BL. WILLIAM RICHARDSON, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 17 FEBRUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY

Saints celebrated on the 17th of February

WELCOME!

BLESSED WILLIAM RICHARDSON, PRIEST AND MARTYR

Colleges at the University of Douai,
16th century 

William Richardson (alias Anderson] was the last that suffered death on account of his priestly character in this reign [Elizabeth I.] Of whom thus writes the protestant historian Howes upon Stow, (p. 812):

William Anderson, a seminary priest, was drawn to Tyburn, upon the 17th of February, and there hanged, bowelled, and quartered, for being found in England, contrary to the statute of the 27th of Elizabeth. 

He was born at Vales, in Yorkshire; had his education abroad, first in Douay College, during its residence at Rheims; from whence he was sent into Spain, in 1592; and then in the colleges of Valladolid and Seville, in the latter of which he was made priest. 

Other particulars of his apprehension, trial, and death, I have not found

Five weeks after Mr Richardson's death, the queen herself was called to the bar, to take her trial, before the Great Judge. She died on the 24th of March, after having reigned forty-four years, four months and seven days.

Source: Bishop Richard Challoner, Memoirs of Missionary Priests, Volume 1

⬅️ 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.