Cuthbert Mayne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintCuthbert Mayne |
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Cuthbert Mayne in a mezzotint by Daniel Fournier
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| Priest and Martyr Forty Martyrs of England and Wales |
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| Born | Baptized 20 March 1543 or 1544 Youlston, near Barnstaple, Devon, England |
| Died | 29 November 1577 (aged 33 or 34) Launceston, Cornwall, England |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII |
| Canonized | 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI |
| Major shrine | Church of St Cuthbert Mayne, Launceston, Cornwall |
| Feast | 30 November (individual) 25 October (together with Forty Martyrs of England and Wales) 29 November (one of the Douai Martyrs) |
| Attributes | Noose around neck, crucifix, knife in chest, martyr's palm, holding a Bible |
| Patronage | Launceston, Cornwall |
Cuthbert Mayne (born around 1543 – died November 29, 1577) was an English Roman Catholic priest. He was put to death under the laws of Queen Elizabeth I. He was the first of the "seminary priests" to be killed for his faith. These priests were trained in other countries. Mayne was later recognized as a saint in 1970. He is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
Contents
Cuthbert Mayne's Early Life
Cuthbert Mayne was born in Youlston, near Barnstaple, Devon, England. His father was William Mayne. He was baptized on March 20, 1543 or 1544. This day was the feast day of another saint, Cuthbert.
An uncle, who was a priest in the Church of England, helped pay for Mayne's schooling. He attended Barnstaple Grammar School.
University Studies and Religious Changes
Mayne became a rector (a type of priest) in the parish of Huntshaw in December 1561. He then went to Oxford University. He studied at St Alban Hall and later at St John's College. He earned his first degree in 1566 and a master's degree in 1570.
In April 1570, the Pope issued an order called Regnans in Excelsis. This order said that Queen Elizabeth I was no longer part of the Catholic Church. It also said that her subjects did not have to obey her laws. This was a very important moment in English history.
Becoming a Catholic Priest
While at Oxford, Mayne met other Catholics. These included Edmund Campion and Gregory Martin. Mayne decided to become a Catholic himself.
In late 1570, a letter to Mayne from Gregory Martin was found. It urged Mayne to come to Douai, a city in France. The Bishop of London saw the letter and sent someone to arrest Mayne.
Escape to Douai
Mayne was warned by a friend, Thomas Ford. He managed to escape arrest by going to Cornwall. In 1573, he traveled to the English College, Douai. This college was a place where English Catholics could train to become priests.
Mayne became a Roman Catholic priest in Douai in 1575. The next year, he earned a degree in theology from Douai University.
Returning to England
On April 24, 1576, Mayne returned to England. He was with another priest, John Payne. He soon joined the home of Francis Tregian in Cornwall. Tregian was a very rich landowner. Mayne pretended to be Tregian's steward (a manager of the household).
The English government saw priests from Douai as a threat. They thought these priests were working for the Pope to overthrow the Queen. In June 1576, authorities began searching for them.
In June 1577, the High Sheriff of Cornwall, Richard Grenville, raided Tregian's house. Officers broke into Mayne's room. They found a Catholic religious item, an Agnus Dei, around Mayne's neck. They arrested him and took his books and papers.
Imprisonment and Trial
Mayne was held in Launceston Castle while waiting for his trial. The trial began on September 23, 1577. He faced several serious accusations.
Accusations Against Mayne
The accusations against Mayne were:
- He had a special paper from the Pope that offered forgiveness to the Queen's subjects.
- He had shared this paper at Golden Manor.
- He had taught that the Pope had religious authority and denied the Queen's authority over the church. This happened while he was in prison.
- He had brought an Agnus Dei (a blessed wax item) into England and given it to Francis Tregian.
- He had celebrated Catholic Mass.
Mayne's Defense
Mayne answered each accusation. He said the "special paper" was just a copy of an announcement about a special Catholic year (a Jubilee). He said it was no longer valid. He denied sharing it.
He said he had not clearly stated anything about the Pope's authority to the witnesses. He also said that just wearing an Agnus Dei did not prove he brought it into England or gave it to Tregian. Finally, he said that having religious items in his room did not prove he had celebrated Mass.
The Verdict
The judge, Justice Sir Roger Manwood, told the jury to find Mayne guilty. He said that if there wasn't clear proof, strong guesses should be enough. The judge also said it was illegal to bring any papal letter into the country.
The jury found Mayne guilty of going against the Queen. This was a very serious crime. He was sentenced to a harsh punishment. Mayne responded by saying, "Deo gratias" (Thanks be to God).
Francis Tregian and eight other men were also put on trial. They were sentenced to lose their property and be imprisoned for life. Tregian was actually imprisoned for 28 years. He was later released by King James I.
Mayne's execution was delayed because one judge disagreed with the trial. But the Queen's council ordered the execution to go ahead. After the trial, Mayne admitted he had said Mass.
Execution of Cuthbert Mayne
A gallows (a structure for hanging people) was built in the marketplace in Launceston. Mayne was put to death there on November 29, 1577.
Final Moments
Before his execution, Mayne was offered a chance to live. He could have saved himself by giving up his Catholic faith. He also had to agree that the Queen was the head of the church. Mayne refused both offers.
He kissed a copy of the Bible. He said that "the queen neither ever was, nor is, nor ever shall be, the head of the church of England." He was not allowed to speak to the crowd. He could only say his prayers quietly.
It is not fully clear if he died on the gallows. But everyone agrees he was unconscious or nearly so when the rest of the punishment was carried out.
Why This Happened
Historians believe that Mayne's punishment was partly due to local disagreements. There were rivalries between Protestants near the coast and Catholics inland.
The English government was also worried about Catholic priests coming from other countries. They feared these priests were secret agents. The government thought they might be preparing people to rebel against the Queen. They also worried about a possible invasion by King Philip II of Spain. This fear led to stricter laws against Catholicism in England.
Cuthbert Mayne's Legacy
Cuthbert Mayne was recognized as a blessed person by Pope Leo XIII in 1886. He was made a saint by Pope Paul VI in 1970. He is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
Mayne was important because he was the first "seminary priest" to be killed for his faith. These priests were trained in special schools outside of England.
Relics and Memorials
Parts of Mayne's body, called relics, still exist. A piece of his skull is kept at Lanherne Convent in Cornwall. Some believe a silver container found in Virginia in 2015 might hold another relic of Mayne.
There are many memorials to him in Launceston. In 1977, the local Catholic church was renamed the Church of St Cuthbert Mayne. It is now a national shrine dedicated to him. Every June, people make a pilgrimage (a special journey) to Launceston to remember Mayne.
Several schools are named after him:
- St Cuthbert Mayne School in Torquay.
- St Cuthbert Mayne Catholic Junior School in Hemel Hempstead.
- St Cuthbert Mayne RC High School in Fulwood, Lancashire (now part of Our Lady's Catholic High School).
Cuthbert Mayne in Art
Daniel Fournier created an engraving of Mayne. Ushaw College has paintings of him.
Stained-glass windows showing Cuthbert Mayne can be found in these churches and schools:
- The Chapel of St Cuthbert in Ushaw College.
- Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Falmouth, Cornwall.
- St Saviour's Church in Lewisham.
- Church of St Mary of the Angels in Bayswater, London.
- St Edmund's College, Ware.
- Our Lady of Lourdes, Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
Cuthbert Mayne in Fiction
Cuthbert Mayne is mentioned in the historical novel The Grove of Eagles by Winston Graham. The story takes place in Cornwall after Mayne's death.
In the book, a Catholic character talks about his Protestant brother. This brother was one of the jury members at Mayne's trial. The Catholic character believes his brother will go to Hell for his part in Mayne's death. The brother, feeling guilty, has become Catholic himself. He now risks his life by hiding other priests.
Images for kids
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Cuthbert Mayne in a mezzotint by Daniel Fournier
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The barn at Golden Manor, a former secret chapel
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Golden Manor, Probus, scene of Mayne's arrest
