Humphrey Middlemore

Humphrey Middlemore (died 19 June 1535) was an English Catholic priest and a member of the Carthusian Order. He is recognized as a martyr by the Catholic Church for his steadfast refusal to compromise his faith during the turbulent Tudor period.

Life and Context

Born to Thomas Middlemore and Ann Lyttleton, Humphrey Middlemore felt a strong calling to the religious life and entered the London Charterhouse. There, he was professed as a monk and later ordained as a priest. He held the office of procurator within the community and was highly regarded by the prior, Dom John Houghton.

The pivotal challenge to his life and faith arose in 1534, with King Henry VIII's determination to secure public acceptance of his marriage to Anne Boleyn and the subsequent succession. The Carthusian monks, respected for their austerity and sincerity, were particularly sought after for their acquiescence. When royal commissioners visited the Charterhouse, they demanded the monks take an oath acknowledging the King's new marital and ecclesiastical policies. Both Dom John Houghton and Humphrey Middlemore initially refused, leading to their imprisonment in the Tower of London.

After a month, they relented and took a conditional oath, securing their release. However, the situation escalated the following year. On May 4, 1535, three leading Carthusians, including Prior Houghton, were executed for refusing the Oath of Supremacy. This event led to Humphrey Middlemore becoming the vicar of the community.

Persecution and Execution

Despite the earlier conditional oath, the Crown's pressure continued. Thomas Bedyll, a royal commissioner, attempted to shake the faith of Middlemore and his community regarding papal supremacy, but his efforts were in vain. Subsequently, Bedyll obtained authority from Thomas Cromwell to arrest three key monks: Middlemore, as vicar, along with Doms William Exmew and Sebastian Newdigate. They were thrown into prison and subjected to brutal treatment, chained to posts for two weeks.

Brought before the council, they were again required to take the oath. Their unwavering refusal, supported by arguments from Scripture and Church Fathers defending papal supremacy, led to their condemnation. Humphrey Middlemore, William Exmew, and Sebastian Newdigate were executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering at Tyburn Tree on June 19, 1535, a little over a month after their fellow monks.

Beatification

Humphrey Middlemore is considered one of the English martyrs of the Reformation. He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII on December 9, 1886, along with 50 other English martyrs. His feast day is commemorated on June 19.