Polydore Plasden
Polydore Plasden was a Catholic priest and one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. He studied for the priesthood in Rheims and Rome before being ordained and sent back to England. Plasden is chiefly remembered for his martyrdom in London in 1591.
- Feast Day
- December 10
- Century
- 16th century
- Country Or Region
- England
Key Facts
- ›Polydore Plasden was born in London in 1563, the son of a horner.
- ›He studied for the priesthood at the English College in Rheims and Rome.
- ›Plasden was ordained priest on December 7, 1586.
- ›He ministered in Sussex and London from 1588 to 1591.
- ›He was captured on November 2, 1591, by Richard Topcliffe.
- ›Plasden was executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering on December 10, 1591, at Tyburn.
About Polydore Plasden
Polydore Plasden (1563–1591) was an English Catholic priest and a martyr, recognized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. His life and death exemplify the religious persecution faced by Catholics in England during the late 16th century.
Life and Historical Context
Born in London in 1563, Polydore Plasden was the son of a horner. He pursued his education for the priesthood abroad, studying at the English College in Rheims and later at the English College in Rome. He was ordained a priest on December 7, 1586. After remaining in Rome for over a year, he spent a period in Rheims before being sent on the mission to England in 1588. Plasden ministered to Catholics in Sussex and London from 1588 until his arrest.
Capture and Execution
On November 2, 1591, Plasden was apprehended by the priest hunter Richard Topcliffe at the home of Swithun Wells on Gray's Inn Lane. This house served as a center of hospitality for recusants (Catholics who refused to attend Church of England services). Edmund Gennings was celebrating Mass at the time of the raid. Despite resistance from some of the congregation to delay the capture, they eventually surrendered peacefully. Plasden, along with Gennings and Eustace White (priests), and laymen Sydney Hodgson, Swithun Wells, and John Mason, were tried before the King's Bench on December 6, 1591. They were condemned for being in England contrary to the Jesuits, etc. Act 1584.
All six were executed on December 10, 1591. Gennings and Wells were executed opposite Wells's house, while Plasden, White, Hodgson, and Mason were executed at Tyburn. At his execution, Plasden acknowledged Queen Elizabeth I as his lawful queen and stated his willingness to defend her, but affirmed that he would rather forfeit a thousand lives than deny his religion. His sentence of hanging, drawing, and quartering was mitigated by Sir Walter Raleigh, who ordered that he be allowed to hang until dead, to spare him the full horror of the execution.
Veneration
Polydore Plasden was beatified in 1929 and later canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. He is venerated in the Catholic Church for his faith and martyrdom.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Polydore Plasden?
Polydore Plasden was a Catholic priest who lived from 1563 to 1591. He is recognized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
When and where did Polydore Plasden study for the priesthood?
Polydore Plasden studied for the priesthood at the English College in Rheims and at the English College in Rome. He was ordained in 1586.
What was Polydore Plasden's ministry in England?
After his ordination, Plasden was sent on the mission to England. He ministered in Sussex and London from 1588 to 1591.
How was Polydore Plasden captured and executed?
He was captured on November 2, 1591, by priest hunter Richard Topcliffe at the house of Swithun Wells. Plasden was tried and condemned for returning to England against the Jesuits, etc. Act 1584, and was executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering at Tyburn on December 10, 1591.
What were Polydore Plasden's final words or actions?
At his execution, Plasden acknowledged Elizabeth as his lawful queen and prayed for her and the realm. He stated he would rather forfeit a thousand lives than deny his religion.
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