George Nichols (martyr) facts for kids
George Nichols (born around 1550 – died October 19, 1589) was an English Catholic martyr. A martyr is someone who dies for their beliefs, especially their religious faith. He was a priest who lived during a time when being Catholic in England was very dangerous.
About George Nichols
Early Life and Education
George Nichols was born in Oxford around the year 1550. He started studying at Brasenose College, a part of the University of Oxford, in 1564 or 1565. He earned his first degree in 1571. Later, he worked as a teacher at St. Paul's School in London. While there, he became a member of the Catholic Church.
In November 1581, Nichols traveled overseas to study at the Douai College. This college was a special school for English Catholic priests, located in Rheims at that time. He became a deacon in April 1583. Soon after, he was ordained as a priest on September 24, 1583. In the same year, he returned to Oxford to begin his work as a priest.
Arrest and Death
In Oxford, more and more people were becoming Catholic. George Nichols helped many people convert to the Catholic faith. In May 1589, he was arrested at an inn in Oxford. Two other men, another priest named Richard Yaxley, and two laymen (people who are not priests) named Humphrey Pritchard and Thomas Belson, were arrested with him.
The men were accused of treason. Treason means betraying your country. At that time, a law made it illegal for English priests ordained abroad to be in England. The four men were sent to Bridewell Prison in London. Nichols and Yaxley were treated harshly to try and make them give up their faith, but they refused. Nichols was then put into a very bad prison cell.
On June 30, all four men were sent back to Oxford for their trial. They were found guilty. The priests were found guilty of treason, and the laymen were found guilty of a serious crime. On July 5, 1589, George Nichols and Richard Yaxley were executed in Holywell, Oxford. Thomas Belson and Humphrey Pritchard were also executed. George Nichols wanted to speak to the crowd, but he was not allowed. He made it clear that he was being executed only because he was a priest.
After the executions, the heads of the priests were displayed on the castle, and parts of their bodies were displayed on the city gates. This severe punishment made people in Oxford afraid. It was 20 years before another Catholic was executed there.
In 1987, Nichols and the three other men were among the eighty-five martyrs of England and Wales who were recognized as "blessed" by Pope John Paul II. A memorial was put up in October 2008 to remember these four Catholic martyrs.
See also
- Catholic Church in the United Kingdom
- Douai Martyrs
