John Rochester (martyr) facts for kids

John Rochester, born around 1498, was an English Catholic priest and a Carthusian monk. He was a martyr, meaning he died for his beliefs. John Rochester was hanged in York because he refused to accept that King Henry VIII was the supreme head of the Church in England.

Why Monks Were Targeted

The government of King Henry VIII wanted everyone to agree that the King was in charge of the Church, not the Pope. The Carthusian monks were very respected for their strict and honest way of life. Because of this, the government really wanted them to agree with the King.

However, the Carthusian monks strongly believed that the Pope was the head of the Church. When they refused to agree with the King, the government saw this as a big problem. Many monks were arrested and even executed for their beliefs. For example, in 1535, several important Carthusian leaders, like John Houghton, Robert Lawrence, and Augustine Webster, were put to death. Later, more monks from the London monastery also died for their faith.

John Rochester's Life

John Rochester was the third son of John Rochester and Grisold Writtle. His family lived in Terling, Essex. His brother, Sir Robert Rochester, later became an important person in Queen Mary's government.

John became a Carthusian monk at the Charterhouse in London. He was a choir monk, which meant he spent a lot of time in prayer and singing. He strongly disagreed with the new idea that the King was the head of the Church.

Because of his strong beliefs, John Rochester and another monk named James Walworth were taken from London. They were sent to a Carthusian monastery in Hull, Yorkshire.

The Pilgrimage of Grace

In 1536, a large protest called the Pilgrimage of Grace broke out in northern England. Many people were unhappy with King Henry VIII's changes to the Church. This protest involved a huge number of people, perhaps as many as 40,000.

After the government stopped this protest, they wanted to make sure no one else would resist the King's power. Since the city of York had been a key place in the protest, the government decided to make an example there.

John Rochester's Execution

John Rochester and James Walworth were brought from Hull to York. They were accused of treason, which means going against the King. They were found guilty and sentenced to death.

On May 11, 1537, both monks were hanged in York. Their bodies were then left hanging in chains from the city walls as a warning to others. From the time they were arrested until their deaths, John Rochester and James Walworth stayed together.

Both John Rochester and James Walworth were later honored by Pope Leo XIII in 1888. They are remembered as martyrs for their faith.