George Errington (martyr) facts for kids

George Errington was an English Catholic layman, which means he was a regular member of the church, not a priest. He is honored by the Catholic Church as a martyr, someone who died for their religious beliefs. George Errington came from a family in Hurst Castle, Northumberland.

Life and Beliefs

George Errington lived in England during a time when being a Catholic was very difficult. Queen Elizabeth I was the ruler, and she had made the Church of England the official religion. Laws called the Penal Laws were put in place. These laws made it illegal for people to practice the Catholic faith openly.

Facing Challenges

Errington was accused of trying to help someone convert to the Catholic Church. This happened because an Anglican minister pretended to be interested in becoming Catholic, which was a trick. Under the strict laws of the time, this was seen as an act of treason against the Queen. Treason means going against your country or its ruler.

Final Journey

Because he was found guilty of treason, George Errington was sentenced to death. He was executed in York on November 29, 1596. Before his own death, Errington had traveled with another important Catholic figure, John Boste, on his last trip from York to Durham.

Honored as a Martyr

George Errington was not the only one who suffered during this time. Three other men, Henry Abbot, William Knight, and William Gibson, were also caught up in the same situation with the minister.

Beatification

Except for Henry Abbot, George Errington, William Knight, and William Gibson were later honored by the Catholic Church. They were "beatified" by Pope John Paul II on November 22, 1987. Beatification is a special step in the Catholic Church that recognizes someone as having lived a holy life and being worthy of public honor. They are remembered as part of the Eighty-five martyrs of England and Wales, a group of people who died for their faith in England and Wales during this period.