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Robert Lawrence

Robert Lawrence was an English Carthusian monk and one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. He was executed at Tyburn for refusing to sign the Oath of Supremacy, which declared King Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England. He is remembered as a martyr for his faith.

Feast Day
May 4
Country Or Region
England

Key Facts

  • Robert Lawrence was born about 1485 and was a graduate of Cambridge.
  • He joined the Carthusians and became Prior of Beauvale Priory in 1531.
  • Parliament declared in February 1535 that everyone must take the Oath of Supremacy.
  • Lawrence, along with John Houghton, met with Thomas Cromwell and was subsequently arrested.
  • He was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn for refusing to sign the Oath of Supremacy.
  • He was beatified in 1886 and canonized on October 25, 1970.
Birth Year
c. 1485
Death Year
1535
Venerated In
Role Type
Religious Order
Canonized By
Pope Paul VI
Canonization Year
1970
Beatification Year
1886

About Robert Lawrence

Robert Lawrence (OCart)

Robert Lawrence, a Carthusian monk, is recognized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. He was born around 1485 and was educated at Cambridge University.

Life and Martyrdom

After joining the Carthusian order, Robert Lawrence succeeded John Houghton as Prior of the Beauvale Priory in Nottinghamshire in 1531. In February 1535, Parliament enacted the Oath of Supremacy, requiring individuals to acknowledge King Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. Lawrence, along with John Houghton, met with Thomas Cromwell, which led to their arrest and imprisonment in the Tower of London. Their refusal to take the Oath of Supremacy resulted in their execution by hanging, drawing, and quartering at Tyburn on 4 May 1535, making them among the first Carthusian martyrs.

Veneration

Robert Lawrence was beatified in 1886. He was later canonized by Pope Paul VI on 25 October 1970, alongside thirty-nine other martyrs. His feast day is observed on 4 May.

Source: Wikipedia ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Robert Lawrence?

Robert Lawrence was an English Carthusian monk who lived from about 1485 to 1535. He was a graduate of Cambridge and later became the Prior of Beauvale Priory.

Why was Robert Lawrence executed?

Robert Lawrence was executed for declining to sign the Oath of Supremacy, which declared King Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn.

When is Robert Lawrence's feast day?

Robert Lawrence's feast day is celebrated on May 4.

What group does Robert Lawrence belong to?

Robert Lawrence is recognized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales and is also among the Carthusian martyrs.

When was Robert Lawrence canonized?

Robert Lawrence was canonized by Pope Paul VI on October 25, 1970, along with thirty-nine other martyrs.