Edward Colman (martyr) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blessed Edward Coleman
"Coleman examined in Newgate by several Lords". Popish Plot playing card drawn by Francis Barlow
Layman
Born	17 May 1636 Brent Eleigh, Suffolk
Died	3 December 1678 (aged 42) Tyburn, London, England
Honored in	Roman Catholic Church
Beatified	15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Feast	3 December

Edward Colman or Coleman (born 17 May 1636 – died 3 December 1678) was an English Catholic who worked for King Charles II of England. He was executed for treason after being falsely accused in a big scandal called the Popish Plot. The Catholic Church honors him as a martyr, and he was declared "Blessed" by Pope Pius XI in 1929.

Who Was Edward Colman?

Edward Colman was born in Brent Eleigh, a village in Suffolk, England. His father was a local vicar, a type of priest. Edward went to Trinity College, Cambridge, a famous university, and finished his studies in 1659.

Even though he grew up in a strict Protestant family, Edward became a Roman Catholic in the early 1660s. People described him as charming and smart, but maybe not always very practical. He was known for being very pale and thin, which people said was because he often fasted (went without food). He always wore a black wig, which made his pale face stand out even more.

What Did Edward Colman Do?

In 1661, Edward became a "gentleman pensioner" for King Charles II. This meant he was a special attendant to the King. He was a strong supporter of the Catholic faith and helped several important people convert to Catholicism. One of these might have been James II, who later became king.

In 1673, James II appointed Colman as secretary to his wife, Mary of Modena. This was despite warnings from others, including King Charles II himself, who thought Colman might not be trustworthy.

Around this time, a law called the Test Act was passed. This law prevented Catholics from holding public jobs. This was a big problem for Colman, as he wanted to have an important role in politics. He tried hard to get this law changed. He even visited other countries like Brussels and Paris to get support for Catholics in England.

Colman also shared information with important Catholics in France. He tried to get financial help from France to make the King less dependent on the English Parliament, which was against Catholics. He did manage to get some money from French ambassadors.

However, Colman's actions were often seen as risky. The King's chief minister, Thomas Osborne, Earl of Danby, thought Colman was a bad influence on James. In 1676, Colman was fired after he was caught sharing secret naval information.

The Popish Plot and Colman's Arrest

In 1678, a man named Titus Oates made up a story about a "Popish Plot." He claimed there was a plan by Catholics to kill the King and take over England. Oates didn't know Colman well, but he targeted him because of Colman's past dealings with the French. Oates claimed Colman would become a powerful secretary of state if the plot succeeded.

On 28 September 1678, Oates told his story to the King and his advisors. Soon after, Colman's house was searched. Letters showing his communications with France were found. These letters, although old, seemed to support Oates's claims, even though they didn't prove a plot to kill the King.

Colman came forward voluntarily to speak with the King's advisors. At first, they didn't arrest him. But then, a judge named Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey was found dead. This made everyone believe Oates's story even more. On 16 October, Colman was sent to Newgate Prison.

The government was very concerned by Colman's letters. They showed that a minor official had tried to influence English politics by working with a foreign power. The King decided to make an example of Colman to show the public that no one was above the law.

Colman's Trial and Execution

Parliament met again in October, and there was a lot of fear about the "Popish Plot." People wanted someone to be punished quickly. On 10 November, Colman was offered a pardon if he confessed everything. He was warned that if he was found guilty, he would face a terrible death. Colman refused to confess, saying he was innocent.

His trial began on 27 November 1678. The chief judge, William Scroggs, believed in the Popish Plot and was determined to find Colman guilty.

Oates claimed that Colman had sent letters about a plan to kill the King and that Colman had been involved in meetings to assassinate the King and start a rebellion. Another witness, William Bedloe, spoke about Colman receiving money from the French government to influence members of Parliament. Colman admitted receiving the money but said he just kept it for himself.

Colman could have said that he was just following orders from James II, but he didn't. He spoke in a confusing way, which made it hard for the judge to understand him.

Even though there was no real proof that Colman was part of a plot to kill the King or start a rebellion (only the unreliable words of Oates and Bedloe), the jury found him guilty. The judge told Colman that his own letters were enough to condemn him.

The next morning, Edward Colman was sentenced to death. On 3 December 1678, he was executed. He continued to say he was innocent and declared his faith until the very end.

Colman's Ring

In 2017, a gold ring believed to belong to Edward Colman was found near Loch Lomond in Scotland by someone using a metal detector.

Images for kids

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  Edward Colman being questioned in prison, as depicted on a playing card from the time of the Popish Plot.