David Lewis
David Lewis was a Jesuit Catholic priest and martyr, widely known as "Father of the Poor" for his dedication to the needy in Wales. He was arrested and executed for his faith and alleged involvement in the Popish Plot. Lewis is venerated as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
- Feast Day
- August 27
- Century
- 17th century
- Country Or Region
- Wales
Key Facts
- ›David Lewis was born in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, in 1616 and converted to Catholicism at age 16.
- ›He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1642 and joined the Society of Jesus three years later.
- ›Lewis served for 30 years in Monmouthshire, ministering to the poor and earning the epithet "Father of the Poor."
- ›He was arrested in 1678 and tried for high treason, accused of being a Catholic priest and involvement in the Popish Plot.
- ›Lewis was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Usk on August 27, 1679.
- ›He was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
Charles Baker, Tad y Tlodion
About David Lewis
David Lewis, S.J. (1616 – 1679)
David Lewis, born in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, in 1616, was a Jesuit Catholic priest and martyr. He is widely known in the Welsh language as "Tad y Tlodion," meaning "Father of the Poor," a testament to his devoted ministry among the needy during a period of intense religious persecution in Wales. His life and death are intrinsically linked to the tumultuous religious climate of post-Reformation England and Wales.
Lewis converted to Catholicism at the age of 16 while visiting Paris and later studied at the English College in Rome, where he adopted the alias "Charles Baker" to evade detection. He was ordained a Catholic priest on July 20, 1642, and joined the Society of Jesus three years later. After returning to his native Monmouthshire, he dedicated approximately 30 years to his pastoral apostolate, focusing significantly on the welfare of the poor.
His ministry was conducted under the shadow of religious persecution, which had begun under Henry VIII and continued until Catholic Emancipation in 1829. Lewis served as the superior of an illegal and underground Jesuit mission based at Cwm. His arrest occurred on November 17, 1678, at St Michael's Church, Llantarnam, by priest hunter John Arnold of Monmouthshire. He was subsequently tried and convicted of high treason at Monmouth in March 1679, partly due to accusations of involvement in the fabricated Popish Plot, a conspiracy theory concocted by Titus Oates.
Despite pleas and offers to spare his life, Lewis refused to renounce his faith or provide false testimony. He was executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering at Usk on August 27, 1679. The crowd, largely Protestant, reportedly insisted he be allowed to hang until dead and receive a proper burial, reflecting the esteem in which he was held. David Lewis was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales and is venerated in the Catholic Church. His feast day is celebrated annually on August 27, the anniversary of his martyrdom, and the site of his execution is now occupied by a Catholic parish church dedicated to him, which serves as a site of annual Christian pilgrimage.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was David Lewis?
David Lewis, also known as Charles Baker, was a Jesuit Catholic priest and martyr. He is widely recognized for his devoted ministry to the poor in Wales, earning him the Welsh epithet "Father of the Poor".
Why was David Lewis martyred?
David Lewis was martyred for his Catholic faith during a period of religious persecution in Wales. He was accused of high treason, including involvement in the Popish Plot, and for being a Catholic priest in England.
When and where was David Lewis executed?
David Lewis was executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering at Usk, Monmouthshire, on August 27, 1679.
What is David Lewis remembered for today?
David Lewis is remembered as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, canonized in 1970. His devotion to the poor and his martyrdom are commemorated annually with Christian pilgrimages to the site of his execution.
What was the Popish Plot?
The Popish Plot was a fabricated conspiracy theory concocted by Titus Oates. It was used by the Whig political party to incite anti-Catholic sentiment and persecute Catholics during the Stuart Restoration.
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