made a jerkin for a priest. Of his own confession they had no more against him but that
he had made a jerkin for a stranger, which he
knew not nor was not acquainted withal.
From the Sessions House he was brought
again unto Newgate, where he was kept close
in the common gaol about the space of a week.
The keeper, seeing his execution so long deferred,
thought that he should not have been put to
death at all, and therefore was contented that
he should come amongst us into Justice hall;
but within few days news came that he should
be executed.
Whereupon he called us that were there
prisoners unto him and told us, that seeing he
was like to die (on condition that we would
conceal it if he had lived), that he would reveal
unto us a comfortable vision that he had had,
to the end that when he was dead, to the comfort
of others, we might declare it. Which was that
after his condemnation one night, as he was
walking in his foresaid close room alone, saying
his prayers, happening to look aside, he did see
about the head of his shadow against the wall,
in proportion of a half circle, a far brighter light
than that of the candle, even as bright as the light
of the sun; and thinking that his sight failed
him, did rub his eyes and looked again, and

VENERABLE

TAMES BIRD.

231

seeing the said light to continue, took off his
kercher from his head to see whether it happened
of any accident thereof; but notwithstanding the
light continued all one a good space after. So
that at last he began to think with himself, that
it was a sign given him from God to signify a
crown unto him. Therefore he immediately
said, "O Lord, Thy will be my will," or to that
effect, and so within a while it vanished away.
And so, within short time after, he constantly
and patiently suffered martyrdom before the door
of his foresaid lodging in Smithfield, having a
title set on his head on the gibbet.

6. (i.) We have already 20 quoted twice from the
Stonyhurst account of nine Winchester Martyrs,
and the following descriptions of three martyrdoms
complete the contents of the document, for the few
lines which commemorate the rest add nothing to
the fuller descriptions of the same scenes which we
have already given above. 21 The account of John
Thomas is the more valuable as he was unknown to
Dr. Challoner, and has consequently been omitted
altogether from the list of Martyrs whose cause of
beatification has been already commenced, and who
may therefore be called Venerable.
VENERABLE

JAMES

Suffered March

BIRD.

25, 1593.

James Bird was drawn to Bardich and there
was hanged and quartered, for that he was
20 Pp. 51, 95.

21 Pp. 66, seq. and 83, seq.

.232

JOHN THOMAS.

232

JHN THOMAS

reconciled by a Seminary priest contrary to a
statute made treason in that case. Being asked
of the Judge what he had to say for himself,
why he should not have .judgment to die, he
answered that there was no just proof against
him for that which he was condemned for. The
like he answered at the gallows when the Sheriff
bid him confess his treason. He said he had
committed none, and desired the Sheriff that
he might declare to the people for what cause
he died, and said:
"Good people, I am here to suffer for my
conscience and religion, and for that I was
reconciled by a Catholic priest, which I did not
confess, neither was there any proof against me
concerning that matter."
Then the Sheriff bid him ask the Queen's
forgiveness.
He said he never offended her.
Then he bid him pray for her.
"I beseech God," said he, "send her a long
and prosperous reign to the salvation of her
soul."

He was executed the 25th day of March, 1593,
being on Lady Day and Easter Eve.
JOHN THOMAS.
Suffered August, 1593.

John Thomas was drawn to Bardich and there
hanged and quartered, for the like offence as
James Bird was. Being upon the ladder, he

VENERABLE

LA URENCE HUMPHREY.

233

prayed in Latin in this sort, Jesu, Jesu, Jesu, esto
mihi Jesus.
The Sheriff bid him pray in English, "and we
will pray with thee."
Then he said, "I beseech all good Catholics
to say one Pater noster with me."
Then the hangman brutally punched him two
or three times in the breast with his feet, and
bid him say, " Lord have mercy upon us," but
he persevered still in his former prayers in Latin.

VENERABLE LAURENCE

HUMPHREY.

Laurence Humphrey was drawn to Bardich
and there hanged and quartered, for that in his
sickness he said the Queen was a heretic,
contrary to a statute made treason in that case.
Being asked of the Judge as he stood at the bar
at his arraignment, whether he did speak any
such words or not, he answered, " Not as far as
His master, one Mr.
he could remember."
Danstin, was called in as a witness hereof, unto
whom the Judge said after his oath taking,
"Answer to no more than I shall ask you.
Whether did Laurence Humphrey speak these
words or no that the Queen was a heretic ? "
He answered, "I must needs say he did speak
them."
The Judge caused a crucifix to be delivered
unto him, which not long before had been taken
from him, which he took and made obeisance
thereunto and kissed it. The Judge asked him

VENERABLE 5AMES BIRD.

234

whether he did know it or not. He said he
knew it very well. When the Judge had given
sentence on him in the course of judgment, that
is, "Thou shalt be carried to the place of execution and there thou shalt be hanged until thou be
half dead, and thy bowels cut out and burned
before thy face, and thy quarters set up on the
four gates."
Unto which in fear he answered,
"And all this is but one death."
(ii.) In a letter from Father Garnet to the General
of the Society, dated

March 17, 1594, we have

another account of the singularly interesting martyrdom of John Thomas, whose name he does not
mention. 22 He first describes the trial of the Venerable James Bird, which is noteworthy. Judge
Anderson's summing up to the jury was pithy, and
pretty sure to bring a conviction.
" Here you have James Bird, a recusant. You
know what a recusant is. A recusant refuses to
go to church. No one refuses to go to church
unless he has been reconciled to the Roman
Church. To be reconciled to the Roman Church
is treason, so you know what you have to do."
They martyred another layman there in the
month of August. In the Lent Assizes he was
sentenced at the same time as James for the
same cause, but struck with horror at the sentence
of death, he promised the Judge that he would go
to church.
The Judge could not recall the
sentence he had given, but he ordered him not
22

See Stonyhurst MSS. M. fol. 207.

JOHN

THOMAS.

235

JO0HN THOMAS.23

to be executed, so that he might get for him the
Queen's pardon. He going back to prison, and
thinking of what he had done, helped probably
by James Bird's exhortations, conquered the fear
of death by the fear of Hell, and sent at once to
the Judges, as they were leaving the town, to tell
them that he repented of his cowardice, and
firmly resolved to do nothing that a Catholic
ought not to do. The Judges said: "Is he in
such a hurry for the gallows? Let him not be
afraid: if he persists, it will not be too late to
hang him next Assizes." Yet when the thieves
were led out to execution, he went too, carrying
a winding-sheet, and presented himself to the
Sheriff, who asked him what he wanted.
He
said he had been condemned and was come to
die.
"If you want to be hanged," said the
Sheriff, "know that I would meet your wishes
with the greatest pleasure if you were on my list,
but as you are not written there, you must go."
So he retired, lamenting his sin and accusing
himself of his past life, for he had been a reader
in the Calvinist ministry. But God did not fail
him, for purged by long penance, with a large
increase of merits, in the month of August he
obtained what he desired.
(iii.) Another account of the Venerable Laurence
Humphrey is given in Father Grene's manuscript
at Oscott. It is there given under the year 1589,
and Challoner assigns it to 1591. The manuscript
account of the Winchester Martyrs evidently places
this martyrdom in 1593.

236

VENERABLE

LAURENCE HUMPHREY.

In Hampshire a young man of eighteen years,
having been a very earnest heretic, offering to
dispute with Catholics, and yet being able but to
read English, lighted upon Catholic books. By
reading he desired conference with a priest:
upon conference be became Catholic, and continued very constant and lived very virtuous.
Soon after, falling into extreme sickness, in this
extremity he used some words against the Queen,
saying she was a heretic. This being overheard
by some by chance in the house where he lay, he
was forthwith taken out of his bed, committed to
the gaol at Winchester for treason, fettered to
one who was in prison for felonies, and there
lodged among the felons on the ground. It
pleased God to restore him his health. He then
took upon him all the base offices of the prison,
so far entreating his companion that he would
stand still some two hours in a day whilst he said
his prayers. The prisoners tried to persuade him
to go to church; otherwise, they said, he would
be hanged. He answered he would never alter
his religion; and as for hanging, he prayed God
to make him worthy of it.
At the next Assize, being called, the Judge
showed him a pair of beads and a crucifix hanged
to it, found with him. He desired to see it,
which receiving, he reverently kissed it and
blessed himself with fire. Said the Judge, "Thou
takest that for thy God." "Not so, my lord,
but for a remembrance of the death which my
Saviour suffered for me."

VENERABLE

LAURENCE HUMPHREY.

237

He was indicted of high treason upon those
words [that the Queen was a heretic], and being
willed to confess them, he said that to his knowledge or remembrance he never spake them.
But because the witnesses said he did, he would
not stand in it; whereupon he had judgment to
go to the place from whence he came, thence to
be drawn to the place of execution, there to be
half-hanged, so to be cut down, and then to be
unbowelled, his head to be cut off, his body to
be quartered, his head to be set on a pole, his
quarters on the four gates of the city. "And all
"What
this," said he, "is but one thing."
He answered, "One
thing?" said the Judge.
death."
Thereupon had away, be was beset by a
rabblement of ministers, who asking him what he
was, he answered, "A Catholic." They replying
further, "What is a Catholic?" he said, He
that believeth that which the Catholic Church
teacheth and preacheth, according to the consent
of all ancient and holy Fathers." Hereupon the
Being laid again in
ministers forsook him.
prison, he spent all that time that he had, in
prayer, prostrate on the ground. When he was
to be laid on the hurdle, he made the sign of the
Cross, and laid him down. Going up to the
gallows, the hangman reviled him, saying, "Thou
boldest with the Pope, but he has brought'thee
to the rope, and the hangman shall have thy
coat." At which words he smiled and said
nothing. Thereupon the hangman gave him a

238

VENERABLE

FAMES

DUCKETT.

blow under the ear, saying, "What ! Dost thou
laugh me to scorn?" And he mildly answered
him, "Why strikest thou me? I have given thee
no such occasion." His words scarce ended, the
hangman turned the ladder, and so he happily
obtained his wished for glorious martyrdom.

7. A note in the margin of the following undated
Life of the Venerable James Duckett, tells us that
it was written by his son, a Carthusian. This was
John Duckett, Prior of the Convent of Sheen
Anglorum at Nieuport from 1644 till 1647.23
THE

PERSECUTION

AND

MARTYRDOM

OF

JAMES

DUCKETT.
Executed at Tyburn, April 19, 16o2.

James Duckett was son to N. Duckett of
Gilfortrigg, in Shelsmore [Skelsmergh], in the
county of Westmoreland. Mr. James Layborn,
Lord of Shelsmore, and after [wards] a glorious
Martyr, was his godfather in Baptism. 24 This
James Duckett, after some years passed in studies,
being a younger brother, was bound prentice in
London, where he lived as he had been brought
up, an heretic.
It happened he was visited by Peter Mauson,
23The London Charterhouse. By Dom Lawrence Hendriks,
p. 317.
24 James Layburne's aunt Catherine married Richard Duckett

of Grayrigg, and his niece Elizabeth married Anthony Duckett
of the same place.

VENERABLE

JAMES

DUCKEtT.

239

a Catholic and countryman of his, who conversing
familiarly one with the. other, Peter Mauson (as
God would have it), called him heretic.
" What is that," saith James Duckett.
"Marry," replieth Peter Mauson, "if thou
wilt read such books as I shall give thee, thou
shalt soon learn."
He accepts of his offer, and Peter brings him
The Foundation of the Catholic Religion.25 This
book he having well perused, began to stagger in
his religion, and he, who before being a Puritan
was so zealous that he would have heard two or
three sermons on a day, now having in some sort
discovered their falsehood and bad doctrine,
began to withdraw himself from their church
and conventicles, till at last he left both their
sermons and their service. This his change was
soon perceived, by those chiefly with whom he
lived; so that they began to observe his actions,
and to discover the cause of this his change,
which they soon found out.
25 This book must be "The

Religion against the Bottomless

fitt

Firme Foundation of Catholihe

of heresies.

.

. Compyled by

John Caumont of Champanye, and translated out of Frenche
into Englishe by John Pauncefoot the elder, Esquire, in the

time of his banishment." No date, or place of publication.
[Communicated by Mr. Joseph Gillow, who has kindly supplied
much valuable information about the books hereafter to be
mentioned.] The date of the Antwerp licence, viz., 1590, has

been assumed to be the date of the publication of this book; but
the exigencies of our story seem to point to some time before
1587 as the time when Duckett saw it. This seems therefore to
show that there was an earlier edition privately printed in
England. Pauncefoot and his son were in exile in 1585.

240

VENERABLE

JAMES

DUCKETT.

For he, whilst he kept his master's shop, was
seen to read the foresaid book, which he
endeavoured to conceal, hiding it under a cushion
where he sat. This book while he was called
away they got, and carried to one Goodacre, 26
Minister of St. Edmund's in Lombard Street.
James Duckett was sent for and examined why
he went no more to church. He said he neither
did nor would go to church until he had better
satisfaction in their religion than he could give
them. Upon this answer he was committed to
Bridewell, from whence after some time he was
set free by his master's means.
Not long after, he was called again in question
for not going to their church, and was sent to the
Counter, another prison in London. From thence
also his master delivered him; but durst not
keep him any longer, lest that he himself should
incur thereby some danger or obloquy. Whereupon James Duckett was forced to compound
and buy out his apprenticeship.
Having thus cast off his temporal service and
left his master, he found more convenient time
and free access to those who could instruct him
in the true service of his heavenly master. So
that within two months (for as yet he was no
Catholic) to his great comfort he was made a
member of the Catholic Church by Mr. Weekes,
a venerable priest and prisoner in the Gatehouse.
Two or three years he lived a single life with
28 Thomas Gatacre was Rector from June 21, 1573, till June,
1593 (Newcourt, Repertoriumn, i. p. 344).

VENERABLE 9AMES DUCKETT.

241

no little zeal and fervour of religion, and then he
took to wife Anne Hart, widow to one Cooper.
Their best means and remedies they had to
begin and maintain their new family was what
their own hands, labours and industry could
bring in. The riches and only treasure they
made account of was that they were both
members of God's Church, andtherefore he, to
show himself in some sort grateful for so great
a blessing and favour from Almighty God, offered
up his best labours in exercising a poor tailor's
trade, wherein his chief workwas to accommodate
priests and those who laboured for the conversion
of souls, with garments fit for their necessities,
to make and mend up vestments, to prepare
church stuff and all necessaries for the altar.
This only is my relation as far as I remember,
27
for I have seen him busied with such-like work.
And that he yet further might be an instrument
to help and set forward the common good,
resolved to deal and trade in books, wherewith
he might furnish Catholics, as well for their own
comfort and devotion as for the satisfaction and
instruction of others, and thereby both benefit
himself and them. So that the Divine Goodness
(as it seems), out of His sweet Providence had
ordained and pointed him out for this course and
estate of life wherein He meant to make a full
trial of this His servant.
For he had not long laboured in this kind, but
that he was discovered and his house searched,

-he

27 This is added in the margin of the MS.

242

VENERABLE

JAMES

DUCKETT.

where they found a whole impression of Our
Lady's Psalter28 with pictures of the Rosary,
together with the press. He was taken with the
two printers and committed prisoner to the Clink
on St. Thomas his day before Christmas, and
before the Sessions he was removed to Newgate,
where he continued prisoner two full years. And
then some friends being bound for his appearance,
he got his liberty, which he enjoyed but for a
short time.
For some ten weeks after there comes a young
gentleman to his house who called himself Flood,
being, as he said, well acquainted with one
Captain Bellice, a familiar friend of James
2
Duckett's. 9 This gentleman seemed to pretend
something that he durst not be seen at his
own lodging, and therefore desired earnestly a
chamber for one night. But the chambers being
taken up he was content to sit by a fire in the
kitchen; and all this was plotted to have taken
a priest.
For about midnight Sir William
Sherrick, having a warrant from the Earl of
Essex, comes with a constable and divers others
and besets the house, where he found none he
could suspect; only, for a show, he took the
28 The Rosary of our Ladie, otherwise called Our Ladie's Psalter,
&c.,was printed at Antwerp in 16oo, with cuts by John Collaert.
The Preface is signed T. W. P. [Thomas Worthington, Priest].
Duckett's edition was evidently much earlier. There were many

such works, one by I. M. [John Mitchell ?], a Carthusian at
Bruges, in 1576; others by John Fenn, and Father H. Garnet in
[1580 ?] and 1598 (Gillow, Bib. Dict. vol. ii. p. 245, no. 7, p. 343,
no. 5).
29 , My father's," erased.

VENERABLE

5AMES DUCKETT.

243

gentleman away with him, as though he had him
in suspicion, and some Jesus Psalters and such
little books of devotion.
Then he goes to my Lord of Essex to know
what should be done, and from him he speedily
returns with a warrant to commit James Duckett,
who in the meantime was conveyed out of a back
door without the least notice of those that stood
to watch. Then presently those who before were
bound for his appearance were called for, so that
he was forced to render himself that night, to keep
them harmless, and was committed to the Clink.
His wife being then great with child and near
her time, in great perplexity went to solicit for
his liberty first to Essex House, after to Whitehall, and so from place to place, the Earl of
Essex being still gone before. At last she finds
him returned home, presents her petition and
expects so long for an answer till she began to
faint and [fret]. Wherefore she was forced to
return home, led between two women, as a wife
comfortless for her husband's imprisonment, and
there within two hours she fell in labour. These
two women, heretics and strangers to her, seeing
so pitiful a spectacle, made report to the Earl of
Essex of her case, and in such a manner that
they made him relent; whereupon he presently
sent his warrant to discharge her husband, and
caused her maid, who was detained from her in
the constable's custody, [to return] 30 whilst she
lay in her labour.
s0 Wanting in MS.

244

VENERABLE

JAMES DUCKETT.

After this James Duckett having some Latin
and English Primers 31 put out to binding, and they
being discovered by the bookbinder's wife to be
his, he was committed by Dr. Stannap, 32 the
Bishop's Chancellor, to Newgate close prisoner on
the top of the leads. In the meantime he had
caused the Manual to be printed, and the Second
Birth (or Life) of St. John Evangelist. Mulier, ecce
filus tuus,33 which being found and taken to be his,
he was sent down into Limbos, a dark and dismal
dungeon (through which the filth of the city ran
with no small stench).3 4
There he had no light but when, at one time of
the day, the sun shined in at two augur holes upon
a white napkin, which he hung up for the same
purpose. But the damp of the place made this
napkin quite black, as it did the rest of his linen;
which when his wife received from the keeper,
and saw how foul the place had made them, she
conceived (as she had reason) he needs must be
ill. To increase her fears, it was told her that
another, who was shut up in an adjoining
31 This may have been, The Primer or Office of the Blessed Virgin
Marie, in Latin and English. Antwerp, Arnold Conings, 1599. 12mo.
32 Sir Edward Stanhope, LL.D., Chancellor to the Bishop of

London in

1578, died in 16o8 (Cooper, Ath. Cantab. i. p. 470).
second of these books is unknown even to such an
authority as Mr. Gillow, who however aptly suggests that the
Manual was A Manuall of Praiers,gathered out of many famous and
good Authors. . . Calice, 1599, i6mo. This may have been the

33The

edition printed by Duckett, "Calice" being substituted for
London as a blind, or he may have reprinted it.
3- On the margin opposite this sentence: " I doubt of it,
though I have heard it said."

VENERABLE

JAMES DUCKETT.

245

dungeon after him, was already dead, through
the filth and horror of the place. Wherefore to
ease her mind she made means that she might
at least have a sight of him, which was granted
her. So that he, having a list 35 about his neck
to bear up his fetters which well loaded him,
came up to her smiling with a merry and full
countenance, while she with a heavy heart stood
weeping, thinking she should have seen in him
the picture of a dead man, far from that cheerful
countenance he brought with him.
From this place also after some time he was
released by means of friends, two knights of the
[shire] being bound for him. About half a
year after they were both summoned to appear
before the foresaid Dr. Stannap, concerning the
christening of their youngest daughter Barbara.
The manuscript in the Archives of Westminster
here ends abruptly, but Bishop Challoner, who had
a copy of this story before him, quotes from it the
following account of Venerable James Duckett's
martyrdom.
Peter Bullock, a bookbinder, after he had been
condemned a twelvemonth, in hope (as many
imagined) of obtaining his pardon, informed
Lord Chief Justice Popham, that James Duckett
had twenty-five of [Father Southwell's] Supplication to the Queen,30 and had published them.
35This seems to mean that he had a collar of folded or padded
list to prevent the irons from wearing the flesh.
3 This edition was printed early in 1602.

246

VENERABLE JAMES DUCKETT.

Upon this his house was searched at midnight,
but no such book found nor sign thereof; yet
they found the whole impression of Mount
Calvary,37 and some other Catholic books. However, he was apprehended and carried to
Newgate, it being the 4th of March.
At the next Sessions he was called to the bar,
and Mr. Watkinson (a virtuous and worthy priest,
who newly was come into England and taken)
was also brought in. James Duckett perceiving
him to look pale, and thinking it might be
through fear (which indeed was only his sickness),
began in his best manner to encourage him.
Which Popham understanding (Mr. Watkinson
being first arraigned), he calls out, "Duckett, now
speak for thyself."
Then evidence being called in, the same Peter
Bullock accused him that he had some of Father
Southwell's Supplication to the Queen, which he
denied, having had none of them. Bullock also
avouched that he had bound for him divers
Catholic books, and amongst the rest Bristow's
The jury
Motives,3 8 which he acknowledged.
being called and hearing what was alleged
against him by one only witness, went out, and
"7 Mount of Calvarie, by Anthony de Guevara, translated
out of Spanish into English. A quarto edition of this was
published in London in two parts, the first in 1595, the second

in

1597.

But neither of these can be Duckett's edition, printed,

seized, and entirely destroyed in 16o02.
8SGillow, Bib. Dict. The second edition was printed in i599,

with Antwerp on the title-page, but as Duckett had the book in
sheets, he may have printed another edition.

VENERABLE 7A VIES DUCKETT.

247

having consulted returned again and found him
not guilty. Judge Popham, who was bloodily
bent against him, stood up and bid them consider
well of what they did, for that Duckett had
Bristow's Motives bound for him, upon whose
words they went out again, and soon returning,
declared him guilty of felony. The jury's verdict
being given, sentence of death was pronounced
against him, as also against the three priests,
Mr. Page, Mr. Tichburn, and Mr. Watkinson.
On Monday morning, the day designed for his
death, his wife came to speak with him, which
she could not without tears. He bid her be of
good comfort, and said his death was no more to
him than to drink off the caudle which stood
there ready for him. "If I were made," said he,
"the Queen's secretary or treasurer, you would
not weep; do but keep yourself God's servant,
and in the unity of God's Church, and I shall
be able to do you more good, being now to
go to the King of kings. As you love me do
not grudge, that the good men [the three priests]
are reprieved and not 1. 9 For I take it for a
great favour from Almighty God, that I am
placed amongst the thieves, as He Himself my
Lord and Master was."
As he was carried towards the place of execution, in the way his wife called for a pint of wine
to drink to him. He drank and desired her to
3 The Venerable Martyrs, Thomas Tichburn, Robert Watkinson, and Francis Page, S.J., were executed April 20, 1602, the
day after the Venerable James Duckett's martyrdom.

248

VENERABLE

DAMES

DUCKETT.

drink to Peter Bullock and freely to forgive him,
for he, after all his hopes, was in the self-same
cart carried also to execution. Being come to
the place, and both Peter and he standing up in
the cart,
"Peter," said he, "thou art the cause of my
coming hither, as God and thyself knowest, for
which I from my heart forgive thee. And that
the world and all here may witness that I die in
charity with thee "-he kissed him, both having
the ropes about their necks.
Then he said to him, "Thy life and mine are
not long, wilt thou promise me one thing ? If
thou wilt, speak. Wilt thou die, as I die, a
Catholic ?"
Bullock replied he would die as a Christian
should do, and so the cart was drawn from under
them.

CHAPTER XII.
FATHER WARFORD'S RECOLLECTIONS.
DOCUMENT.
Father W. Warford's Relation of Martyrs (Stonyhurst MSS.
Collectanea M. fol. 131-143).

Latin.

Father William Warford was a native of Bristol,
and, though only thirteen when sent to Oxford in
1574, he shows throughout his narrative that he
possessed much knowledge of Somersetshire and its
inhabitants. On June 13, 1576, he became Scholar
.of Trinity, and Fellow two years later, and was
made Master of Arts in 1582. That same year he
resolved to become a Catholic, and accordingly left
the University and went to Rheims; then making
up his mind to become a priest, he was sent to study
theology at Rome.
The confidential account of him sent from Rheims
to the Rector of the Seminary at Rome is a very
favourable one: "The second is named Warford, a
man most excellently instructed in Greek and Latin
literature, and endowed with capacity for any branch
of study. We have not his like. I recommend him
most earnestly to your Paternity on account of the
very special hope I entertain in his regard, that he
may turn out not only a learned scholar, but also a

250

BLESSED

JOHN

NELSON.

good and holy man. Indeed, I have no doubt at all
but that he will prove a man after your own heart."'
His career in the Seminaries of Rome and Valladolid justified the high opinion early formed about
him; and his ministry in England, whither he returned
in 1591, is described as fruitful in good work. 2 On
May 23, 1594, he entered the Novitiate of the Society
of Jesus at Sant' Andrea in Rome, and was afterwards appointed English Penitentiary at St. Peter's,
during which period he wrote the following reminiscences. In 1599 he was sent to Spain, was professed
of the four vows in 1607, and died the year following
at Valladolid at the comparatively early age of fortyeight.
A note at the end of the document informs us that
Father Persons has given it the following heading :--

FATHER WILLIAM WARFORD'S

RELATION

ABOUT

MARTYRS.

Mr. John Nelson, priest (1578), 3 was the next
after Mr. Cuthbert Maine who suffered for the
faith. His friends relate that he was accustomed
to say, that no effectual help would be given to
the cause of the faith in England, unless it could
be restored by the same methods as those by
which it was planted, that is, by the blood of the
Martyrs.
Though many bright hopes sprang
up in different quarters, he declared that he
remained always strongly inclined to that opinion.
1 Dr. Barret to Father Agazzari. August ii, 1583 (Douay
Diaries, p. 330).
z Foley, Records, vol. ii. p. 574.
3 Blessed John Nelson suffered at Tyburn, February 3, 1577-8.-

BLESSED THOMAS FORD.

251

Mr. Thomas Ford (1582), 4 priest and Bachelor

in Divinity, was educated at Oxford.
He
was a Fellow of Trinity, and the colleague of
Dr. Blackwell, the archpriest. A man of the most
straightforward character, of singular modesty,
and most fervent zeal. I have heard the following
among other stories of him.
In ;one of the usual theological disputations
of his College, a fellow-master of Ford's tried
to please the company by abusing the Pope as is
their fashion. When the defendant had finished,
Ford said resolutely, "I cannot submit to such
insulting language towards so good and holy
a Father," and accordingly commenced to argue.
For this and other similar reasons, being unable
to repress the warmth of his feelings, he at length
abandoned the advantages of the University, and
had to leave the country, or shall I not rather
say, was freely drawn abroad to seek the priesthood. On his return from the Seminaries he
lived mostly in Oxfordshire, where, although his
residence was known to many in his College,
yet on account of his unassuming conduct he was
never informed against until he was apprehended
with Father Campion.
On that occasion he
wanted to give himself up to save Campion, but
the latter altogether refused. He was above the
average height, as I have heard, and wore a
reddish beard.

4

Blessed Thomas Ford suffered at Tyburn, May 28, 1582.
He took his degree in Divinity in 1574 at Douay (Diaries,p. 273).
He incepted as Master of Arts at Oxford, July 14, 1567 (Oxford
Register, Boase, I. 251).

252

BLESSED WILLIAM

HART.

William Hart,5 priest (1583), died quite young.
He was born at Wells in Somersetshire, and had
as godfather Father William Good, whowas for
many years Confessor of the English College in
Rome, and who afterwards died at an advanced
age in the Neapolitan Province. Father Good
had much to tell of his godson's noble qualities,
and kept many of his spiritual letters 6 written in
prison just before his martyrdom, worthy of so
bright and apostolic a spirit. For.he was called
by his friends and spiritual children the Apostle
of York, on account of hissuccessful labours, his
remarkable spirit of prayer,,and the charm of his
sermons and letters.7
Mr. James Fenn, s of Somersetshire (1584), was
a man of much virtue and learning, with a great
disesteem of himself. It was remarked of him
that he had so great a dislike for fine clothes, that
even when required for a disguise, he could not
be persuaded to wear them. He was apprehended
on the highway near the house of Giles Bernard,
a Catholic, and a man of civic rank, who also
suffered much because he was found near his
5 Blessed William Hart suffered at York, March 15, 1583.
6 These are probably the nine letters of which Latin translations are printed in Father Bridgewater's Concertatio, fol. 105.

Another translation of them, including one to his mother, is in
the Westminster Archives, vol. iii. p. 229.
7 Father Warford next gives the account of the Venerable
John Bodey and John Slade, quoted above, p. 56.
8 Venerable James Fenn suffered at Tyburn, February 12,
1584.

VENERABLE THOMAS HEMERFORD.

house, which was not far from that
Sydenhams.

253

of the

Thomas Hemerford 9 took the degree of Bachelor
in Civil Law at Hart Hall in Oxford; and held
a disputation with Isaac Glisson, of Bristol, a
student of the same Hall as his opponent. After
he was hanged at Tyburn, being mutilated in the
usual manner while still alive, he was seized
with such an agony of pain that the vehemence
of his cries was much noted.
His friends (as Mr. Thomas Jones, now in
Spain) have many stories of him. Thus Mr.
Thornell has often told me that he was so careful
in regard to chastity, that as often as any troublesome carnal thought occurred to him, he at once
retired to some secret place, and gave himself
a discipline, until, warned by his confessor, he
was obliged to treat himself less rigorously. He
was a short man with a dark beard, severe of
look, but of a sweet disposition, and very pleasant
and exemplary in conversation.
[Note by Father Grene.-Mr. Edmund Thornell
died at Rome in 1617. He was admitted into
the College at Rome, May 16, 1581, at the same
time as the Martyr, Thomas Hemerford, and
lived with him for two years.]

SThe Venerable Thomas Hemerford suffered at Tyburn,
i ii .
53) says that he
February 12, 1584.. The Oxford Register (II.
was admitted B.C.L. 30 June, 1575, but gives Christ Church as

his College.

254

'AMES LOMAX.

Mr. James Lomax10 died in prison. His health
was delicate, on which account he was sent from
Rome before he had completed the full time
Educated at Cambridge, he was
of studies.
reputed to know Greek better than most. He
preached well and with unction. I heard him in
the year 1583 at Rheims. Rather short, with a
long face, inclining to paleness. He had no beard.
Mr. Edward Stransam 11 (1586) was born at
Oxford of good, honest Catholic parents, in the
parish of St. Mary Magdalen, near the north
gate, which is called Bocardo, and educated in
the College 'of St. John the Baptist, where he
was made Bachelor (or Master) of Arts. Thence
he passed over to Rheims, where, being gifted by
nature with a good wit and the faculties requisite
for preaching, he made much progress in that art,
and was greatly famed for his sermons when he
returned to England.
He there attached himself to Father Gaspar
Heywood, with whom he lived on very intimate
terms, and after awhile returned to Rheims with
quite a crowd of Oxford students, twelve or
10 The exact date and place of his death are uncertain. Dr.
Barret wrote to Father Agazzari, February 21, 1584: "Pater

Lumaxius in carcere est mortuus praclarus confessor" (Stonyhurst MSS. Anglia, vi. n. 3). As sufficient proof is not yet
forthcoming that his death was caused by the privations of prison
life, the title of Venerable has not yet been awarded him.

11 Venerable Edward Strancham suffered at Tyburn, January
21, 1586. Father Warford's account of John Jetter has been
already given in chapter xi. p. 224. It would otherwise have
come before the account of Strancham, who, by the way, was
B.A. only (1576), not M.A.

VENERABLE EDWARD STRANCHAM.

255

fourteen of whom he conducted into Catholic
countries, of whom five or six were from Trinity
College. He remained some time at Rheims with
Allen, who in 1583 was still living there, and had
much affection for him. Afterwards he returned
to England, and laboured strenuously, chiefly in
London and among the upper class. 12 At length,
through the frequency and openness of his visits
to the prisons, in order to console and assist the
Catholics, he was apprehended in London and
brought to trial. He defended himself with such
applause, so ingeniously and eloquently, against
the insidious questions of the pleader and the
Judges, that even the heretics admired him.
He generally wore a hair-shirt, and though he
frequently suffered from ill-health, he was ever
unwilling to be without this provocative of piety
and chastity, but kept it with him and resumed it
as soon as he was well again.
He often escaped in a wonderful manner, having
great presence of mind. I heard once from himself that returning to the house of a Catholic,
where he mostly lodged, he found it surrounded
by the Queen's officers, who had come to take
him, and when he found that he could not fly
without being seen, he feigned to be going in
12 The Douay Diaries (p. 197) give July 22, 1583, as the date of
his return, and mention the names of ten of his companions.

The Trinity men were John Atkins, William Morgan, John and
Walter Oven, and Richard Blount.

From his very interesting

examination (P.R.O. Dorm. Eliz. vol. 18o, n. 22) it further appears
that he had stayed in Paris and thereabouts about a year and a
half, and returned in July, 1585. His arrest followed much sooner
than Father Warford seems to have thought, viz., after a fortnight.

256

VENERABLE EDWARD STRANCHAM.

another direction, but being confused and not
noticing the way, he fell into a deep swamp, and
having extricated himself with difficulty, he
was compelled by that band of persecutors to
return and give an account of himself. Having
his breviary with him, he wrapped it in a small
handkerchief, -in order that it might not betray
him, and gave it to one of the simplest standing
at the door, to hold. God so disposing, the man
returned it to him without any suspicion, and by
his cautious answers and presence of mind he
safely evaded the examination of the Justice at
the head of the searching party. He had more
than one such escape afterwards.
He was very zealous in gaining souls, discreet
in daily life, most exact in speech, and more than
commonly learned. He was tall and dark, slightly
but becomingly bearded, his head small, and very
emaciated in person.
Some good Catholics relate that once when
Father John Cornelius was exorcising a possessed
person, the devil, seeming to rejoice in the death
of such a man, said (and his word turned out-to
be true) : "You, too, shall shortly follow Stransam.
Oh, how sweet his bowels smelt when they were
burning at Tyburn. Ah, what a scent it was!"
The Martyr was wont to say that he would like
to go to Italy (though in fact he never went) for
many reasons; ranking, next after his desire to
visit the tombs of the Apostles, a wish to see the
place and examine with his own eyes the rails,
whence Theodosius was turned away by Blessed

VENERABLE EDWARD STRANCHAM.

257

Ambrose. In the writings of that holy Doctor, he
took great delight, and loved especially his greatness of mind, a greatness which was seen renewed
in Stransam, while withstanding with his life the
Queen of England.
Writing to him afterwards, I gave him a description of Milan and its Cathedral, with which
he was so charmed, that, writing to me about it,
he confessed that nothing had ever given him so
much pleasure, and that he esteemed it a great
favour. These, his last letters, are still in my
possession in England.
He was at that time sick unto death in Paris
with a slow fever and consumption, insomuch that
he took nothing but asses' milk, yet he was
preserved to give God greater glory, and to,
receive the crown of martyrdom. He used to say
his Office with great attention and reverence.
Thus, once in England, where frequently there
was no convenience for saying it otherwise, a
certain priest, a friend of his, said it lying in bed,
whereupon he was severely scolded by Stransam,
who said that such a fault was not to be tolerated
in a priest. Strict, however, as he was in finding
fault, he was also full of tact. He has still an
elder brother alive, 13 who is a priest now labouring
in the vineyard, a worthy and unassuming man. 4
13 The Douay Diaries make mention of three Stranchams,
Thomas, ordained in 1578, Edward, our Martyr, ordained in
S580, and George, ordained in 1585.
14Father Warford next describes the martyrdom of the
Venerable William Marsden and Robert Anderton, which we
have given above, p. 66.

R

'258

VENERABLE FRANCIS INGLEBY.

Mr. Francis Ingleby 15 (1586). He was born of
a good family, I think, in the county of York, and
studied law in London. I saw him in 1583, when
he had made a good start in his profession, and
heard him commenting with great discretion, but
very fluefitly, on the frauds practised by the Earl
Hof Leicester in perverting the laws of the country.
,He studied at Rheims scholastic theology and at
the same time cases of conscience.
He was arrested, as I have repeatedly heard;
in
lthis manner, On a certain day he left York
on foot and in the dress of a poor man without
:a cloak, and was courteously accompanied beyond
the gates by a certain Catholic of that city.1 6 The
gentleman, though intending to return at once,
stayed for a few moments' conversation with the
priest on an open spot, which, unknown to the
priest, was overlooked by the windows of the
Bishop's Palace. It happened that two chaplains
of the pseudo-bishop idly talking there espied
them; and noticed that the Catholic as he was
taking leave, frequently uncovered to Ingleby,
and showed him, while saying good-bye, greater
marks of respect than were fitting towards a
common person meanly dressed. They ran therefore and made inquiries, and finding he was a
priest, they apprehended him, and rafter casting
him into prison delivered him to death.
Great was the loss to York, for he was most
5 Venerable Francis Ingleby was martyred at York, June 3,

is

This story is also told by Father Grene, infa, p. 305.
r."

VENERABLE 5OHN ADAMS.

259

highly esteemed by all Catholics 1 7 on account of
his great zeal for souls, and especially for his
remarkable prudence. He bore himself most constantly and bravely, and left all good Catholics
sore afflicted at his loss. They have preserved
the memory of many of his sayings and doings,
which are indeed worthy of note, though I cannot
now recall them in detail.
He was a short man but well made, and seemed
:a man of thirty-five years of age or thereabouts.
He was of a light complexion, wore a chestnut
beard, and had a slight cast in his eyes. In mind
he was quick and piercing, ready and facile in
speech, of aspect grave and austere, and earnest
and assiduous in action.
Mr. John Adams, 8s priest, at first a Calvinist
minister, afterwards a Catholic Martyr. I saw
him at Rheims, when he had returned from
England with Mr. Jessop, who was afterwards
a distinguished confessor, and brought with him
some boys of the greatest promise, including
Father Henry Tichborne, S.J., and Father Mayo,
who now labour in England. From Rheims he
returned after a few months back to England,
where he was apprehended and put to death.
He is said to have laboured very strenuously,
especially at Winchester and in Hampshire, where
17He was one of the priests received by the " Pearl of York,"
ihe Venerable Margaret Clithero (Troubles, iii. p.411).
18 The Venerable John Adams suffered at Tyburn, October 8,
1586. The visit to Rheims was in July, 1583 (Douay Diaries

.p . I

6 ).

:

..

.

. .

.

.

..

, .

. .

. .. .

...

..

, "

.

.

260

VENERABLE STEPHEN ROUSHAM.

he helped many, especially of the poorer classes.
He appeared to me to be about forty years of
age, of average height, with a dark beard, a
sprightly look and black eyes. He was a good
conversationalist, very straightforward, very pious
and pre-eminently a man of hard work.
Mr. Stephen Rowsam. I knew him at Oxford
about the year 1578, where he was minister of
the parish of St. Mary's, the University Church.
Soon afterwards he went to Rheims, and being,
as it seemed, naturally somewhat fearful, no
sooner did he find himself in safety on the
French coast after his flight, than he cast himself,
it is said, on his knees, gave thanks and offered
himself to God with great earnestness. Then he
told his companions, that now, provided he might
live as a good Catholic, he cared not if henceforth
he had to earn his daily bread at the plough tail.
Being a person easy to recognize on account of
a certain twist in the neck (though not a very
ugly one), and an inequality of his shoulders, he
was apprehended on his return to England and
confined in the Tower of London, whence he was
led out to execution.' 9
The following story, which would seem to be
miraculous, is related of him by many of his
friends. Once as he was saying Mass in the
19 This is not correct. The Venerable Stephen Rousham
was banished in 1585, and returning to continue his apostolic
labours, he suffered martyrdom at Gloucester in March, 1587.
The day is uncertain. In 1572 he was a commoner at Oriel.

VENERABLE THOMAS PILCHARD.

261

Church of St. Stephen at Rheims, not long after
his ordination, a large spider, crawling on the
dirty roof, fell into the chalice as he uncovered
it to adore the Precious Blood. He was sorely
disturbed and quite at a loss what to do. At last
his simplicity, swayed by his great piety and
devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, won the
day. Having silently invoked the Divine assistance and commended himself in spirit to the
mercy of Christ, he bravely swallowed the spider
together with the Precious Blood, and suffered
no hurt thereby. Nay, he told his friends, chief
among whom was Mr. Lewkner, a grave man
who told me all this, that he never received
anything with more zest, and that he was from
that time forward wonderfully confirmed in his
faith in the most Holy Sacrament. Although he
was not sure that the poisonous drink would
have caused his death, he had made up his mind
to die rather than allow the Precious Blood to
be exposed to disrespect.
He was a man of a pleasant and manly countenance, with a brown beard, and a full and sweet
voice. He was low in stature, and (as I have
said) a little crooked. He was much devoted to
prayer and piety.
Mr. Thomas Pilchard 2o (1587). I knew him at
Oxford as Fellow of Balliol and Master of Arts
20 Venerable Thomas Pilchard suffered at Dorchester, March
2I, 1587.

He matriculated at Balliol, 1574 or 1575, et. I8.

262

VENERABLE THOMAS PILCHARD.

[1579]. He went from Oxford to Rheims and
was made priest, and here again I was intimate
with him in the year 1583. He gave great edification by the remarkable sobriety of his demeanour,
his candour and sparing talk, and above all, his
piety and devotion in saying Mass.
He returned to the English Mission, where he
bore himself in so praiseworthy a manner, that
there was not a priest in the whole West of
England who, to my knowledge, was his equal in
virtue. Certainly to this day his memory is in
benediction throughout all that country, where
he was universally held for something more than
a Seminarist, having the reputation of being a
true apostle. Many were the souls he gained to
God. Whether at home, on a journey, or in
prison, he was always at work and never excused
himself from preaching and administering the
sacraments. An unwearied chastiser of his own
body, he was accustomed to sleep on the ground
even in prison and in fetters, and when he had a
bed to sleep on if he chose. Accordingly, he
was glad to give it up to his fellow-prisoners,
and by such acts he brought more to God when
in prison than when free.
He was imprisoned at Dorchester, whither there
ran to him from every side those who were
solicitous about their souls. All were helped,
all consoled, no one left him without receiving a
lesson in some virtue or other. The very thieves
were attracted and converted by his meekness,
and though in close imprisonment, he was

VENERABLE THOMAS PILCHARD.

4R3'

accounted the oracle of the whole county:y His
prudence and constancy frustrated all the strata,
gems of the gaolers.
When he had lived a good while in prison,hisfervour remaining unchecked by any of the dabgrs;
that beset him, the magistrates decided to bring;
him to trial, and he was condemned to deathL
But as sentences of this sort were rare in that
place, an executioner could hardly be found to
carry it out, until at length a cook, or rather a
butcher, was hired at a great cost, to take it in
hand..
But after the rope was cut, and the priest being
still alive stood on his feet under the scaffold,
the fellow held back, either struck with fear or
stupefied by some supernatural agency. At length
compelled by.the cries of the officials to finish
his work, .he. drove his knife, hardly knowing)
what he did,. into the belly of the priest, and
leaving it there he again hung back horrorstricken, whereat all the spectators groaned and
murmured. This lasted so long that Mr. Pilchard
coming completely to himself and finding himself
naked and horribly wounded, inclining his heady
to the Sheriff who was present, said to him, "Js
this then your justice, Mr. Sheriff?"
On his saying this, the executioner -taking fresh
courage, rushed on him, and throwing him to the
ground laid open his belly and brutally tore out:
his entrails to the horror of the spectators,'and
so finally completed his cruel task.
On. the scaffold before being hanged, Mr:

264

VENERABLE THOMAS PILCHARD.

Pilchard said several things which showed his
:great piety, and it was remarked by all the
Catholics of that county, that of those who had
part in his death, there were none but came to
:a bad end, such as for instance befell the cook
:and the greater part of the jury almost immediately afterwards. Others were overtaken by
:great misfortunes, the Sheriff, for example, from
being a rich and powerful man died miserably
within two years, having fallen intogreat
adversity.
Among those who were put to death with our
Martyr, there were some whom he converted to
the faith. One of them was a young man of
great bodily strength, who had been a notorious
robber. Mr. Pilchard, the night before, reconciled
him to the Church, and brought him to an
excellent confession of his sins, and he fearlessly
professed himself a Catholic on the scaffold.
Mr. Jessop in the prison and elsewhere was
Mr. Pilchard's most faithful companion, and his
chief instrument in helping souls. Though he
was a man well skilled in secular business, he
devoted himself so energetically to gain souls
that he astonished every one.
Mr. Pilchard
was taken in London, being recognized in Fleet
Street by an acquaintance who had known him
very well some years before at Oxford; for he
was a person easily recognized owing to a decided
'squint, though his eyes were nevertheless not
At this sight Jessop was
without a charm.

7OHN

YESSOP.

265

unable to conceal his grief, and, being known to
have kept Mr. Pilchard's company elsewhere, was
also cast into prison.
There is a noteworthy story told in this connection. Whilst he was led along on horseback
with his hands tied behind him, the officers on
entering a town wished for his sake to put a
cloak over his shoulders, but he shook it off
and said, "I am not ashamed of these fetters,
nor is it right to drag me secretly like a thief;
I wish all men to know that I am held in bonds
on account of the Catholic religion."
Jessop, then, was used to minister in all things
to Mr. Pilchard, whom he loved most devotedly
and venerated because of his eminent virtues, and
therefore when his friend was taken from him by
death he thought his life a burden, and often
grieved that it had not been his lot to meet
death in company with so great a servant of God;
indeed I know not why he was never tried for
his life.
At length he died in prison from grief or the
filth of the place, though he was a man in the
flower of his age, being less than forty years old.
In his will he gave special directions that his
body should not be buried in a graveyard, but
as closely as possible to the body of Pilchard in
the fields by the place of his execution. When
his friends and his wife asked him to consult in
this matter the honour of his family, and not to
make light of consecrated ground, he replied that
all graveyards were now profaned by the bodies of

266

.yOHN

ESSOP.

heretics, and that it could not but be, that the
blood and members of so great a Martyr would
abundantly sanctify the place he had chosen
He therefore begged that nothing more might be
said on that subject, for that he would die the
more willingly if he knew for certain that he
should be buried with his Father, Mr. Pilchard.
It was, therefore, so done, but at night so as not
to be publicly known.
I learnt all these things from his sister and
other relations of his, whom I know to be persons
most worthy of credit. They also informed me
as an indisputable fact that Dorchester and the
whole surrounding country was stricken with
such terrible storms and terrified with such
horrible and unusual lightnings, until the limbs
of the Martyr were taken down from the walls,
where they had been hung as usual, that the like
had never been heard of. Thus, too, when
Father John Cornelius, who had been admitted
into the Society of Jesus not long before his;
apprehension, was condemned to death for the
same cause, the leading men of the town came
to the Judges, and begged that the quarters of
this priest .might not be, fixed on the walls
according to custom, because it was known for
certain that tempests had of late years occurred.
on account of the exposure of Mr. Pilchard's
body, causing great loss to many, and especially
destructive to the harvest.
Whilst I was living in England less than six
years ago, it happened that a joiner in that same;

VENERABLE WILLIAM PIKES.

267

town named Pike 21 was put on his trial for having
spoken in prison too freely in favour of the
Catholic religion. The bloody question about
the Pope's supremacy was put to him, and he
frankly confessed that he maintained the authority
of the Roman See, for which he was condemned
to die a traitor's death.
When they asked him, as is their wont, whether
to save his life and his family he would recant, he
boldly replied that it did not become a son of
Mr. Pilchard to do so.
" Did that traitor, then, pervert you ? " asked
the Judge.
" That holy priest of God and true Martyr of
Christ," he replied, "taught me the truth of the
Catholic faith."
Asked where he first met him, "It was on a
journey," said he, "returning from this city."
Until he died, Mr. Pilchard's name was constantly on his lips, and he recalled with heart-felt
words the Martyr's memory, and so the son
followed the father. Thus did that holy and
glorious Martyr beget other Martyrs.
He was of a most gentle disposition, more than
moderately learned, a remarkable pattern of
priestly life. He was above the middle height,.
and had, as I have said, a cast in his eyes; his
countenance was modest and sedate; he wore a
small beard round the mouth and chin; was
1 The Venerable William Pikes suffered at Dorchester in
1591. The day is not known.

268

VENERABLE 70OHN HAMBLEY.

sparing in food, with most sweet and holy
manners; and what I used most of all to admire
in him, he was always like himself. Hewas
between thirty and forty years old.
Mr. John Hambley or Hambeling 22 (1587), of
Somersetshire, taken, as I have heard from trustworthy persons, at an inn, where he met a gentleman's servant that had once been his fellowlodger, who recognized and denounced him. He
was taken to prison at Westchester, where he
lived for two years among the thieves and robbers
in great hardship, for which certain Catholics
living in the neighbourhood were partly responsible, for they could have assisted him in his
necessities. But when he was taken, there were
found on him some letters he had written to a
lapsed Catholic, on account of which Popham
took occasion to harass the latter. This, it is
believed, was the reason why he received so little
assistance.
Men of various sorts, many of them very trustworthy persons, relate of him a thing very fit to
be recorded. At the Assizes, when he had been
condemned to death, being mildly urged by the
Judge, whose name was Gent, he showed such
pusillanimity as to promise to yield in those
things which the Judges required, which prac22 Venerable John Hambley suffered at Salisbury about
Easter, 1587.

VENERABLE JOHN HAMBLEY.

269

tically amounts to denying the faith. 23 Great
hereat was the jubilation of the heretics, and
not least the joy of the Judge. But whilst other
business was proceeded with, and the priest was
standing between the constables like the rest of
the condemned, there came up to him (for the
Assizes were held in booths in the open) a certain
unknown man, who, after placing some letters in
his hand, at once withdrew. No one preventing
him (which in itself was a kind of miracle),
Mr. Hambley read and re-read them until at
length he broke into tears, and gave signs of
being strongly moved. Then he was asked by
the officials of the Court what had happened,
what those letters were, who had brought them,
and the like; he, however, excused himself, and
gave no answer.
Next morning, when asked by the Judge as
usual for the second and last time whether he
would adhere to his promised conformity (this is
their word for recanting), he answered very
promptly and resolutely that he was ashamed
and sorry that he had promised conformity of
that kind. The Judge getting angry, and demanding the cause of this sudden change, he
answered that there was no new cause beyond
that which had so long held him in fetters; that
23 Hambley's confession is still extant at the Public Record
Office; it confirms what is here said of his pusillanimity, and
corrects some details of Father Warford's story. He was
born at St. Mabyn, Cornwall, was only one year in prison, and
he named several Catholics in his examinations (Rambler, Nov.
1858, p. 325). P.R.O., Domestic Elizabeth, vol. 192, n. 46.

VENERABLE ALEXANDER

270

CROW.

he grieved from the bottom of his heart for
having so basely yielded to the Judge's threats
and blandishments; henceforward let them not
Then the
expect any more such weakness.
Judge threatened him with a most cruel death,
to which he answered that he would accept it
To that determination he
most gratefully.
Sentence was
adhered with great constancy.
pronounced, and the next day he was crowned
with martyrdom.
Although it is certain that these letters restored
him to a right mind, yet to this day it is not
known who wrote or brought them, although
diligent search has been made in the matter.
Hence many not without reason believe that
they were brought by his Guardian Angel.
Alexander

:Crow,

a priest of Rheims (1587),24

where I knew him; a man humble in birth and
still more in heart. In England he had been
a bootmaker, and was for a time a servant at
Rheims, willingly performing all, even the lowest
offices. At length by his virtue and exemplary
patience, by his modesty and humility, he deserved
to be admitted to the study of letters, and in fine
to be promoted to the priesthood.
But what exceeds all this is that he won the
crown of martyrdom at York, where he had lived,
and where, I think, he was born. A simple man,
24 The Venerable Alexanxder Crow was executed at York,
'587. Douay Diary (p.178) says that "on the
The
November 30,
last day of April, 1581, there came from England Alex. Crawe,

cobbler."

The editor has not identified him with the Martyr.

VENERABLE WILLIAM HARTLEY.

271

but with a wonderful zeal for souls, so that he
could not be held back or deterred by any dangers:
(He was of more than medium height, with a
serious. countenance and black beard; well grown
and strongly made. His age about thirty-six.
Inquire about his parents.
Martin Sherson,25 though ordained priest at
Rheims, he studied at Rome for about three
years or more. I knew him first at Oxford, in
St. John's College, a poor scholar of George
Mannering, who taught Rhetoric there, and again
in the year 1583, at Rome. There through an
over-zealous application to study and prayer, he
began to spit blood, and was therefore sent to
Rheims for the recovery of his health, and afterwards to England. He was a young man of good
abilities and well trained in piety and obedience.
He was of moderate height, had a slight beard,
a pale, oval face, and a rather large head.
Inquire as to his birth-place and parents. I
think they came from Staffordshire or thereabouts.
William Hartley (1588),26 a priest of Rheims,.

I knew him at Oxford, at St. John's College,
where he acted as chaplain, from which post
he was removed by Toby Matthew, then president, because he was suspected of Catholicism.
2 Died in the Marshalsea, February, 1587. His claim to the
honour of martyrdom rests on the same grounds as that of James
Lomax and John Jetter, supra, p. 225.
26 The Venerable William Hartley was executed near the

Theatre, London, October 5, 1588.

272

VENERABLE ROBERT MORTON.

Without demur he straightway betook himself
to Rheims, was ordained priest, and returning
to England, was apprehended and thrown into
prison--I do not know which, but I think
the Tower.
Afterwards with eighteen others
he was condemned to perpetual exile; on which
occasion he came to Rome, where I saw him in
1585 or 1586.
In the pontificate of Sixtus V. he returned a
second time to England, was apprehended, and,
being beset by the deceits of the heretics, incurred
the suspicion of having apostatized. But the
event showed how unjust that suspicion was,
for when he suffered at Tyburn, he won the
greatest credit for constancy, and every one testified to his loyalty towards all Catholics.
One of Hartley's achievements was to rescue
from the galleys, to convert and thoroughly
instruct Captain Cripps, who is now in the naval
service of the King of Spain. Hartley had been
the spiritual Father of that man's mother. He
was a man of the meekest disposition and
naturally virtuous, modest and grave, with a
sober and peaceful look, a blackish beard,
moderate height, over thirty-five years of age.
Robert Morton, 27 who was nephew to Dr.
Morton, to whom he erected a monument in
this College [the English College in Rome], on
the wall in the middle of the church. Called from

2

The Venerable Robert Morton was executed in Lincolns
Inn Fields, August 28, 1588.

VENERABLE

WILLIAM SPENSER.

27'

a secular life to the priesthood shortly before his
uncle's death, he studied here cases of conscience
about the year 1586, and after his ordination was
sent into England, and was apprehended almost
on his arrival. He was remarkable for piety, and
a hater of heretics like his uncle; a man who
deserved well of the Catholic cause. He was
prudent in action; about thirty years of age; a
good height, his hair and beard inclining to red;
his face somewhat inflamed owing to the heat of
his liver. For his birth-place, see his uncle's.
epitaph.
.William Spenser, 28 a priest of Rheims; born
of respectable parents at Glisburn, or Ghisborne,
in the district called Craven, in the bishoprick of
Durham, or- certainly of York. Educated from
his earliest years in Oxfordshire by his maternal
uncle, whose name was Horn, a priest of Queen
Mary's time, and who until the return of his.
nephew from Rheims, about 1586 or 1587, held
a benefice at a place called Cornwell, near
Chippingworth. 29 He brought up his nephew
the aforesaid William with great care at Trinity
College, Oxford, of which he afterwards became
a scholar and Fellow, and Master of Arts [in
1580], about two years before he quitted Oxford.
There I knew him for about eight years, always
leading a most upright life, but suffering much
28 The Venerable William Spenser was executed at York,
September 29, 1589. See F. fol. 71 in Foley's Records, iii. p. 740.
29 Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.

S

=274

VENERABLE

WILLIAM

SPENSER.

:at the hands of the heretics even before he left
the University, because he was looked on as
leaning somewhat towards the Catholic faith.
They brought many charges against him, and he
would argue against them, but never recklessly.
From the time he was a boy his zeal for souls
:was marvellous, and he never neglected the first
rudiments of the faith taught him by his uncle,
:but, acted up to them with zeal and constancy
to the time of his death. He read nearly all the
ibooks, of. :controversy he could obtain at that
time, setting down in a special book some or
rather all the remarkable passages to be found
in: each.
He made great use of these extracts in in.
structing in the true faith the young men and
boys who came fresh to his College, many of
whom he was happy enough to convert from
heresy.
He then taught them a method of
prayer, and put into their hands pious prayerbooks, especially the Jesus Psalter and the Verefaum [sic]. In fine, he laboured so hard that
I have often doubted whether he gained more
souls after he became a priest, than he did before:
Hence, as I have said, many storms were raised
against .him, which, owing to the iniquity of the.
times, he was unable to withstand, and at length,
becoming weary of the life he led at Oxford,
he left with me and three or four others. Of
these one was John Fixer, another Anthony Shirt,
both now priests, a third was that worthy gentle-,
man Mr. Edward Stanford, who is still alive and

VENERABLE

WILLIAM

SPENSER.

275

married, distinguished for his constancy and his
sufferings for the faith. Last, though in dignity
first, let me name Mr. John Appletree, one of the
oldest of those who have laboured in England,
and a man who has rendered the greatest service
to the whole Catholic cause. He accompanied
us, to see us safe, and also on private business
of his own.
We landed at St. Germain, near Cherbourg in
Normandy. We had started from the Isle of
Wight, not far from the Needles at night time,
but we were driven back, and re-embarked next
day in a small boat manned by only two sailors.
There were many things new to us in our journey,
but hardly, perhaps, worth mentioning. The constant rain, however, was very troublesome to us
in our journey, and Spenser's wonderful force of
character and patience were pre-eminently conspicuous. We escaped the snares of English
merchants, &c.
At Rheims he studied cases of conscience,
Holy Scripture, and controversy, and worked
hard to get back the sooner to the harvest in
England, and also because he was very anxious
about his uncle's health. So, after about two
years, he was ordained priest, and returned.
At first he acted cautiously, as it were feeling
his way; and at last he arranged to meet his
father and mother in the fields, having dressed
himself for the occasion as a peasant. There
he spoke to them about the state of their souls,
and reconciled them to the Church by means of

276

VENERABLE

WILLIAM SPENSER.

another priest. Finally his uncle, now past sixty,
gave up his rich and comfortable benefice, and
went to live under the roof of a Catholic gentleman of rank.
Now that he had recalled these dear ones to a
state of salvation and communion with the
Church, he began more freely and boldly to
expose his life to danger, and to work more
earnestly in order to help souls. He carried his
zeal to the pitch of voluntarily making himself a
prisoner in York Castle, in order to help those
confined there, but this he did so covertly that
the gaoler himself, owing to the size of the place,
and the number of Catholics always imprisoned
there, was not, it seems, aware of his presence.
Thus he secured a hiding-place in which he could
shut himself as often as he liked. There he
acted very cautiously, and consequently was able
to be very serviceable to a good many.
At last his hour came, for as he happened to
be on a journey, a certain'gentleman out hunting,
who was also a Justice, met, him in the open
country, and asked him, perhaps from mere
curiosity, who he was.
He answered readily
enough; but, on being asked where he came
from, he said, "York;" and, further questioned
where he was going to, he again repeated, "York."
Now doubtless God ordained this so, that he
might win his crown. For the Justice, who was a
notable and bloodthirsty heretic, at once laughed
and said: "People don't travel towards the place
they start from."

VENERABLE

WILLIAM

SPENSER.

277

Supposing, as was in fact the case, that Spenser
had returned so silly an answer because he was
ill at ease, and that the question had taken him
by surprise, he said to him : "You are, if I
mistake not, some Papist or Seminary priest,
are you not ? "
"And if I were a priest, what then ? " was
Spenser's answer, for he saw there was no escape.
Thereupon they laid hands on him and held him.
He was a man faithful to his friends, and
exceedingly charitable in doing good to all; a
bitter hater of heretics, and a champion of the
faith; he feared God, and spoke of nothing more
frequently than death and the last things. When
asked, especially by friends at Oxford, why, since
he was so devoted to Catholics and the Catholic
faith, he continued living so long with heretics,
and conforming to the times, I have often heard
him answer: " True, if I die in this state, I know
right well that I shall suffer eternal punishinent."
He always longed for the peaceful state of the
priest and the true believer, but was hindered by
a variety of circumstances. When, however, he
had once embraced this life, he bore himself in
all things with courage and faithfulness.
He
answered at the bar with intrepidity, and met
his death with joy. No one at Oxford was a more
general favourite, or had more scholars, or a
nobler following; no one lived more chastely,
or more in conformity with Christian philosophy.
At Rheims no one was more beloved; he recited

278

VENERABLE

WILLIAM SPENSER.

his Office piously, was most devout at Mass, a
bitter enemy of sleep and sloth, most diligent
in attending lectures, from which he acquired a
more than ordinary share of learning, for from his
youth he had always been extremely studious.
He had a keen and clear understanding, especially in practical matters; his countenance like
his mind was cheerful; his eyes vivacious; his
face was long and freckled; his hands also were
covered with freckles; he had a yellowish beard,
and: his cheeks were sparsely covered with hair,
In other respects he was robust, squarely built,
and of moderate height. I remember while he
was still at Oxford, the news was brought us of
.Father Campion's apprehension, and while all
Catholics grieved, he was so affected that his grief
was remarked by the whole College; so much so
that his friends had to warn him of the danger
incurred from the heretics. He always carried
about with him Father Persons' book Of Resolution, and was very devoted to the Society of
Jesus.
when in the hearing of some friends, he
said that many falsehoods were spread abroad
from the pulpit about the Roman Pontiff, he had
If anything
to undergo a regular persecution.
favourable happened to Catholics, he was delighted,
and used to call his friends into his room and
rejoice with them as though for some personal
happiness. All this he used to do, as I have
said, before he left England.

, he

SOnce

CHAPTER XIII.
SELECTIONS FROM THE WESTMINSTER ARCHIVES.

DOCUMENTS.
I. Execution of Blessed Thomas Cottam, by Arthur Pitts,
priest (vol. ii. p. 5).
2. Relation of the sufferings in England from 1584-1591, by

Peter Penkevel (vol. iv. p. 255; Collectanea B. fol.

1).

3. Trial and execution of Venerable George Gervase, O.S.B.,
by his confessor (vol. ix. p. 287).

That the Archives of the Cardinal Archbishop of,
Westminster contain documents of the highest importance as materials for the history of the English
Martyrs, the reader has already had the opportunity
of judging. But we would remind him that here, as
throughout this volume, the selections do not pretend
to represent the most valuable or most interesting
pieces in the various collections, whence materials,
have been sought, for our object has only been to
bring to light what others have left unused.
Before we come to the papers themselves, we
would fain renew our earnest thanks not only to his
Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop,for his kindness
in allowing us to see his Archives, but also to their
custodians, the Fathers of the London Oratory, of

280

BLESSED THOMAS COTTAM.

whose care in keeping them, and courtesy in showing
them, it would be difficult to speak too highly.
i. The account we are about to give of Blessed
Thomas Cottam is prefaced by the following sentence
in Latin: "The Acts of his martyrdom are printed
in the Concertatio Ecclesie Anglicanv, part 2, fol. 93What follows is taken from the account of Mr.
Arthur Pitts, priest, who was a prisoner in the
Tower at the very time Cottam suffered." This
Arthur Pitts sent through Dr. Allen1 to Father
Agazzari in Rome the corporal on which five of the
Martyrs had said Mass in the Tower of London.
Blessed Thomas Cottam was one of these five, and
the corporal is now at Stonyhurst. Dr. Challoner has
:mistakenly said, in his list of the priests banished
:in January, 1585, that Arthur Pitts, who was one
of them, was " afterwards Dean of Liverdun." It
was John Pitts,2 the author of the well known book
De illustribus Anglie Scriptoribus, who became Dean
of Liverdun, and died there in 1616. Arthur Pitts
was one of the first Canons of the English Chapter,
and died in 1635, aet. 80.
OF MR. THOMAS COTTAM, PRIEST.
Executed at Tyburn, May 30th, 1582.

Mr. Cottam having been condemned long before
with Campion, Sherwin, Briant, and others, received a bill from the Lieutenant of the Tower the
20th 3 of May, in the year 1582, that the next day he
1 Cardinal Allen's Letters, p. 202.
2 Dodd, ii. p. 374; iii. p. 80.

SThis

should surely be the 29 th of May. Curiously enough,
his diet in the Tower was only charged for till May 27th. He
suffered on the 30th.

BLESSED THOMAS COTTAM.

281

should suffer. Whereupon he came to his window
out against my door, saying with joy of heart
and voice, "Give God thanks with me, for tomorrow is my day. And now I hope I shall not
escape the happy hour which I have earnestly so
long desired, because I find my name first in
the roll of the four assigned to die to-morrow ! "
The next day he departed joyfully, but arriving
to the place of his martyrdom, he was quailed
again; for albeit he was first taken up, yet
the officers fearing that his example might draw
many to be of his religion, because he was well
known and beloved in the city, having been before
a schoolmaster there, they desirous to save his
life, solicited him earnestly to recant his religion,
in which he persisting, they take him down to
see if the death and torments of the other his
brethren could move him. But when they perceived that his courage by their blood increased,
he had his desired crown of martyrdom.
The reason that he had so much this crown
printed in his head, and the fear of losing it, was
this. Being a scholar in the English College at
Rome (whither he had been sent from the Seminary
of Rheims), he had a desire to be a Jesuit, and
to this end entered the Novitiate at St. Andrew's
in Rome, but for his infirmity was dismissed.
Where at his departure the porter bidding him
adieu, said, "Beware, lest some other receive
your crown !"
[From Rome he came again to Rheims in April,
:1580, and the month following was made priest

282

BLESSED THOMAS COTTAM.

at Soissons, and soon after sent into England,
not being able to prosecute his studies through
want of health. Added from the Douay Diary].
He came into England in the company of
Dr. Ely, and arriving at Dover was apprehended.
The searcher having great acquaintance with
Dr. Ely, gave him in charge to Dr. Ely to convey
him to the Council, which he willingly undertook,
but being a Catholic, at his arrival at London,
dismissed him. The searcher having had news
that the prisoner was not delivered, came post
,to London, and meeting with Dr. Ely, apprehended him; who making excuse that for cause
and upon assurance of his forthcoming, he had
given him a few days' liberty, and promising the
searcher to bring him unto him or to answer it
in his own person, he was content. Dr. Ely
therefore coming to Mr. Cottam, told him the
case what had happened, who presently said,
" Now God be thanked, for I was never quiet in
my mind since you let me go. Still it came in
my head that which the porter of St. Andrew's
said unto me." And so he yielded himself.
2. The Writer of the next document was Peter Penkevell, a Cornish name, which not being very familiar
was variously spelt Penkwell, Pencavell, and Penckevel, and then by mistake of the "v " for an "n,"
Penkenel, and so Penkennel, which is the form it
takes in the heading of the paper. The family which
bore it was, as far as we know it, entirely made up
of Catholic confessors. Its history indeed is beside
our present purpose, so we only add a word about

RICHARD SHELLEY.

283

those who will appear in the course of the story.
The last we hear of the mother, who was imprisoned
in 1586, is that she was still in prison in 16oo, at
which time Mark, one of her younger sons, entered
the Society of Jesus. Thomas and John are traceable for years through the State Papers, owing to
the persecution they underwent, while another
brother, presumably our author, Peter, became a
Capuchin friar, in Spain.

THE RELATION OF THE PENKENNELS [PENKEVELS]

OF THE SUFFERINGS IN ENGLAND, 1584-1591.

First I came into London about the year 1584,
my brother [Thomas] then being prisoner in
Newgate in the company of Mr. [Leonard] Hyde,
Mr. [William] Wiggs, Mr. [Isaac] Higgins, priests,
and Mr. Robert Bellamy, layman, with others. I
then for a time was placed in service with a
gentlewoman, in part of which time I prepared
myself, and was reconciled at Newgate by the
foresaid Mr. Hyde.
Shortly after this I did serve one Mr. Richard
Shelley,4 who was then prisoner in the Marshalsea,
committed thither for giving up a supplication
unto the Queen; the effect whereof, whether it was
for craving a public dispute for trial of religion,
or in favour of them that were troubled for their
4 Challoner records that "Mr. Shelley, of Sussex, presented
a humble address to the Queen one day as she was walking in
her park at Greenwich. But this address had no other effect

than the causing the gentleman who presented it, to be cast
into the Marshalsea, where he died a close prisoner."

284

RICHARD ROBINSON.

conscience, I do not perfectly remember, but I
think it was for the first, for it greatly chafed
The said
both the Queen and her Council.
gentleman being very sick at my coming to him,
shortly after died, a constant confessor in the
said prison.
About this time was executed Mr. Transon,
priest out of the Clink, arraigned at Westminster,
who behaved himself in such sort that he blacked
the Judges. Two other priests suffered in his
company, whose names I know not. 5
After this I did dwell with a certain doctor of
physic, and coming, according as I had accustomed,
on a time to see my mother, who was then lately
come up unto London, it happened (by means
that her chamber was searched the same day)
she with my brother and sister being carried to
prison and the house watched, that I was also
apprehended, brought before Justice Young, by
him examined, threatened, and sent to the
Counter in the Poultry (the year '86), where I
found Mr. Emerson 6 prisoner.
It happened in the time of my being there,
that one Richard Robinson, who had been long
beyond the seas, arrived about Rye, and being
there presently taken, was after by Justice Young
sent to the same prison, where in our company
SThis paragraph is added in the margin. Venerable Edward
Strancham and Venerable Nicholas Woodfen suffered at Tyburn
Jan. 21, 1586. There was no third priest.
6 Ralph Emerson, the well-known lay-brother companion of
the Blessed Father Campion, was committed September 24,
1584. See Life of Father John Gerard, p. 146; Troubles, ii. p. 43.

JOHN yETTER.

7HN

285

7ETTER.28

he died. About the same time one Glynn, servant
unto Sir John Arundel, was thither committed,
who also within short time died in the common
gaol, being a sely poor old man that had not
the proper use of the senses.
About this time suffered the fourteen gentlemen,
to wit, Mr. Ballard, priest, Mr. Babington, &c.,
being accused of conspiring the Queen's death,
who were butchered in most cruel manner.
Near unto this time also suffered Mr. Dibdale,
Mr. Adams, and Lowe, priests. 7 Mr. Dibdale,
had dispossessed one of wicked spirits, and
caused the said spirit to bring out of the party
possessed, a knife and other things which they had
carried in by the means of witchcraft. He was
at his death charged by Topcliffe of conjuration,
and that he did those things by delusion of the
devil. Mr. Dibdale answering hereunto, protested
on his death then openly before the people, that
he did it by virtue of the name of Jesus, and by
the authority which He had given unto His
Church. Being demanded by the said Topcliffe
whether he did it by his own merits, answered,
"No, but by the merits of Christ and by His
power."
Near this time there died in Newgate a Queen
Mary priest, and one Mr. Reynolds, a layman,
being both prisoners for their conscience. Also
somewhat before this time Mr. Jetter, who had

7Venerable

Robert Dibdale, John Adams, and John Lowe,

were executed at Tyburn, October 8, 1586.

see Challoner, and Troubles, ii. p. 96.

For the exorcisms,

286

VENERABLE MARGARET

WARD.

been long kept cruelly in the Limbo of the same
prison.
After I had remained two years at the Counter,
Mr. Felton 8 and I were removed unto Newgate
and put into the common gaol. After wearing
of irons one day for fynes of iron, we were
removed where my brother and the rest were in
the crown side, where I remained about three
years, in which time there were very many priests
and other Catholics put to death for their faith in
divers places of England.
The year that the Armada compassed England
about, at St. Bartholomew tide, there were fourteen
priests and laymen at one Sessions at Newgate
arraigned, who all very constantly suffered martyrdom, except Mr. Foxwell, who was reprieved
Margaret Ward at that time was arraigned, condemned, and suffered martyrdom. [She was]
condemned for bringing a rope to a priest being
prisoner in Bridewell, who by that means-escaped,
but was put to death for refusing to go to
church, on which condition life was offered unto
her openly at the bar. The' laymen, that then
suffered, for the most part were condemned;
because they said they had confessed their sins
unto a priest. The names of the priests that I
remember were first Mr. Deane, who had been
some time a minister, Mr. Holford [Acton], or
Venerable Thomas Felton, son of Blessed John Felton,
was afterwards by favour set at liberty, but was soon rearrested, and suffered near Hounslow, August 29, 1588. He
was a postulant of the Friars Minims.

YEAR

OF THE ARMADA.

287

Bude, Mr. James or Clarkson [Claxton] ,Mr. Earth
or Ley [Leigh], and Mr. Mourton.9
At that time there was executed divers other
priests out of the Clink and Marshalsea, of whose
names I remember no more but Mr. Flower
[or Way], and Mr. James.'o
Also in company with these was Mistress
Lowe" 1 arraigned. and condemned for harbouring
of priests, who was brought unto the place of
execution willing to die, [but] by her husband's
means was reprieved.
Also at York and other places there were divers
priests and laymen executed at that time, whose
names I know not.
It was determined that
within short time after, there should be all the
priests in Wisbech and very many other Catholics arraigned, but the Earl of Leicester dying
the same while in extraordinary manner, caused
a sudden stop in those proceedings.
But within two months after the magistrates
returned unto their accustomed practice, there:

9 The others were, William Gnuter, priest, Henry Webley,
Hugh Moor, Thomas Felton, Edward Shelley, Richard Martin,
Richard Flower, John Roche, laymen. They have all been
declared Venerable. The six priests and eight laymen were
not bowelled and quartered (Collectanea N. i. n. 6, p. 65).
10The others were, Robert Wilcox, Edward Campion, Christopher Buxton, Ralph Crockett, John Robinson, William
Hartley, John Weldon, priests, Robert Widmerpool and Robert
Sutton, laymen. They too have all been declared Venerable.
The next paragraph is in the margin of the MS.
u.
Mistress Philip Lowe died in the White Lion prison in 1588
(Troubles, iii. p. 36).

288

VENERABLE WILLIAM HARTLEY.

were arraigned Mr. Hewett 12 and Mr. Hartley,
priests. Mr. Hewett refused to be tried by the
jury, for that he was loth, as he told the Judges,
that those ignorant men that understood not
the case, should be burdened with his blood, and
referred the matter unto the Judges'consciences.
And notwithstanding that he proved there openly
that they had no just matter against him, and
that he, being banished, was from the Low
Countries sent into England prisoner by the Earl
of Leicester, yet nevertheless they proceeded
against him, and without a jury condemned and
judged him to be hanged and quartered.
The next morning he was carried into Mile End
Green, where he in the cart disputed openly with
two preachers, whiles one went into the Court
to know the Queen's pleasure concerning his
quartering, who was found so favourable that she
would have him but hanged. In this space he
reproved and proved the said ministers of many
shameful lies, and behaving himself in all respects
both discreetly and constantly, was there martyred.
The foresaid Mr. Hartley, priest, being brought
forth in the same cart, was, after the dispatch of
Mr. Hewett, carried near the Curtain and there
hanged.
12 Challoner wrongly says that John Hewett was martyred at

York.

He did not know that he was the same as John Weldon,

whom he has rightly given as martyred at Mile End Green. The

Martyr appears in the list of Venerables under the names of
"Hewett, alias Weldon."

VENERABLE

CHRISTOPHER BALES.

289

Also at that Sessions there were two laymen
arraigned and condemned, to wit, Mr. Sutton, a
schoolmaster, and one Symonds, 13 who presently
before was greatly suspected and slandered to be
a spy. Mr. Sutton suffered at Clerkenwell and
Symons at Tyburn, who blessed himself, and
kissing the halter said it was the happiest collar
that ever went about his neck.
Also at that time Mistress White was arraigned and condemned for harbouring of priests,
who was reprieved, and after the space of one
year and a half, for money had both pardon and
liberty.
Not long after this, Mr. Nichols and another
priest, Mr.Yeats [Yaxley] was taken at Oxford, and
two laymen, one Mr. Belson, and a chamberlain. 14
The priests, and I think the other two, were
brought to London, and after cruel torture in
Bridewell, were all sent again to Oxford, and
there arraigned and put to death. Both the
priests were hanged and quartered [July 5, 1589]..

After this, Mr. Bayles, priest, was apprehended,.
and cruelly tortured in Bridewell by Top13 There can be no doubt that we have here the notice of a

Martyr hitherto unrecognized, and that this omission was due to
the false report of his being one of those iniquitous spies, whom
the Catholics dreaded more than any of their other enemies.
He is probably the same as the John Harrison, alias Symons, a.
carrier of letters, whose apprehension is mentioned in a list of
recent arrests, which belongs to the commencement of 1587

(Lansdowne MSS. vol. 51, n. 67).

These Martyrs suffered

October 5, 1588.

14 Challoner calls him Humphrey ap Richard, servant of the
St. Catherine's Wheel Inn.
T

290

VENERABLE

EDWARD ZONES.

cliffe... .15 Afterwards he was arraigned at Newgate bar, where amongst other things he proved
that he was such a priest, as was sent into the
land by Pope Eleutherius to convert the Britons,
and such a priest that St. Augustine was that
Judge Anderson
after, converted the Saxons.
seemed to cavil with him about the histories, but
the other Judges being weary of the dispute,
stayed it: condemned and judged him to be
hanged and quartered in Fleet Street [March
3, I590].

At that time, as I remember, Nicholas Horner,
a layman and a tailor, was arraigned and condemned to be hanged, for that he had made a
jerkin for a priest. The evidence against him
was only given by Topcliffe and Young. He was
executed at Smithfield before his lodgings, with
a title set over his head. He had been before
,that time prisoner in Newgate, where he, not
being suffered to have a surgeon to come to him
to dress his leg that was sore, was afterwards
enforced to have it cut off in the same prison.
Not long after, Mr. Jones, priest, was taken,
extreme tortured and arraigned, and in a discourse which he made concerning the execution
of Protestants in Queen Mary's time, and the
persecution of Catholics now, concluded in such
sort that it was to the education of many of the
hearers and a great mager to the Judges and
For they suffered him to
other persecutors.
make. a large, discourse,, uttering it in such manner

15 outrages here recounted cannot in decency be specified.
The

VENERABLE

MONFORD SCOTT.

291

as they hoped the conclusion would make for
their purpose, and not so much against them.
So being condemned, was hanged and quartered
in Fleet Street [May 6, 1590].

At the same time was Mr. Middleton, priest,
arraigned, hanged, and quartered at Clerkenwell,
with a title over his head.
The same time 16 a poor man that was an
hostler in Gray's Inn Lane, was arraigned, and
after hanged in the same lane, with a title over
his head, because he had lodged a priest in his
house.
After this was Mr. Beesley, priest, taken, and
committed to the Tower by Topcliffe. There he
was very hardly kept and cruelly racked, and was
afterwards arraigned in the company of Mr. Scott,
priest, who by the means and help of one Baker
was to be banished by order from the Council,
which he obtained for money. When the time
of his banishment was come, he was committed
again to prison by Topcliffe, and afterwards brought
to the Sessions, where for want of other matter
Topcliffe signified that it was good policy to put
him to death, and said that his austere life was
a mean to draw the people unto him; for he said
that Mr. Scott was accounted for a saint. So
he was condemned, and after was hanged and
quartered in Fleet Street

[July 2, 1591].

His

mild behaviour pierced the hearts of people so
much, that many of them said it was pity he
16Venerable Alexander Blake was really the companion
Venerable Christopher Bales and Venerable Nicholas Horner.

292

VENERABLE

GEORGE GERVASE.

should be done to death. " For," they said, " he
is likely to be such an one as meant no evil."
Both Mr. Beesley and he had titles over their
heads.
Endorsed by Father Persons.-The Relation of
the Penkevels of the sufferings in England.
3.

MR. GEORGE

GERVASE,

HIS ARRAIGNMENT

AND

BENEDICTINE
MARTYRDOM,

PRIEST,

16o8,

IN

LONDON.

Written by one who was present at both arraignment and death.

Mr. George Gervase, gent., was banished in
the year of our Lord, 16o8, and the [6th of]
King James, and [had also been] one of the
number of those which were of the first banishment after the coming of the aforesaid King
James. That same year he arrived at Rome with
another banished priest named Mr. Nuport, to
visit the Holy City, where in poverty and great
devotion he remained some three months, and
with extreme difficulty obtained ten crowns of
alms, with which he departed again into
17
England.
Two months after his arrival he was apprehended in Smithfield, going into the house of one
Mr. Bluntstone, gent.-where he intended to
17 The Pilgrim Book of the English College, Rome (Foley,
Records, v. p. 581), shows that our Martyr was at the Hospice
from November 20 to December 6, i6o6. But his companion,
Venerable Richard Smith, alias Newport, who had been a
student of that College, made three visits between October io,
16o6, and April 29, 1607.

VENERABLE

GEORGE GER VASE.

293

celebrate-by the same Justice, who had charge
to banish him in Northumberland. Who meeting
there with him, demanded of him how he durst
presume again to enter into the land, to which he
answered little. The Justice carried him into a
tavern, where after' some speech, Mr. Gervase
desired him not to seek his blood.
" No," saith he, "but seeing youare come,
you shall see my wife." Which done, he desired
him to walk abroad, Mr. Gervase hoping that the
proceeding would be favourable.
But drawing unto St. Paul's, he led him unto
the Bishop, where, after notices given by the
Justice, he was examined, and the Justice
He
presently demitted without any thanks.
answered the Bishop gravely, resolutely, and religiously, but was committed unto the Gatehouse.
Being sent for by the Judges, he was demanded
whether he was a priest ? To which he answered,
"Yea;" and whether he was of any Order, to
which he answered also, "Yea, and of the Order
of St. Benet."
The Recorder demanded whether he would
take the oath, which he denying, the Recorder
and Justices demanded whether the Pope could
To which,
excommunicate or depose princes.
with a vehement voice, to the great admiration
of standers-by, he answered, "Yea, and also all
princes in the world;" at which the heretics fell
into a great laughter.
The jury was panelled, and the charge given by
the Bench unto the Jury according unto his con-

294

VENERABLE

GEORGE GERVASE.

fession [of his] banishment, Order, denial of the
oath, and confessing of the Pope's authority.
Which done, he was condemned, and kept secret
until the next day.
The next day being called unto the bar, the
Recorder standing up, spake: "George Gervase,
thou hast been condemned for that in the year
of our God, and King James, . . . according to

the common proceeding," &c.18
Which ended, the Recorder began again"George

Gervase,

priest, &c ...

This last

day before this honourable Bench and assembly,
thou hast not only approved and defended thy
traitorous opinions, but also extolled the Pope
before God, making him able to command and
dispose of princes, more than God doth, and this
blasphemy thou hast avouched-besides much
more to this effect. Hast thou, therefore, anything to say for thyself? "
Unto which Mr. George Gervase, in most mild
and sweet manner answered: "What I have said
my blood' is ready to answer" (and such like).
Judgment was given upon him according to
their order; and so, committed unto the gaol, he
remained close prisoner until execution.
The Bishop sent seven ministers on the Sunday
morning to deal with him, the one was Dr.
Morton, whom I saw. They all tormented him
according to their diversities of spirits, and as
the keeper said, he remained a most obstinate
18 ,
"The words of Sir Edward Montague, Recorder, as myself
heard, being near unto him.'"-Margin.

VENERABLE

GEORGE GERVASE.

295

Papist. Only this much I will adjoin from the
mouth of Mr. Richard Cary in Holborn, and also
of my own knowledge (he being dearest unto me),
that since the first persecution in England, never
any priest for the space of two or three days
ever had more affliction amongst ministers, and
that by the means of the Bishop, 9 for then the
oath was in its first entrance. The Sunday night
after his judgment he was accompanied with five
ministers the whole night, the day afore with
seven, being all this time in close prison.
The next morning being Monday, 20 a great concourse of people expected at the prison, at seven
of the clock he was put on the hurdle, attended
by the Sheriff and many officers. By them I still
accompanied him on horseback, and after often
turning unto him, he ever lifted up both his
hands (which were bound) unto me, making signs
that I should pray for him.
Being come unto the place of execution, his
first words were, viz., "I am hither brought to
suffer death for being a priest, and for refusing to
take an unlawful oath." To which the Sheriff
once demanded whether he would yet take it; to
which he answered no, but willingly would take
any oath not prejudicing his conscience or the
Catholic faith. Which the Sheriff understanding,
commanded the executioner to do his office.
19 The Bishop of London was Thomas Ravis, who was translated from Gloucester in 1607, and died in 1609.
0 The date given by Challoner is April ii, which in 16oS was
a Friday.

:296

VENERABLE

GEORGE GERVASE.

The minister who accompanied him told him
that now it was time to remember himself for
.denying that out of the Church there could be no
'salvation. Mr. Gervase with these words put
ihim aside, " Tut, tut, look to thyself, poor man."
:Something more he spoke, but I heard it not by
of the sway of the people.
After which he prepared himself, holding open
:his hands, which were not bound, with eyes fixed
up towards heaven, never moving joint, not even
at the drawing away of the cart, which was very
little before a serjeant cut the halter, and the
executioner received him in his arms alive, but
somewhat amazed. Being laid on the block, by
'chance he catched hold of the executioner's knife,
as he intended to have ripped up his belly, which
act caused the executioner to cut his own hand;
but with help of the master executioner he was
quartered and bowelled, and his members disposed upon the walls of the city. His soul now
enjoyeth all felicity, being most devout unto our
Blessed Lady, having made three or four special
vows, the which with great devotion he observed,
as I myself best know upon secret reasons,
having been his ghostly Father.
Rob. Cha'.
Pr [iest].

,reason

Father Gervase 21 both at the bar, at his
arraignment, and at his death did declare himself

4'

21 The postscript is in a different hand, with the marginal note,
Extract out of a letter received from London in April, i6o8."

VENERABLE GEORGE GERVASE.

297

to be a monk of St. Benet's Order. Being asked
at the bar if the Pope can depose princes upon
a just cause, he wished them not to urge him in
this point, it being a bloody question; at last he
answered that the Pope can depose. At his
martyrdom he was cut up cruelly, while he was
in his senses.

CHAPTER XIV.
SELECTIONS FROM STONYHURST
MANUSCRIPTS.
DOCUMENTS.
I. Remnants of Collectanea A. preserved in Father Grene's

transcripts (Stonyhurst MSS. Collectanea M. fol. 49, 50, 187, 197,
201).

(i.) Martyrdom of Venerable Monford Scott and George
Beesley (Coll. A. fol. 88).
(ii.) Another account of the same Martyrs (Ibid. fol. 283).
(iii.) News from London, April, 1591 (Ibid. fol. 103).
(iv.) Martyrdom of Venerable Francis Ingleby (Ibid. fol.
I1i6).

(v.) Account of Venerable Richard Langley (Ibid. fol. 120,
123).

Latin.

(vi.) Account of various Martyrs by Venerable Father
Henry Walpole (Ibid. fol. 144).
(vii.) Relation of Mr. George Stoker and Mr. Heath,
concerning Martyrs (Ibid. fol. 204).
(viii.) Father John Curry to Father Persons, May 12,
1590

([bid. fol.

177).

Latin.

(ix.) Martyrdom of Venerable Roger Dicconson and
Ralph Milner (Ibid. fol. 183).
(x.) Relation by a Priest in England (Ibid. fol. 273).
(xi.) Father Christopher Walpole to Father Persons
(extract) September 19, 1604 (Ibid. fol. 287).
(xii.) Varia (Ibid. fol. 183, 255).

2. The preservation of the relics of Venerable Roberc Sutton
By Father John Gerard (Collectane M. fol. 47, 48). Latin.

VENERABLE

MONFORD SCOTT.

299

3. Summaries by Father Grene of accounts of Martyrdoms
(Collectanea E. pp. 179, 302; Collectanea M. fol. 55f. 25 e).

4. A Relation

of divers persecutions,

anno 1588 et seq.

(Collectanea M. fol. 143 e-146).

The Archives of Stonyhurst College contain a
large number of important papers concerning the
English Martyrs, and many of them have been
already printed. We have already for our present
purpose drawn largely on these documents, and
especially on the valuable transcripts made by Father
Christopher Grene. In this chapter we propose to
lay before the reader such remains of the volume
Collectanea A. as concern the Martyrs. This volume
was the first of the series of Collectanea which was
put together, and, though now broken up, it has not
been entirely destroyed, for some of the original
documents, which it once contained, survive in the
collection called Anglia A. at Stonyhurst. But of
the greater number the memory has entirely
perished, except where Father Grene's care has
provided us with whole or partial copies of them.
These we now proceed to give.
(I.)

THE

MARTYRDOM

OF

MR.

SCOTT

AND

MR. BEESLEY.
Set down by one that was present.

At Mr. Scott's arraignment his own confessions
made to Justice Young and Topcliffe were read,
wherein he had confessed himself to be a priest,
Mr. Topcliffe
made after the Roman order.
objected many other things very absurdly, which
the Martyr denied.

300

VENERABLE

MONFORD SCOTT

Topcliffe said he thought no ten priests in
England did so much hurt as he.
Mr. Scott answered: "I thank God I never
did hurt in all my life, neither do I care, though
you and all the Bench be privy to my doings."
[He and Beesley were then condemned to death.
Both confessed that they were priests, and refused
to conform to the Church of England, which the
Judge urged them to do, holding out hopes of
life. Both were executed together. Mr. Beesley
first began to speak to the people ]1 on the ladder.
A bsit mihi gloriari nisi in Cruce Domini Nostri
Yesu Christi: but being interrupted added little
more. Mr. Scott said also little on the ladder,
prayed for the Queen, and ended with saying the
Pater noster in Latin and In manus tuas Domine
commendo spiritum meum, and In te Domine speravi.
[Note by Father Grene.-The present Relation, if it be true, seemeth little to the praise of
these two Martyrs, they seeming to have showed
very little courage; and Mr. Scott prayed for the
people and desired them to pray for him.]
Father Grene's last note shows us how important
the question of praying or commrnunicatio in sacris with

heretics was held to be among English Catholics.
It is notorious that England lost the faith through
this weakness, and the reader has already had many
examples of the persistence with which the English
Martyrs refused to countenance it. Happily Father
1 The passages in square brackets in this chapter represent
Father Grene's Latin summaries of part of the document copied.

Some names and dates have also been added.

AND

VENERABLE GEORGE BEESLEY.

301

Grene has himself given the best defence possible of
the Venerable Monford Scott and George Beesley,
by writing out a fuller account of their deaths, which
satisfactorily explains how far they went in praying
with heretics.

(II.) MARTYRDOM

OF

MR.

MONFORD

SCOTT

AND

MR. GEORGE BEESLEY.

Mr. Monford Scott, priest, being by Judge
Anderson, at his arraignment in the Sessions
House at Newgate, demanded "whether if the
Pope should send in forces into England, he
would pray for the good success of the Church
of England-yea or no?" answered that "he
would pray for the Catholic Church."
Being asked what Church that was, he said,
"The Universal Church."
"Aye," saith the Judge, "you mean the Church
of Rome," to which Mr. Scott answered nothing.
He confessed himself to be a priest, made after
the order of the Church of Rome, coming into
England to no other end than to do good. ...
[I omit Topcliffe's most impertinent questions
and objections.]
The jury finding them guilty, they had their
judgment; and first Mr. Beesley said that for
anything he could perceive, he was condemned
for being a priest, which he did acknowledge.
"Nay," saith the Queen's Attorney, "you
confessed you came into England."
" I did so," saith he, "and with all my heart

302

VENERABLE

I am glad of it."

MONFORD SCOTT

Mr. Scott then

answered

[Here some lines are missing.]
The words which Mr. Beesley used at his death in
Fleet Street, I June, 1591, between six and seven

in the morning.
Being by the Sheriff offered that if he would
recant, he should have favour, answered that he
minded by the grace of God to die a good
Catholic, and being wished to desire the people
to pray for him, answered that he desired all good
Catholics to pray for him, using also these words,
A bsit mihi gloriari nisi in Cruce Domini Nostri Yesu
Christi, and pausing awhile said, "Good people,
I beseech God to send all felicity;" and not
suffered to speak any more, was turned off and
cut down, and laid upon the block; he stretching
forth his legs when the hangman began to
unbowel him, and so he ended.
Words used by Mr. Scott at his death, i June,
1591, in Fleet Street.

Being in his shirt, and coming to the gibbet,
he kneeled down at the foot of the ladder, saying
some few prayers unto himself. Then he went
up the ladder, and the rope being about his neck
made this speech, that he prayed for his country,
that he prayed for his prince: and being
demanded who that prince was, answered, the
Queen of England, which the people liked well.
He likewise prayed twice or thrice that God

AND VENERABLE

GEORGE BEESLEY.

303

would send some good Abraham into this land
to pray to God that He would avert His wrath
from this realm, thanking God that he came to
die for his conscience and religion.
Being demanded of Sheriff Mosly whether the
people and he would pray together, his answer
was that he thanked his worship, and said unto
him, "Mr. Sheriff, pray you for me and I will
pray for you," whereupon the Sheriff said: "Then
let us say the Lord's Prayer together."
Mr. Scott answered that he had said it, and by
the grace of God did mind to say it again, and
so began Pater noster; and they bade him say it
in English, but he would not.
Then he thanked them for having given him
leave to speak, and being bid to make an end, he
said, In te Domine speravi, non confundar in ceternum,
and In manus tuas Domine commendo spiritum
meum: and so was turned off and hung till he
was dead, by commandment of the Sheriff. Some
took notice, when the hangman held up his
quarters, that his knees were hardened as horn
by much prayer.
One saying, " Is this the treason ? I came to
see traitors and have seen saints," was thereupon
cast into prison.

(III.) NEWS FROM LONDON, APRIL,

1591.

Mr. Beesley was kept in Topcliffe's house, tied
by the neck with a chain and in a cellar, to
make him confess where he had been harboured.

304

VENERABLE

FRANCIS INGLEBY.

Father Scott has his liberty to depart gotten by
one Baker, and was in the country among his
good friends where he had gotten £2o, of the
which he made the same Baker acquainted, by
whose means he was presently apprehended and
is close prisoner, and it is thought that he shall
be hardly dealt with for to know of whom he
had the money.
[Mr. John Nutter is said to have been naturally
a very timid man, but in undergoing death for
the gloryo:bf the name of Christ he bore himself
most bravely.
The same is related of Mr.
Anderton.]
(Iv.) MARTYRDOM

OF THE

VENERABLE FRANCIS

INGLEBY.

Mr. Francis Ingleby, son to Sir William
Ingleby, knight, having occasion to go to York,
a Catholic gentleman, by name Mr. Lassie, 2 met
him in a place called Bishopfields, and kneeling
down craved his blessing, which being espied by
one of the President's men, he was taken and
brought to the Council. They said unto him
they marvelled, that he being a gentleman of so
great calling would abase himself to be a priest.
He answered that he made more account of his
priesthood than of all other titles whatsoever.
Brought unto the Castle, he had a pair of
fetters laid upon his legs at the prison door. The
2 This "Mr. Lassie" cannot be the Blessed William Lacy,
who was martyred at York, August 22, 1582, but it may well be
one of the same family.

VENERABLE

RICHARD LANGLEY.

305

Catholic prisoners craved his blessing. With a
smiling countenance he said, "I fear me I shall
be overproud of my new boots," meaning his
fetters. In the time of his imprisonment a
minister came into him for to dispute, &c.
Being arraigned, and refusing to take the
oaths, &c., said, "I will give unto the Queen
subjection so far forth as she hath protection."
Being adjudged to die, he spake these words,
Credo videre bona Domini in terra viventium.
Coming from the place of judgment again to
the Castle, the Catholics looking forth of their
windows craved his blessing. Privily he gave
them it, saying, "0 sweet judgment." After his
condemnation he showed such tokens of inward
joy that the keeper, named Mr. Meverell, said
that he took no small pleasure to behold his
sweet and joyful conversation; for his joy was;
such that the keeper, a very earnest Puritan,
could not abstain from tears.
At his martyrdom one Humphrey Mountain,
who would have taken some of his flesh or blood,,
was carried to the Castle, and there remaineth.
(v.) VENERABLE

RICHARD

LANGLEY.

Richard Langley, Esq., a man of great soul
and remarkable piety, spent all his estate in
succouring priests. He built a very well hidden
house underground, which was a great place of
refuge for priests during the persecution. When
this was divulged by a certain Catholic, the
U

306

VENERABLE RICHARD LEIGH.

President ordered him to be arrested and committed to prison with Mr. Mush and Mr. Johnson,
two very learned priests. After a short confinement they were brought to trial and condemned
to death.
That very night the two priests Mush and
Johnson, together with a third named Patinson, 3
escaped from prison, but Mr. Langley was separated from them, and received the crown of
martyrdom a few days later with great alacrity
and constancy.
(VI.)

A RELATION BY THE VENERABLE FATHER
HENRY WALPOLE.

[August 30, 1588], Mr. Richard Lee [Leigh],
priest, brought forth of Newgate to be executed
with four other Catholics, who demanded his
benediction, which he gave unto them and likewise unto others that stood about the cart,
desiring God to make them all partakers.
Then being drawn to Tyburn (they all sang their
service by the way), after long speech Mr. Lee
desired to have respite to make his petitions unto
God. Being in his meditations his colour changed
and his legs began to bend, insomuch that it was
thought that his soul had been already in Heaven ;
whereupon Topcliffe cried out very loud, saying,
" Lee, Lee !" divers times, " it is the devil that
doth deceive thee." The hangman pulling him
3 This must have been Bernard, ordained 1585, not William
(the Martyr), ordained 1587.

VENERABLE CHRISTOPHER BALES.

307

by the sleeve, he came to himself, and looking
about demanded what the matter was.
Then being asked whether that the Queen were
Supreme Head of the Church, he answered,
"No!" and the people crying, " Away with
him !" the carts were drawn away; and so he
died, and the four others also, not quartered.
One of their names was Shelley, a man of 50 or
60 years of age, condemned for keeping of the
book called my Lord of Leicester's Commonwealth.
There was of those four a woman that was servant
of Mrs. Whittle, condemned for giving of two
shillings unto a priest in Bridewell.
Mr. Way or Flower was brought to Newgate
Sessions, and there his indictment read.
He
denied to be tried by a temporal Judge, wherefore
the Bishop of London was sent for; and the
Recorder said that because of his refusal there
was a spiritual Judge.
Mr. Way asked, "Who made him a Bishop?"
The Recorder said, "The Queen, who is
Supreme Head of the Church."
He answered that she was not Head of the
Church, neither would he acknowledge him for
Bishop.
Then upon the Statute he was condemned, and
at Kingston very cruelly martyred, unbowelled
alive, and his bowels burnt before his face
[September 23, 1588].
Mr. Rivers (vere Christopher Bales), executed
about

Easter,

1590, in

Fleet

Street.

Being

stripped and on the ladder, making the sign of

308

VENERABLE EDWARD ZONES.

the Cross, he turned round'and beheld the people,
and said,
" Good people, you are come hither to see a
man die, but why or wherefore you know not.
A traitor! But now wherein a traitor? In that
I am a priest, and seek to reconcile souls unto
Almighty God according to my office and calling;
but this word traitor is such.that you cannot see
into the cause. But I wouldthat you might but
see the soul and the change it makes, and then
I doubt not but that this word traitor would take
no effect."
Then Topcliffe interrupted him, and would let
him say no more, but demanded him of the
Supremacy, which he denied, and then was
hanged, drawn and quartered. Before his death
he desired all good Catholics to pray with him in
that his last agony ..
The same day that Mr. Rivers [Bales] was
executed, there was father Horner, a layman,
executed in Smithfield, being condemned for
giving of Mr. Rivers the making of a jerkin.
The said Horner had long lain in Limbo, whereby
his leg was fain to be cut off, and not long before
released out of Newgate.
Mr. Jones, or Parker, and Mr. Middleton not
long after were martyred

[May 6, 1590],

Mr.

Jones in Fleet Street, where after long speech
had with Topcliffe, he desired the people to bear
witness that he died a priest of the true Catholic,
Apostolic, and Roman Church, and praying for
the conversion of his country, was turned off the

VENERABLE

WILLIAM HARTLEY.

309

ladder. He made the sign of the Cross upon his
breast, and after closed his own eyes, and then
was cut down and quartered.
Mr. Middleton the same day being brought to
Clerkenwell, desiring that he might have liberty
to speak, it was denied, and was hasted to despatch, and presently was to be turned off. He
said that he did not doubt but that the shedding
of his blood would confirm a great many of
Catholics in England, and so was hanged, drawn,
and quartered.
About Michaelmas, 1589, 4 was Mr. Savell, or
Weldon, executed at Mile End Green, who always,
by the way, desired our Saviour to aid him with
grace to persevere. Being brought to the place
of execution, Topcliffe said how that the Queen
was merciful, "and whereas by his deserts he
was condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, her pleasure was that he should be but
hanged." He said "the less was his merit," and
so he died.
He hanged very near a quarter of an hour
before he died. They would suffer no man to
strike him on the breast or pull him down.
There was then in the cart Mr. Hartley, priest,
and a layman, who desired him by the name of
Martyr to pray for him, whereat the people cried
out.
Mr. Hartley, priest, was then drawn from
thence to Finsbury Fields, and there was demanded
SSee pp. 229, 289.

The year should be 1588.

BLESSED EDMUND CAMPION.

310o

if he would ask the Queen forgiveness. He said
he had never offended her, and then, being in his
prayers, he said he did confess that he had
offended the Queen and Almighty God, and therefore was sorry, for that he had worn his apparel
otherwise than by his calling he ought to have
done, and therein he had offended the Queen in
breaking of her laws.
The people cried out that he spake in derision,
and was straight turned off without further speech,
and was not quartered. [Robert Sutton], the
layman, was executed at Clerkenwell, and died
very constantly. He was a schoolmaster, some
time in Paternoster Row.
Father Grene adds: All this is copied out verbatim of a relation original of B. F. Henry
Walpole.
(vii.) RELATIONS OF MR. GEORGE STOKER AND
MR.

HEATH CONCERNING

MARTYRS.

5

When I was in the Tower after my extreme
racking, my keeperGaskin told me that there
were two things that did very much move him
touching Papists; the first was the death of
Father Campion, who died so patiently after all
his racking and torments; the second [Sherwin's
kissing the hand of the executioner, which was
stained with Campion's blood].
This reporter also being in the prison at Newgate called Limbus, it was told him that there
5 For some other extracts of this document, which do not

concern Martyrs, see Troubles, ii. pp. 115, 189.

VENERABLE MARGARET

WARD.

311

was a Papist made the devil run away, whose
name was Mr. Horner, an old layman. Coming
afterward unto the Justice hall, they examined
Horner of the former thing.
He said also that being in bed with one of my
Lord of Leicester's men, about midnight the
devil appeared in the likeness of a bush of thorns,
and after in likeness of a blackamoor; but after
father Horner had blessed himself and began to
speak to him, he vanished away.
The same father Horner was so long kept in
Limbus and in the common gaol as one of his
legs rotted, and in the Justice hall was cut off.
Afterwards for money he had his liberty, but
shortly after they apprehended him again, at
which time Mrs. White came unto him, to whom
he told that in the night there was a great
light in his chamber, and that an angel did come
and comfort him. He desired her that until he
were executed she would not utter it to any,
neither did she: but being he was shortly after
executed, she made relation; who afterwards was
also executed 6 herself. Mrs. White was condemned upon a Statute for receiving and harbouring of priests. There was none to allege anything
against her, but other's accusation in writing.
She desired to have him brought to her face, but
it was not granted.
There was also one Mrs. Ward, who came to
6 Mrs. White was condemned to death for receiving Mr. Green
or Gray (Troubles, ii. p. 385), but she was not executed.

312

VENERABLE

7OHN ROCHE.

Bridewell to visit Mr. Watson, a priest.7
She
provided him also a rope to come out of prison
withal, a manl to accompany him, and a boat to
convey him, assigning the hour when he should
come down; the time was between Io and ii
uo'clock. When she came afterwards to the boatman he altogether refused, at which she was
much grieved, thinking she had utterly cast away
the good priest.
By chance she met with a young man 8 whom
she had not seen in half a year before, who seeing
her in that mournful plight demanded the cause.
She denied to tell him; he more enforcing her,
said he would willingly adventure his life to do
any pleasure; and she said that so he must
_if he would help her in that respect. To this he
accorded with faithful promise, whereupon she
told him the whole matter. Then he went and
provided another boat, and she came to the place
appointed, and so received the priest and went
his way.
At his coming down there fell a stone which
awaked all the house, so that they followed him
with hue and cry; and his keeper making haste
overtook them at Lambeth Marsh. The priest

her

7 Father Grene notes, "Watson was afterwards in 1603
executed in a less happy cause."
This is William Watson
(Challoner calls him Richard), who was executed with Clarke,

another priest, for a plot against King James, which was
reprobated by all good Catholics. He was the author of the
notorious Quodlibets, for which he expressed his sorrow on the
scaffold (See also Collectanea P. fol. 527, and N. i. n. 6, p. 21).
8 Venerable John Roche, an Irishman (See P. fol. 527).

VENERABLE EDWARD BURDEN.

313

seeing him come after them said unto the man,
"Sure we be undone, for yonder comes my
keeper." WVhereupon he returned towards him
and bade him good-morrow; but the keeper ran
away, not knowing him. When he was gone
they [changed] clothes, but the man upon his
return was taken by the priest's apparel, and so
both he and the gentlewoman were executed at
Tyburn, and made a most constant and blessed
end.
(viii.) FATHER JOHN CURRY,

s.J., 9

TO FATHER

PERSONS.

May 12, 1590.

First of all I journeyed to York, where there
are Catholic laymen in prison to the number of
sixty, more or less. We greeted them through a
messenger, and they seemed greatly comforted at
our arrival.
In this city, as they gave me to
understand, a certain priest [Mr. Burden is noted
in the margin] remarkable for learning and piety,
had a month or two before given a noble testimony
to the Catholic faith by the shedding of his blood.
He had sent little presents of a pious character
to those of whom he had charge, and his memory
was in benediction.
Then I visited as many
Catholics as possible
in their homes, and at last I fell in with our
9 Father Grene notes: "Father Curry was companion to
Father Holtby on his return to England at the beginning of this
year. He died a holy death in England, as Father Gerard bears
witness in his notes" (See Life of Fatherjohn Gerard, p. 209).

314

VENERABLE MILES GERARD

Father Superior, who received me in our customary
manner, and after a short time sent me to London,
where I found the whole city black with gibbets,
on which many Catholics had been hanged in the
storm which the Earl of Leicester had raised not
long before. ..

.10

At the beginning of the following year there
were sent from the Seminary at Rheims two
priests [Miles Gerard and Francis Dickinson],
who were betrayed before they embarked at
Calais, so the report runs, and given up to the
pursuivants ere they left the ship. They were
first most cruelly tortured to force them to give
information as to what was going on beyond
the seas. Nowadays to give colour of clemency
the heretics use this form of torture instead of the
rack. They hang up priests, and sometimes
other Catholics, fastened only by the hands or
forearms, and that for several hours together,
adding weights if the victims were light, so it
is said.
But having gleaned no information thereby,
they approached these Christian Martyrs in
another fashion. They sent them to; a prison
where they were treated somewhat more liberally.
The gaoler feigned himself their friend, and persuaded them to write to their friends for necessary
supplies. One of them (Gerard) sent letters to
one of good family, named Drieland, which the
10 Father Grene notes: Here he narrates the martyrdom of
Nichols and Mr. Yaxley and their companions, which is
found more at, length, Gollectanea M. folio 222.

'Mr.

AND VENERABLE FRANCIS DICKINSON.

315

gaoler handed to Topcliffe, the rack-master. He
substituted for them forged letters, and sent
them to Drieland as if they came from the priest.
Drieland received them,and wrote back as though
to an unknown correspondent. The priest, not
suspecting fraud, wrote again.
At last finding that this trick did not succeed
in compromising any one, they charged the priests
with a fresh crime-viz, that theyhad been commissioned to draw off sailors from England for
the service of the Catholic King. This they most
emphatically denied. But the Judge deeming it
sufficient that some asserted the fact, condemned
them to be hanged. Meantime they held discussions on points of doctrine, stoutly and bravely
professing the Roman and Catholic faith. One
of them also undertook the defence of the primacy
of the Roman Pontiff against certain of the
heretics.
After some days they were taken to Rochester
in Kent, disputing with their adversaries on the
way, and making the foolishness of their reasoning
clear to all. They were hanged and quartered,
giving in their death a splendid testimony to the
Catholic faith,
About that time there was another priest captured in London. [He describes the martyrdom
of Christopher Bales and Horner, which we have
elsewhere written out more at length.] These
priests were shortly followed by two other s (Jones
and Middleton), one of whom was in great repute
with the Catholics for his sermons, by which he

316

VENERABLE EDWARD JONES

moved many to a better life, and filled them with
courage to profess the faith. He was betrayed,
it is said, by a woman who had pretended that
she was about to become a Catholic. As soon
as he was captured they hurried him to the
usual place of torture. His tormentors pressed
him with questions as to those with whom he
had lived, where he had said Mass, &c. But he
would not utter a word to compromise any one.
He was, therefore, sent to prison, but being
allowed some liberty wrote to a certain young
man. As usual the letters were intercepted by the
satellites of Topcliffe, and they discovered that
the priest had certain moneys deposited with this
young man, and [these they got from him]....
But to return to the priest. Being brought to
trial, the only charge against him was that he
had acted as a priest. His defence was long and
bold, showing plainly to all men the cruelty of
the heretics and his own innocence.
After a day or two [May 6] they are led to
the place of execution [in Fleet Street near the
Conduit], where the populace had gathered in
great numbers.
Mr. Jones, seeing this charge
written on top of the gallows, FOR TREASON AND
FAVOURING OF FOREIGN INVASION, cried out that it
was utterly false. Then having mounted the ladder
he was allowed to speak a few words, and said
that he was being put to death because he had
tried to help his hapless country, and other such
things as showed his true faith. Hearing this
the heretics ordered him to be thrown from the

AND

VENERABLE

ANTHONY

MIDDLETON.

317

ladder, and so, while yet alive, his belly was
ripped open and his bowels pulled out and flung
into a fire, he bearing all with marvellous constancy.
Meanwhile, to terrify his companion by the
sight, for he had been captured but two days
before, they placed him so near that he is thought
to have been besprinkled with his fellow's blood;
but the sight seemed to inspire him with greater
courage.
So they drew him on the hurdle,
according to their wont, to [Clerkenwell] another
part of the city, where a gallows had been made
ready for him.
Mr. Middleton was a man of slight figure and
short of stature, but of an indomitable soul.
Arrived at the appointed place of execution, he
briskly climbed the ladder, saying to a certain
minister who had annoyed him by his garrulity,
"Farewell, heretic, I am now out of thy power."
There was hardly any one who did not wonder
at this freedom of language, and at the face of
the Martyr, which shone with a marvellous
beauty.
Topcliffe was standing by, pale with rage to
see himself beaten by so small a man, when the
Martyr asked his permission to speak.
"Yes," said he, "if you have anything to say
to the glory of God "-the formula of the heretics
-"

otherwise be silent."

Understanding by this that he might utter
nothing but what was agreeable to them, he
said,

318

VENERABLE

ROGER DICCONSON.

" Be it so; if I may not confirm the Catholic
and Roman faith by my words, I will confirm it
with my death;" and saying this he resigned
himself into the hands of the executioner.
In these martyrdoms there is a fact we must
not omit to mention, While they were being
tried, they had cast friendly glances at their
companions and acquaintances.
These were
forthwith seized and imprisoned in the closest
confinement.
About the time this was going on, there landed
in the north four other priests who had been sent
from the Seminary, who are said to have been
apprehended, and to have stoutly endured the
extremity of suffering." They are said to have
been betrayed by a pretended Catholic, who
shortly after came to a miserable and shocking
end.
(IX.)

VENERABLE

ROGER

DICCONSON

AND

RALPH

MILNER.

Mr. Welby [Dicconson] having done much
good by his labours in God's vineyard, was
apprehended in Hampshire, brought up to the
Clink in London, arraigned at Winchester, where
11 The date of their death, of which
Dr. Challoner was
uncertain, is fixed by the following extract from the Parish
Registers of St. Oswald's, Durham, 1590:

Duke
Hylle
Hogge

Holiday

Seminaries
iii

Papists
Tretors

and Rebels

to

were hanged and

hyr J quartered at DryMages- burne for there

tye

horrible offences the 27
day of May.

(R. E. Chester Waters, Parish Registers in England, 1883, p. 56).

VENERABLE ROGER DICCONSON.

319

many that were taken with him being at the bar,
they cried that they might have the same sentence
that he had, and that they were as guilty of death
as he was, both being only for their conscience.
The Judge, angry at their speeches, caused them
to be indicted, but when they came to be
arraigned, and again craved to receive the same
sentence as their priest, the Judge turned to
Mr. Welby and angrily told him that their blood
should be exacted at his hands.
"Yea, my lord," said he, "so said Pilate,
turning the fault upon the Jews. I pray God
that both theirs and mine be not exacted upon
you."
One named Miller [Milner] was condemned
with him, a poor honest farmer, having a wife
and ten children. This man being very zealous,
had been an earnest and most diligent furtherer
of God's service and helper of priests. When he
was arraigned, the Judge said that he was worse
than any Seminary priest, meaning that he did
more good to the Catholics.
"Yea," answered Miller, "you say most true,
my lord; I am far worse than any of those good
men, and am not worthy to be compared to
them."
They both with great joy accepted the sentence
of death, and with no less constancy suffered the
execution thereof. When Miller, who suffered
after Mr. Welby, was going up the ladder, the
Justice said, " Come down, fool, and look to thy
children." He thinking he had meant he should

320

VENERABLE

RALPH MILNER.

live, came down, and then the Sheriff told him
that if he would go to church the Queen would
spare him. He presently goeth up the ladder
again, saying that she might keep that mercy for
others, but he said he had not lived so long a
Catholic to go now to heretical service.
When he was on the ladder, his children asked
him blessing. He desired God to bless them and
to send them no worse death than their father,
at which all the people laughed; but he thought
it a high blessing to wish them to die Martyrs.
1

(x.) RELATION WRITTEN BY A PRIEST IN ENGLAND. -

Mr. Pilchard, priest, being taken and imprisoned in Dorchester gaol, betwixt that and
his death, which was but a fortnight, he made
thirty Catholics that sought unto him being in
prison. He used himself so well that his keeper
began to show him what friendship he could, and
therefore he had a new keeper. Condemned to
die, he was so cruelly drawn upon the hurdle
that he was almost dead when he came to the
place; but afterwards recovering himself something, he was hanged, and as I think quartered,
being so soon cut down that he was half alive.
One being at his execution told a person that
had fallen, that there was no other way to be saved
but in that faith in which Mr. Pilchard died,
whose soul he saw carried by angels into Heaven,
12 This relation commences with an account of the Venerable

Roger Dicconson and Ralph Milner, which has already been
given, pp. 88, 96.

VENERABLE

JOHN

SUGAR.

321

and that he should shortly follow him, as he did,
for that he presently fell sick and so died. The
keeper of the gaol fell presently sick, and said
openly unto many standing by, that the devils
did strive for him, and that they would presently
carry him away; but that he saw Mr. Pilchard
stand with a cross betwixt him and them.
Mr. Pilchard had no sooner his judgment, but
was presently commanded to execution, so that
he had not an hour's space between judgment
and execution. As he was laid on the hurdle the
minister and preacher of the town said, Ofortet te
gloriariin Christo Jesu. His quarters were buried
in the field: the manner of his execution was, as
before, with such cruelty, that the people murmured much at it.
[All this relation is written by a priest then in
England, as appeareth, but no year is expressed.]
(XI.) FATHER CHRISTOPHER

WALPOLE TO

FATHER PERSONS.

"From Spain, September 19, 1604.

" From Father Michael [Walpole] I received
one from Bruges in Flanders of the 17th of August.
He writeth no particulars but only of the death
and martyrdom of one Swete, alias Cope, and a
layman in Warwickshire,13 at whose condemnation the Judge protested the rigorous execution
of the law hereafter, it being both commanded
13 Venerable John Sugar, alias Sweet, alias Cope, priest, with

Venerable

Robert Grissold,

July 16, 1604.

V

layman, suffered

at Warwick,

322

VARIA .

by Parliament, and again in particular by the
King [James I.] so straitly, as that he would not
have his own letters to have credit to the contrary
and much less any other Councillor's."
[Note by Father Grene.-The Catalogue of
Douay puts this martyrdom of Mr. Sugar,
August, 1604. If this be true, the author of that
Catalogue meaneth August, stylo novo, for Father
Blunt in a letter dated London, ist August, 1604,
relateth this martyrdom as done at Warwick the
last Assizes.]
VARIA.

Cheek, one of the Council of York, having
derided Mr. Francis Ingleby for making a cross
at the bar, within few hours broke his neck down
a pair of stairs.
Hurlston of the same Council going to the
Bishop of York to have leave to torment some
Catholics, expecting in anticamera, fell down dead
and stunk horribly.
Topcliffe having cruelly tormented Mr. Francis
Dickinson, priest and martyr, after his death
defamed him for being naughty with women.
He objected the same vice unto Mr. Bales,
Martyr, openly in the Sessions House, but Mr.
Bales so answered him that the whole shame
returned upon Topcliffe [whose great wickedness
in regard of this vice, see Collectanea M. p. 1o5.14
Note by Father Grene].
14See above, p. I19.

VENERABLE ROBERT SUTTON.

323

Mr. Hugh Moor, who was martyred at London
1588, was persecuted to death by his own father.
I knew one Mary, a young woman, dispossessed
of many devils by Mr. Dibdale the Martyr.
Robert Sutton, priest, martyred at Stafford,
being taken as he visited the gentlemen prisoners
John Wolsey Esquire, William Maxfield Esquire,
Edward Sprat, Francis Thornbery and his elder
brother, gentlemen, condemned for that they
received Mr. Sutton into the prison.
2. Of the Venerable Robert Sutton, Stonyhurst
College possesses a very noble relic, the history of
which is given in the following document.
THE

RELICS

OF MR. ROBERT SUTTON,

PRIEST.

Taken from some note-books existing at the English College in
Rome in the handwriting of Father John Gerard, S.J., this
22nd Jan. I689.-Note by Father Grene.

Mr. Robert Sutton, who suffered martyrdom
for the Catholic faith at Stafford in the year
1587, had previously been minister, and usurper
of the office of parish priest in the parish of
Lutterworth in the county of Leicester, where
formerly the impious heretic Wyckliff had held
that office. Here Mr. Robert was converted to
the true faith, and at the same time to a sound
and holy mind by his younger brother, Mr.
William Sutton, 15 a learned and pious man [who
afterwards joined the Society of Jesus].
By whose advice, in order the better to satisfy
15 William Sutton was sent to England from Douay in the
year 1577.-Note by Father Grene.

324

VENERABLE

ROBERT SUTTON.

God and his parishioners, before quitting a place
he had held so many years unjustly, he brought
them all together to speak to them. He began by
showing great sorrow, and begging their pardons
for having been so long not only a blind guide,
but one who had led them into pitfalls and
noxious errors. Then he declared that there
was no hope of salvation outside the Roman
Church, &c.
Having uttered these words he came down
from the pulpit, threw off his gown (being otherwise ready booted and girt for the journey), and
with another younger brother, whom he had
brought up in his house, mounted their horses,
which a trusty servant had ready outside the
churchyard, and rode to London, whence they
immediately crossed to Belgium, to study at the
On the completion of his
English College.
studies Mr. Robert Sutton, having been ordained
priest, came back to England, where I knew him
for some years, labouring strenuously and holily
in the Lord's vineyard.
Apprehended at length in the house of a
Catholic relative of mine, with whom he had
spent no short time in the chief town of that
county (Stafford), he was cast into prison, and
when, in the course of the year, the Judges came
there according to custom, he was arraigned,
convicted, and condemned as guilty of high
treason, for having, as a priest of the Roman
Church, presumed to come to England contrary
to the laws, &c.

VENERABLE

ROBERT SUTTON.

325

In the night preceding his passion he was
heard by some Catholic prisoners in conversation with others; but they, knowing that he was
in strict solitary confinement, and fearing lest
some attempt might be made against him
secretly, descended to the door of his cell and
found it securely shut, but looking through a
window, they saw him enveloped in light and
praying. Next morning the Catholics waited at
the door of the prison to see the Martyr go forth
and to commend themselves to his prayers; on
seeing them the good Father commended himself
to theirs, that God would be pleased to grant
him constancy and perseverance to the end,
"from Whom," he said, "I have this night
received greater consolation than I deserved."
He was drawn, as usual, to the place of
execution, and hanged. When he was half dead,
the rope was cut, and he fell to the ground. His
head was cut off, his body divided into four
parts to be hung up in various places.
After the lapse of a whole year, the Catholics,
wishing to have some relics from the holy body
of the Martyr, carried off one night by a pious
theft a shoulder and arm.
All the flesh was
consumed, torn, and eaten by the birds, except
the thumb and forefinger, which were found
whole and uninjured and clothed with flesh; so
that on these, which had been anointed with
holy oil and sanctified by contact with the most
holy Body of Christ, a special honour above the
other fingers was conferred, even in this world,

326

MR. TA YLOR.

326

MR. TAYLOR

before the day of the Resurrection, when the
whole body will shine like the sun in the'sight of
the Father.
His brother, Mr. Abraham Sutton (whom
Robert had left at Douay), and who is now also
a priest, showed me both these fingers thus
wonderfully preserved, and gave me the forefinger.16 I have kept it deposited in a silver and
glass reliquary with great reverence, with a paper
on which the above account is briefly set down.
Our Fathers in England have the reliquary with
its sacred treasure, unless perchance, by the
iniquity of the times, it have been made the
spoil of the heretics.
[Father John' Gerard, alias Tomson, wrote the
above A.D. 1630, the 27 April.

The above is from the autograph.]
3. We now give some summaries made by Father
Grene of fuller accounts of martyrdoms in his Collectanea E.

At York, Mr. Taylor, having received sentence
of death with a layman on a Thursday, and on
the following day, Friday, having said Mass and
his Office; " How happy," said he, "should I be,
if on this day, on which Christ died for me, I
might encounter death for Him."
16 Father Gerard should have said that the thumb, not the
forefinger, was in the possession of the Society.
See Life of
Father john Gerard, Third Edit. p. 120, for an account of this

and other relics that have happily been preserved to our time.

VENERABLE

EDWARD CAMPION.

327

Scarcely had he said this when the officer
unexpectedly came to lead him off to execution,
and leaving the layman for Saturday (the usual
day for executions), put him immediately to
17
death.
Edward Campion [suffered at Canterbury,
October I, 1588], a man both in name and in
deed like Edmund Campion.
Being in prison
with some who meditated flight, they tried to
induce him to join them, but he replied: "I would
readily consent, if I did not hope to suffer martyrdom with the rest."
When any one was condemned to death, his
Catholic fellow-prisoners met on the day on
which he was to suffer, and recited first the
litanies and the Stabat Mater, and with other
prayers besought Almighty God to grant constancy and courage to those about to die.
George Douglas, a Scotch priest.
He was
taken at Ripon and brought up for examination,
for alleging that the children of priests were
illegitimate, and denying the false bishops to be
really bishops, and was thereupon cast into a
dark prison. Being afterwards removed from
thence, he gave lessons to the sons of a certain
Justice, who was also a warden of that prison,
and who detained him in free custody. He still,
however, communicated with heretics, and did
17 Challoner gives November 26, 1585, as the date of his death.
This was a Friday.

328

VENERABLE

EDMUND SIKES.

not himself altogether shun their churches.
Being afterwards removed to York Castle, he
was thrust into a low dungeon, where he suffered
much, and contracted a fever, and after a time
was reconciled to the Catholic Church.
He was a learned man, and handled Catholic
controversy with such force against the ministers,
and so manifestly got the better of them that
they retired in confusion and could answer
nothing. He was sharp inspeech, and inveighed
without stint, against the wives of ecclesiastics,
and the ministers themselves. Being afterwards
examined by the heretics, whether he acknowledged the Queen to be Supreme Head of the
Anglican Church, he most freely denied it, and
proved his point with such authorities and arguments that for that cause alone he was convicted
of high treason. He suffered on the 9 th of September, 1587.

Edmund Sikes, priest, was put to death on
the 23rd of March, 1588. He was accused and
betrayed by his brother. He was first exiled,
then slain.
Edward Burden, priest, was martyred 29 th
November, 1588. He was a very weak man, and
one who kept his learning in the background.
When Father Dalby was led off to his trial he
complained, saying: "Shall I always lie here
like a beast, while my brother hastens to his

VENERABLE EDWARD BURDEN.

329

reward? Truly I am unworthy of such glory as
to suffer for Christ."
He was then ill with consumption, but next
day as he lay sick on his bed, the gaoler came
to him and called him to the court. The
summons so invigorated him that, dressing himself at once, he hastened thither with as much
alacrity as if he were not ill, so that the Judges
found fault with the gaoler for having said he
was sick.
He was a very mild man and endowed with
a wonderful sagacity in dealing with spiritual
diseases, especially in confession, and gifted with
an admirable prudence in consoling wounded
souls. He used' to journey on foot, for though
slight and infirm of body, the vigour of his mind
overcame this weakness. When he went on an
errand of mercy to souls, he seemed rather to
fly than to walk.

Robert Dalby was martyred I6th of March, 1589.
He was apprehended at Scarborough, at the very
time of his landing. He seemed to contend with
Father Burden as to which of them should first
be called to receive the crown; for as soon as he
wad brought before the court, he answered with
such boldness, that the Judges openly declared
that they found him guilty, because he professed
himself to be a priest. Among other things
objected against him was this, that a sixpence
was found in his purse, on which the Queen's

330

VENERABLE ROBERT DALBY.

likeness was nearly rubbed off, and they said he
would do the same to the Queen herself if he
could.
When he was led to execution with John Amias
they both went as joyfully as if they were going
to a feast, and having kissed and blessed the
hurdle, they of their own accord lay, nay, threw
themselves upon it, so that the bystanders
wondered at the joyousness of their countenances
and the alacrity of their movements. They
would not suffer themselves to be tied down to
the hurdle as was usual.
Though Dalby was very downcast before his
sentence, at being put off to another Session,
because he could not attain his crown in Father
Burden's company, yet after judgment such joy
welled up in his heart that he could not conceal
it, and therefore on the road he kissed Father
Amias and encouraged him in the conflict.
In former days, when Father Dalby was still
a minister, being admonished by some Catholic
of his state, he fell into such despair (considering
his past life) that he attempted to kill himself
with a knife. The stroke not being mortal, a boy
called for help as he fell, and the neighbours came
to his assistance. Then a certain priest having
reasoned him into a sounder frame of mind, he
left his country and betook himself to Rheims,
where he was made priest, and returning to
England he finally washed out with his own blood
the stains of his former life.

VENERABLE JOHN AMIAS.

331

John Amias was martyred with Father Dalby.
When these two stood at the bar, a man imprisoned for theft, named Bramley, who had
been brought up in heresy, thought he saw a
globe of light over the heads of these priests
hanging from the roof of the court. When they
were answering the charges and questions of the
Judges, the light moved over their heads, but
when the Judges were speaking, it moved over
the place where they sat and then returned again
towards the priests. At the sight of which the
aforesaid Bramley experienced greatdelight, but
when the speeches were over the light vanished.
The thief was so much moved by this, that
repenting of the sins of his past life, he desired
to be admitted into the bosom of the Catholic
Church, and having been made a living member
of the Body of Christ, he behaved with such
constancy, that he refused to pray with the
heretical ministers, declared that he no longer
belonged to their synagogue, but believed in all
things according to the teaching of the Catholic
Church. Many were the tears he shed over his
past sins, and commending himself to the prayers
of Catholics, he bore with patience the punishment due to his crimes, at the same time and
place as the aforesaid priests.

4. The following document is thus introduced by
Father Grene: "No author is noted. It wants one
or two pages of the beginning. Yet here I will copy

VENERABLE

332

STEPHEN ROWSAM.

some things, changing as little as possible the words,
but omitting what seemeth of less moment. It was
written in

1595,

or in end of I594."

A RELATION

OF DIVERS PERSECUTIONS.

1588-1594.

Stephen Rowsam.-After the Judge had condemned this servant and priest of God, he was
returned to his prison. But by the way a graceless company of apprentices and youths of
Gloucester were gotten to one of the dunghills,
from which they pelted this holy confessor most
spitefully and all berayed his face and clothes.
The morning he was martyred, he offered the
Divine Sacrifice of Mass, and there were with him
at it Mr. Thomson aforesaid (there called Groves)
and many more Catholics. They all confessed
and did receive at his hands. When Mass was
almost ended, the Sheriff's officers called at
the prison door to have the holy man to his
martyrdom. They were told he was not as yet
ready, and entreated to have patience a little,
unto which they yielded. After Mass, he said
his Evensong, blessed, kissed, and embraced
every one present, he went down cheerfully to
the hurdle, all his company much lamenting his
departure from them.
Before he came to the hurdle, one of the underto him:
keepers said thus
"0, Mr. Rowsam, if I were in the like danger
as you are, and might avoid it as easily as you

VENERABLE

STEPHEN ROWSAM.

333

may by going to church, surely I would soon
yield to that."
The good Father answered, "I pray thee be
contented, good friend; within this hour I shall
conquer the world, the flesh, and the devil."
He was then so laid on the hurdle that one of
his legs draggled on the ground as he was drawn,
and being admonished by a schismatic woman to
draw up his leg to him, he said, "No, all is too
little for Christ's sake."
He was hanged until he was dead, but so was
not Mr. Sandys 8s that died there before him, but
most bloodily and beastly used, so that the very
common sort of people cried out upon the officers,
and some preachers sued that Mr. Rowsam should
not be so handled.
This Mr. Rowsam had divers strange visions,
even being a schismatic, and many more after
The said
he was a Catholic and priest.
Mr. Thompson, his fellow-prisoner (as before
is said), got them of him, and let the writer
have a copy, which he dispersed into many
counties of England, but yet at the writing of
this present had none with him, else he would
have set them down all. This only he doth perfectly remember, Mr. Rowsam being in [Oriel] 19
College in Oxford, and running forth with many
others one day to see strange meteors that then
18 Venerable John Sandys executed at Gloucester, August II,
1586.
19 Blank in MS. In a list of Oriel College in 1572, S. Rowsam
appears among the commoners (Oxf. Hist. Soc. Registrum Un.
p.
Oxon. vol. ii. pt. ii. 40).

334

VENERABLE STEPHEN ROWSAM.

appeared in the sky, he beheld over his own head
and very near to him a crown very bright and
splendent, which he showed to his fellows that
stayed by him. God the Father and God the
Son appeared sundry times to him when a priest;
so did our Lady with words as he would not
utter. For the space of one night and day, or
thereabout, being a prisoner, he lived in unspeakable joy, which he deemed a taste of Heaven. As
he prayed once in the Tower of London, many
singing birds came over his book and pictures
which stood before him.
The 28th of March [May], 1582, were martyred
at London Mr.Thomas Ford, and Mr. John Shirt,
and Mr. Robert Johnson, priests. The same day
they appeared to Mr. Rowsam in the Tower, and
let him feel what pains their martyrdom had
been to them, and with what joy they were
rewarded. Before he was banished, being prisoner
in the same Tower, and most desirous to celebrate Mass, he had all things necessary thereto
conveyed unto him, he not knowing how or by
whom. This Dr. Stafferton told and bade us
report on his knowledge and credit.
It followeth in the said relation, anno 1593.
These fellows [he has been speaking of the
pursuivants, enumerating their many and most
unjust vexations of Catholics] could get no Justice
in Shropshire to aid them, but they met with a
monstrous apostate, one Lewis, that had been a
schoolmaster and Catholic. He hath six fingers

VENERABLE

JOHN PYBUSH.

335

on every hand, and as many toes on either foot,
a monster five times over in making and manners.
This monster directed them to all places he knew.
In July of the same year, 1593, with an outcry
they apprehended Mr. John Pybush, priest, at
Morton Henmarshe in Gloucestershire, had him
before the Lord Giles Shandis (now dead)
who offered him often the oath of the Queen's
Supremacy, then sent him up to the Privy
Council, where the Lord Treasurer, understanding he was a Seminary priest, bade him show
his crown. The holy confessor bowed down his
head and told him he had none, and that his
Lordship could easily guess at the reason. 20 "0,"
said my lord, "you think yourselves wiser than
all the world. Will you stand to the law? "
" I must, whether I will or no," said the priest.
" Then have him to Topcliffe," quoth my Lord
Treasurer, showing all this while great anger.
Topcliffe put him close prisoner in the Gatehouse at Westminster and never returned to him
till the year's end, and then he examined him
what preparation of wars he knew, when he came
into England, and so sent him to Gloucester
gaol, there to be tried, where he was taken.
The last Summer Assize (which was 1594) the
holy priest was arraigned of high treason, who,
before he could answer guilty or not guilty, asked
of the Judge, who was Mr. Clench, whether the
treason they laid to his charge was anything else
20 His crown means, of course, his tonsure, which would not
be worn by a priest in disguise.

336

VENERABLE

7OHN SANDYS.

but his priesthood and the exercise of his priestly
office.
The Judge answered, they had nought else to
lay against him.
Then the holy man replied, "If tobe a priest
be to be a traitor, then am I one. I thank God
for it."
But the Judge never gave sentence of death
on him, but returned him to prison, where he
yet remaineth joyfully and resolutely expecting
martyrdom the next Assize, which shall be ere
Easter, 1595, and daily he provideth for that high
1
2
honour.
I told you before that Mr. Sandys, who was martyred at this Gloucester, was bloodily butchered.
I will here set down some particulars. When
they had condemned him, they could find none
for any money to murder him; they could hire
no knife or other instrument in all the town to
mangle him. At last they found a most base
companion, who yet was ashamed to be seen in
that bloody action, for he blacked and disfigured
his face, and got an old rusty knife full of teeth
like a sickle, with which he killed him.
21 The Venerable John Pybush was not destined to die so soon
as the writer of this paper imagined. For, some of his fellowcaptives breaking prison, our Martyr escaped with them, but
taking little care to hide himself, he was rearrested, tried once
more, and this time sentenced to death at Westminster, June 25,
1595 (P.R.O. Corain Rege, 37 Eliz. Trin. n. 146, 2°). Execution
was however deferred until February 18, 16oi, when after a day's
notice he was hanged, drawn, and quartered at St. Thomas
Watering.

VENERABLE

JOHN

SANDYS.

337

The holy Martyr had requested the High
Sheriff (who was Paul Tracy of Stanwaye) to
suffer him to hang until he died. He then
granted the request, yet caused him to be cut
down as soon as he was cast off the ladder. The
holy man was nothing past himself, but said,
"O, Mr. Sheriff, you have not kept your promise."
Unto which Mr. Tracy replied not, but commanded his men to pull down the traitor, the
hangman to bowel him, and himself laid first
hands on him. The hangman did his bloody
office, the holy Martyr ever catching his ragged
knife in his bare hands, thereby to save himself,
but it was even pulled out most forcibly, wherewith they cut and mangled his sacred hands
most pitifully. When he had pulled from him
his bowels, the blessed saint cried ever with
St. Stephen, " Lord, forgive my persecutors," and
so fell asleep in the Lord.
That monstrous Lewis I talked of caused
Nicholas Smallman, his wife, brother, and sister,
all of Shropshire, to be apprehended and committed to the Castle of Shrewsbury in 1582 or 83,
where they have been in prison ever since, because
they will not go to church; but Nicholas was
removed to London to the Gatehouse, 1584,
where he yet remaineth, because he was too
resolute and stout in God's cause and therefore
thought to do much harm in the said country
and city. He was a good freeholder, &c.
Finis hujus relationis.
W

CHAPTER XV.
PAPERS

FROM

NYMPHENBURG.

DOCUMENTS.
I. Relation of the martyrdom of the Venerable

Thomas

Reynolds and the Venerable Bartholomew Roe, O.S.B. Latin.
2. Martyrdom of the Venerable Edward Morgan.
3. Martyrdom of the Venerable Thomas Bullaker, O.S.F.

Latin.
4. Martyrdom

of

the Venerable

Thomas

Holland,

S.J.

French.

i. Nymphenburg is the central house in Bavaria
of the famous teaching order of the Institute of
Mary, commonly called the Englischen Fratilein or
English Ladies. It represents the Paradeiser Haus
in Munich, which was founded in 1626 by Mary
Ward and her English companions.
A search
through a considerable collection of documents
relating to the foundation and history of the Institute
brought to light four contemporary papers relating
to the deaths of English Martyrs in the year 1642.
By the kind permission of the Reverend Mother
General, we produce them here, and they shall be
the closing chapter of this volume. Fortunately
they refer to Martyrs of whom nothing has as yet

VENERABLE THOMAS REYNOLDS.

339

been said in this record of Acts, and they will
serve as specimens of the later class of our English
Martyrs.
The names of all the Martyrs with whom we are
here concerned figure near the top of the list presented to Parliament in 1651 by four pursuivants,
Wadsworth, Newton, Mayo, and Luke. This list i
contains the names of thirty-six priests, all tried
and condemned through the agency of these four
priest - catchers, who apply to Parliament for a
reward for their services. Of these thirty-six priests,
thirteen were martyred at Tyburn, and now bear the
title of Venerable, ten are recorded in the pursuivants'
list to have died in Newgate, four are said to be
" now in Newgate," six were banished, two seem to
have been pardoned, and one escaped.
The first of our Nymphenburg papers is dated
London, February I, 1642, the year being given in
New Style. It tells us of two Martyrs, a secular
priest and a Benedictine, who suffered together at
Tyburn on Friday, the 21st of January, O.S., in that
year. The one Martyr was the Venerable Thomas
Green, otherwise called Reynolds, to whom our
manuscript erroneously gives the Christian name of
Richard; and the other the Venerable Bartholomew
Roe, a Benedictine, called in religion Dom Alban.
VENERABLE THOMAS REYNOLDS,
AND VENERABLE

SECULAR

PRIEST,

BARTHOLOMEW ROE, O.S.B.

Suffered at Tyburn, 7anuary 21, 1641-42.

On the 31st day of January two priests suffered
a glorious martyrdom at Tyburn in London.
One of these was Mr. Richard Reynolds, a
1 Lingard, Edit. 1849, vol. viii. p. 45; Troubles, i. p. 336.

340

VENERABLE

THOMAS REYNOLDS

secular priest, who fourteen years ago had been
condemned to death on account of his priesthood,
but who had been reprieved by a royal warrant
and discharged from prison. 2 He was a man of
singular meekness and most gentle manners,
whereby he so far won the affections of the
Protestants that many of them publicly declared
with tears before his martyrdom that such a man
ought not to be put to death.
On the scaffold he openly proclaimed that his
death was ennobled by the cause for which he
died. That cause was Religion, which, he said,
needed no glory from his death; and, although he
had by a royal warrant been exempted from ordinary.judicial authority, he nevertheless declared
that he forgave all who had been in any way
whatsoever instrumental in bringing about his
execution. Here he was interrupted by the Sheriff,
who presides at public executions of this kind,
and who out of reverence for the man of God
had remained with head uncovered the whole
time he was speaking to the people, which was
for about half an hour. "And do you, sir, forgive me ?" he said, "for in this matter I must
"Most freely I forgive you,"
do my duty."
answered the Martyr. Then he raised his heart
awhile in prayer to God, sweetly embraced his
companion, and, after having tenderly kissed the
halter, at once placed .it round his neck; the
2 He remained in prison from 1628, when he was condemned
to death, to 1635. He was again arrested in June, 1641, and
executed on his former condemnation.

AND

VENERABLE

BARTHOLOMEW

ROE.

341

cart was then drawn away, and he gave up his
blessed soul to God.
Many had feared that he would waver when
brought face to face with death, because he had
seemed to show some timidity, and to be struck
with terror of the difficulties of the time, more
particularly as, instead of execution on the
scaffold, his life was offered him if he would
give up the Catholic faith. But the love of God
prevailed, and despising this corruptible life, he
was led by that love to the possession of eternal
life.
Immediately after him followed Dom Alban
Roe, of the Order of St. Benedict, a man of
dauntless soul, and brave in all things. When
he also, according to custom, began to speak on
the scaffold, he declared that enough had already
been said by his brother, pointing to Mr. Reynolds
with his finger, so that it would be unnecessary
to repeat it; but that if he had as many lives as
he had committed sins during his whole life, he
would willingly lay them all down in so good a
cause. When he began to speak a little more
sharply of the laws against priests made under
Queen Elizabeth, and called them tyrannical and
heretical, he was commanded by the Sheriff to
desist from this manner of speech. He then
asked the Sheriff whether his life would be
granted him if he embraced the Protestant
religion, and was answered that his life would
without doubt be spared, and that there was
nothing they wished more. The man of God

342

VENERABLE

THOMAS REYNOLDS.

then called upon God and men to bear witness
that he died for his God and his religion only.
The cart was then drawn from under him, and
he gave up his soul to God.
The two Martyrs had for companions in death
several criminals convicted of various offences.
Of these it is said that two were converted by
the Martyrs under the very scaffold itself. For
while Mr. Reynolds was speaking to the people;
Mr. Roe was seen to be in serious conversation
with them, and they in turn were observed to
make signs of sorrow and repentance; and when
they were asked by the Calvinist minister to sing
a Psalm after the Puritan manner, they turned
away their faces, would not join in the Psalm,
and, as others say, asked the prayers of the
Catholic bystanders.
While all these things were passing, the wonderful fervour and piety of the Catholics were
openly manifested.
Some of them ran in the
streets to the servants of God as they were led
to execution, and threw themselves down to kiss
their hands and garments; others implored their
blessing; while others, again, exhorted them to
constancy, exclaiming, "Courage, Soldiers of
Christ; we would willingly give ourselves and
our children to a similar death for the Catholic
faith." The men of God answered with a smiling
countenance, giving thanks and blessing the
people, and saying they were going as it were
to a wedding, adding that the hurdle upon which
they were being dragged to execution for the

VENERABLE

EDWARD MORGAN.

343

Catholic faith was far more pleasing to them than
could be any royal chariot upon which they might
be drawn in triumph. Upon that hurdle they
heard each other's confessions.
The Catholics piously vied with each other in
taking away relics of the Martyrs. Many dipped
handkerchiefs in the dismembered bodies: others
carefully collected the blood-stained straw from
off the ground; while some snatched from the
flames the intestines, which, as usual, had been
thrown into the cauldron, and carried them
home.
At the death of these two Martyrs were present
some Protestant noblemen, who could scarcely
refrain from tears, and openly proclaimed that
by the example of these two holy Martyrs many
persons would without doubt be converted to the
Catholic faith.
2. The Venerable Edward Morgan, alias Singleton,
may be claimed by most of the English Seminaries
as one of their Martyrs. He seems first to have
been at Douay. Thence in the year 16o6, when he
was over twenty, he went to the English College at

Rome, where he received the minor orders. He
entered the Society of Jesus in October, 16o9, but
he left from ill-health. For the same reason he left
St. Alban's College, Valladolid, to which he went in
1615. He remained some time at Madrid, and was
ordained priest at Salamanca, as he tells us in his

speech on the scaffold. In 1621 he came on the
English Mission, where he laboured for twenty years
before he received his crown.

344

VENERABLE

EDWARD MORGAN.

He is called Edward in the Roman register, John
in that of Valladolid, and Edmund on his picture
still existing in that College.
The following narrative is headed, "A brief relation of the cheerful, devout, and constant death of
Mr. Edward Morgan, a Seminary priest." It appears
to be the original English of the Latin account used
by Challoner. The final phrase, which says that the
officers asked the bystanders for their handkerchiefs
and gloves to dip in the Martyr's blood, is very
remarkable. The later martyrdoms vary in some
respects from those of Elizabeth's time. The Sheriff
standing uncovered all the while that the Venerable
Thomas Reynolds was speaking is a great contrast
to Topcliffe, who browbeat his victims to the very
end of their lives.

VENERABLE

EDWARD

MORGAN.

Suffered at Tyburn, April 26,

1642.

He was condemned at the Sessions House in
the Old Bailey in London on St. George's day,
and received the sentence of death with great

joy.
In the prison after condemnation, being visited
by many, both Protestants and Catholics, he took
much pains in answering the objections which the
Protestants made concerning religion; which he
performed with so much zeal, charity, and
moderation in the manner of his speech that,
although he confounded them exceedingly by the
force of his arguments, and made clear their absurdity and the truth of the Catholic religion, yet

VENERABLE EDWARD MORGAN.

345

he left them not offended, but satisfied, showing
much respect and compassion towards him.
To the Catholics he spoke of his happiness for
being condemned for so glorious a cause, and
desired their prayers, that (to use his own words)
he might die a true Roman Catholic priest-that
is, that he might not be daunted with death,
nor presume too much in himself, that he might
die with courageous humility and with humble
courage; that he pardoned all that had concurred
to his poverty, or were the causes of his being
called madman, of the misery of his imprisonment
for fourteen years, and of his being condemned
to die.
He told one who was with him upon Sunday
night, that he had said Mass that day (not having
had opportunity in a whole twelvemonth before
to say it till then), and never in his life had more
difficulty than to make an end of Mass, by reason
of the extreme abundance of joy and comfort by
which he said he was transported; and having
used the words of St. Francis Xaverius, Satis est
Domine, was enforced to divert his mind from
thinking on the name of Jesus, that so his joy
and tears being somewhat moderated he might
make an end.
A good man3 coming again to him the next day
after, with such alms as many Catholics willingly
offered for the satisfying of such debts as, for his
mere necessary sustenance, he had contracted in
* This term was commonly used by Catholics to avoid mentioning the word "Priest."
See, p. 247 ante.

346

VENERABLE

EDWARD MORGAN.

two years, he found him in the same or rather
more alacrity, having been tired all that day with
satisfying all sorts of people that flocked to him,
begging his prayers, of which some procured to
take off all they could that was about him, as
buttons, handkerchiefs, and at length tore off
pieces of his coat, so much that he was brought
to yield that his whole coat was taken from him
and another sent him, and the whole night he did
not go to bed.
Tuesday morning, which was the execution day,
being drawn (as the custom is) after eight o'clock
in the morning upon a hurdle, the people seemed
to incline more to compassion than to offer any
affront or uncivil words. And being somewhat
straitly tied, by the neck especially, on the hurdle,
and his head very low, whilst they stayed to settle
and compose him, one desired him to drink a cup
of wine. The while the whole multitude staying,
he took occasion (upon some question made) to
say he went to die for being a priest, and showed
so much alacrity as all the people wondered. And
one saying that the Popish priests could drink
wine and be drunkards, another Protestant told
him that because their ministers were such, therefore the seeing this man drink a cup of wine made
him think their priests were drunkards too, but
he was much deceived.
Another Protestant hearing how great care he
had taken for the satisfying some small debts
said, "This man will rise in judgment against
Protestants, for (said he) he and those of his

VENERABLE

EDWARD MORGAN.

347

profession are just, and do no wrong." Yet some
there were who upon occasion of some monies
brought and paid in the prison to his creditors,
said there were divers come to buy pardons of
him, and that one lady gave him 251. for a pardon
of all the sins she should commit.
After the aforesaid halt, as they proceeded by the
way, a Welsh footboy spake to him in Welsh, and
he answered him in the same tongue very cheerfully, advising him and counselling him very
cheerfully to be careful in serving God, and not
to offend His Divine Majesty, with other holy
admonitions, till upon notice taken by the officers
the footboy was taken off.
When he came to Tyburn, the place of execution, the throng of coaches, horses, and people
were so great and pressing that the hurdle could
by no means pass (as usual) to the gallows; till
at last, after some stay, and the much difficulty
of the officers, a cart, with a basket in it to
receive his blessed quarters after his death, made
way till it was under the gallows, into which
he very cheerfully ascended, and bending very
devoutly upon his knees, recommended himself
upon his knees to Almighty God. He rose up
(no other noise being made after his arrival but
of such as cried, " Peace, peace, peace, that we
may hear him;" others demanding what he had
said, and most standing with their hats off).
Then, having cast away his hat to some one of
his acquaintances, he looked so cheerfully and
courageously as if he had mounted a triumphant

348

VENERABLE

EDWARD MORGAN.

chariot; and so walking to and fro in the cart till
the multitude was somewhat appeased.
His first words were to desire Mr. Sheriff to
hear him. His demand was whether he might
be admitted to speaking, saying he so much
respected authority that he would not speak one
word without licence first had. The Sheriff with
much ado laboured to get through the multitude,
but not being able, sent word to him that he had
leave to speak so much as he would.
Then
blessing himself he spake as followeth.
"Now having leave by authority to speak
(without which," said he, "I would not), I must
tell you that standing the other day at the Sessions,
I have taken cold, and thereby fear I shall not
be able to express myself so well as I wish, yet
I will adventure to do so well as I am able, and
will take for the subject of my discourse a short
and brief sentence out of the words of God, and
read this week in the holy Mass according to the
custom of our religion: Bonus Pastor animam
suam dat pro ovibus suis-' A good pastor giveth
his life for his flock.' Mistake me not. I bring
not these words to apply them to myself, who
am most unworthy of this title and dignity, and
a poor sheep of that grand Pastor of souls, Christ
Jesus, Who suffered and died for us all. But
before I expound this sentence, I will clear some
doubts or questions, which some here present
may have, or ask to be satisfied, in prevention of
all idle and false billets and pamphlets after my
death upon such occasions, and therefore do

VENERABLE EDWARD MORGAN.

349

assure you I am neither Jesuit, monk, or friar,
but a true Seminary priest. And further, to
satisfy such as shall inquire after my name and
country and .education, I am by nation a Welshman, and by name Edward Morgan, my father's
name was William; one of my mother's kindred
hadrule and government in the Low Countries,
and afterwards made Lieutenant of the Tower of
London. I speak not this out of ostentation,
but that people may not be misinformed. I was
born in the year 1584, and am now fifty-seven
years of age. I went over in my young days
into the Low Countries, where I studied some
years, then in Rome, afterwards in Spain, 4 and
was made a priest in Salamanca, from whence
returning into England, I was taken and committed to the Fleet, where I have remained these
fourteen years in much need, and hardly have
had the wherewithal to satisfy and sustain nature,
and have been held by some as a madman, which
God forgive them for, as I do wish from the
bottom of my heart."
After which he turned himself to the people,
and began to expound the text before mentioned,
but the noise of the tumult was so great that
little could be heard. He showed that the death
of Christ was an example and sufficient to all His
to give willingly their lives for Him, and that to
die for being a Roman Catholic priest is to die
for His Church, and so consequently for Him.
And as there was one God, one Baptism, one
4 Challoner wrongly says, "From Spain he went to Rome."

350

VENERABLE

EDWARD MORGAN.

faith, so there must be one Church, and if ever
he had had any true reason or disproof of the
Roman Catholic Church, he would never have
continued a member thereof, but that he was
sure there neither was, nor is any. He brought
proofs of the antiquity and universality of the
true Church, both in time and place, and the
constant and uninterrupted succession thereof.
And further, he showed the novelty of sects.
And for the aforesaid -true Church of Christ, he
was ready and most willing to die, and offer up
his blood, and pray for the good of his country
and the greater union betwixt the King and
Parliament (or to this effect).
And hereupon the doctor or minister-assistant
interrupted him, and said, "Mr. Morgan, I would
wish you to dispose yourself for death, and not
to go about to seduce the King's people." He
turning about to the minister told him it was
not a time to dispute, which said, he turned
again to the people, and went on with his former
discourse, expressing how that he died only for
being a true Seminary priest.
Here the minister again stopped him, saying,
" No, Morgan, you mistake; you die for no such
matter."
"For what then? " said Mr. Morgan.
The minister replied, "For going out of the
kingdom against the laws of the land."
"Good sir," said Mr. Morgan, "trouble me no
more," and returned to his discourse with great
zeal, alacrity, and to the content of all the people ;

VENERABLE

EDWARD MORGAN.

351

until at last the minister spake to him the third
time, and wished him to put his trust in the
merits of the Lord, and not in angels and saints.
Whereunto Mr. Morgan replied, "Mistake not
yourself, sir, for I put my whole trust and confidence in the infinite merits of my Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, Who died for me."
"That is well said," said the minister, and let
him alone.
Then having ended his speech, and recommended himself most fervently to Almighty God,
he with a merry countenance wished Gregory to
do his office, and gave him a piece of money.
Gregory going to dispose him in some posture,
he said, " I pray thee,'teach me, for I never was
at this sport before."
Whereupon the minister said, "Mr. Morgan,
this is not a time to sport, nor is it a jesting
matter."
" Sir," said Mr. Morgan, "I know it is not jest,
but good sober earnest; but you cannot deny
but that God requireth a cheerful sacrifice, and
I hope it is no offence to you and these good
people that I go cheerfully and merrily to Heaven."
By this time Gregory, having made' the rope
ready, was putting it over his head, but Mr.
Morgan desired to see it first, and then took it,
and kissing the same, put it on, and so, recommending himself again to Almighty God, he
pulled down the handkerchief over his face, and
so was turned over, never once stirring, and
hanged so, while Gregory was putting on his

352

VENERABLE

THOMAS

BULLAKER.

apron, sleeves, &c., and preparing his block and
knives, &c., so that he hanged above a quarter of
an hour, andwas quite dead. And then Gregory
fell to his butchery.
So ended this glorious
Martyr, to the admiration and astonishment of
all the people, all crying, " Lord, receive his
soul." And the officers calling for the people's
handkerchiefsand gloves to wet in the blood,
which they did, and delivered them again to their
owners, and one got almost his whole heart out
of the fire.

3. Our next document gives the "Death for the
Catholic Faith of the Reverend Father Thomas
Bulaker, of the Order of St. Francis, in London,
October 22, I642." The Venerable Thomas Bullaker, as his name is more commonly spelt, was in
religion called Father John Baptist. He was born
in 1604, he went to St. Omers at the age of seventeen; according to the Certarnen Seraphicurn, and in
three weeks he was sent thence to the College at
Valladolid.
He arrived there in 1621, and while
there he went by the name of Thomas Taller.
Making known to Father Alexander Baker, S.J.,
the vocation that he felt to the Order of St. Francis,
after a retreat he was advised to ask admission to
the Recollect Convent of Abrojo, and there he
entered as a novice on the feast of Corpus Christi,
1622. After his profession and ordination Father
John Baptist left Spain for England. On landing at
Plymouth he was arrested, and was sent first to
Exeter County Gaol. There he was not tried, as
there was no evidence against him, but he was sent

VENERABLE THOMAS BULLAKER.

353

to London in custody and there discharged. He
had been twelve years in England, when by Wadsworth's means he was twice arrested, and thus at last
obtained the crown of martyrdom. The following
narrative is independent of that in the Certamen
Seraphicum, which is Challoner's sole source of information.
VENERABLE THOMAS BULLAKER, O.S.F.
Suffered at Tyburn, October 12, 1642.

The English Catholics continue to fill up in
Christ's Body, that is the Church, those things
that are wanting to His Passion. Within less
than two years' time from the beginning of the
present Parliament, nine Martyrs have entered
Heaven in the ranks of His purple-clad warriors.
London, ever fruitful in holy Christian athletes,
has been the scene of five of these martyrdoms,
God so disposing matters, that in the capital of
the whole kingdom and its most populous city,
the constancy of Catholics should be conspicuously
manifested to the greater praise of His Church.
The last to suffer was the Rev. Father Thomas
Bullaker, of the Order of St. Francis, who died on
the 22nd of October [N.S.], a priest of singular
holiness, and a pattern of fortitude, modesty, and
cheerfulness of demeanour, a cheerfulness which
he manifested even in his execution. He was the
son of a doctor at Chichester in the county of
Sussex, and while a priest in England he devoted
himself diligently to the care of souls. When
scarcely more than forty years of age he gained
x

354

VENERABLE

THOMAS BULLAKER.

the palm, for which, as one athirst, he had long
yearned with burning desire.
The previous year, when he was in the country
and heard of the death of Mr. William Ward,
of happy memory, the first Martyr under the
present Parliament, 5 he said to some friends who
were with him: " How can I remain here when
so great a crown is to be won in London? Did
I not come back to England for this very end ? "
Forthwith he went to London, where he was
apprehended when he was coming from the
house of the Portuguese Ambassador. He boldly
declared that he was a Catholic, and that he had
often been present at Mass, although he had not
this day had this consolation. He could not be
induced to take the unlawful oath of allegiance,
or to acknowledge the royal supremacy in matters
spiritual; and he openly stated that he would
swear to nothing that was contrary to the laws
of God or against his conscience. But the fatal,
and to him happy, hour had not yet come; for,
bail being offered for him by his friends, he was
released.
A few months afterwards, when other Martyrs
had been put to death, Father Bullaker impelled
by an increased hope of sharing their blessed lot,
and moved in great measure by the death of
Mr. Edward Morgan, again returned to London,
and there fulfilled the holy offices of the priesthood with great fervour, zeal, and benefit to the
souls of others. At last-I know not through
5 Venerable William Ward suffered at Tyburn, July 26, 1641.

VENERABLE

THOMAS BULLAKER.

355

whose treachery--he was again apprehended
while he was saying Mass in the house of Lady
Powell, a noble matron of the family of the house
of Montague. When taken before some members
of the House of Commons, he bore himself with
undaunted courage, and gave excellent proof of
the truth of the old religion. His sentence was delayed until the sitting of the Judges on capital cases,
which takes place at given periods in London.
When he was again called up for trial, he
avowed frankly and bravely that he was a priest,
but he absolutely denied that he was on that
account guilty of any crime; and this he confirmed with such convincing reasons that the
jury would not deliver their verdict without first
consulting the Parliament. Two days afterwards,
Father Bullaker was condemned to be hanged and
quartered, which is the punishment adjudged in
England to those found guilty of high treason.
When he received the news of his death-sentence
he had but one cause for sorrow, viz., that on
account of the poverty he had vowed, he had
nothing wherewith to make a present to the
bearer of the good tidings; otherwise he would
by no means have allowed him to go away without
a gift, seeing that he had brought him the
happiest news he had ever in his life received.
A pious fellow-prisoner lamented bitterly with
'feminine tears, but with manly courage, that she
was not permitted to share his martyrdom. Two
of his other penitents walked by the side of the
osier hurdle on which he was dragged to the

356

VENERABLE

THOMAS BULL4KER.

scaffold, and this through roads everywhere deep
in mud. .These holy women frequently kissed
the outstretched hands of the priest, and eagerly
drank in his pious counsels.
When he arrived at the place of execution,
few could hear him speak, partly because his
words were drowned by the noise of the
assembled crowd of people, partly because
his voice was weak, owing to his general exhaustion resulting from previous labours, night
He had not
watches, prayers, and fasting.
been suffered to say much, before he was frequently interrupted by an importunate preacher,
who, when the Martyr began to speak of the Real
Presence of our Lord in the Blessed Eucharist,
But the
made himself most troublesome.
Sheriff, a more humane man, willingly allowed
the herald of truth to proceed, and he himself
often and humbly petitioned the minister that he
might do so, but the chattering impostor pretended that it was not fair that the faithful, that
is the people, should be seduced by false doctrine.
When the servant of God was about to be
hanged, the Sheriff in mercy promised that he
should not be cut down until he was quite dead;
for the executioners out of hatred usually cut
down the priests while still half alive, and dis-.
embowel them while still breathing, and capable
of feeling. The Martyr thanked him, but bravely
answered that, though he acknowledged the kindness, he did not in the least fear any torture, and
was even ready to be quartered before he was

VENERABLE THOMAS

HOLLAND.

357

hanged. As he was found worthy of the contempt
of the Cross, he was hanged amongst thieves and
others guilty of crimes deserving death; but there
was this difference, that the Master was placed
between the crucified criminals, while His Martyr
was the first of the condemned company to suffer.
The rope being ready, and all things else
prepared, the servant of God remained awhile
with his hands raised to his head. He had previously agreed with a priest of his Order who
was present that when he gave this sign he
should receive the last absolution. Thus gloriously
died Father Bullaker, laden with merits rather
than with years, ready for Heaven in the prime
of life, a splendid example of Christian fortitude
not to Catholics only, but also to heretics. Many
of these last strongly condemned the exercise of
such cruelty towards innocent men, and predicted
many evils for the city of London on account
of the unjust sentences there carried into execution against priests.

4. The Venerable Thomas Holland, S.J., who
went by the names of Saunderson and Hammond,
is said by tradition to be of Upholland in Lancashire.
He was born in 16oo. For about six years he was
a student at St. Omers, where he was more than once
elected Prefect of the Sodality. In 1621 he went
to the Seminary at Valladolid, and while there he
was sent to Madrid to deliver a Latin speech on
occasion of the visit of the Prince of Wales, afterwards Charles I. In 1624 he entered the Society at

358

VENERABLE

THOMAS HOLLAND.

Watten, and he was ordained priest at Liege. He
was Minister at the Tertianship at Ghent and then
Prefect and Confessor at St. Omers. He took his
last vows as Spiritual Coadjutor at Ghent, May 28,
1634, and in the following year he came on the
English Mission, which he served for seven years.
These were spent in London in the midst of the
greatest dangers. He is reported to have been very
ingenious in disguising himself, speaking French,
Flemish, and Spanish, and perfectly able to imitate
a foreigner's pronunciation of English.
An interesting episode in Father Holland's ministry, which
must have occurred soon after his arrival in London,
was the part he had in the conversion of Lady
Falkland's daughters by the refutation of William
Chillingworth, an apostate, whom Archbishop Laud
was employing to prevent their becoming Catholics. 6
The following paper needs no further introduction.
It is written:in French, and it is headed, "The
happy and saintly death of Father Thomas Holland,
priest of the Society of Jesus, which he suffered in
London on suspicion of being a priest."

VENERABLE

THOMAS

HOLLAND, S.J.

Suffered at Tyburn, December 12, 1642.

On Wednesday, the 7th of December, 1642,
Father Thomas Holland, of happy memory, after
having endured two months' imprisonment, was
summoned before the Judge and the twelve
jurors, according to the form of justice in
England. Where, being accused by three pursui-

6The Life of Elizabeth, Lady Falkland,
Georgiana Fullerton.

1585-1639.

London, 1883, p. 185.

By Lady

VENERABLE THOMAS HOLLAND.

359

vants, and an unfrocked Jacobin,7 he answered
courageously, and showed clearly to all the world
that according to the laws of this country he was
guilty of no crime. He was, notwithstanding,
found guilty by the twelve jurymen, which caused
so much astonishment to the members of Parliament that one of them, named Garou6
[Garroway],8 said loudly and clearly before them
all, that if he had been one of the jurors he
would not have agreed to the verdict for all the
gold in the world.
The Saturday afterwards, when the time came
to pronounce sentence of death against him, the
Judge, named Sergeant Luisant, 9 said, " Sir, I
have no fault to find with your life or with your
actions. You have always acted honourably, but
as the jury have convicted you, it is my duty to
give sentence;" which was done, and Father
Holland was taken back to prison until the
Monday following.
During this short time hundreds of Catholics
came to ask his blessing, and to recommend their
needs to him. The Portuguese Ambassador sent a
painter to him, being desirous to have his portrait;
7 Thomas Gage, an apostate friar, had a share in the deaths
of several Martyrs. See Foley, Records, ii. p. 520. His brothers
were all excellent Catholics, Sir Henry Gage, Governor of
Oxford, George, a secular priest, and William, a Jesuit.
8 Father Tanner gives this name, and adds that the Lord
Mayor, Sir Isaac Pennington, said the same. The latter name
figures as " Ponnigagnoni,"
9 Peter Phesant was made Sergeant in 1640, Recorder for
a month in 1643, Judge of the Common Pleas in 1645, and he
died in 1649 (Hadyn's Book of Dignities).

360

VENERABLE THOMAS HOLLAND.

and the Duc de Vend6me sent one of his gentlemen to say that if he wished, he would petition
Parliament to grant him a respite. The Father
humbly thanked them both, and said he did not
merit it.
The Spanish Ambassador had him recommended in the Masses and prayers in his chapel,
and sent him a message begging him to remember
His Catholic Majesty and the affairs of his kingdom. The Father thanked him for the favours
he had shown him, and promised to say on the
morrow his last Mass for this intention.
On Sunday, the Capuchin Fathers brought the
necessary furniture for the altar, and were present
at the Mass in the prison, where several went to
confession to the Father, and received Holy Communion at his hands.
In the afternoon, at five o'clock, he made his
general confession to one of the Fathers of his
own Society, and remained all the night in prayer.
On Monday, at about four in the morning, he
celebrated Mass, confessed and communicated
several persons, and about eleven o'clock he was
taken on a sledge to the gibbet at Tyburn, one
league from the city of London, where he was
met by a Father of the same Society, who saluted
him, and taking his hand, said, " Courage, Mr.
Holland, good courage." To which he said, "Yes,
with God's grace." Then standing up on the
sledge and looking round, he said, "The silence
and attention of this large company seem to
show that I am to be allowed to speak. I declare

VENERABLE THOMAS HOLLAND.

361

to all that I do not intend to offend any one, and
if in speaking a word should escape me, I beg to
be excused, as it would be against my will. But
I forget, I ought to begin with the sign of the
Cross, the sign with which we overcome our
enemies."
He then said in Latin, In nomine Patris, &c.
" I hope," he said, "that no one will be offended
at this, as it is the sign of the Christian. I have
been brought here to die as a traitor, a priest, and
a Jesuit; but I may say in truth that none of
these things have been proved. My accusers are
Newton, a pursuivant, John Cook, his servant,
and Wadsworth, another pursuivant, and one
that it pains me very much to name-a man on
whom I pray God to have mercy and to bring
back to the Church from which he has apostatized miserably,-Thomas Gage, an unfrocked
Jacobin priest. All that Newton and Cook could
testify against me is, that they saw me in the
company of Mr. Smyth, 10 who they say is a Jesuit
priest; and to render me more detestable Newton
says, though most falsely, that Mr. Smyth was
principally concerned in the Gunpowder Plot.
John Cook was asked by the Judge if Mr. Smyth
had ever said that I was a priest. He answered,
'No, he had not said so.' The other two reported
they had seen me studying at the Seminaries on
the Continent, and nothing more. This is important. If they are now present they know I
am speaking the truth.
is Father Henry Floyd, alias Smith (Foley, Records, i. p. 549).

362

VENERABLE THOMAS HOLLAND.

"These proofs, if they are examined into, are
as much against my accusers as against me, as
they have themselves kept the same company,
and lived and studied in the same Seminary as I
have, and many others, too, who are not priests.
"Having been maliciously accused, as you see,
I put myself (according to the forms of justice of
this kingdom) into the hands of God and my
country, thinking to find people of judgment and
good sense to conduct my trial; but I was, contrary to the laws of the country, convicted as a
criminal without any proof, but solely by suspicion, jealousy, fear, and presumption.
For
according to law, to condemn a man who is
accused of what is attributed to me, the witnesses
ought to swear to the time and place where the
order of priesthood was first received, or that I
have been seen to exercise the functions of the
priesthood, such as preaching, catechizing, saying
Mass, hearing confessions, and the like. But
nothing of all this was proved against me-nor
can they name any one whom I have seduced or
persuaded to change his religion-so that the
Judge, Sergeant Luisant [Phesant], for his part,
discharged me from all crime, saying on the
bench, that he had nothing to say against my
actions or behaviour. So that I am here only
as a suspected person, and I am not obliged to
say anything except that I am a Catholic and
have lived with Catholics, as no one has proved
anything else against me."
The preacher then asked him to say what he

VENERABLE

THOMAS HOLLAND.

363

was. The Father answered, " But, sir, I have
just been telling you that very thing." The
preacher said, " I did not hear, and I am here on
purpose to hear and answer you when necessary."
The people laughed at this, and said, " The man
is deaf." The preacher, who was on horseback,
at this spurred his horse against the people.
They then brought the cart, and the Father
got up on it, and after him two thieves got up.
After he had briefly repeated what we have said
above, the preacher began to praise him and said,
" Sir, you said very truly, you have behaved very
well up to the present time, both in prison and on
the way here, as I took notice."
The Father asked the executioner whether he
could go on speaking, and where were the Sheriffs.
" Sir," said the executioner, "speak freely as much
as you will, and say nothing of the Sheriffs, as
they are not present."
"Then," said the Father, "may God pardon
the Judge, the jury, and my accusers. As for me,
I pardon them heartily; but it would be better
that they should make it a general rule for the
future that if a man will not swear that he is not
a priest, he shall be convicted of being one, even
if they have only a suspicion or presumption of it.
It is true that laymen can swear freely that they
are not, but in my opinion they ought not to do
so, but let the law take its course, so that this
way of doing things should be prevented. However this may be, I acknowledge publicly before
Heaven and earth, that I am, though very un-

364

VENERABLE

THOMAS HOLLAND.

worthy, a priest of the Society of Jesus, and this
confession can do me no prejudice, as I have
already been condemned to death without any
proof, but I confess my profession openly to
avoid any occasions of scandal."
The preacher here asked himseveral questions,
viz., How he expected to be saved? Was it by
the Blood of Jesus Christ, or how? The Father
answered, "Sir, we are all Christians, and without doubt we all believe in Jesus Christ, that He
is our Saviour, and that we cannot be saved
except by His merits."
"I ask you," said the preacher, "whether you
hope to be saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ
alone, without the assistance of good works, and
whether little children can be saved without
Baptism, by means of their parents' faith alone."
The Father replied, "Sir, I am not come here
to dispute; but what was it that Adam lost in
Paradise ? Was it this faith that you speak of?
No, it was the grace of original justice. But let
us talk of something more profitable to the people
who are listening to us. Well, then, my friends,
there is only one God in three Persons, the Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost, three Persons in one God,
and as there is only one God, so there is only one
faith and one Church, and out of that Church
there is no salvation. This is clear and evident,
but the question is, Which is that Church? I
answer that the true Church is that which teaches
her children the end for which they were created
and placed in this world, and also the means to

VENERABLE

THOMAS HOLLAND.

365

arrive at this end, and it is only the Catholic,
Apostolic, and Roman Church which teaches us
these things, and to love God above all things,
and our neighbour as ourselves, in order to obtain
eternal life."
The preacher would not hear more, but said,
"Enough, enough, sir; speak no more of that,"
and interrupting, caused the two thieves to speak.
However, the other Father, who was by the side
of the cart, said to Father Holland, in French,
"Sir, the people want to know if you are a
priest, and I beg of you to say so openly, as
they do not understand it from what you have
said."
When the thieves had spoken, Father Holland
began to speak again, and published that he had
been in Spain, France, the Low Countries, and
Germany. "I have studied and prayed to God,
I have taken all the pains I could to satisfy myself in the matter of religion for many years, and
I have found by experience that there is no other
way to salvation than the Catholic, Apostolic,
and Roman Church. I was brought up, taught,
and nourished in this faith to the present time,
and now God gives me the grace to die in it, for
which I thank Him from the bottom of my heart,
as also for having called me to the order of 'priesthood, as in truth I am a priest. I am at liberty to
say so now, as I am condemned to death, though
without lawful proof."
The preacher now said, " Say no more about
that, I beg you, sir, but pray to God quietly for

366

VENERABLE

THOMAS HOLLAND.

yourself and think of eternity, while I dispose
these other two to die well."
The preacher then made a long sermon by way
of prayer, and sang the Miserere in English, after
which the Father said, "Sir, I have not interruptedyou in your prayers, and I pray you now
to permit me to say mine, and to say them aloud,
so that all can hear what I say." This being
granted to him, he made the sign of the Cross in
Latin, and knelt down and prayed in English.
He made several acts of Faith, Hope, Charity,
and Contrition, calling humbly on God for mercy
on all the sins of his life, and asking Him also for
pardon for his enemies. "I pardon,"he went on
to say, " Sergeant Luisant, who condemned me,
the jury who found me guilty, my accusers, and
all those who have had a part in my death, and
also this man who has to execute the sentence.
I pardon him. He is only he instrument of
justice, and I give him what money remains to
me, by the permission of those whom, after God,
I honour the most."
In saying these words he put into his hand four
pieces of silver, worth together five florins. He
also prayed for his Majesty, King Charles, for our
Queen, the Queen Mary, the young prince, the
Duke of York, and the other children of their
Majesties, praying God to bless them and draw
them to His service. He also prayed for the
King's Council, the Parliament, that God would
reconcile them by a true and perfect union and
subjection. In short, he prayed for the whole

VENERABLE

THOMAS HOLLAND.

367

kingdom; and for the conversion and salvation of
all. He offered not only his life, but said if he
had as many lives as there were hairs on his
head, or as there are stars in heaven on a clear
night, or drops of water in the ocean, and perfections in God, he would willingly consecrate
them all to this effect. Then he said, "0 Father
of Mercy, receive my sufferings, although most
unworthy, in union with the sufferings of my
Saviour; and of all those by the law of nature,
the written law and the law of grace, that have
been, are, or will be pleasing to Thee." This
said, he shut his eyes; then opening them again
a little, he turned to the Father, who gave him
absolution, so that he could well hear those last
words, In nomine Pctris, &c. Immediately after,
he got up, pulled down his nightcap over his
eyes; they drove away the cart, and as he
fell, a Catholic took the cap from him, so that we
saw him, with his eyes and hands turned towards
Heaven, and so he remained without moving till
death. A soldier tried two or three times to
close his eyes, but in vain. His face, in dying,
became very red and then pale, and when the
rope was cut, his usual colour returned. His
quarters were carried back to the prison, to be
fixed up at the gates of the city, and his head on
the great bridge, according to the custom.

APPENDIX.
DECREE
OF

THE

CONGREGATION

OF

SACRED

RITES

FOR THE DIOCESE OF WESTMINSTER,
CONFIRMING THE HONOUR GIVEN TO THE

BLESSED

MARTYRS

JOHN CARDINAL FISHER, THOMAS MORE,
AND OTHERS,

PUT TO

DEATH IN

ENGLAND

FOR THE FAITH

FROM THE YEAR 1535 TO 1583.

once called the Island of Saints and
Dowry of the Virgin Mother of God, was renowned,
even from the first ages of the Church, for the
sufferings of its many Martyrs. So too in the sixteenth century, when torn by dire schism from the
obedience and communion of the Roman See, those
were found who" did not hesitate to yield their lives
and shed their blood for the dignity of this See and
the truth of the orthodox faith." 1
This noble band lacks neither fulness of numbers
nor grade of honour. It is adorned with the grandeur
of the Roman Cardinalate, it is dignified by vener-

ENGLAND,

1 Gregory XIII., Constitution Quoniam divine bonitati, May i,

1579.
Y

370

APPENDIX.

able Bishops, it comprises magnanimous priests, both
secular and regular; the invincible firmness of the
weaker sex is also there. Eminent amongst them is
JOHN FISHER, Bishop of Rochester, and Cardinal of
the Holy Roman Church, of whom Paul III. speaks
in his Letters as "conspicuous for sanctity, celebrated for learning, venerable by age, an honour and
an ornament to the kingdom and to the clergy of
the whole world." From him the layman THOMAS
MORE, Chancellor of England, must not be separated;
whom the same Pope deservedly praises as " excelling in sacred learning and bold in his assertion of
the truth."
Accordingly, the most weighty writers on ecclesiastical history are unanimously of opinion that
they all shed their blood for the defence, restoration,
and preservation of the Catholic faith. Gregory XIII.
even granted in their honour several ecclesiastical
privileges appertaining to public and ecclesiastical
worship, and chiefly that of using their relics in the
consecration of altars when relics of ancient holy
Martyrs could not be had. Moreover, after he had
caused the sufferings of the Christian Martyrs to be
painted in fresco by Nicholas Circiniani, in the
Church of St. Stephen on the Coelian Hill, he permitted also the Martyrs of the Church in England,
both of ancient and of more recent times, to be
represented in like manner by the same artist in the
English Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Rome,
including those who from the year 1535 to 1583 had
died under King Henry VIII. and Queen Elizabeth,
for the Catholic faith, and for the primacy of the
Roman Pontiff. The representations of these martyrdoms, painted in the said church, remained,
with the knowledge and approbation of the Roman

APPENDIX.

371

Pontiffs who succeeded Gregory XIII. for two centuries, until they were destroyed by wicked men
about the end of the last century.
But copies of them still remained; for in the year
1584, by privilege of the said Gregory XIII., they
had been engraved at Rome on copper-plate, with
the title : Sufferings of the Holy Martyrs, who for Christ's
sake and for professing the truth of the Catholic faith, have
suffered death in England both in ancient and more recent
.times. From this record, either by inscriptions placed
beneath them or by other sure indications, many of
the Martyrs are known by name, that is to say, fiftyfour. They are:
Those who suffered death under King Henry VIII.:
JOHN FISHER, Bishop of Rochester, Cardinal
of the Holy Roman Church.
THOMAS MORE, Chancellor of England.
MARGARET
POLE, Countess of Salisbury,
mother of Cardinal Pole.
RICHARD REYNOLDS, of the Order of St.
Bridget.
JOHN HAILE, priest.

Eighteen

Carthusians, namely:

JoHN HOUGHTON.

AUGUSTINE WEBSTER.
ROBERT LAURENCE.
WILLIAM EXMEW.
HUMPHREY MIDDLEMORE.
SEBASTIAN NEWDIGATE.

JOHN ROCHESTER.
JAMES WALWORTH.
WILLIAM GREENWOOD.
JOHN DAVY.

APPENDIX.

372
ROBERT SALT.

WALTER PIERSON.
THOMAS GREEN.
THOMAS SCRYVEN.

THOMAS REDYNG.
THOMAS JOHNSON.
RICHARD BERE,

and WILLIAM HORNE.

JOHN FOREST, priest of the Order of St. Francis.
JOHN STONE, of the Order of St. Augustine.

Four secular priests:
THOMAS ABEL.
EDWARD POWEL.
RICHARD FETHERSTON.

JOHN LARKE,
and GERMAN GARDINER (a layman).
Those who suffered under Elizabeth:

Priests:
CUTHBERT MAYNE.

JOHN NELSON.
EVERARD HANSE.
RALPH

SHERWIN.

JOHN PAYNE.
THOMAS FORD.

JOHN SHERT.
ROBERT JOHNSON.
WILLIAM FYLBY.
LUKE KIRBY.
LAURENCE RICHARDSON.
WILLIAM LACY.
RICHARD KIRKMAN.
JAMES HUDSON, or TOMPSON.

APPENDIX.

373

WILLIAM HART.

RICHARD THIRKELD.
THOMAS WOODHOUSE.
[THOMAS]

PLUMTREE.

Also three 2 priests of the Society of

Jesus:

EDMUND CAMPION.
ALEXANDER BRIANT.
THOMAS COTTAM.

Lastly these laymen :
JOHN STOREY, Doctor of Laws.
JOHN FELTON.
THOMAS SHERWOOD.

Until lately, the Cause of these Martyrs had never
been officially treated. Some time ago, in the year
I86o, Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman, of illustrious
memory, Archbishop of Westminster, and the other
Bishops of England, petitioned the Sovereign Pontiff
Pius IX., of sacred memory, to institute for the whole
of England a festival in honour of all holy Martyrs,
that is to say, even of those "who, though not yet
declared to be such, have in later times, for their
defence of the Catholic religion, and especially for
asserting the authority of the Apostolic See, fallen
by the hands of wicked men, and resisted unto
blood." But as, according to the prevailing practice
of the Congregation of Sacred Rites, a festival can
be instituted in regard to those servants of God
only to whom ecclesiastical honour (cultus) has been
already given and duly sanctioned by the Apostolic
2 The Holy See has permitted the Society of Jesus to keep
the feast of Blessed John Nelson and Blessed Thomas Woodhouse as priests of the Society, in addition to these three.

374

APPENDIX.

See, the said petition was not granted. Wherefore
in these last years a new petition was presented to
our Holy Father Pope Leo XIII., by His Eminence
Henry Edward Cardinal Manning, the present Archbishop of Westminster, and the other Bishops of
England, together with the Ordinary Process which
had been there compiled, and other authentic
documents, in which were contained the proofs of
Martyrdom as to those who suffered from the year
1535 to 1583, and also the aforesaid concessions of
the Roman Pontiffs in regard to those above mentioned.
Our Holy Father was pleased to commit the
examination of the whole matter to a special Congregation, consisting of several Cardinals of the
Holy Roman Church, and of officials of the Congregation of Sacred Rites,-the examination to be
preceded by a Disquisition, to be drawn up by the
Right Reverend Augustine Caprara, Promoter of the
Holy Faith. In this special Congregation, assembled
at the Vatican on the 4 th day of December of the
present year, the undersigned Cardinal Dominic Bartolini, Prefect of the said Sacred Congregation, who
had charge of the Cause, proposed the .following
question:
"Whether, by reason of the special concessions of the
Roman Pontiffs, in regard to the earlier Martyrs of England,
who from the year .535 to 1583 suffered death for the
Catholic faith and for the Primacy of the Roman Pontiff over
the Church, and whose Martyrdoms were formerly painted,
by authority of the Sovereign Pontiff Gregory XIII., in the
English Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Rome, and
in the year z58¢ were engraved at Rome on coffer-plate
by privilege of the same Pontiff,-there is evidence of the
concession of public ecclesiastical honour, or of this being

APPENDIX.

375

a case excepted from the decrees of Pope Urban VIII., of
sacred memory, in the matter and to the effect under consideration."
The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Fathers,
and the Official Prelates, after hearing the written
and oral report of the aforesaid Promoter of the
Holy Faith, and after the matter in regard to the
fifty-four Martyrs above named had been fully
discussed, were of opinion that the answer to be
given was:
"Affirmatively, or that it is proved to be a case excepted."
The undersigned Secretary having made a faithful
report of all that precedes to our Holy Father Pope
Leo XIII., His Holiness vouchsafed to approve the
decision of the Sacred Special Congregation, on the
9 th day of December, 1886.
The present decree was issued on this 2 9 th day of
December, sacred to the Martyr Thomas Archbishop
of Canterbury, whose faith and constancy these
blessed Martyrs so strenuously imitated.
D. CARDINAL BARTOLINI,
Prefect of the Congregation of Sacred Rites.
LAURENCE SALVATI,

Secretary.
L.+S.

DECREE
OF THE

SACRED

CONGREGATION

OF RITES

FOR THE

INTRODUCTION

OF THE CAUSE

OR DECLARATION

OF

TWO

HUNDRED

AND

OF BEATIFICATION,

OF MARTYRDOM,

SIXTY-ONE

VENERABLE

SERVANTS

OF GOD, WHO WERE PUT TO DEATH IN ENGLAND FOR THE
FAITH.

In the persecution which raged so fiercely in
England during the sixteenth century and afterwards against the Catholic Faith and the divinely
instituted Primacy of the Roman Pontiff, very many
of the faithful of every rank, after enduring mockery
and stripes, bonds and imprisonment, and suffering
many kinds of cruel torture, courageously laid down
their lives for religion. By their death the enemies
of Catholicity thought to tear up the Catholic Church
by its roots, in the country which in past ages was
deservedly called an Island of Saints. But the
blood of the slain, who from the moment of their
glorious deaths were everywhere held to be true
Martyrs of Christ, became the seed of new offspring
in the Church, which has there day by day wonderfully grown.
The times were adverse to the drawing up of the
formalities required for the process of these glorious
Martyrs, and to the introduction of their cause in

APPENDIX.

377

the Sacred Congregation of Rites, though it was
greatly desired, not only in England, but also by
the faithful throughout the Catholic world.
But
now, since the restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy
in England, what was so earnestly looked for has
in our day been happily accomplished.
The
Catholic Bishops have been able to collect together the ancient records; and by authority of
the Ordinary, to institute in the ecclesiastical
Court of Westminster the formal Process as to
the Martyrdom, the Cause of Martyrdom, and the
signs or miracles of three hundred and five servants
of God who were put to death for the Catholic
Faith.
The acts of this Process, supported by authentic
documents, were laid before the Apostolic See,
and were immediately followed by a Petition of
the Bishops, and of many other distinguished
ecclesiastics and laymen of the whole of England.
Our Holy Father Leo XIII. was pleased to
intrust the examination of this matter to a special
Commission, consisting of several Cardinals of the
Holy Roman Church, and officials of the Congregation of Sacred Rites, with directions that the
said examination should be preceded by a disquisition, to be drawn up by the Right Reverend
Promoter of the Holy Faith; and a dispensation
was also granted in respect to the introduction
of the Cause before the lapse of the ten years
required by the decrees, from the day of presenting
the Ordinary Process in the Sacred Congregation,
and in respect also to its introduction before the
written documents had been revised.
Afterwards, in a special Congregation, assembled
in the Vatican on the day below named, the under-

APPENDIX.

378

signed Cardinal Dominic Bartolini, Prefect of the
said Sacred Congregation, who had charge of the
Cause, proposed the following question:
" Whether the Commission is to be signed for the Introduction of the Cause, in the matter and to the effect under
consideration."
Then the Most Reverend Fathers, and the official
prelates, after hearing the written and oral report of
the aforesaid Promoter of the Holy Faith, and after
the matter had been fully discussed, decided:
" That the Commission is to be signed, if it shall please
His Holiness, in respect of two hundred and sixty-one,
.
namely :
[1537]

ANTHONY BROOKBY, of the Order of St.

Francis.
[1538] THOMAS BELCHIAM, and
the Order of St. Francis.

THOMAS CORT, of

[1539] GRIFFITH CLARK, priest; N. WAIRE, of the
of St. Francis; ADRIAN FORTESCUE and
THOMAS DINGLEY, Knights of St. John of Jerusalem; JOHN TRAVERS, priest of the Order of

Order

Hermits of St. Augustine; JOHN BECHE, Abbot of
Colchester; HUGH FARINGDON, Abbot of Reading;
RICHARD WHITING, Abbot of Glastonbury; ROGER
JAMES and JOHN THORN, monks of Glastonbury;
WILLIAM ONION and JOHN RUGG, of the Order of
St. Benedict.
priest; CLEMENT
[1540] EDMUND BRINDHOLM,
PHILPOT, layman.

[1541]

DAVID

GUNSTON,

Knight of St. John of

Jerusalem.
[1544]

layman.

JOHN IRELAND,

priest;

THOMAS

ASHBY,

APPENDIX.

379

[15831 JOHN SLADE and JOHN BODEY, laymen.
L1584] GEORGE HAYDOCK, JAMES FENN, THOMAS
HEMERFORD,

priests;

JOHN

NUTTER

WILLIAM

priest; JOHN

CARTER,

and

JOHN

layman;

MUNDEN,

JAMES

[1585] THOMAS ALFIELD,

priest;

BELL,

laymen.

and RICHARD WHITE,

FINCH

THOMAS WEBLEY,

layman; HUGH TAYLOR, priest; MARMADUKE BOWES,

layman.
[1586] EDWARD STRANCHAM and NICHOLAS WOODFEN, priests; MARGARET CLITHEROE, gentlewoman,
RICHARD SERGEANT (alias LEE), WILLIAM THOMSON,
ROBERT

ANDERTON,

WILLIAM

MARSDEN,

FRANCIS

INGOLBY, JOHN FINGLOW, JOHN SANDYS, JOHN LOWE,

JOHN ADAMS, and RICHARD DIBDALE, priests; ROBERT
BICKERDIKE and RICHARD LANGLEY, laymen.
[1587] THOMAS PILCHARD, EDMUND SYKES, ROBERT
SUTTON, STEPHEN ROWSHAM, JOHN HAMBLEY, GEORGE
DOUGLAS, ALEXANDER CROW, priests.
[1588]
RICHARD

LUDLAM,
ROBERT
GARLICK,
NICHOLAS
SYMPSON, WILLIAM DEAN, priests; HENRY

WEBLEY,

layman;

\VILLIAM

ROBERT

GUNTER and

MORTON, priests; HUGH MORE, layman; THOMAS
HOLFORD and JAMES CLAXTON, priests; THOMAS
FELTON, of the Order of Minims: RICHARD LEIGH,
priest; EDWARD SHELLEY, RICHARD.MARTIN, RICHARD
FLOWER, JOHN ROCHE, and MARGARET WARD, of the

laity;

WILLIAM WAY

(alias WIGGES),

ROBERT WILCOX,

EDWARD CAMPION, and CHRISTOPHER BUXTON,
ROBERT
EDWARD

WIDMERPOOL,
JAMES,

JOHN

layman;

RALPH

ROBINSON,

and

priests;

CROCKET,
WILLIAM

HARTLEY, priests; ROBERT SUTTON, layman; RICHARD
WILLIAMS, JOHN HEWETT (alias WELDON), EDWARD
BURDEN, priests; WILLIAM LAMPLEY, layman.
ROBERT DALBY, GEORGE
[1589] JoHN AMIAS,
NICHOLS, and RICHARD YAXLEY, priests; THOMAS

APPENDIX.

380

BELSON and HUMPHREY PRICHARD, laymen; WILLIAM
SPENSER, priest ; ROBERT HARDESTY,
[1590]
HORNER

layman.

NICHOLAS
CHRISTOPHER BALES, priest;
MILES
and ALEXANDER BLAKE, laymen;

GERARD,

FRANCIS

ANTHONY

MIDDLETON,

DICKENSON,
EDMUND

EDWARD
DUKE,

JONES,
RICHARD

HOGG, RICHARD HOLIDAY, priests.
[1591] ROBERT THORPE, priest; THOMAS \VATKINSON, layman; MOMFORD SCOTT, GEORGE BEESLEY,
and ROGER DICKENSON, priests; RALPH MILNER,
WILLIAM
PIKE, LAURENCE
HUMPHREY,
laymen;
EDMUND GENINGS, priest; SWITHIN WELLS, layman;
EUSTACE WHITE and POLYDORE PLASDEN, priests;

HILL, JOHN

BRIAN

LACY,

JOHN MASON,

and SYDNEY HODGSON,

laymen.
[1592 ]

ILLIAM PATENSON and THOMAS PORMORT,

priests; ROBERT ASHTON, layman; EDMUND

WATER-

SON, priest; JAMES BIRD, layman; ANTHONY PAGE,
JOSEPH LAMPTON and WILLIAM DAVIES, priests.
[1593] JOHN SPEED, layman; WILLIAM HARRINGTON, priest ; JOHN CORNELIUS, of the Society of Jesus;
THOMAS BOSGRAVE, JOHN CAREY and PATRICK SALMON,

laymen; JOHN BOSTE and JOHN INGRAM, priests;
GEORGE SWALLOWELL, layman; EDWARD OSBALDESTON,

priest.

ROBERT SOUTHWELL, of the Society of
JESUS; ALEXANDER RAWLINS, priest; HENRY WAL-

[1595]

POLE, of the

Society of Jesus; WILLIAM FREEMAN,

priest; PHILIP HOWARD, EARL OF ARUNDEL.

[1596] GEORGE ERRINGTON, WILLIAM KNIGHT,
WILLIAM GIBSON, and HENRY ABBOT, laymen.
[1597] WILLIAM ANDLEBY, priest; THOMAS WARCOP and EDWARD FULTHORP, laymen.
[1598]

priest;

JOHN BRITTON, layman;
PETER SNOW,
RALPH GRIMSTON, layman; JOHN BUCKLEY

APPENDIX.

381

(or JONES), of the Order of St. Francis, CHRISTOPHER
ROBINSON and RICHARD HORNER, priests.
[1599] JOHN LION and JAMES DOWDALL, laymen.
[1600]
CHRISTOPHER WHARTON, priest; JOHN
RIGBY, layman; THOMAS SPROTT, THOMAS HUNT,
ROBERT NUTTER, EDWARD THWING, THOMAS PALA-

SOR, priests; JOHN NORTON and JOHN TALBOT, lay-

men.
[1601] JOHN PIBUSH, priest; MARK BARKWORTH,
of the Order of St. Benedict; ROGER FILCOCK, of the
Society of Jesus; ANNE LINE, gentlewoman; THURSTAN

HUNT

and

priests;

MIDDLETON,

ROBERT

and THOMAS HACKSHOT,

NICHOLAS TICHBORNE

lay-

men.
[1602] JAMES HARRISON, priest; ANTHONY BATES
and JAMES DUCKET, laymen; THOMAS TICHBORNE
and ROBERT WATKINSON, priests; FRANCIS PAGE, of
the Society of Jesus.
[1603] WILLIAM RICHARDSON, priest.
[1604]
and

JOHN

SUGAR,

ROBERT

priest;

GRISSOLD

LAWRENCE BAILY, laymen.
[1605] THOMAS WELBOURNE, JOHN FULTHERING,

and WILLIAM BROWN, laymen.

[16o6] NICHOLAS OWEN, EDWARD OLDCORNE, and
RALPH ASHLEY, of the Society of Jesus.
[1607] ROBERT DRURY, priest.
[16o8] MATHEW FLATHERS, priest; GEORGE GERVASE, of the Order of St. Benedict; THOMAS GARNET,

of the Society of Jesus.
[161io]

THOMAS

ROGER CADWALLADOR, GEORGE NAPIER, and

SOMERS,

priests;

JOHN

ROBERTS,

of

the

Order of St. Benedict.
[1612] WILLIAM SCOT, of the Order of St. Benedict;
RICHARDN EWPORT and JOHN ALMOND,

[61]6

THOMAS

ATKINSON

and

priests.

JOHN

THULIS,

APPENDIX.

382

priests; ROGER WRENNO, layman; THOMAS MAXFIELD and THOMAS TUNSTAL, priests.
[1618] WILLIAM SOUTHERNE, priest.
[1628] EDMUND ARROWSMITH, of the Society of
Jesus; RICHARD HERST, layman.
[I64I] WILLIAM WARD, priest;
EDWARD BARLOW,
of the Order of St. Benedict.
[1642] THOMAS REYNOLDS, priest; BARTHOLOMEW
ROE, of the Order of St. Benedict; JOHN LOCKWOOD,
EDMUND CATHERICK, EDWARD MORGAN, and

HUGH

GREEN, priests; THOMAS BULLAKER, of the Order of
St. Francis; THOMAS HOLLAND, of the Society of
Jesus.

[1643] HENRY HEATH and ARTHUR BELL, of the
Order of St. Francis.
[1644] PRICE, a layman; JOHN DUCKETT, priest;
RALPH CORBY, of the Society of Jesus.
[1645]

HENRY

MORSE and BRIAN CANSFIELD, of

the Society of Jesus; JOHN GOODMAN, priest.
[1646] PHILIP POWEL, of the Order of St. Benedict;
EDWARD BAMBER, priest; JOHN WOODCOCK, of the
Order of St. Francis; THOMAS WHITAKER, priest.
[1651] PETER WRIGHT, of the Society of Jesus.
[1654] JOHN SOUTHWORTH, priest.
[1678] EDWARD COLEMAN, layman; EDWARD MICO,
and THOMAS BEDINGFIELD, of the Society of Jesus.
[1679] WILLIAM IRELAND, of the Society of Jesus;
JOHN GROVE, layman; THOMAS PICKERING, of the
Order of St. Benedict; THOMAS WVHITBREAD, WILLIAM
HARCOURT, JOHN FENWICK, JOHN GREEN (or GAVAN),

ANTHONY TURNER and FRANCIS NEVILE, of the Society
of Jesus; RICHARD LANGHORNE, layman; WILLIAM
PLESSINGTON, priest; PHILIP EVANS, of the Society
of Jesus; JoHN LLOYD and WILLIAM POSTGATE,
priests; CHARLES MAHONY, JOHN WALL, and FRANCIS

APPENDIX.

383

LEVISON, of the Order of St. Francis; JOHN KEMBLE,
priest; DAVID LEWIS (alias CHARLES BAKER), of the

Society of Jesus.
[1680] THOMAS THWING, priest; WILLIAM HOWARD,
VISCOUNT STAFFORD.
[1681] OLIVER

PLUNKET, Archbishop of Armagh."

As to the other forty-four the decision was:
"Delayed, and furtherproofs must be given."
The fourth day of December, i886.
The undersigned Secretary having then made a
faithful and accurate report of all that precedes to
our Holy Father Pope Leo XIII., His Holiness,
ratifying the decision of the Sacred Congregation,
vouchsafed to sign the Commission for the Introduction of the Cause with his own hand, on the ninth
day of the same month and year.
D.

CARDINAL BARTOLINI,

Prefect of the Congregation of Sacred Rites.
LAURENCE SALVATI,

Secretary.
L.+S.

APPENDIX.
384

384

A PPENDIX.
TABLE OF THE BLESSED AND VENERABLE
ENGLISH MARTYRS.
The following'tabulated results of the above decrees may be
of interest:
Blessed . 54
Venerable 261
Total

Under Henry In subsequent
VIII.
reigns.
Totals.
Blessed. Veaer- Blessed.

Venerable.

..

..

..

..

315

.

..

able.

Cardinal...
Archbishop

.

Secular Priests

18

Bridgettine..

.

Benedictines

.
.

..

.

Franciscans

.

I
1

Jesuits......

..

Knights of St. John

Laymen and women

..

3

1

i8

..
..

1
8

13

9

14

27

30

..
..

4
..

..

126

..

5

.

i8
..

..

.

Augustinian

6

5

.

Carthusians

x

..

..

3
..

..

3

3

Totals

2

3

70

78

30

20

24

241

315

The 44 dilati, whose' fate is still in' suspense, consist of I S
secular priests, 9 Jesuits, 6 Benedictines, and 11 lay persons.
Among the 54 Martyrs proclaimed Blessed by the first decree,'
there are six whose names were not included in the Ordinary
Process of 1874. These were -united with the others because
they are found in the English College pictures, authorized by
Gregory XIII. They are the Blessed Margaret Pole, John
Hailes, Thomas Woodhouse, Thomas Plumtree, John Storey,
and John Felton.
The number 305, named in the second decree, 2 is made up of
the 261 declared Venerable, and the 44 whose case is postponed.
The Process of 1874
353 names, to which 6 were
added in Rome. This corresponds with the total number of 315
Martyrs Blessed and Venerable, and 44 postponed.
1 P. 371, seq.
2 P. 377.

'contained

INDEX.
ABBOT, GEORGE, Archbishop of AMBASSADOR of Spain 3, 360.
Canterbury 15o, 169,
AMIAS, yEN. JOHN, priest
ADAMS, VEN. JOHN, priest
3301, 331.
ANDERSON, L.C.J., of Common
259, 285.
ADIS, HENRY 125.
Pleas 70, 71, I01,
io6, 116,
AGAZZARI, ALPONSO, FR. S.J.
119, 121I, 234,290, 301
250, 280.
ANDE RTON, EN. ROBERT,
ALLEN, WILLIAM, Card. 51, 68,
priest ;
Fr. Warford's reminiscences of
102, 104, 175, 212, 213,
218, 221,' 222, 255, 280.
him and Marsden 66 seq.,

193.

ALMOND, VEN. JOHN, priest
(alias Molineux, alias Lathor)

170-194

170;

Birth, education
grand
act in theology, returns to
England, in Newgate 171;
letter of 172 ; his brother
Oliver 173,
175.

174;

two arrests

Examined and disputes on the
oath 176-179; on deposing

178 ; treatment in
Newgate 172, 18o, 181 ;,re-

257;

At Oxford and Rheims 67; his
sermon 68; prefect over
younger boys, ibid.; nearly
lost at sea 69; arrested and
tried 70, 71; sent to London
72 ;

Privy Council warrant for their,
ditto
further examination

73;

for the execution

mation

74; procla-

read at the execution

75-So; its deceitfulness S1;
Naturally timid, but brave at
cord of trial lost 182; other
death 304.
accounts of 183 ;
ANDOVER 51, 57, 62.
His speech. at Tyburn 184- ANGLESEA 118, 131.
191;; king-killing 189 ; his ANTWERP i116.
courage 189, 191, 192 ; prays APPLETREE, JOHN, priest 275.
for King, &c. 190 ; wears ARMADA, year of the 286.
Mr. Muskett's ring -19; his ARUNDEL, ANNE, Countess of
chastity and cheerfulness 191,
212.
192 ; dies 192 ; consequent ARUNDEL,
VEN. PHILIP
conversions 192..
HOWARD, Earl of 212.
power

ALMOND, OLIVER 175.
AMBASSADOR of Portugal

359,

z

ARUNDELL, SIR JOHN I i8.

354,

Brian Lacey servant to 123.
Glynn, servant to 285.

INDEX.

386

INDEX.

386

AYLMER, JOHN, Bishop of Lon- BIRKETT, GEORGE, archpriest
don 101-104, 307.
511
BLACKFAN, JOHN, FR. S.J. 193.
BLACKWELL, DR. GEORGE, archpriest 251.
B. G. (? Blackwell, George) 222,

BLAKE, VEN. ALEXANDER

223.

291.
BABINGTON, Mr. 285.
BLANDFORD 126.
BAKER 291, 304.
BAKER, ALEXANDER, FR. S.J. BLENERHAISET, WILLIAM, ESQ.
123.
352.
BLOUNT, RICHARD, FR.S.J.
BALES, see Bayles.
176, 322.
BALLARD, a priest 285.
BANGOR, HUGH BALLOT, Bishop BLUNTSTONE, Ma. 292.
BODEY (BODY) VEN. JOHN,
of 127, 130;

174,

Chancellor of 131, 133;
Register of 131

M.A. of New College, Oxon
49;

v.)

Sheriff of 132, 133, 135, 139.
BARDICK, seeWinchester.

imprisoned with Slade (q.
50, 55;

BARKWORTHVEN. MARK,
O.S.B. '44.
BARNES, ROBERT 57, 58.

two trials and disputation with
Dr. Humphrey

51-53;

letter to Dr. Ely 54, 55;
execution 62-65.
BARONIUS, CARD. 172.
BODEY, GILBERT 54
BARRET, DR. RICHARD 250.
BARROWS (Barwys), haberdasher BOMBINO, FR. S.J. 35"
120.
BARTLET, WILLIAM 183.
BARTOLI, DANIEL, FR. SJ. 41.
BASING 125.
BASSELIER, IGNATIUS, FR. S.
40.

BAYLES, yEN. CHRISTOPHER, priest (alias Rivers)
289, 291, 307, 308, 322.
BEAUMARIS

127,

128, 137-139"

BEDDAM, THOMAS 89.

BEESLEY,

yEN. GEORGE,

priest 103, 291,
299, 300-303.

292--294,

BOOKS mentioned in the text:

Allen on Purgatory 50 ;
Bible 178 ;
Bristowe's Motives 247;
Christian Exercise

50;

8;

De Persecutione Anglicana
Foundation of Catholic Religion 239 ;
Jesus Psalter 223, 243, 274;
Leicester's Commonwealth 307;

216;

Life of Genings (1st Edit.)
Life of Earl of Arundel 217 ;
Manual 244

;

Mount of Calvary 246;

242;

BELL, yEN. JAMES, priest,

Our Lady's Psalter

218.
BELLAMY, MR. ROBERT 283.
BELLICE, CAPTAIN 242.

Reynolds against Whittaker 67;
Second Birth of St. John 244

BELSON,

yEN.

THOMAS

289.
BENEDICTINES, see St. Benedict,

and Convents.
BENNET, DR. 60-63.
BERNARD, GILES 252.
BETHEL, JUSTICE 225.

;

Smyth on the Mass 50 ;
Supplication to the Queen 245 ;

Ten Reasons 37
Treatise of the Church 50 ;
Verepleum 274.

see also Bridgewater, Challoner,
Douay Diaries, Jessopp,
Yepez.

BIRD, YEN. JAMES, a con- BOSGRAVE, YEN.
ESQ. I S.
vert 231, 232, 234.

THOMAS,

INDEX.

387

INDEX.38
BOULTON,

vere YATES, priest

tion 32,

48,

310; causes

Walpole's conversion

182.

by-

40;

BRAMLEY, a thief 331.

books
Challenge 36;
Decem Rationes

BRIANT, B. ALEXANDER
54.
BRIDEWELL, see London.

eloquence 27, 30, 31, 35, 36,
42, 43, 46
courage, &c. 29, 48;

BRIDGEWATER, DR. JOHN 213,
217, 252, 280.

patience 30, 31,
mentioned 278, 284, 327.

BRAINTHWAYTE,RICHARD,ESQ.

122;

37;

311;

CAMPION, yEN. EDWARD,

BRISTOL 253.

priest 327.
BRUSSELS, Bibliotheque de Bour- CANTERBURY 327;
Archbishop of, see Abbot,Laud,
gogne 40, 216, see ManuWhitgift.
scripts.
BUCKLEY,
DOM
SIGEBERY,
St. Thomas of
CAPUCHIN Fathers 360.
O.S.B. 144.
BULKLEY, SIR RICHARD 131.
CAREY, SIR GEORGE 74.
CARLISLE 217, 219, 220.
BULL, the hangman 56, 211.
THOMAS CARLISLE CASTLE 219.
BULLAKER, YEN.
DE
(FatherJohn Baptist, O. S. F., CARYAJAL, DONNA
BRUGES 321.

174.

alias Taylor), martyrdom
353-357.
BULLOCK,

of

LUISA

170-

CARY, ME. RICHARD 295.
CAUMONT, JOHN
CECIL, JOHN 97.

239.

bookbinder

PETER,

169,

245, 246, 248.
BULMER, SIR RALPH 212.

CHALLONER'S Memoirs I,
yEN. EDWARD,
56, 83, 84, 87, 89,

BURDEN,
priest 313,

328-331"

145,

175,

212,

215,

2,

140-

231,

235, 245, 280, 285, 288,
BURGESS, a minister 130, 131,
140.
295, 296, 318-349, 353.
BURLEIGHI, LORD 22, 90, 95, CHARLES I. 190, 357.

119,

CHEEK, Ma. 312.

335.

CHICHESTER 353.
WILLIAM,
BUXTON, YEN. CHRISTO- CHILLINGWORTH,
apostate 358.
PHER, priest 287.
ST. JOHN 104.
CHRYSOSTOM,
CLAXTON, YEN. JAMES,
CAERS (? Caerwys) 141.
priest (or Clarkson, alias
CALAIS 209.
James) 287.
CAMBRIDGE 98, 143, 254.
CAMPION, B. EDMUND, S.J. CLENCH, MR. JUSTICE 335.
MAR.
YEN.
his popularity 21, 33, 34, 35, CLITHERO,
GARET 259.
36, 39.;
Brief of his life 23-34 ; date COKE, MR. FRANCIS, J.P. 58.
COLUMBINE, FR. S.J. 76.
of 22;
Birth and education 24 ; at CoMMISSIoNERS, High 7, II.
BUTLER, ALBAN, D.D. 87.

Oxford 25,

;

COMPOSTELLA St. James (? St.

reports
trial
his execu-

Religious HousesBenedictine, Compostella 144,
169, Douay *169;

35 ; travels 28,

Martin) of 144, 150, 174.
35 ; arrest 29, 37, 251
Monasteries, and
disputation CONVENTS,
tortured 31 ;
and temptation
against him
31, 38,

30;

22-24;

41-48;

INDEX.
388

INDEX.
388
DICCONSON, yEN. ROGER
Bridgettine, Mechlin 3;
(Dickenson, Dikinson), priest,
Carthusian, Nieuport 238;
alias Richard Johnson 88;
Franciscan, Abrojo 352, Taunalias Welby 318;
ton 169 ;
imprison84 ;
examination
Institute of Mary, Munich
exile, and return 85;
338, Nymphenhurg
his escapes 87; arrested 88,
Jesuliit, Ghent 358, Liege 358,
St. Andrea 250, 281, Watten
Council warrant for
his examination
358, see Seminaries.
tortured and arraigned 9o ;
CONSTANTINE THE GREAT 52,
trial 90, 91, 319;
53, 63.

338;

CONWAY

ment,
318;

89;

execution 91-97, 319.

141.

COOK, M., of Holborn 176.

DICKINSON, yEN. FRAN-

COOK, JOHN 361.

CIS, priest
3,
DORSETSHIRE
126.

COOPER 241.

COOPER,

HENRY,

priest

18o,

182.

DORCHESTER

322;

261,

5,

50,

262,

125,

Judges

of Assize at 7.

COPE, see Sugar.

DOUAY, see Seminaries.

CORNEFORD, FATHER 182.

CORNELIUS,
Io0, 11,

314,

yEN. JOHN,

266.
'S.J.
CORNWELL, in Oxfordshire

273.

COTTAM, B. THOMAS, S.J.

Benedictine Convent 169
Catalogue of MM. 322;
Diaries [, 175, 215, 222, 255,
257, 259.

DOUGLAS, yEN. GEORGE,
priest 327.
COWPER, THOMAS, Bishop of
Winchester 70, 71, 74, 88, DRIELAND 314, 315.
DUCKETT, ANTHONY 238.
95.
DUCKETT, CATHERINE 238.
Cox, DR. Bishop of Ely 7.
41, 280-282.

CRIPPS, CAPTAIN 272.

DUCKETT, ELIZABETH 238.

CROCKETT, VEN. RALPH, DUCKETT, VEN. JAMES,
and
printer, persecution
priest 287.
martyrdom of 238--248.
CROOK, JUSTICE 151.
CROW, yEN. ALEXANDER, DUCKETT, Dom JOHN, 238.
priest 270.
DUCKETT, MRS. (Anne h~art)
CURRY, JOHN,. FR. S.J. 313.
241, 243, 244, 245, 247.
ROBERT, DUCKETT, NICOLAS 238.
DALBY, yEN.
priest 329-331.
DUCKETT, RICHARD of Grayrigg
DANSTIN, MR. 233.

238.

98;

DAVIES, VEN. WILLIAM, DURHAM College
St. Oswald's 318.
priest, arrest 127
EDMUND,
YEN.
DUKE,
letter of 128-136 ;
priest 318.
life in Beaumaris Castle 137 ;
martyrdom of 137-141 ;
EARTH, see Leigh 287.
his "children" 142;
ELEUTHERIUS, POPE 290.
relics ibid.
DEANE, VEN. WILLIAM, ELIZABETH, QUEEN 15, 16, 17,
21, 36-70, (and
.priest 286.
119, 211, 212, 213, 217,
DELAWARE, LORD 58.
226, 288, 302, 307 ;
DEVEREUX, House of 120.
DIBDALE, VEN. ROBERT,
letters patent to keep a priest
21.
priest 285, 323.
Tfopcliffe)

INDEX.

389

a traitor

ELLIOT, GEORGE,
45,46. G., Mr. H. G. 57.
ELY, DR. Cox, Bishop of 7.
GAGE, GEORGE, priest, 359;
ELY, HUMIPHREY, DR. 54, 282. GAGE, SIR HENRT 359;
EMERSON, BR. RALPH, S.J. 284. GAGE,THOMAS,apostate 359, 361;
GAGE, WILLIAM, FR. S.J. 359.
EMPEROR OF GERMANY 36.
ENGLISCHE Frahlei n, or; English GAOL TREATMENT, s~eeMartyrs A.

GARNET, HENRY, S.J. 87, 120,

Ladies 338.
ENGLISH Chapter, The 280.
ESSEX, EARL OF
120, 243.
EuSEBIuS 52, 53.
EVERINGHAM 176.

119,

EXETER Gaol 352.
EXORCISMS, see Martyrs D.

121, 123,

124, 128, 234, 242.

GARNET, YEN. THOMAS,
S.J. 176, 18o, 234.
GARROWAY, MR. 359.

GASKIN

310,

see London D,

.Tower.
GATES, MR. JUSTICE 225.

FALKLAND, Lady, daughters of GENINGS,

358.
FARRAR,
209.

G.,

Notary-Apostolic

YEN. EDMUND,
priest. Early life 214; missions to Mr. Layburne 214,
215; arrested 0oo; tried
101, io4; stripped io6, 107;
executed 109; his quarters
ibid. ; Relation of his Life,

FELTON, B. JOHN, martyrdom of 209-212, 213, 286.
FELTON, yEN. THOMAS,
O.S.F. 286, 287.
216.
FELTON, MRS. 210, 211.
GENINGS, FR. JOHN,
FENN; JOHN, priest 242.

FENN, VEN. JAMES, priest,
252.
FIESOLE 41.

FINCH, yEN. JOHN 218.
FISHER, THOMAS, J.P. 58.

O.S.F.

100, 215, 216.
GENOA 175.
GENT, JUDGE 268.
GERARD, JOHN, S.J. (alias
son).
life of 313,
note-hooks of 323-326.

Tom.

326;

FITZHERBERT, THOMAS, FR. S.J.

GERARD, YEN. MILES 314.

34;
his apology 47.
FITZHERBERT, SIRTHOMAS 124.
FIXER, JOHN, priest 274.
FLEETWOOD, Recorder of London 5, 6, II1 12, 13,
FLEMING, THOMAS, ESQ. 50.

GERARD,
101.

FLETCHER,

GILLOW, JOSEPH, ESQ. 239.
GLISSON, ISAAC, of Bristol 253.
GLOUCESTER 332-336.

102.

DR.

122.

FL~OOD, a spy 242.

FLOWER, VEN. RICHARD
287.
FORBES-LEITH,W., FR. S.J.

100.

FORD, B. THOMAS, 251, 334.

FOSTIER, DR. 182.
FOWLER, SIR RICHARD 130.
FOXWELL, HENRY, priest 286.

FRANCISCANS 359, see CONYENTS;

GILBERT 13,

18,

GERVASE, YEN. GEORGE,
O.S.B. 292-296.
GILFORTRIGG,

Westmoreland

238.

High Sheriff, see Tracy Paul.
GLYNN 285.
GOOD, WILLIAM, S.J. 252.
GOODACRE, THOMAS, minister
240.

GREGORY XIII., POPE 16.
GREGORY, a hangman 351.

Capuchins 360 ;

GREEN (alias Gray), priest

Minims

GREEN,

286;'

Recollects 352.
FULK, THOMAS 127.

19,

YEN.

311.

THOMAS,

priest (alias Reynolds).

his martyrdom 339-343"

INDEX.

390

FR.

'34,

HOLIDAY, YEN. RICHARD,

GREENE, priest 182.

priest 318.
68, 90, 137, 175, 176, 216- HOLLAND, YEN. THOMAS,
S.J. (alias Saunderson, alias
219, 222, 225, 235, 253,
258, 298, 313, 322, 331.
Hamond). Account of 357;

GRENE,

CHRISTOPHER

GRISSOLD, VEN. ROBERT
321.

trial 358, 359; martyrdom
360-367.

MR.

GROVES, see Thomson.
GRUFF, MR. of Carnarvon 132.
GUISE, CARDINAL OF 76.
GUNPOWDER TREASON 149, 159,
361.

HOLT,
2.
HOLTBY,
RICHARD, FR. S.J.
313.
HOLYHEAD
HORN, Queen Mary priest 273.

GUNTER, VEN. WILLIAM,
priest 289.
GUSMAN, Spanish Ambassador 3.

HORNE, Bishop of Oxford 56.
HORNER, YEN. NICOLAS,
tailor.
Account of 227-

HALL, THOMAS 84.
HAMOND, DR. 73.

HORSEY, SIR JOHN, Knight 50.
HOUNSLOW 286.

127.

231 ; 290, 291, 308,

HAMBLEY,

VEN.

priest 268, 269.

311,

315.

YEN. PHILIP,
JOHN, HOWARD,
Earl of Arundel 212.

HAMPSHIRE 84-88.
HARDY, JOHN 53.

127;

128.
HUGH, ROBERT AP
HUMPHREY, DR. 51, 52, 63.

HART ANNE, see Duckett, MRS. HUMPHREY,
HART, B. WILLIAM, priest
ENCE
218, 252.
HARTLEY, ROBERT 123.

YEN. LAUR-

233-238.
HURLSTON, MR. 322.

HYDE, LEONARD, priest 283.

HARTLEY, YEN. WILLIAM,
priest 271, 287, 288, 310.

HEATH, MR. 310.

HEMERFORD, YEN. THOS.

(INGOLBY),
YEN.
FRANCIS, priest 258, 304,

INGLEBY

322.

priest 253.
HERRIES, the Lord 176.
HEWES, Ma. 43.

INGLEBY, SIR WILLIAM 304.
INSTITUTE OF MARY 338.
IRELAND 44, 171, 184, 224.

HEWETT, see Weldon.

ISLE OF: WIGHT 67, 69, 72, 74,
76, 275 ;

HEYDON, Sir WILLIAM 123.
HEY WOOD, GASPAR, FR. S.J.

254.

the Needles
ITALY 174,

275.

256.

Hluulas, ISAAC, priest 283.
HIGGINS, Scrivener 222.

HILL, YEN. RICHIARD, priest JAMES I., King 322, see Mar.318.

tyrs

C'.

HODGSON, YEN. SYDNEY, JARDINE, DAVID, on torture
13, 122.
a servant i o6 ; is believed
to yield, but afterwards con- JENNINGS, see Genings.
demnned 107, 109 ; executed JENNISON, Ma. WILLIAM 151,
154.
III ; buried 115.
HOGGE, YEN. JOHN, priest, JESSOP, JOHN 259, 264,

318-

JESSOPP,

265. 122,

DR. AUGUSTUS

123.
HOLFORD, YEN. THOMAS,
priest (alias Acton, alias JETTER (of Layscoffe, Suffolk)
Bude) 287.

GEORGE,. priest 222,

-224.

INDEX.

391

39'
INDEX.
JETTER, JOHN, tortured in the LAYBURNE, JAMES, ESQ. of
Skelsmoredenies Elizabeth's
Tower 222, 223; again in
Newgate 224; and there
right to the throne 212;
his martyrdom disputed 213;
dies ibid; his claim to marhis wardship 213;
tyrdom not yet decided 225.
JOHN, a student 135JOHNSON, Ma. a priest 306.
DicconJOHNSON, RICHARD, see

generosity 214;

visited by Ven. E. Genings
214, 217 ;

where imprisoned 217;
son.
described 220, 221
JOHNSON, B. ROBERT 334.
date of death 218;
JONES, RICHARD, printer 56.
godfather of Ven. JamesDuckett
JONES, yEN. JOHN, O.S.F.,
alias Buckley 57"
238.
JONES, VEN. EDWARD, LEE, a parson 195, 202.
priest, alias Parker 290, LEICESTER, Earl of 287, 288,

308, 315, 316.

311, 314.

YEN.

RICHARD,

JONES, Ma. THOMAS 253.

LEIGH,

KENDAL 213, 214, 221.

priest (Lea, Lee, Ley, alias
Earth) 287, 306.
LEIGHTON, JUSTICE 130, 133,

Book of Record of 214.
KING, DR. JOHN, Bishop of
134, '37LEITH, W. FORBES, FR. S.J.
London 176-185.
. 100.
KINGSMELL, SiR W., knight 58,
LEWKNER Mr. EDMUND 261.
59, 63.
KIRKMAN, B.WILLIAM 218. LEWIS, an apostate 334, 337.
KNARESBOROUGH 176, see Manu- LIEUTENANT of the Tower, see
scripts.
London D.
Ki 4Ox,DR. FRANCIS I, 222.
LINCOLN 84.
LIVERDUN, DEAN OF 280.
LOMAX, JAMES 254.

LACEY, VEN. BRIAN.
tried io0,

LONDON.

110;

last words, death ibid.

115;

and burial,

a distributer of letters 122
warrant for his torture ibid. ;
once betrayed by his brother
LACEY, RICHARD, of Brockdish
122, 123.

LACEY, B. WILLIAM

218,

304.

217-- 219.
LANGLEY, yEN. RICHARD,
LANCASTER

account
LASSIE,

Places, &c., in

Bishop

of,

see Aylmer,

Ravis ;

King,

Palace of 293;

Bermondsey [Barmesey] Abbey

122.

306.

A.

24, 72, 88, 118, 238, 255,
289, 292, 303, 353.

194,
of

225-227,

305,

Ma. 304.

LAUD, WILLIAM, Archbisbop of

Canterbury 358.
LAYBURNE,

ELIZABETH 213.

her will 214.

LAYBU RNE,

DR. GEORGE 218.

209 ;
Chancery Lane
Clerkenwell I115 ;

5;

Fleet Bridge I111
Gray's Inn Lane 291 ;
Guildhall 183 ;
Holborn 176, 295 ;
Lambeth Marsh 312 ;
Lambeth Palace 209 ;
Lincoln's Inn

210;

London Bridge 109 ;
Lord Mayor I09, 125, 359.

; 310;

Paternoster Row
Plague of 144

INDEX.
392

INDEX.

392

39;

River Thames
St. Catherine's 73;

Smithfield 229, 292;
Southwark 125, 209;
Tower Hill 19;
Watling Street 2.

Poultry, see Counter;
230, 322,

240;

St. Paul's 211, 222;

St. Saviours 169;
P/aces of execution.
Curtain 288;
Finshury Fields 309;
Street 290,

307, 308, 316.

Grays Inn Fields
Hounslow 286;

344;

Tower of London 6, 8, 9, 10,

Churches.
St. Andrew's, Holborn io8;
St. Edmund's, Lombard Street

Fleet

Bailey)

Sessions House (Old

B.

C.

182;

Newgate, escape from
hangman of 56, 211 ;
Justice Hall in 8i, 311 ;

LONDON (continued).

13, 14, 19, 29, 37, 118, 124,
210, 222, 223, 260, 280, 291,

310; Gaskin,akeeper in3o;
Lieutenant of 10-13, 17,
223, 280, 349

Westminster (Court of Queen's
Bench) 13, 15, 16, 17, 284,
336.
LOW COUNTRIES 288, 349.

291, 302,

LOWE, VEN. JOHN, priest285.
LOWE, MISTRESS 287.

107;

LUISANT, see Phesant.
LUKE, a pursuivant 338.
LUTTERWORTH,
Leicestershire

Kingston 307 ;
Lincoln's Inn Fields-272;
323.
Mile End Green, 229, 288, 309;
Smithfield 227, 231, 290, 308; MADRID 343, 357.

MAINE, B. CUTHBERT 250.

St. Thomas Watering 336;
Theatre 271 ;

D.

MANCHESTER 217, 220.
Tyburn I, 19, 109, 117, i18, MANUSCRIPT collections
121, 126, 143, 184, 194, 250,
British Museum 50,
193-207 ;
251, 253, 254, 256, 259,
280, 284, 285,
Bodleian Library
313,
Bourgogne, Bib. de,
339,

347-

289,,306,

272,

118,

Prisons in.
Bridewell 54, 84, 89,
122,
229, 240, 286, 289, 307,

quoted.
75--80,

22-34;

Brussels

40, 87;
Fiesole, Archives S.J. 41-48;
Guildhall

182;

Knaresborough 176 ;

312;

Clerkenwell 289, 291, 309, 310,317 ;
Clink 222, 242, 243, 284, 287,

318;
Counter in the Poultry 99, 245,
284, 286 ;
Gatehouse at Westminster 84,
150, 175, 193, 240, 293, 335,

337;
Marshalsea 73, 89, 271, 283,
287.
Newgate 145, 157, 16o, 172,

180-183,

176,
188,
192,
194, 224, 225, 228, 230, 242,

244, 246, 283, 285, 286, 290,
301, 306, 307, 308, 310, 339;

338-367;

Nympheuburg
Oscott 87, 225, 235-238;

Privy Council Registers (Council Books) 11-14, 50, 89,
122;

Public Record Office.
Rege Rolls

15-19,

Coram
336;

Controlment Rolls ig ;
Tower Bills 224,
State Papers 53,

280;

84;
Treasurer

Accounts of
Chamber g90;
Stonyhurst. Anglia 51,,54,
95,

100-121,

of

55,

123-126,
128-137,145-169,172181--192, 231-235;

175,

INDEX.

393

393

INDEX.
MANUSCRIPTS (continued).
Collectanea A. 299-323
Collectanea M. 2-8,
72, 81, 88, 90-95, 137-

56,66-

MARTYRS (continued).
Tortures of 90, 122, 289, (with
outrage) 290, 303, 314, 316,
322, rack 6, 10, 14, 31,

141, 219, 222-227, 250-

123,

176;

8-1,

Westminster

51,
212,

34-40,

56-65, 48, 97, 209218,

219,

227-231,

238-248, 252, 279-297.
MARTEN, GEORGE 5.
MARTIN, GREGORY 67.

MARTIN, yEN. RICHARD,
priest 287.

MARSDEN,VEN. WILLIAM,
priest 66-81,.257.
MARIAN PRIESTS 121, 273.
MARTYRS. Decrees of Beatification, &c. Appendix, p. 369.

A.

Imprisonment:
Prison treatment 84, 85, 180,
parole 182, 219, 220, 276,
282, 345, means of communication 6, 10, 54, 85, 86,
124, 126, 140, 181, (their
grate) ibid. 215-218, 245,
252, 262, 265, 268, 269,
276, 280, 281, free custody
327, escapes 56, 87, 129,
182, 226, 255, 286, 306,
313,

314;

Sufferings of, chains, shackles,
bonds, fetters, gyves, &c.
I I9 55, 72, uo6, 124, 140,
166, 172, 183, 224, 228, 236,
carried on a list 245, 262,
265, 285, 303, 304, 305,
common gaol 54, 84, 88,
122, 228, 230, 236, 286, 311,
darkness (see also dungeon)
9, 173, 244, 327, food and
hunger 10, 124, 173, 189,
195, 224, 345, 349 drink
163, 173, 247 bzs, 346, stench
and filth 10,, II, 244, 245,
265,

pelting

332,'

money

10, 125, 135, 181, 345, 355,
366, dress and stripping I0,
beds 1I, 181, 220,
105,
311, 328

125,

;

B.

210,

222,

223,

291,

310, 315, whip, scourge 54,
133,
pillory
142,
133,
manacles and gauntlets 122,
described 124, 125, 229,
314,. scavenger's daughter
(Limbo)
dungeon
222,
amongst the rats 12, described 13, 136, 173, 183,
188, 195, 219, 225, 244,
285, 286, 308, 310, 311,
328, death in prison 224,
254, 265, 284 bis,
Cause of death :

278, 298-337;
Collectanea N.

285.

Examination 1--14, 69, 73,
76, 78-80, 84, 90, 122,
176, 335 ;
Disputations 29,30, 52, 53, 63,
70, 104,

126,

237, 288,
315, 317 &c.

130, 185, 193,

294,

344;

295,

305,

Deposing power 5, 14, 15, 17,
61, 177, 213, 293, 296, the
bloody question 5, 78-81,
113, 267, 297, 301, supremacy 59, 6o, 64, 71, 130,
139, 216, 267, 305, 307bis,
308, 315, 328, 335, oath of
allegiance 145, 146, 166,
177 seq. 186 seq. 244, 295;
Trials 15-19, 31, 38-48, 51
-54, 90-92, 96, 101-107,
110, III, 121, 133, 135, 137,

145-160, 183, 195, 226,
246, 269, 270, 290, 295, 299,
303, 320, 321, 3 2 9 bi5, 335,
355, 359, refusing to plead
156, 183, 288 ;
Offers of life 31, 93, 96, 119,
197, 200, 201, 267--270,
281, 286, 295, 300, 302, 341;

C.

Sentence 19, 71, ,234.

Execution :

Via Dolorosa 58, 62, 92, 107,
109, 16o, 184, 237, 281, 295,
306, 317, 332, 346, 355,
360;

INDEX.
394

394

INDEX.
Hanging till dead 114, 141,
288, 303, 309, 351, 356,
107, 109,
unusual 167, 168, 356, till
16o, 199, 211, 237, 295,
half-dead 192, of striking
317, 332, 342, ladder 59,
the breast 202, 233, 309,
65, 9 5biS, 97, 107, 109, 120,
of pulling the legs 141,
232, 238, 307,
141, 200,
309 ;
309, 317, cart 48, III, 114,
Burial io8, 115, 168, 169, 226,
185, 248,
140, 161-167,

MARTYRS (continued).
Hurdle 59, 62, 92,

296, 340; title on the scaffold 291, 292,

316;

Protestant minister at 6o, 107,
162-164,

140,

195, 202,
316, 350,

237,

D.

187-192,

359;

288, 295,

362-366;
Executioner hard to find 139,

193,

185

seq.
341,

331, 333, exorcisms 256,
285, 311, 323, various 39,
56, 203, 211, 260, 306, 311,

308-310,

347-351,

361;
Praying for Queen and King
32, 65, 94, 112, 140, 165,
191,

232, 302,

366;

Praying with Catholics not
Protestants.48, 62, 64, io8,
167,

192,

233,

300,

302,

303, 325, 327, 331;

Stripping 93, 109, 120, 163,
i66, 185, 192, 201,

302;

Distributing money, clothes,&c.
166, 191, 192,
140,
202, 211, 313, 347;

200,

237,

289,

Blessing the hurdle, scaffold,
kissing the rope, &c. 59, 63,
109, 114,
340, 351 ;

163,

166,

192, 202,

351,

367;

Last words 48, 64, 95, 1i4bis,
141,

192,

167,

3013 18,

300,

302,

337;

Execution 6, 74, proclamation

14,

11-61

185-

at 75-80, 109,
139-141, 16o-168,
193, 253, 295, 308, 318 ;
109,
Disembowelling alive
253,
263, 296,
114,

211,

297.

337 ;

302,

E.

321, 325,

307,

317,

'320,

334.

:.
Some characteristics

Mass and sacraments 3, 7, II9
37, 55, 63, 85, 86,- 89, 91,
93, 97, 102,
137,
261,
325,

142,
278,
326,

1051

144,
280,
332,

io8, 115,

153,
296,

356,

253,
316,
360,

confession 167, 343, 357,
360, 367, Divine Office 257,
326, 332
Cheerfulness 6, 82, 96, 109,
110,
197,

66,
220,

190
221,

281,

305,

342,

seq.

227,

355 ;

138,

254,

195-

252,

345-347,

Desire of martyrdom 55,
129,

Night-cap or handkerchief 95,

330,

Wonders:t

Speech at scaffold 59, 63, 93,
107, Io8, 110, 114, 141, 164
316, 340,

303,

272,

267,

331, 342, 343;
lights 203, 230, 325,

336, withdraws 202, 263,
Bull 56, 211, Gregory 351

-167,

235.

265, winding sheet 226,
Some consequences:
Relics 96, 168, 169, 203, 305,
323-326, 343, 346, 352,
pictures 344,
Conversions 41, 8i, 116, 162,

151, 190,

97bi5,
192,

281,

327, 329, 341,
cowardice i i9;
342,
Natural timidity 260, 304,

353;

341;

The Holy Name 20, 65, 95,
223,
115, 193, 211, 222,
229, 233, 345 ;

Jesus Psalter 223, 243, 274.
MARY, QUEEN

211.

MARY (? Fidd) exorcised 323.

MASON, yEN. JOHN

109;

servant to Mr. Owen I110;
tried ibid.; executed I I I

buried 115.

INDEX.

395

395

INDEX.
MATTHEW, TOBY 271.
MAUSON, PETER 238.
MAYO (?), FR. S.J. 259.
MAYO, a pursuivant 339.
MAYLER, a priest 182.
London.
MAYOR, THE LORD, see
MAXFIELD, WILLIAM, ESQ. 323
MECHLIN, Bridgettine Convent

MUSH, a priest 306.
MUSKETT, Ma. 192.

N., Ma. 124 note.
NEELE, see Roche.
NELSON, B. JOHN,

priest

250.
NEWTON, a pursuivant 338, 361.
NICE, Council of 52.
3.
MERCHANT Tailors, Company NIEUPORT, Convent at 238.
NORTHERN, Earls, the 213.
2.
NORTHERN Rising, the 44, 76.
MERIONETHSHIRE 143.
NORTHUMBERLAND 293.
MEVERELL, MR. 305.
NORTHUMBERLAND, EARL OF 2.
MIDDLETON, yEN.
THONY, priest 291, 308, NORTON, SIR RICHARD, kt. 50.
NOTTINGHAM 2, 3
309, 315, 317.
NITTER, YEN. JOHN, priest
MILAN Cathedral 257.

AN-

MILNER, yEN. RALPH,

a

Hampshire yeoman, converted 85, 95;
imprisonment 85;
arranges for Yen. R. Dicconson
(q.v.) 87 ;
execution 95-97, 319.
MOMPESSON, Ma. LAURENCE
115, 116.
MOMPESSON, MRS.
MONICA'S, St, Convent
MONTAGUE Family 354.
MONTAGUE, SIR EDWARD (Recorder 1608) 294.
MOOR, YEN. HUGH
persecuted by his own father
323.

116.

212.

287;

MORE, B. THOMAS 10.
MORGAN, YEN. EDWARD,
priest,
alias Singleton,

martyrdom of 343--352..
MORGAN, WILLIAM 349.
MORTON, DR. minister 293.
MORTON HENMARSHE, Gloucestershire 336.
MORTON, DR. NICHOLAS 272.

MORTON, YEIN.

ROBERT,

priest (Mourton) 271, 287.
MOSLY, SHERIFF (of London)
303.
MOSTON, THOMAS, Chancellor
of Bangor 131, 133.
MOUNTAIN, HUMPHREY 305.
MUCH WOOLTON, Liverpool i71.

304.

NYMPHENBURG, in Bavaria 338.
OATH of Allegiance, see Martyrdom, cause of.
ORATORY, the London 279.
OSCOTY, Seminary at 87, 225,
235.

OWEN, MR.

110.

35, 249, 251,
261, 264, 277, 278, 289.
Bishop of 56.
Bocardo 254.
Colleges, Balliol 261.
Brasenose 67.
Hart Hall' 253.
Magdalen 25, 254.
New 50, 56.
Oriel 260, 333."
St. John's 254, 271.
St. Mary's Hall 67.
Trinity 249, 251, 255, 273.
Degrees 35.
Proctor 27, 35.
St. Catherine's Wheel Inn 289.
St. Mary's Church 26, 260.
Students at 254.
OXFORDSHIRE 251, 273.

OXFORD

2, 25,

PAINE, B. JOHN, priest 56.
PAINE, MR. 45.
PAGE, YEN. FRANCIS, S.J.
247.
PARIS 219, 257.

INDEX.

396

INDEX.
396
PARLIAMENT 339, 354, 360, 366. POPE JOAN 70.
Committee of 355.
PLAGUE, see London.
Statute of I Eliz. 135.
PLYMOUTH-352.
Statute of 23 Eliz. 137.
POPHAM, LORD CHIEF JUSTICE
102,
102, III, 217, 245, 246.
Statute of 27 Eliz. 76, 90,
119, 164,
324, 340, 341.
I04,

183,

307,

Statute of Persuasion 96.
PARR, a priest 182.
PATENT, Letters, to keep a priest

PORMORT, VEN. THOMAS
(Portmore) priest 18-120;
would admit conference

I

19 ;

Topcliffe's boasts ahout Elizabeth 119.
POWELL, LADY 354.
212.
PATINSON, BERNARD, priest 306. POWLETT, GEORGE, J.P. 93.
PATINSON,VEN.WILLIAM, PRAGUE 28, 36.
priest, scrupulous 115;
trialii6 ;

converts felons and executed

118.

PRICE, a student
PRICE, keeper of Newgate 18o,

181, 183, 188.

PRIMERS, see Books.
117, 306.
PAUNcEFORT, JOHN, ESQ. 239. PRIVY COUNCIL 6, 11, 13, 14,
84, 89,
125, 127, 130,
PENKENNEL, see Penkevel.
PENKEVEL, JOHN 283.
149, 165, 282, 284, 291, 335.
Registers of 72, 88 (see MS.
PENKEVEL, MARK, S.J. 283,

124,

collections).

284.

PSALTER, JESUS 223, 247.
PENKEVEL, THOMAS 283.
PENKEVEL, PETER, 0.S.F. 224, PSALTER, Our Lady's 242.
282-292.
PUCKERING, Lord Keeper 99,
I1i6.
his mother 283.
PENNINGYON, SIR ISAAC, Lord PYBUSHI, VEN. JOHN, priest
Mayor 359.
335, 336.
PERSONS, FR. ROBERT, S.J. 8,
Io, 36, 50, 68, 97, 100, QUEEN ELIZABETH,see Elizabeth.
104, 121, 141, 173, 176, QUEEN MARY, see Mary.
183, 218, 221, 292, 313, QUEEN'S Bencb, Court of 15, 101

(see London, Westminster).

321.

PHESANT, PETER, Sergeant 359,

362, 366.

PHILLIPS, JUSTICE 130, 131.
PHILIP II. see Spain.

PIKES,

VEN.

R.B. 57.
RALEIGH,

SIR

WILLIAM, RAMESDELL,

joiner 2, 67,

PILCHARD, yEN. THOMAS,
priest 261, 263, 269, 320,
321.

PITTS, ARTHUR, priest 280.
PITTS, JOHN, priest 280.
PIUS V. ST.(his Bull) 5, 209, 213.

PLASDEN,VEN. POLYDORE

101-I114;

WALTER

112,

114.

Archdeacon

of

York 225.
RAVAILLAC 183.

RAVIS, THOMAS,
London 295.

Bishop

of

RAWLIN, see Raleigh.
REYNOLDS, MR. 285.

REYNOLDS,VEN. THOMAS,

vere

Green 339.

REYNOLDS, WILLIAM 54, 67.
RHEIMS, see Seminaries.
prays for Elizabeth I112 ;
conversation with Raleigh ibid. RHEIMS, St. Stephen's Church
at 261.
PLUMTREE, B. THOMAS
(Oliver), priest

213.

RICHARD,

HUMPHREY, AP 289.

INDEX.
397

397

INDEX.

RICHMOND 89.
ST. JOHN, WILLIAM, a justice
RIPoN 327.
58.
RIVERS, seeBales.
ST. JUSTUS 158.
ROCHESTER 315.
ST. LAURENCE 158, 189.
ROBERT, a student 134.
ST. MABYN in Cornwall 269.
ROBERT, HUGH AP, High Con- ST. MELLITUS 158.
stable of Llynon 127, 128.
ST. OMERS, see Seminaries.
ROBERTS, YEN.-JOHN, ST. PAULINUS 158.
O.S.B. at Valladolid 143;
SS. PETER AND PAUL 6o, 66.
becomes a Benedictine and ST. PETER'S Cross 189.
labours in England 144, 149, ST. Pius V. his Bull 5, 209, 213.
150 ;
ST. STEPHEN 189.
arraignment 145-157
ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY
condemnation 157-160;
'24, 175"
the feast in. prison 170;
SALAMANCA 343.
execution 16o-169;
SALISBURY 268.

relics 169.
SALMON, YEN. PATRICK
ROBINSON, VEN. JOHN,
priest 287.
SANDER, DR. NICHOLAS
44,
ROCHE, yEN. JOHN, alias
102, 213.
Neele Ioo,
SANDYS, YEN. JOHN, priest
287, 312.
ROE, YEN. BARTHOLO333, 336, 337.
MEW (Dom. Alban, O.S.B.) SCARBOROUGH 329.
martyrdom 339-343.
SCOTT, YEN..MOMFORD

118,

ROGER, a boy student 133, 135,

136.

109, 123, 291,

299-304;

his praying with Protestants

ROME 38, 99, 292.
300
English clergy at 34, 248, 250.
to what extent 303.
English College at, see Semi- SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES :

naries.

Douay (at Rheims from 1578

English Hospice of 292.
Roman College 172.
St. Andrea 250, 281.

to 1593) I, 2, 8, 20, 38, 67,
68, 76, 84, 99, 100, 115,

St. Peter's 256.
English Penitentiary at 250.
ROPER, MR. 10.
ROWSAM, YEN. STEPHEN,
priest

(Rowsham) 260, 332

-334.

11S,

127, 143, 215, 221,
222, 249, 251, 254 seq. 270
-277, 281, 324, 343.

English College, Rome 143,
172, 173, 175, 216,
253, 272, 281, 343.
Rheims, see Douay.

252,

Roman College 172.
St. Omers 100, 214, 216, 352,

ST.

AMBROSE 257.
ST. AUGUSTINE 134, 152,

155,

357, 358.
Valladolid (St. Alban's)

99,

158, 164, 290..
143, 144, 249, 343, 325,
ST. BENEDICT, Yen. Order of
357"
SEVERN River, borez on 224..
144, 148, 151,
158,
164, 293, 297.
SHANDIS, LORD GILES 335.
ST. BENEDICT, Confraternity of SHAW, a relapsed priest 121.

154,

154"

ST. GERMAIN in. Normandy 275.
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT 152.

SHELLEY, YEN. EDWARD,
287, 307.
SHELLEY, MR. RICHARD 283.

INDEX.

398
398

INDEX.

solitary and in irons 55
SHERRICK, SIR WILLIAM 242.
incident at his execution 56;
SHERSON, MARTIN, priest 271.
execution 57-62.
SHERWIN, B. RALPH 31o.
and
NICHOLAS,
SMALLMAN,
SHERWOOD, HENRY 2, 3, 4.
family 337.
his
SHERWOOD, ELIZABETH,
SMITH, VEN. RICHARD,
wife, 2, 7.
alias Newport, priest 292.
SHERWOOD, JOHN, DR. 3, 4.
8.
SMYTH, see Floyd.
SHERWOOD, JOHN, S.J.
SHERWOOD, RICHARD, MR. 213, SOCIETY OF JESUS 8, 34, 35,
171, 172, 250, 283, 343
216.
Archives of 41, seeManuscript
SHER WOOD, B. THOMAS.
Not a Douay student I ; nor
Collections;
General of 234.
a mere boy 2;
birth, education, apprenticed SoISSoNS 282.
as a draper, visits Douay 4; SOMERS, VEN. THOMAS,
priest 144-169.
arrest and examination 5;
SOMERSETSHIRE 252, 268.
his money stolen 9;
nakedness, hunger, &c., re- SOUCHE, DR. 126.
SOUTHALLERTON,
Liverpool
lieved by Mr. Roper
171, 185.
warrant for further examination
SOUTHAMPTON, Sheriff of 73,
and trial I ;
90, 92.
ditto for his confinement "in
the dungeon amongst the SOUTHWELL, VEN. ROBT.,
rats" 12;
S.J. 246;
his supplication to the Queen
ditto for racking 14 ;
246.
tortured 6, Io; his verbal
treason 13; wishes to retract SPAIN 2, 142, 174;
Ambassador of, seeGusman;
it 14; his trial 6, 15-19;
Court of 34 ;
execution 6; writs for 19,
King of, Philip II. 44, 271,
20;
315;
his character and cheerfulness
Seminaries of 127.
6, 7; his patience 20;
mentioned 215.
SPENSER, VEN. WILLIAM,
SHIRT, ANTHONY, priest 274.
priest 273-277.
SHIRT, B. JOHN 334.
SPRAT, MR. EDWARD 323.
SHREWSBURY CASTLE 337.
STAFFERTON, DR. 334.
EDMUND, STAFFORD 323.
SIKES,
VEN.
priest 328, 329.
STAFFORDSHIRE 271.
SIMPSON, MR. RICHARD 35, 47. STAMPE, MR., a priest 5.
SINGLETON, see Morgan.
STANFORD, MR. EDWARD 274.
DR.
EDWARD
SIxTus V., POPE 272.
STANHOPE,
SLACKSTEAD, Hampshire 89.
244, 245.
SLADE, VEN. JOHN, of New STANLEY, house of 119.
College, Oxon 49;
STANWAYE 337.
becomes a tutor 50;
STATUTES, see Parliament.
Council warrant for his arrest STOKES, MR. GEORGE 310.
STONYHURST College 173, 231,
50;
books found in his cell ibid.;
280, 299, 323, see MS. Colfirst trial 51 ;
lections.
second trial and disputation STOREY, B. JOHN 213.
STRANGE, Earl of Derby 120.
52;

Io;

INDEX.
INDE.39
STANNEY, FR. THOMAS, S.J. 85, THULIS, VEN. JOHN, priest
399

194-207;

86, 90.

STRANSAM,YEN. EDWARD
(Stransham, Transom) 254-

in the dungeon with thieves
195;

disputes 195, 200;
257.
offered his life 197, 200, 201
STRANSAM, GEORGE 257.
offered the oath 197,.201;
STRANsAM, THOMAS 257.
forced to church 198;
STRICKLAND, a lawyer 43.
farewells 198;
STUBBES, MR. JOHN 123.
execution 200-202.
SUCQUET, ANTHONY, FR. S.J.4I.
SUGAR, VEN. JOHN (alias TICHBORNE, HENRY, S.J. 259.

Sweet, alias Cope) priest TICHBORNE, YEN. THOS.,
321.
priest 247.
see Martyrdom, TICHBURNEMR.BENJAMINJ.P.
SUPREMACY,
58.
cause of.
TOPCLIFFE, RICHARD 90, 101,
SUssEx 283.
1o8,
109, 110,
102, 103,
SUSSEX, EARL OF 211.
113, 114, 119, 120, 122,
SUTTON, yEN. ROBERT,
223, 229, 230, 285, 289, 290,
priest, once Protestant rector
of Lutterworth 323;
301, 303, 306, 308, 309, 315

107,

112,

converted by his brother 324;
arrested 323, 324;
his relics.at Stonyhurst 323326.
SUTTON, WILLIAM 323.
SUTTON, ABRAHAM 324, 326.
SUTTON, yEN. ROBERT,
schoolmaster 287, 289, 309,
310.
SWEET, see Sugar.
SWYNNERTON 34.
SYDNEY, R., see Hodgson.
SYDNEY, SIR PHILIP 36.
SYMONDS, alias John Harrison,

Martyr 289.

317, 322, 335.

TOWER, the, see London D.
TRACY, PAUL, ESQ. of Stanwaye

337.

TRANSOM, see Stransam.
TREASURER of the Chamber 90.
TREASURER, Lord, see Burleigh.
TREGONNELL, LADY 6.
TRENCHARD, GEORGE, ESQ. 50.
UPHOLLAND 357.
USSHER 193.
VALLADOLID, see Seminaries.
VAUGHAN, JUSTICE 225.
VEND6ME, DUC DE 360.

SYMONS, see SYMONDS.
WADE, WILLIAM, Clerk of the
Council 101.
TARUGI, CARDINAL 172.
WADSWORTH, pursuivant 339,
TAUNTON Convent 169.
352, 361.
TAYLOR, THoMAs,pursuivant 73.
WAFERER, MR., Q.C. 8.
TAYLOR, see Bullaker.
TERTULLIAN

104.

WALES

121.

TIIL.RKELL,VEN.RICHARD,

WALES, North 127.
WALKER, MR. 121.
priest 218.
THOMAS, JOHN, martyr 232. WALPOLE, CHRISTOPHER, FRt.
THOMSON, alias Groves, prisoner
S.J.
WALPOLE. yEN. HENRY,
333.
S.J. 40, 306, 310.
THOMSON, see Gerard, John.
WALPOLE, MICHAEL, S.J. 176,
THOMPSON, martyr 218.
321.
THORNBERY, Ma. FRANCIS and
WARCOPPE, THOMAS 213.
his brother 323.

332,

321.

400

INDEX.

INDEX.
WARD, yEN. MARGARET WILLIAMSYEN.RICHARD,
ioo, 118, 286.
Queen Mary priest, martyred
WARD, MARY 338;
120, but see Preface, pp. xvi
-Xix.
WARD, yEN. WILLIAM,
priest 354.
WILSON, JOHN, priest 216.
WARFORD, WILLIAM, S.J. 55, WINCHESTER 57, 58, 62, 83, 85,
66, 72, 74,
223, 224, 249
87, 236, 259.
400

81,

Dean of 53.

-278.
WARWICK 321, 322.
WARWICK, EARL OF 43.

Bishop of, see Cowper,Thomas.
Bardick of

WATKINSON, YEN. ROBT.
priest, 246, 247.
WATSON, WILLIAM, priest
WEBB, Lord Mayorof Londonlo9.
WEBBE, LAURENCE, LL.D. 209.

312.

WEBLEY, yEN. HENRY 287.

Winchester

95, 231,

232,

233.

Martyrs 231, 235

Warden of the College of 53.
WINDSOR II.
WIPER, Ma. 212, 213.
WISBECH 289.
WOLSEY, JOHN, ESQ. 323.

WOODFEN, YEN. NICHOLAS, priest 284.
WELDON, YEN. JOHN, alias WOODHOUSE, B. THOMAS

WEEKES, a priest 240.
WELBY, seeDicconson.

213"
Savell, alias Hewett, priest
228, 229, 287, 288, 309.
WORCESTERSHIRE 85.
WELLS in Somerset 252.
WRAY, LORD CHIEF JUSTICE 12,
WELLS, MRS. 100, 101.
39, 42, 101, 105, io6, 107.

WELLS,
ESQ.

YEN.

100, 10I,

SWITHIN, WRENNO,

YEN.

ROGER

(Wrennol) 194, 199.
WRIGHT, WILLIAM, ESQ., J.P.
50, 58.

107, 1o8.

WELSH 347.
WEST, THOMAS 58.
WESTCHESTER 139, 268.
WYCKLIFF 323.
WESTMINSTER, CARD. ARCH.
BISHOP OF 279.
WESTMINSTER
Archives,

XAVIER, ST. FRANCIS 345.

see

MS. Collections.
YATES,aliasBouLTON,priest 182.
WHITE, YEN. EUSTACE, YAXLEY, YEN. RICHARD,
priest, 101, 109, 114, 115.
priest, alias Yeats 289, 314.
warrant for his torture 122 ;
YEPEZ, BISHOP 140, 142, 213,
his letter
describing his
217.
YORK 225, 227, 252, 273, 304,

sufferings 123, 126.

WHITE, MRS. 289, 311.
WHITE, Ma. THOMAS,

313"

IHigh
Sheriff of Hampshire 6o, 63;

WHITE, THOMAS, Kt. 25.
WHITE, widow 91.
WHITE, MR. ROBERT 58.

Bishop of 322.
Bishop's Palace at 258.
Bishop's fields 304.
Castle 276, 304, 305, 328.

Council at 322.

WHITGIFT, JOHN, Archbishop
of Canterbury 119, 150.
WHITTLE, MRS. 307.

YORKSHIRE 115, 258.
YOUNG, JAMES, priest (Younge
or Younger, alias Dingley,
alias Christopher) 98-121,
RO-

WIDMERPOOL, YEN.
BERT, priest 287.
WIGGS, WILLIAM, priest 283.
WILCOX, YEN. ROBERT,
priest 287.

I90.
YOUNG,

JUSTICE

116,

284.
YOUNG, a priest 182.

122,

125,

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