Carthusian Martyrs of London facts for kids

The Carthusian Martyrs of London were a group of monks from the London Charterhouse. This was a monastery in London belonging to the Carthusian Order. These monks were put to death by the English government between May 4, 1535, and September 20, 1537.

Some were executed by hanging. Others were put in prison and left to starve. The group also included two monks brought from other monasteries. In total, 18 men were killed. The Catholic Church officially recognizes all of them as martyrs. A martyr is someone who dies for their religious beliefs.

This happened during a time when King Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon. He also wanted to marry Anne Boleyn and break away from the Pope's authority. This period was known as the "King's Great Matter." The government wanted the Carthusian monks to agree with the King's decisions. The monks were highly respected for their strict and honest way of life. When they refused to agree, the King decided to stop their resistance.

The First Group of Martyrs

The monks of the London Charterhouse were highly respected. Many people sought their spiritual advice.

Portraits of Saints John Houghton, Robert Lawrence and Augustine Webster. These were the first Carthusians to die for their faith in England.

On May 4, 1535, the government executed three important English Carthusian monks. They were John Houghton, who was the leader of the London monastery. Also executed were Robert Lawrence and Augustine Webster, leaders of other Carthusian houses.

They were killed at Tyburn, Middlesex. A monk from another order and a priest were also executed with them.

The Second Group of Martyrs

Portraits of Blesseds Sebastian Newdigate, William Exmew, and Humphrey Middlemore.

Just over a month later, three more leaders from the London monastery were targeted. These were Humphrey Middlemore, William Exmew, and Sebastian Newdigate. They were chained upright for 13 days.

They were then taken to Tyburn and died on June 19. Sebastian Newdigate was a personal friend of King Henry VIII. The King visited him twice in prison. He tried to convince Newdigate to change his mind, but Newdigate refused.

The Third Group of Martyrs

The next step was to arrest four more monks from the community. Two were sent to a Carthusian house in Nottinghamshire. The other two, John Rochester and James Walworth, were sent to a monastery in Yorkshire.

They were made an "example" on May 11, 1537. They were condemned for refusing to sign the Act of Supremacy. This act recognized the King as the head of the Church in England. They were hanged in chains from the city walls of York until they died.

The Fourth Group of Martyrs

Vicente Carducho's painting showing the imprisonment and death of ten monks from the London Charterhouse.

On May 18, 1537, the remaining 20 hermit monks and 18 lay brothers at the London Charterhouse were told to take the Oath of Supremacy. This oath meant they accepted the King as the head of the Church.

Some of the monks refused. These included Thomas Johnson, Richard Bere, Thomas Green, and John Davy. Among the lay brothers, Robert Salt, William Greenwood, Thomas Redyng, Thomas Scryven, Walter Pierson, and William Horne also refused.

The rest of the monastery community voted to give up their monastery. However, they were allowed to stay in their homes for the rest of the year.

Those who refused the oath were sent to Newgate Prison on May 29. They were treated harshly, just like their fellow Carthusians before them. They were chained standing up with their hands tied behind them.

During the summer, plague and typhus spread through the prison. Five of the prisoners died from illness. Two more were very close to death.

A legend says that Margaret Clement, who was raised by Thomas More, helped the prisoners. She supposedly bribed the jailer to let her in. Dressed as a milkmaid, she carried milk cans filled with meat to feed them. She also tried to clean their cells.

However, King Henry became suspicious. He asked if the monks were already dead. Thomas Cromwell, a powerful minister, was angry to hear the prisoners were left to die. The jailer became too scared to let Margaret in again. For a short time, she was allowed to go on the roof. She would uncover tiles and lower meat in a basket. But the monks could barely reach it, and soon this was stopped too.

William Greenwood, a lay brother, died first on June 6. Two days later, John Davy died on June 8. Robert Salt died on June 9. Walter Pierson and Thomas Green died on June 10. Thomas Scryven and Thomas Redyng died on June 15 and 16.

These last monks survived for a very long time. It seems the King decided to execute the survivors. Thomas Cromwell likely ordered that they be given food to keep them alive. Richard Bere died on August 9, and Thomas Johnson died on September 20.

A Lone Survivor

William Horne managed to survive all the illnesses and harsh conditions. He was the last of the Carthusian Martyrs to die. King Henry wanted to make examples of both Catholics and reformers. He executed people from both groups.

Portrait of Blessed Walter Pierson.

List of Carthusian Martyrs

• Saint John Houghton, leader of the London Charterhouse. Executed at Tyburn, London, on May 4, 1535.
• Saint Robert Lawrence, leader of Beauvale Charterhouse. Executed at Tyburn, London, on May 4, 1535.
• Saint Augustine Webster, leader of Axholme Charterhouse. Executed at Tyburn, London, on May 4, 1535.
• Blessed Humphrey Middlemore, assistant leader of the London Charterhouse. Executed at Tyburn, London, on June 19, 1535.
• Blessed William Exmew, manager of the London Charterhouse. Executed at Tyburn, London, on June 19, 1535.
• Blessed Sebastian Newdigate, a monk of the London Charterhouse. Executed at Tyburn, London, on June 19, 1535.
• Blessed John Rochester, a monk of the London Charterhouse. Sent to a monastery in Hull. Executed at York on May 11, 1537. He was hanged in chains from the city walls.
• Blessed James Walworth, a monk of the London Charterhouse. Sent to a monastery in Hull. Executed at York on May 11, 1537. He was hanged in chains from the city walls.
• Blessed William Greenwood, a lay brother of the London Charterhouse. Died of illness in Newgate Prison, London on June 6, 1537.
• Blessed John Davy, a deacon and monk of the London Charterhouse. Died of illness in Newgate Prison on June 8, 1537.
• Blessed Robert Salt, a lay brother of the London Charterhouse. Died of illness in Newgate Prison, London on June 9, 1537.
• Blessed Walter Pierson, a lay brother of the London Charterhouse. Died of illness in Newgate Prison, London on June 10, 1537.
• Blessed Thomas Green, a monk of the London Charterhouse. Died of illness in Newgate Prison, London on June 10, 1537.
• Blessed Thomas Scryven, a lay brother of the London Charterhouse. Died of illness in Newgate Prison, London on June 15, 1537.
• Blessed Thomas Redyng, a lay brother of the London Charterhouse. Died of illness in Newgate Prison, London on June 16, 1537.
• Blessed Richard Bere, a monk of the London Charterhouse. Died of illness in Newgate Prison, London on August 9, 1537.
• Blessed Thomas Johnson, a monk of the London Charterhouse. Died of illness in Newgate Prison, London on September 20, 1537.

Honoring the Martyrs

Blessed Richard Bere.

The Carthusian Martyrs were declared "Blessed" in 1886 by Pope Leo XIII. This is a step towards sainthood. John Houghton, Robert Lawrence, and Augustine Webster were later declared "Saints" in 1970 by Pope Paul VI.

There is a special plaque in Charterhouse Square to remember them. A private ceremony is held each year on May 4. This date marks the execution of John Houghton.

The Martyrs in Art

Paintings of some Carthusian martyrs can be found at the Certosa di Bologna in Italy. These include Blessed William Exmew, Blessed Thomas Johnson, Blessed Richard Bere, and Blessed Thomas Green.

An artist named Vicente Carducho was hired to decorate a monastery in Spain. He painted 54 large pictures. Twenty-seven showed the life of Saint Bruno, who founded the Carthusian Order. The other twenty-seven showed martyrs, including the Carthusian Martyrs of London.

See also

• Carthusian
• Carthusian Martyrs
• Eighty-five martyrs of England and Wales
• Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
• Hermit
• List of Catholic martyrs of the English Reformation