Richard Herst facts for kids

Richard Herst (also known as Hurst) was an English farmer who lived a long time ago. He was a Roman Catholic at a time when people in England were expected to follow the Church of England. Because he refused to change his religion, he was called a "recusant." He is remembered as a Catholic martyr, which means he died for his beliefs. The Catholic Church recognized him as "Blessed" in 1929.

Richard Herst's Early Life

Richard Herst was born in a village called Broughton, near Preston, Lancashire, in England. He was a successful farmer, owning and working his own land. People like him who owned and farmed their land were called "yeomen."

Trouble Begins

One day, while Richard was plowing his fields, he was arrested. This happened because he was a recusant. The Bishop of Chester sent a special officer, called a "pursuivant," named Norcross, to arrest him.

Richard's servants tried to stop the arrest, and a struggle happened. During this struggle, one of the pursuivant's men, named Dewhurst, fell while running across a plowed field. He broke his leg. Sadly, his injury became very serious and he later died. Before he passed away, Dewhurst clearly stated that his injury was an accident.

An Unfair Trial

Even though Dewhurst said his injury was an accident, Richard Herst was accused of causing his death. At that time, the government wanted to make strong examples of recusants. They wanted to show what would happen if people didn't follow the official religion.

Richard's friends sent a special request, called a petition, to King Charles I of England. The King's wife, Queen Henrietta Maria, also supported this request.

The jury, who were supposed to decide if Richard was guilty, didn't want to convict him. There was no evidence that went against Dewhurst's dying statement. However, the judge told the jury's leader that the government was determined to find Richard guilty. The judge insisted that a death had occurred and that the jury must say Richard was guilty. Because of this pressure, Richard was found guilty and sentenced to death.

Richard's Final Stand

The day after his trial, Richard was ordered to attend a sermon at the Anglican church. He refused to go because it was against his Catholic beliefs. He was dragged by his legs for some distance to the church. Once inside, he put his fingers in his ears so he wouldn't hear the sermon.

At the gallows, where he was to be executed, he was told he could live if he swore loyalty to the king. However, the oath also contained parts that would make him deny his Catholic faith. Richard refused to take the oath. He was then executed in Lancaster.

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