Nicholas Postgate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicholas Postgate
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ancient painting in Whitby Museum
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| Born | 1596 Egton, North Yorkshire
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| Died | 7 August 1679 |
| Cause of death | Hanged, ... and quartered |
| Resting place | various: Egton Bridge, Ampleforth Abbey, Pickering |
| Nationality | English |
| Other names | Martyr of the Moors The Good Samaritan of the Moors |
| Education | English College, Douai, France |
| Occupation | Catholic priest |
| Known for | 17th century Catholic martyr |
Nicholas Postgate (born 1596 or 1597 – died 7 August 1679) was an English Catholic priest. He was put to death in York, England, because of his religion. This happened during a time when being a Catholic priest in England was against the law.
Nicholas Postgate is remembered as one of the 85 English Catholic Martyrs. These are people who died for their Catholic faith in England and Wales. He was honored by Pope John Paul II in 1987.
Contents
Early Life and Becoming a Priest
Nicholas Postgate was born in a place called Kirkdale House, in Egton, Yorkshire, England. When he was older, he went to a special school in France called Douay College. This college was a place where English Catholics could train to become priests, as it was difficult to do so in England at that time.
He started his studies there in 1621. After several years of hard work, he became a priest in 1628.
Working as a Priest in England
In 1630, Nicholas Postgate returned to England to serve his community. He worked as a priest for many years, helping Catholic families. He settled near his birthplace in Ugthorpe in the 1660s.
His area of work was very large, covering the moors of North Yorkshire. He was known for being very dedicated to his duties. He would travel long distances to visit his scattered group of followers.
A Dangerous Time for Catholics
During the 1670s, there was a lot of fear and anger against Catholics in England. This period is sometimes called the "Popish Plot." A man named Oates spread false stories about Catholics planning to harm the King.
Because of these rumors, a well-known judge, Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey, was killed. People wrongly blamed Catholics for his death. This made things even more dangerous for Catholic priests like Nicholas Postgate.
Arrest and Final Days
Nicholas Postgate was caught by an officer named Reeves while he was performing a baptism. This happened at a house near Whitby. He was 82 years old at the time. The authorities were likely alerted because someone had spoken about the ceremony.
He was arrested for being a priest in England, which was against the law. During his trial, he was found guilty.
His Last Words
On August 6, 1679, Nicholas Postgate was taken to be executed in York. He told the people there that he was too old to give a long speech. He simply said that he was dying for his Catholic faith, which he had dedicated his whole life to.
Nicholas Postgate's Legacy
Nicholas Postgate is remembered and honored in several ways today.
Honoring His Memory
- An altar stone that belonged to him is now displayed at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Pickering. It is a special item for people who visit the church.
- Every year since 1974, a special outdoor service is held to remember him. These services take place in Egton Bridge and Ugthorpe.
- A pub in Egton Bridge is named "The Postgate" in his honor.
Organizations and Schools
- The Postgate Society is a group that works to share information about Nicholas Postgate. They also help people learn about Catholic history during difficult times in England.
- A group of 27 Catholic schools in North Yorkshire and York is named the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust. This shows how important his story is to the community.
See also
