Martyrs of Lancashire Feast day 19 July
These eight martyrs were all born in the area now covered by the Diocese of Lancaster. Unlike the fifteen Martyrs of Lancaster, they were all executed outside the Diocese. All eight were priests. All were hung, drawn and quartered.
Canonized Martyrs
Saint John Plessington was born at Dimples Hall, near Garstang around 1637. He came from a Royalist catholic family who were persecuted both for their religious and political beliefs. He was educated by Jesuits at Scarisbrick Hall, then at Valladolid, Spain and St Omer’s Monastery in France. He was ordained in Segovia on 25 March 1662. In 1663 he returned to England and ministered to Catholics at Holywell and in Cheshire. He was arrested during the ‘Popish Plot’ and imprisoned for two months before executed at gallows Hill to the west of Chester on 19 July 1679.
Saint John Wall OFM was born in Preston in 1620. He trained for the priesthood at Douai and was ordained in1645. For several years he ministered in England before returning to Douai where he entered the Order of Friars Minor and served as Master of Novices until 1656, when he returned to England and became a Governor of Worcester Grammar School. He served the English Mission for more than 20 years, twelve of which he spent at Harvington Hall, Worcestershire, where he gained many converts. Harvington is the site of seven priest-holes, four of which are built round the main staircase and are thought to be the work of Nicholas Owen. Accused of being involved in the ‘Popish Plot’ he was cleared of any complicity but nevertheless sent to Worcester Jail where he refused to take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy. At his trial, which took place in London, he was found guilty of being a Catholic priest and of ministering to the faithful. He died at Red Hill near Worcester on 22 August 1679.
Beatified Martyrs
Blessed Thomas Cottam SJ Born at Tarnacre. Died at Tyburn, London, 1582
Blessed George Haydock Born at Cottam Hall. Died at Tyburn, London, 1584
Blessed William MarsdenBorn at Chipping. Died on the Isle of Wight, 1586
Blessed John Sandys Born in Lancashire. Died at Gloucester, 1586
Blessed George Beesley Born at Goosnargh. Died in Fleet St, London 1591
Blessed William Harcourt SJ Born at Kirkham. Died at Tyburn, London, 1679
These eight martyrs were all born in the area now covered by the Diocese of Lancaster. Unlike the fifteen Martyrs of Lancaster, they were all executed outside the Diocese. All eight were priests. All were hung, drawn and quartered.
Canonized Martyrs
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| Blessed John Plessington |
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| St John Wall |
Beatified Martyrs
Blessed Thomas Cottam SJ Born at Tarnacre. Died at Tyburn, London, 1582
Blessed George Haydock Born at Cottam Hall. Died at Tyburn, London, 1584
Blessed William MarsdenBorn at Chipping. Died on the Isle of Wight, 1586
Blessed John Sandys Born in Lancashire. Died at Gloucester, 1586
Blessed George Beesley Born at Goosnargh. Died in Fleet St, London 1591
Blessed William Harcourt SJ Born at Kirkham. Died at Tyburn, London, 1679
Lord God, may we learn through the example of our martyrs to put our confidence in you alone and so follow the narrow way that leads to eternal life. Through Christ our Lord, Amen