ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN APRIL
Saints celebrated on the 19th of April
BLESSED JAMES DUCKETT, MARTYR
James Duckett, layman, was a younger son of Mr Duckett, of Gilfortrigs, in the parish of Schelsmore, in Westmoreland. He had the name of James given him in baptism from his godfather, James Leybourn, Esq., lord of Schelsmore, (who was drawn, hanged, and quartered at Lancaster, March 22, 1583, for denying the queen's supremacy,) yet it seems he was brought up a protestant, and, after some years passed in the school, was bound apprentice in London.
Here, after some time, a countryman of his, one Peter Mason, put a book in his hands, entitled, The Foundation of the Catholic Religion; which he diligently perused, and, by the reading of it, was brought to stagger very much in his opinion; insomuch that he, who before was so zealous in his way, that he would have heard two or three sermons on a day, began now to withdraw himself from their sermons and service, and to be more and more convinced of the falsehood of his former belief.
This change was soon perceived by those with whom he lived, who, finding also the book which had occasioned this alteration, carried it to Mr Goodaker, the minister of St Edmunds, in Lombard Street, who sent for Mr James, and examined him, why he went no more to church? he answered, He neither did, nor would go more to church, till he had better satisfaction in their religion than he could give him. Upon this answer, he was committed to Bridewell, from whence, after some time, he was set free by his master's means, but, not long after, he was again questioned for not going to church, and was then sent to the compter. His master procured his liberty once more, but was afraid of keeping him any longer, lest himself should incur any danger thereby, so Mr Duckett was forced to compound, and buy out the remainder of his time.
Being now his own master, he sought the means of being instructed and received into the catholic church; and, within two months, to his great comfort, he was reconciled by Mr Weeks, a venerable priest, prisoner in the Gatehouse.
After which, he lived two or three years a single life, with great zeal and fervour in religion; and then took a wife, a good catholic widow, with whom he lived twelve years in wedlock, dealing mostly in books, with which he furnished catholics, as well for their own comfort and instruction, as for the assistance of their neighbours' souls. This exposed him to many dangers and persecutions, and he was often apprehended and cast into prison, both in town and country, and kept sometimes for a long while together in jail, insomuch that of twelve years he lived a married man, he passed nine of them in prisons. His last apprehension, which brought him to his happy end, and the manner of his trial and death, is thus related by his son:
Peter Bullock, a bookbinder, after he had been condemned a twelve-month, in hope (as many imagined) of obtaining his pardon, informed lord chief justice Popham, that James Duckett had had twenty-five of Father Southwell's Supplications to the Queen, and had published them. 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, 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,) 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 Supplications 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, Bristowe's Motives; which he acknowledged. The jury being called, and hearing what was alleged against him, by one only witness, went out, and having consulted, returned again and found him not guilty. Judge Popham, who was bloodily bent against him, stood up, and bid them consider well what they did, for that Duckett had had Bristowe'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 to 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 I, 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 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 he and Peter standing up in the cart, Peter, saith he, the cause of my coming hither 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.
Mr Duckett suffered at Tyburn, April 19th, 1601, and he is mentioned by Mr Howes upon Stow, in his chronicle. Dr Champney, in his manuscript history of the reign of queen Elizabeth, (which he concludes with this year,) adds, that Mr John Colins, another catholic. after a long imprisonment, suffered death for the same cause, though he knows not whether it was at the same time or no. As to the three priests who were condemned with Mr Duckett, they were reprieved, indeed, at the intercession of the French ambassador; but it was but for a very short time, for, on the 20th of April, says Howes in his chronicle, Thomas Tichburn, Robert Watkinson, and James - he should have said Francis - Page, seminary priests, were drawn to Tyburn, and there hanged, bowelled, and quartered, for coming into the kingdom. contrary to the statute of the 27th of Elizabeth.
From the Catalogue of Arnoldus Raissius, Dr Champney's manuscript, &c. and from a manuscript sent me from Douay College, written by Father Duckett, prior of the English Carthusians, at Newport, son of the same Mr James Duckett.
Source: Bishop Richard Challoner, Memoirs of Missionary Priests, Volume 1
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