Anthony Turner (martyr) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BlessedAnthony Turner SJ |
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Portrait of Anthony Turner, S.J. by Cornelis van Merlen
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| Martyr | |
| Born | 1628 Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England |
| Died | 20 June 1679 (aged 50–51) Tyburn, London, England |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI |
| Feast | 20 June |
Anthony Turner (born 1628, died 20 June 1679) was an English Jesuit priest. He is remembered as a martyr. He was wrongly accused during a time called the Popish Plot. This was a false story about Catholics planning to harm King Charles II. Anthony Turner was found guilty of planning against the King. He was then executed for a crime he did not commit. In 1929, Pope Pius XI declared him "Blessed." His special day, or feast day, is celebrated on June 20.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Anthony Turner was born in 1628 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England. His father, Toby Turner, was a clergyman, which means he was a leader in the church. His mother was Elizabeth Cheseldine.
Anthony went to Uppingham School in Rutland. After that, he studied at Peterhouse, Cambridge, a famous university. During his time there, he became a Catholic.
Becoming a Priest
In October 1650, Anthony Turner traveled to the English College, Rome to continue his studies. Later, he went to the Jesuit College in St Omer. He became a priest there on April 12, 1659.
In 1661, he was sent to lead the Jesuits' mission in Worcestershire. He stayed there for the rest of his life as a priest. He even became the Jesuit Superior for that area from 1670 to 1678. This meant he was in charge of the Jesuit work there.
The Popish Plot and False Accusations
The "Popish Plot" was a time when many false stories spread in England. People wrongly believed that Catholics were planning to kill King Charles II. The government became very interested in finding Anthony Turner. It is not clear why he was considered so important. However, officials searched for him in three different counties.
Anthony Turner's Surrender
Anthony Turner wanted to stand up for his faith. His superiors, however, urged him to leave England for his safety. In January 1679, he went to London. He hoped to find a safe place in a Catholic country's embassy or to find a Jesuit who could help him escape.
He was not successful in finding help. He then gave his last money to a beggar. In February 1679, he turned himself in to the authorities. He chose to face the accusations against him.
Unfair Trial and Execution
Even though Anthony Turner was not on the main list of accused people, he was taken to Newgate Prison. On June 13, 1679, he was put on trial. He was tried with four other Jesuit priests: Thomas Whitbread, John Fenwick, John Gavan, and William Barrow.
The Court Proceedings
Seven judges were present at the trial. The main judge was Sir William Scroggs. He strongly believed in the false Popish Plot. He also disliked Catholic priests.
Anthony Turner defended himself with great energy. The other older priests allowed John Gavan, who was younger and very skilled, to speak for all five of them. They tried to show that the main accuser, Titus Oates, was lying. Oates claimed he was in London, but the priests showed he had been in St Omer for six months.
However, the court ruled that Catholic witnesses could not be trusted. The judges said they might be allowed to lie by their religion. This made it very hard for the priests to prove their innocence.
The Verdict and Aftermath
Despite the weak evidence against them, Judge Scroggs told the jury to find them guilty. He even admitted he had forgotten most of the evidence. The jury quickly decided they were guilty.
All five priests were hanged at Tyburn on June 20, 1679. There is a story that they were offered a pardon if they confessed, but this seems untrue. King Charles II was asked to show mercy. He refused because he feared making the public angry.
The King did order that they be allowed to hang until they died. He also said they should be spared a more brutal punishment called "drawing and quartering." They were given a proper burial. The crowd watching showed respect and sympathy for the victims. Each man gave a final speech, saying he was innocent. They were buried in St Giles-in-the-Fields.
