Maurus Scott facts for kids

Maurus Scott (born William Scott around 1579) was an English lawyer who became a Benedictine monk and priest. He served as a missionary in England during a time when being Catholic was difficult. He was executed in London on May 30, 1612, and is considered a Catholic martyr.

Early Life and Becoming Catholic

William Scott was born in Chigwell, Essex, England, around 1579. He was baptized into the Church of England. He went to school in London and then studied at the University of Cambridge starting in 1593. He first attended Trinity College. After a year, he moved to Trinity Hall, which was known for its excellent teaching in civil law. Scott liked this subject, saying it suited him better. He earned his law degree (called an LL.B.) in 1600. After that, he went to London to train as a barrister, which is a type of lawyer.

During this time, he started thinking deeply about his religious beliefs. He had always believed that the Catholic faith was wrong and even disloyal to the country. However, while visiting a Catholic friend, he read a book about theology (the study of religious faith). An argument in the book really made him think. This led him to spend two years studying and praying. After much thought and spiritual struggle, he decided to become a Catholic.

Joining the Benedictine Monks

A big reason for Scott's conversion was a Benedictine prior named Saint John Roberts. Roberts was a Catholic missionary in London. He welcomed Scott into the Catholic Church. Roberts also accepted Scott as a postulant, which is someone who wants to join a religious order.

Scott was supposed to go to Valladolid, Spain, in early 1604 to begin his training as a monk. But when he tried to leave England, he was arrested with Roberts and other people who wanted to become monks. They were suspected of being Catholic. This arrest was only a short delay. After he was released, Augustine Bradshaw took him to Valladolid. There, it was decided he would begin his novitiate (a period of training to become a monk) at the Abbey of San Facundo in Sahagún.

As a Benedictine monk, he took the name Maurus. In 1610, he became a priest. He really wanted to return to England as a missionary. His wish was granted. He went to St Gregory's monastery in Douai (which is now Downside Abbey in England). He prepared there and arrived back in England in December 1610.

Witnessing a Friend's Execution

Soon after arriving in England, Maurus Scott learned that John Roberts, the man who had helped him so much, had been arrested. Roberts was arrested for serving as a priest. Scott was able to join Roberts for his last meal the night before Roberts was put to death. The next day, Scott watched as John Roberts was executed in a very harsh way.

After the execution, Scott wanted to save Roberts' body as a relic (a special item connected to a saint). He watched to see where the body parts were thrown. They were put into a large ditch, and the bodies of 16 other people executed that day were piled on top. Two days later, Scott was part of a group that successfully found most of Roberts' body parts. However, they lost one part when watchmen disturbed them. Scott was then arrested.

He was imprisoned for a year. In December 1611, the ambassador for Savoy helped negotiate the release of Catholic priests who were in prison. Scott was sent away from England and went back to Douai. Still, he was very eager to return to England. Around Easter in 1612, he was arrested on a boat on the River Thames. He hadn't even set foot in London yet.

Arrest, Trial, and Execution

After his arrest, George Abbot questioned Maurus Scott. Abbot was the Archbishop of Canterbury at the time. He offered Scott an oath of loyalty to King James I. However, Scott saw that the oath was written in a way that would mean he was disloyal to the Pope and the Catholic Church. Instead, Scott suggested his own promise. He said he was a loyal servant to the King and would always be loyal to him. But this was not accepted. Scott was put in a special prison cell. He used his legal knowledge to argue that Abbot did not have the power to give him such a punishment.

Scott's trial took place on May 28, 1612, at the Old Bailey court. Again, his legal training was clear. He skillfully avoided the questions from those accusing him of being a priest. He insisted that the prosecutor (the person bringing charges) had to provide evidence against him, not for him to prove himself guilty. He pleaded "not guilty." Only after the jury found him guilty did he kneel down and cry out "Deo Gratias" (Thanks be to God). Then he admitted he was a priest. He explained to the court that he had not confessed earlier because he wanted to see if the law would be followed, or if he would be found guilty without proof.

On the morning of May 30, he was to be executed with Richard Newport, another Catholic priest. Maurus Scott appeared wearing his Benedictine monk's robe. He again declared himself a loyal subject of the King. He was then tied to a horse and dragged through the streets to the gallows at Tyburn. Before he was executed, he spoke about his life, his faith, and how he became Catholic. He gave the small amount of gold coins he had to the executioner. He said, "Take these, friend, for love of me. I give them to you with good will and gladly do I forgive you my death." He was then executed.

Beatification

Maurus Scott was one of many English martyrs who were recognized as "Blessed" by Pope Pius XI in 1929.

Sources

• Camm, Bede (1931) Nine Martyr Monks, pp. 180–237.