Peter Snow (priest) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BlessedPeter Snow |
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Facial reconstruction of the martyr, whose skull relic lies in Leeds Cathedral
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| Martyr | |
| Born | c. 1564 Ripon, North Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 15 June 1598 (aged 32) Knavesmire, West Yorkshire, England |
| Beatified | 22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II |
| Feast | 15 June, 22 November |
Peter Snow was an English Roman Catholic priest who lived a long time ago. He was executed, meaning put to death, in York, England, on June 15, 1598. He is known as a Catholic martyr. A martyr is someone who dies for their beliefs. Ralph Grimston also died with him and is also considered a martyr. Both were recognized as "blessed" by the Catholic Church in 1987. Their special day of remembrance is June 15.
Peter Snow's Life
Peter Snow was born around 1564 in or near Ripon, a town in England. When he was older, he went to a special school called the English College in Reims, which was in France. This school trained English men to become Catholic priests. He arrived there in 1589.
After studying, Peter Snow became a priest in 1591. He then returned to England on May 15 of that same year. During this time in England, it was against the law to be a Catholic priest. Because of this, many priests had to hide.
It seems Peter Snow spent some time at a place called Nidd Hall, near Knaresborough. This hall was a safe place where priests could stay hidden. Ralph Grimston, who would later die with Peter Snow, also lived there.
Arrest and Execution
Peter Snow and Ralph Grimston were arrested around May 1, 1598, while they were traveling to York. They were both quickly found guilty. Peter Snow was accused of treason, which means betraying his country, simply for being a priest. Ralph Grimston was accused of helping Peter Snow and trying to defend him when they were arrested.
They were both executed at a place called Knavesmire in York. Peter Snow was 32 years old when he died.
Special Relics in Leeds Cathedral
In 1845, two skulls were found under the stone floor of an old chapel at Hazlewood Castle, near Tadcaster. At first, people thought these skulls belonged to two other English martyrs. A martyr, remember, is someone who dies for their faith. The skulls were placed in a special spot near the altar.
Later, in 1909, a local expert suggested that these skulls might actually belong to Peter Snow and Ralph Grimston. In 1968, scientists looked at the skulls closely. They figured out the approximate age of the people the skulls belonged to. This helped them confirm that the skulls were indeed from Peter Snow and Ralph Grimston.
| Blessed Ralph Grimston |
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Facial reconstruction of the martyr, whose skull relic lies in Leeds Cathedral
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| Martyr | |
| Died | 15 June 1598 Knavesmire, West Yorkshire, England |
| Beatified | 22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II |
| Feast | 15 June, 22 November |
In 2005, the Bishop of Leeds, Arthur Roche, decided to place these special skulls, or "relics," in the altar of Leeds Cathedral. A TV show even created computer pictures to show what Peter Snow and Ralph Grimston might have looked like. You can often find these pictures on the Leeds Cathedral website.
See also
