Edward James (martyr) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BlessedEdward James |
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Stained glass window in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Bridge Gate, Derby.
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| Martyr | |
| Born | c. 1557 Barton, Breaston,near Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England |
| Died | 1 October 1588 (aged 30 - 31) Chichester, West Sussex, England |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI |
| Feast | 1 October |
Edward James (born around 1557 – died October 1, 1588) was an English Catholic priest. He is remembered as a martyr, meaning he died because of his religious beliefs.
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Edward James's Early Life and Studies
Edward James was born in Barton, Breaston, a small place near Long Eaton in Derbyshire, England. He went to school at Derby School. Later, he studied at St John's College at Oxford.
After Oxford, he continued his studies at special colleges for English Catholics. These were the English college in Rheims (now in France) and the Venerable English College in Rome, Italy. In October 1583, Edward James became a priest in Rome. He was ordained by Bishop Thomas Goldwell.
Why Edward James Became a Martyr
In the 1500s, England was going through big religious changes. Queen Elizabeth I was the ruler, and the official religion was Protestantism. Being a Catholic priest in England was against the law.
In 1586, Edward James returned to England to serve as a Catholic priest. He was soon caught near Littlehampton, Sussex. He was arrested along with three other priests. They were charged with being Catholic priests who had entered England, which was against a law from 1584.
Edward James and the other priests were sent to prison in London. They stayed there for more than two years without a trial.
Trial and Death
In 1588, England faced an attack from the Spanish Armada. After England defeated the Armada, the government wanted to punish those they saw as enemies. Catholic priests in prison became a target.
Edward James and three other priests were sent to Chichester for trial on September 30, 1588. They were all sentenced to death for being priests and entering England. One of the priests, John Oven, agreed to take an oath saying Queen Elizabeth was the head of the church. He was then set free.
On October 1, 1588, Edward James and the other two priests, Ralph Crockett and Francis Edwardes, were taken to Broyle Heath near Chichester. Francis Edwardes also changed his mind and was set free. But Edward James and Ralph Crockett refused to give up their Catholic faith or take the oath. They were then executed.
Both Edward James and Ralph Crockett are honored by the Catholic Church. In 1929, Pope Pius XI declared them "Blessed." Edward James's feast day, which celebrates his life, is October 1.
See also
- Catholic Church in the United Kingdom
- Douai Martyrs
