BL. WILLIAM FREEMAN, PRIEST AND MARTYR

BL. WILLIAM FREEMAN, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 13 AUGUST

BLESSED WILLIAM FREEMAN, PRIEST AND MARTYR

William Freeman was a priest and martyr, he was born at Manthorp near York, c. 1558 and died at Warwick, August 13, 1595. His parents were recusants, though he conformed outwardly for some time to the [government enforced] religion of the country.

Educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, he took his degree as B.A. in 1581, then lived for some years in London, where he witnessed the martyrdom of Edward Stransham in 1586. Strongly impressed with this example, he left England and was ordained priest in 1587 at Reims.

Returning to England in 1589, he worked for six years on the borders of Warwickshire, and in his interesting life many persons are mentioned who were contemporaries or friends of Shakespeare. In January, 1595, a special commission was sent down to Stratford-on-Avon to search the house of Mrs. Heaths who bad engaged his services as tutor to her son.

William Freeman was arrested, and spent seven months in prison. He denied his priesthood, but also refused all friendly offers to escape, not wishing to lose his opportunity of martyrdom. Owing to the treachery of a fellow-prisoner, William Gregory, he was at last sentenced as a seminary priest and in spite of a touching protest of loyalty, suffered the death of a traitor at Warwick.

[Bl. William was beatified on December 15, 1929 by Pope Pius XI.]

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913

⬅️ The Holy Martyrs of England and Wales

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who know how courageously your holy martyr William confessed the faith, may experience his goodness as he intercedes for us with you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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