John Ingram (martyr) facts for kids

John Ingram (born around 1565 – died 26 July 1594) was an English Jesuit and martyr. He came from Stoke Edith, Herefordshire. He was executed in Gateshead during the reign of Elizabeth I.

Who Was John Ingram?

John Ingram was a brave English Catholic priest. He lived at a time when being Catholic in England was very dangerous. The government made strict laws against Catholics. Many priests like John Ingram risked their lives to practice their faith.

Early Life and Studies

John Ingram was likely the son of Anthony Ingram. He was born around 1565. Some people mistakenly thought he went to Oxford University. They also thought he converted to Catholicism there. However, this was a mistake. Another person named John Ingram went to Oxford. Our John Ingram did not.

A Tricky Journey to Europe

When he was about 17, John Ingram left England. He traveled to Douai, a city in France. He planned to study there to become a priest. On his way, he and three other students faced a big problem. Calvinist soldiers captured them. These soldiers demanded money for their release.

The students were dragged from town to town. But John Ingram and his friends were clever. They managed to escape their captors. They made their way to Rheims, another city in France. They arrived tired and without money.

Training to Be a Priest

In April 1583, John went to a new Jesuit college. It was in Pont-a-Moussin. Here, he studied under a Scottish Jesuit named Edmund Hay. This connection would become important later.

In September 1584, John moved to the English College in Rome. He promised to return to England as a missionary priest. He became a priest on 3 December 1589. He was 24 years old. He stayed in Rome for almost two more years.

A Secret Mission in Scotland

In late 1591, John Ingram began his journey back. He took a very long and secret route. He traveled through France and Belgium. He wanted to hide his identity from English spies. These spies watched ports for priests.

He dressed as a normal person. In spring 1592, he sailed to Scotland, not England. He landed somewhere between Leith and Dunbar.

Danger and Capture

John Ingram traveled to the north-east of Scotland. His studies with Edmund Hay helped him. He met important Scottish Catholic leaders. For 18 months, he worked as a chaplain for Sir Walter Lindsay. He pretended to be a steward. He helped many people convert to Catholicism. He used different secret names.

However, Sir Walter Lindsay was in trouble. There were religious fights in Scotland. The king wanted peace. Sir Walter had been arrested before. He fled to Spain. This caused rumors that Catholics were plotting with Spain. Protestants then turned against their Catholic neighbors.

John Ingram had to flee south. He crossed into England on 25 November 1593. He stopped at an inn in Wark-on-Tweed. Later, he tried to cross back into Scotland. But English border guards caught him near Norham Castle. They found religious items on him. They suspected he was a priest.

He was taken to prison in Berwick. Scottish friends tried hard to free him. They even offered a lot of money. But this only made the English believe he was very important. Sir William Cecil, the Queen's spymaster, ordered him to London. He wanted John Ingram questioned in the Tower of London.

Imprisonment and Courage

John Ingram was moved from prison to prison. First, Berwick, then Newcastle upon Tyne, then York. Finally, he reached the Tower of London. During this time, he wrote 20 poems in Latin. These poems still exist today.

Facing Tough Questions

In London, he was questioned very harshly. He was put through extreme pain. He was hung by his fingers and arms. He was also put on the rack. This was a device used to stretch people. But John Ingram refused to give any information. He would not name other Catholics or places.

On 13 July, he was taken from London. He went back to York prison with another priest, John Boste. Their feet were tied under their horses. This was to stop them from escaping. They were kept far apart so they could not talk.

In York, John Ingram was put in a small, smelly cell. He had no bed or chair for four days. From York, he went to Newgate prison in Newcastle. He stayed there for four nights. A woman visited him. She was amazed by his peacefulness. He said he was happy because his "wedding day" was near. He meant his death for his faith. He said the reward would be sweet.

He wrote letters from prison. He said, "I look for my trial on Thursday and consequently for my death in God's honour. (...) in my pained body; my spirit is not pained." This shows his great courage.

His Final Days

John Ingram's trial took place at Durham Assizes. He was tried with John Boste and George Swallowell. On 23 July 1594, they were found guilty. This was under the Jesuits, etc. Act 1584. This law said that simply being a priest trained abroad was high treason. It did not matter if they had practiced as priests in England.

The Trial and Sentence

Someone in Scotland offered a large sum of money to save John Ingram. But it was no use. The Bishop of Durham, Matthew Hutton, spoke to the judges. He told them to strictly follow the law against priests.

The trial's outcome was clear. On Wednesday 24 July, John Ingram, John Boste, and George Swallowell were sentenced to death. When asked if he had anything to say, John Ingram replied, "I say that I am a priest. My practice of priesthood cannot be treason by any Christian law. I ask God to forgive you and those who make it otherwise. I forgive you and all my accusers with all my heart. I ask God to have mercy on me. And to strengthen me with patience and strength in my suffering."

A Brave End

The execution happened in Gateshead. On Friday 26 July, John Ingram was taken from Newgate Prison. He was led across the bridge to the scaffold. This was in Gateshead High Street. It was right in front of a Catholic chapel. The authorities chose this spot as a warning to Catholics.

Before his execution, he prayed. He spoke to the people watching. He said, "I take God and his holy angels to record, that I die only for the holy Catholic faith and religion. I rejoice and thank God with all my heart that he has made me worthy to show my faith by giving my blood in this way."

He was asked to pray for the Queen. He prayed that she would reign long for God's glory. He also prayed that she would live and die a good Catholic Christian ruler. With the rope around his neck, he said more prayers. He ended with a psalm, "Miserere mei Deus" (Have mercy on me, O God). Then he made the sign of the Cross. He said, "In manus tuas" (Into Thy hands I commend my spirit). The ladder was turned. John Ingram died at 29 years old. His body was then cut up and displayed.

The records show the cost of his execution. It was 2 shillings and 6 pence. Hanging his body parts cost 18 pence. The basket to carry them cost 4 pence. A lock for the local jail cost 3 shillings 4 pence.

When the news reached the English College in Rome, everyone celebrated. They sang a special song. They wrote next to his name, "Martyro insigni coronatus" (Crowned with a notable martyrdom).

Remembering John Ingram

Honoring a Saint

John Ingram was declared "Blessed" in 1929. This was done by Pope Pius XI. His special day is 24 July.

The Commemorative Walk

Since the 1920s, people have honored John Ingram. Father Joseph Starr used to walk the path John Ingram took to his execution. In the 1970s, this tradition was brought back. It was done by members of a Catholic church in Gateshead. They wanted to remember John Ingram. They also wanted him to become a saint.

Every year, a special walk takes place. It is on the Sunday closest to 26 July. It starts at St Andrew's Anglican Church in Newcastle. This was once the site of Newgate Prison. The walk crosses the Swing Bridge. This is where the old bridge was. The path follows the route John Ingram took. It ends at the Anglican church of St Edmund (Holy Trinity Church) in Gateshead. This church was once called "the papist chapel." The authorities chose this spot to execute John Ingram. It was a warning to Catholics in the area.

Father Paul J. Zielinski wrote a book about John Ingram. It is called John Ingram Priest and Martyr 1565-1594. This book talks about how the Protestant Reformation affected the Tyneside area.

See also

• Catholic Church in the United Kingdom
• Douai Martyrs

Sources

• Paul J Zielinski, (2019) John Ingram Priest and Martyr 1565-1594 a personal presentation of the Gateshead martyr in the Elizabethan era. 2019, Gateshead.