John Kemble
John Kemble was an English Catholic priest who served as an itinerant missionary for over 50 years in Monmouthshire and Herefordshire. He was martyred for his faith during the Popish Plot of 1678 and is remembered as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
- Feast Day
- October 25
- Century
- 17th century
- Country Or Region
- England
Key Facts
- ›John Kemble was born in 1599 in Herefordshire, England.
- ›He was ordained a priest on February 23, 1625, at Douai College.
- ›Kemble served as a missionary priest in Monmouthshire and Herefordshire for over 50 years.
- ›He was arrested on December 7, 1678, amidst the hysteria of the Popish Plot.
- ›Despite having no connection to the plot, he was found guilty of being a Catholic priest and sentenced to death.
- ›John Kemble was executed on August 22, 1679, at Widemarsh Common, Hereford.
Kemble Pipe, Kemble Cup
About John Kemble
John Kemble (c. 1599 – 22 August 1679)
John Kemble was an English Catholic priest who became a martyr for his faith. Born around 1599 in Herefordshire into a devout recusant Catholic family, he was ordained at Douai College in 1625. He returned to England to serve as a missionary priest in Monmouthshire and Herefordshire, ministering discreetly for over 50 years.
Despite harsh anti-Catholic laws, Kemble's ministry in areas with sympathetic local landowners allowed him to serve his flock with relative impunity for many years. He was based at Pembridge Castle, the home of his nephew, and was well-regarded even by Protestants.
Kemble's pastoral work was disrupted by the Popish Plot of 1678, a fabricated conspiracy orchestrated by Titus Oates. Amidst the ensuing anti-Catholic hysteria, John Kemble was arrested on December 7, 1678, while staying at Pembridge Castle. He refused to abscond, stating he had few years left to live and would not flee from suffering for his religion.
Brought to trial in April 1679, the now 80-year-old priest was found guilty of the sole charge of being a Catholic priest, as no connection to the alleged plot could be established. He was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. The sentence was carried out on August 22, 1679, at Widemarsh Common, Hereford. Before his execution, Kemble famously addressed the crowd, asserting that he died only for his profession of the Catholic faith. He was granted the mercy of dying on the gallows before the full brutality of the sentence was inflicted.
Sainthood and Veneration
John Kemble was beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius XI and later canonized on October 25, 1970, by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Miracles were attributed to him, including the healing of Scudamore's daughter and wife. His death was met with local dismay, with both Catholics and Protestants praising him. One of his hands is preserved at St Francis Xavier Church in Hereford, and his body rests in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin at Welsh Newton, a site of annual pilgrimage. The sayings 'Kemble pipe' and 'Kemble cup' commemorate his final moments.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was John Kemble born and when did he die?
John Kemble was born around 1599 and died on August 22, 1679. He was approximately 80 years old at the time of his execution.
Why was John Kemble executed?
John Kemble was executed because he was a Catholic priest. Although he had no connection to the fabricated Popish Plot of 1678, he was found guilty of the treasonous crime of being a Catholic priest and sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered.
What was John Kemble's ministry like?
John Kemble served as an itinerant priest for over 50 years in Monmouthshire and Herefordshire. He ministered to his flock discreetly, often serving mass at Treago Castle and being based at Pembridge Castle.
What is John Kemble remembered for?
John Kemble is remembered as a martyr for his Catholic faith. He was canonized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales in 1970.
Are there any special traditions associated with John Kemble?
Yes, the Herefordshire sayings 'Kemble pipe' and 'Kemble cup' refer to a parting pipe or cup shared before his execution. These traditions commemorate his final moments.
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