Margaret Ward facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintMargaret Ward |
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Statue of St Margaret Ward in St Etheldreda's Church, London.
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| Martyr | |
| Born | in the 1550s Congleton, Cheshire, England |
| Died | 30 August 1588 Tyburn, London, England |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Anglican Communion |
| Beatified | 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI |
| Canonized | 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI |
| Feast | 25 October (in England), 4 May |
| Attributes | basket, rope |
Margaret Ward (born around 1550 – died August 30, 1588) was a brave English woman. She is known as a martyr in the Roman Catholic Church. She was executed during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. This happened because she helped a priest escape from prison.
Margaret Ward was later recognized as a saint. She was canonised in 1970. She is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. These are people who died for their Catholic faith in England.
Who Was Saint Margaret Ward?
Margaret Ward was born in Congleton, Cheshire, England. This was around the year 1550. She later moved to London. There, she worked for a very important lady.
Her Brave Act
While in London, Margaret heard about a priest named Richard Watson. He was held in Bridewell Prison. He was being treated very badly there. Margaret felt sad for him and wanted to help.
She managed to get permission to visit him. Prison guards searched her carefully each time. But over time, they became less strict. Margaret used this chance to sneak a rope into the prison.
Father Watson used the rope to escape. He jumped from a wall and got a little hurt. He got away, but the rope was left hanging. The boatman Margaret had hired to help him refused to do his job.
Margaret was very worried. She then asked another boatman, John Roche, for help. He agreed to assist her. John Roche provided a boat and even swapped clothes with the priest. This helped Father Watson get away safely.
However, John Roche was caught in the priest's place. Margaret Ward was also arrested. This was because she was the only person who had visited Father Watson.
Her Courageous Stand
Margaret Ward was put in chains for eight days. She was also hung up by her hands and beaten. But she never told the authorities where the priest was. She refused to give any information.
At her trial, she admitted helping Father Watson escape. She even said she was happy to have "delivered an innocent lamb from the hands of those bloody wolves." This showed her strong belief.
She was offered a pardon, which means she could go free. But only if she would attend a Protestant church service. Margaret refused this offer. She stayed true to her Catholic faith.
On August 30, 1588, Margaret Ward was hanged at Tyburn, London. She died along with several other people. These included Edward Shelley, Richard Martin, Richard Leigh, Richard Lloyd, and John Roche.
Becoming a Saint
Margaret Ward was recognized for her bravery and faith.
- She was declared "Blessed" in 1929. This is an important step towards becoming a saint.
- Then, on October 25, 1970, Pope Paul VI made her a saint. She became one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
Her feast day, which celebrates her life, is May 4. This is for all English Martyrs. However, in Catholic areas of England, her feast day is August 30. On this day, she is celebrated with two other female martyr saints: Margaret Clitherow and Anne Line. The Episcopal Church liturgical calendar also honors them on August 30.
Margaret Ward is remembered in different ways.
- You can see her in special pictures in churches like St Joseph's in Sale and St Alban's in Wallasey.
- Several schools are named after her. One example is St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy in Tunstall, Staffordshire.
