Saints celebrated on the 1st of July
WELCOME!
BLESSED THOMAS MAXFIELD, PRIEST AND MARTYR
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| London Oratory, The Martyrs of Tyburn Tree (detail) |
Thomas Maxfield was descended of an ancient family of this name in Staffordshire. His father, who was a man of great piety, had suffered much for his religion; and besides the confiscation of his estate, and a long and close imprisonment of many years, was actually under sentence of death for his faith when his son was born; his wife being at the same time a close prisoner for the same cause.
As for Mr Thomas, having got some little tincture of grammar in his own country, he was sent abroad to the English college of Douay, where he arrived in 1603, and there made a good progress in learning; finished his course of philosophy; and was advanced two years in the study of divinity, when he was attacked with a long and lingering sickness, which which obliged him to interrupt his studies, and return to his native country, in hopes of recovering his health by change of air; which had its desired effect, for after some time he recovered, and then without delay crossed the seas again, and returned to the college; where, having completed his divinity, and being found by the superiors every way qualified by virtue and learning for an apostolic life, he was presented to holy orders in 1614, and sent upon the mission in 1615.
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| Bl. Thomas Maxfield |
At his coming to London the first visit he made was to a priest, a good friend of his, a close prisoner in the Gate-House; where likewise he celebrated Mass for the first time after his arrival in England. After which three months did not pass before he was apprehended, being upon his knees before the altar, after Mass, in recollection and prayer, In this posture the pursuivants found him, and immediately laying hands upon him, violently hauled him away, as if he had been some notorious robber or housebreaker taken in the fact.
He was convened before some of the bishops, who put the usual murdering questions unto him. Was he a Romish priest? Why did he presume, after having taken orders in the church of Rome, to return into England contrary to the laws of this nation? Was he willing to take the oath of allegiance? &c. To these interrogatories, Mr Maxfield returned a plain and distinct answer, viz. he owned himself a priest, ordained by a catholic bishop, according to the form appointed in the Roman pontifical, and by authority derived from the bishop of Rome. That as he was lawfully ordained, so was he likewise lawfully preach the word of God, and to administer the sacraments to his countrymen and that as the mission of priests lawfully ordained is originally from Christ, who sent his apostles even as his Father had sent him, he humbly conceived no human laws could justly render his return into England criminal; for this would be to prefer the ordinances of men to the commands of the supreme legislator Christ himself. As to the rest he would pay obedience in all civil matters to his majesty; but would not take the oath of allegiance as it was worded. Upon this he was sent to the Gate-House, where he had before offered to God the first fruits of his mission.
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| Gatehouse Prison ("Gate-House"), Westminster |
His conduct in prison (for about 8 months) was truly religions and edifying to all. The author of the Latin account of his martyrdom, published at Douay the same year he suffered, who seems to have been an eyewitness of his behaviour, gives this commendation of him: that he wholly devoted himself to prayer, and other religious exercises; that he used great mortifications; and that his comportment in general, during the time of his confinement in the Gate-House, was such as afforded great comfort and edification to the other prisoners.
But as zeal for the conversion of souls was his predominant virtue, it put him upon thoughts of making his escape out of prison, that he might be in a condition of being more serviceable to the souls of his neighbours at a time when priests were very much wanted. The design he communicated to a fellow-prisoner, a father of the Society of Jesus, who was his spiritual director, together with his motives and reasons and farther to learn the will of heaven, he earnestly recommended the affair to God in his devotions for many days; adding fasting and alms to his prayers, and humbly beseeching the Almighty to manifest his will to him, and give such issue to his undertaking as should be best pleasing to him, and most conducive to his divine ho nour and glory.
And now having concerted his measures, he attempted to put his design in execution on the 24th of June 1616; letting himself down in the dead of the night from a high window, by the help of a cord But when he was just come to the ground, he was surprised to find himself fast in the arms of an unknown person who by his loud cries gave the alarm to the neighbourhood, and so turnkeys, watchmen, &c. came rushing in upon him, and after having hauled, dragged, beaten, and buffeted him, to make sure work, they thrust him under a table, girding about his neck a massive collar of iron; to this again they fastened a ponderous chain of an hundred weight, wherewith they inhumanly load and fetter him; and in this painful posture they keep him for some hours till the morning, and then he met with even more barbarous usage, as we shall now see.
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There was in the Gate-House a subterraneous dungeon, a deep and dark hole, which, if we may judge by the filth and nastiness of the place, had not been opened or made use of for a long time in this dungeon was a pair of wooden stocks of an odd contrivance, made not so much to secure as to torture the prisoner. Here, by the jailor's orders, Mr Maxfield was to take up his quarters; and in this engine his feet were fastened in such manner that he could neither stand upright, nor yet lie down; or turn or move his body into any other posture for a little ease - to which was added another torment more intolerable to filth and moisture of the vault, which by their creeping over his body, locked up in this cruel machine, sorely annoyed him, without his being able to make the least defence against them. The darkness, stench, horror, and torments of this place, the confessor of Christ endured from before day break on Friday till Monday night, that is, for above 70 hours together, without the least intermission, till a warrant was sent from the council for his immediate removal to Newgate, in order for his trial.
There was something so very cruel and barbarous in this treatment of Mr Maxfield, that it moved the whole prison to compassionate his condition, and study to give him help so that not without danger of incurring the like penalty, they raised up a plank, and opened a small passage over the dungeon, through which they spoke to him, pitied his extreme sufferings, and threw him in an old blanket to cover him, being before almost naked. And a priest of the society, a prisoner there, whom Mr Maxfield had made use of for his confessions, ventured to come to this hole to speak to him, to comfort him, and to exhort him to patience and courage. But what surprised this good Father very much, was, to find the man of God so far from being dejected amidst that variety of sufferings, or in need of any human comforts, that his soul seemed to be elevated with supernatural lights, and abounding with heavenly consolations.
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| He was dragged out of his cell and forced to walk to Newgate Prison |
On Monday at night he was dragged out of this dungeon; living indeed, and that was all; his face as pale as that of a dead corpse; his spirits sunk with hunger, and want of rest, to that degree, that he was under continual faintings away: his hands and feet so benumbed, as to have lost all feeling and use; insomuch that it was some time before he was able to move. However, the same night, having first fettered his arms, they hurried him away, and forced him to walk from Westminster to Newgate. Here he was committed to the common side amongst a gang of felons, and was loaded with heavy irons, without any other convenience for a little rest but the bare floor. But that which gave this holy soul the greatest pain, was, the profane and impious discourse of those miserable wretches, who, though threatened vith approaching death, yet took no care to make their peace with God, but added daily new crimes to their former heavy load of wickednessses, without the least remorse or sense of God's judgments upon impenitent sinners. Mr Maxfield laid hold of every occasion to bring these poor wretches to a sense of their deplorable state, and to a repentance for their sins and the divine goodness gave that blessing to his words, that he reconciled two of the felons to God and his church. The keepers were soon acquainted with it, and he looked for nothing less than the stocks or dungeon a second time; but as his trial was at hand and he was looked upon to be a dead man, they winked at it; only took care to prevent the like practices for the future, by removing him from the common side and placing him amongst his fellow-priests, a comfort he could not obtain before.
On Wednesday the 26th of June, 1616, Mr Maxfield was brought to the bar. The trial was soon over, for being indicted for taking orders for the Roman church, and exercising the said orders, confessing himself a priest, and sowas remanded back to Newgate, locked up in a separate place by himself, loaded with heavy irons, and so strictly looked to, that no person was allowed to visit him. However he procured by some means or other to desire his fellow-priests in the other part of the prison, to recite the Te Deum, to give thanks to God for the blessings he had received that day.
The next morning he was again brought to the bar, to receive sentence, when the judge offered him life, provided he would take the oath of allegiance. To which Mr Maxfield replied, that his conscience would not permit him to take that oath, in the manner it was worded; for that it contained some expressions, which he conceived were not consistent with truth. Then turning himself to the standers-by, he desired them to take notice that he was condemned for no other crime but his priesthood, no other treason being so much as objected against him: and that even for this too, in their own hearing, pardon had been offered him, provided he would take the oath of allegiance. He therefore protested, upon the word of a dying man, that he acknowledged King James his true and lawful sovereign; that he bore him true and faithful allegiance, and was willing to declare the same upon oath, provided it were done without such clauses and assertions as are contrary to truth, and the catholic religion. After he had said this, he was proceeding to shew the iniquity of the laws, by which men were condemned to death for exercising priestly functions, in a nation which had been converted to the christian faith by priests of the same religion; when the court interrupted him, bidding him attend to the sentence, which was pronounced in the usual form, viz. that he should be drawn to the place of execution, hanged, then cut down alive, dismembered and bowelled, his bowels to be thrown into the fire, his head to be severed from the body, his body quartered, &c.
After sentence pronounced he was hurried back to prison, and thrust into the condemned hole, where he lay till the execution day. Strict orders were sent to Newgate that no papists should have access to the prisoner, However some few made interest to see him. Amongst others a lady of quality found means to make him a charitable visit, who declared herself very much edified and comforted with his heavenly discourses and saintlike comportment.
The Spanish embassador went to court to solicit a pardon for him; and that being refused, he petitioned at least for a reprieve; but was told that his excellency must wait till Tuesday next for a final answer. This was on Sunday evening; and the dead-warrant being signed for the executing the prisoners the very next day, the embassador suspected the worst, but knew not how to remedy it. However he sent his own son to wait on Mr Maxfield personally in Newgate, and with him his director, F. Didacus de Puente, a religious man of great learning and piety, of the order of St Dominic, who in company of some others of the Spanish nation got admittance to see and comfort the holy man and to desire his prayers, not only for the embassador and his family. but also for the king his master and the whole nation of Spain: assuring him withal, that no endeavours should be wanting on the embassador's part to procure him a reprieve, though he very much doubted whether he should succeed.
These pious visitors found the priest of Jesus Christ in a dark dungeon, loaded with heavy irons like the worst of malefactors but withal perfectly calm, and even modestly cheerful under his sufferings. And though he was pretty well convinced that he was to die the next morning, yet was he so far from appearing dejected or dismayed at the terrors of approaching death, or the least dissatisfied with his lot, that on the contrary there appeared both in his countenance, and in his words and actions, such manifest signs of christian fortitude, and of an entire dependance and confidence in the divine protection, for his support and strength in that last dreadful hour, together with such a saintlike and heavenly air in the whole conversation he had with these strangers, as transported them with a holy joy at the sight of this victim of faith, and filled them with respect and veneration towards so great a servant of God. The acts of his martyrdom tell us, that they threw themselves at his feet; that they kissed his hands and his chains, and even the very ground he trod on, beseeching him with tears that they might be serviceable to him in one kind or other. Mr Maxfield thanked them for their charitable offers, but told them, he wanted nothing but theirs, and other good christian's prayers, for obtaining the grace of God that he might persevere to the end, and overcome the difficulties he was to encounter with and therefore being very sensible of his own weakness and insufficiency, he desired them to pray for him. He likewise desired them to use their good offices with the ambassador, that at his return to Spain he would recommend to his catholic majesty the English college of Douay, upon which his royal predecessor Philip the second had settled an annual pension, which he hoped the present king, at the intercession of his excellency would be pleased to continue. Upon this they took their leave of him, and left him to his devotions. And the reverend Father confessor at his return home caused the blessed Sacrament to be solemnly exposed in the ambassador's chapel, where the family and other catholics spent the night in prayer in behalf of this holy priest, who was in the morning to pour forth his blood in defence of the catholic religion.
The next day (the first of July), very early in the morning, Mr Maxfield was demanded by the sheriff to be carried to the place of execution and accordingly his irons were struck off, and he was immediately led out. It was observed, that much artifice to manage this business with as little noise as possible, insomuch that fellow prisoners the priests and other catholics, who were lodged in that quarter of Newgate over against him, were kept close up, and not permitted so much as to see him, or receive his last blessing as he passed by. However, when he came opposite to the window, he turned his face towards it, and with an audible voice bid them all adieu and then making the sign of the cross upon himself and the crowd, he calmly and cheerfully laid himself down upon the sledge.
The adversaries to prevent the great concourse of people, besides choosing so early an hour, had ordered that a woman should at the same time be burnt in Smithfield, in hopes that this would make a considerable diversion, and draw a great part of the people that way but all was to no purpose, the people poured in from all parts of the town; and streets, windows, and balconies were all thronged with unusual numbers to see this holy priest drawn to Tyburn and great multitudes him to the very place of execution, amongst whom were many catholics of fashion as well foreigners as English. The Spaniards distinguished themselves upon this occasion, who joined themselves in a body, and though they met with many affronts, forced their way through the crowd to the sledge, and accompanied the confessor to the end of his stage, frequently exhorting him to constancy and perseverance, and begging for themselves his prayers and blessing, with their heads uncovered, and bowed down in the most respectful manner.
This was a sensible mortification to some people, who notwithstanding their forwardness to have this priest taken off, would gladly have had it done in a more private way; well knowing that putting priests to death for religious matters only, could not fail to bring an odium upon protestants. But there was yet another circumstance, that was not less vexatious to them, for when they arrived at Tyburn they found the gibbet beautifully adorned with garlands, and wreaths of flowers; and the ground all covered with odoriferous herbs and greens, in honour of the martyr who was going to suffer there, and of the cause for which he was to shed his blood.
Mr Maxfield being now in the cart, turned himself to the people, and with a serene countenance and modest assurance spoke to them to this purpose.
¹Dear Countrymen,
Whereas my return into England, and my remaining here is the cause of my being brought hither to suffer a disgraceful death, I beg leave to assure you upon the word of a dying man, that my errand into my native country after many years spent abroad, was not to encourage treasons and rebellions, or withdraw his majesty's subjects from their allegiance, or in any kind to intermeddle in state affairs; but only to be serviceable to the souls of my dear countrymen, by endeavouring to remove their errors, and bring them back to the faith of their ancestors. Know also, good people, that I am not of the number of those, of whom God complains by the mouth of his prophet, that they went without his sending. No, God forbid, that I should undertake a business of this consequence without authority of superiors. I came here, because I was sent and I was sent and commissioned to preach to you, by the same apostolic see, which formerly sent St Augustine and his companions into this kingdom, to instruct our Saxon ancestors in the faith of Jesus Christ and surely as my mission was from the same authority, and directed to the same end, viz. the conversion of Englishmen to the catholic faith; by condemning me of treason for taking orders in the church of Rome, and remaining in England, you cannot but see that yon involve St Augustine in the same guilt of treason, a thing in itself absurd to all intents and purposes.
Here the sheriff interrupted him, and would not suffer him to proceed; giving orders at the same time to the executioner to do his office. Upon which Mr Maxfield, falling upon his knees, employed himself for a few minutes in private devotions, then he raised his voice, and prayed aloud for the king, queen, and royal family; and likewise for the people of this kingdom in general and after another pause in silent prayer, he prayed again aloud for his persecutors, earnestly beseeching Almighty God to forgive all, as he for his part sincerely forgave them, who had been any ways instrumental in taking away his life. These prayers he made with a sedate countenance, and a devotion edifying to all.
And now the executioner having fitted the cord to his neck, the confessor lifted up his eyes to heaven, and stretching forth his right hand gave his last blessing to the people, which the greatest part received with bare heads, and many of them kneeling. Then beseeching the catholics to assist his departing soul with their fervent prayers, he repeated aloud those words, Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit, and so the cart was drawn away.
He had hanged a very little while, when the sheriff cried out to the executioner to cut the rope, and butcher him alive, according to sentence. But the crowd opposing it, and by loud reproaches testifying their horror of such a barbarous proposition, the executioner held his hand; and he was permitted to hang till he was dead, at least to all sense of pain and then he was bowelled and quartered.
The sheriff, to shew his zeal, forbad, upon pain of imprisonment, that any one should dare to carry off any part of the body, or of his garments, or even of the straw upon which the body was butchered. And to prevent the catholics from stealing afterwards any of his relics, he ordered a pit to be made near the gallows, of an unusual depth, into which he threw the mangled limbs of the servant of God, and over them two half rotten carcases of felons that had been buried there a month before and upon these again he cast in the bodies of thirteen malefactors who were executed that day, pressing down upon them a great quantity of earth; and so he thought he had done the work effectually. But some zealous young men that very night, notwithstanding all the sheriff's precautions, opening the hole, took the mangled body of the martyr, and carried it away in order to a more decent interment. He suffered July the first, 1616.
Mr Maxfield a little while before his trial wrote the following letter to Dr Kellison, then president of Douay college, the original of which is to this day preserved in the college.
Most reverend and most dear Father, as in duty I am bound never to forget you, who have ever had so tender and fatherly care of me; so now especially I must in no ways omit to write to you, being peradventure the last time that ever I must salute you for that now I expect with some hopes, (if so unworthy a wretch may presume to hope fer so great a dignity) to end my days in the just quarrel of my Lord and master Christ Jesus. I suppose, good sir, now that it has come to your notice of my attempt out of the Gate-House; and how it hath pleased God to dispose of me, and deliver me again into the hands of my enemies, who apprehending me, put me to suffer unusual affliction and misery; the particular relation whereof I choose rather to remit to some other, than myself to be the reporter. From thence I was removed by special warrant to Newgate; whence as all men tell me, I an to be produced to my answer upon Wednesday or Thursday next, there to receive my trial on life and death, the happiest news and tidings that ever I heard; God give me strength and courage, and make as to glorify his glorious name by my death, and to fill up the number of my glorified brethren, that are gone before me: I think myself most happy that I am branched out of, and still remain a member of that blessed house of Douay, that has afforded to our poor barren country so much good and happy seed, I am therefore yours, and so will live and die. Let me therefore, dear Father, be made partaker of your good prayers, and commend me, I beseech you to all my good and dearly beloved brethren, whose happiness I wish ever as my own: and I will never cease, God willing, to pray for you and them, and for the prosperity of that house, both in life and after death. I am forced, dear good sir, to be brief, through the much company that cometh to me at this present, and other necessary business; but I hope you will pardon me, and accept of this as a token of a great good will. I am your poor debtor, and if I live, I will one day defray all; if otherwise, I hope you will remit it. And so in haste, being called to the grate by the sheriff's man, I bid you, dear Father, farewell in Christ Jesu. Your ever most dutiful, Thomas Maxfield.
¹Exemplar Litterarum, p. 29
From his Life, published this same year at Douay by Dr Kellison: and from an account sent over to Douay by an eyewitness of his conflict; and printed there in the following year.
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