Richard Martin (martyr) facts for kids

Richard Martin (died 1588) was an English martyr. A layman, he was accused of helping Catholic priests. This was against the law at the time. His "crime" was buying supper for a priest named Robert Morton.

England in the 1500s

After the Spanish Armada failed in 1588, the English government took action against Catholics in England. The government worried that Catholics might support Spain. New gallows, which are structures used for executions, were built in six places.

From August 14 to 20, 1588, all prisoners held for their religion were questioned. Reports were sent to the Crown Advocate, John Puckering, to prepare charges against them.

Richard Martin's Story

Richard Martin was born in Shropshire, England. He studied at Broadgates Hall at Oxford University, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in 1583.

He was arrested while with Robert Morton, a Catholic priest. At that time, a law said that anyone who knowingly helped a "seminary priest" (a priest trained abroad) was committing a serious crime. Richard Martin was charged with helping priests because he bought supper for Morton.

While in Newgate Prison, Martin admitted that he had become a Catholic. On August 30, 1588, Richard Martin was executed at Tyburn, London. He was put to death along with Blesseds Richard Leigh, Edward Shelley, John Roche, Richard Flowers, and St. Margaret Ward.

Richard Martin was later recognized as a "Blessed" by the Catholic Church in 1929. His feast day is celebrated on August 30.

Robert Morton's Story

Robert Morton was born around 1547 in Bawtry, Yorkshire. When he was 26, he started studying to become a priest at the English College, Douai. He later continued his studies in Rheims.

In 1586, he traveled to Rome with his uncle, Nicholas Morton. Robert later put up a memorial for his uncle in the chapel of the English College, Rome.

Robert Morton became a deacon in Rome and a priest in Reims in 1587. He was arrested soon after arriving in England. On August 26, 1588, he was found guilty at the Old Bailey for being a priest, which was against the law.

On August 28, 1588, Robert Morton was executed at Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London.

Hugh More's Story

Hugh More was born around 1563 in Grantham, Lincolnshire. In 1581, he went to Broadgates Hall, Oxford. In 1583, he began studying law in London.

He became a Catholic in 1584 or 1585. Because of this, his father, who was a strong Protestant, disowned him. In 1585, Hugh entered the English College at Rheims.

By May 1587, he had returned to England due to poor health. He was soon arrested. He refused to attend a Protestant church. He was found guilty at the Old Bailey for becoming a Catholic. Hugh More was executed along with Robert Morton on August 28, 1588, at Lincoln's Inn Fields.