John Britton (martyr) facts for kids
John Britton (also known as Bretton) was an English Catholic who lived a long time ago, during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. He was from a town called Barnsley in Yorkshire. John Britton was executed (put to death) on April 1, 1598, because of his strong Catholic beliefs. Many years later, in 1987, the Catholic Church honored him by declaring him "Blessed," which means he is recognized as a martyr.
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Who Was John Britton?
John Britton came from an old and well-known family called Breton. He was a very religious person and a dedicated Catholic. During his life, being a Catholic in England was sometimes difficult. People like John Britton faced many challenges and were often treated unfairly because of their faith.
Life Challenges and Faith
Because of these difficulties, John Britton sometimes had to leave his wife and family to stay safe. He was known for being very committed to his Catholic faith, which led to him being constantly bothered and persecuted.
Accusation and Execution
When John Britton was an old man, he was accused of speaking against Queen Elizabeth I. These accusations were considered very serious at the time. He was sentenced to death. John Britton bravely refused to give up his faith, even when faced with execution. He was put to death in the city of York on April 1, 1598.
Family Connections
It is thought that John Britton might have been the father of Matthew Britton. Matthew Britton later became a leader and teacher at a famous college in Douai in 1599, which was a place where English Catholics could study.
