Richard Leigh (martyr) facts for kids

Richard Leigh was an English Catholic man who lived a long time ago, from about 1557 to 1588. He was born in Cambridge and came from an important family in Cheshire. He is remembered as a martyr, which means he died for his religious beliefs.

Richard Leigh's Early Life

Leigh family coat of arms

Richard Leigh was the son of Richard Leigh and Clemence Holcroft. When he was a child, his family arranged for him to marry Anne Belfield in 1562. This was a common practice back then. However, this marriage was later cancelled because both Richard and Anne were too young to remember it.

Richard went to Shrewsbury School. After that, he studied to become a priest at colleges in Reims and Rome. He became a priest in 1586.

Challenges and Arrest

After becoming a priest, Richard Leigh returned to England. However, it was a difficult time for Catholics in England. He was arrested in London before he could even reach his family in Cheshire. He was then sent out of the country, a process called being "banished."

But Richard returned to England again. He was arrested once more on July 4, 1588. This was just a couple of weeks before the Spanish Armada, a large Spanish fleet, tried to invade England. After this invasion attempt failed, people in England became even more suspicious of Catholics.

His Final Days

Richard Leigh was held in the Tower of London, a famous prison. He was put on trial at a place called the Old Bailey and found guilty simply for being a Catholic priest.

On August 30, 1588, Richard Leigh was executed at Tyburn. Five other people who were also considered important figures in the Catholic Church were executed with him. These included Richard Martin, John Roche, Edward Shelley, Richard Lloyd (also known as Flower), and Margaret Ward.

Many years later, in 1929, Pope Pius XI officially recognized Richard Leigh as "Blessed." This is a step towards becoming a saint in the Catholic Church.

See also

• List of Catholic martyrs of the English Reformation