Thomas Abel (martyr) facts for kids

Thomas Abell (born around 1497 – died July 30, 1540) was an English priest. He became a martyr during the time of King Henry VIII. We don't know exactly when or where he was born.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Abell studied at Oxford University. In 1516, he earned his Master of Arts degree. Later, he also got a doctorate in theology, which is a high degree in religious studies.

Serving Queen Catherine

Before 1528, Thomas Abell started working for Queen Catherine. He was her chaplain, which means he was a priest who served her household. It seems he also taught the Queen modern languages and music.

In 1528, Queen Catherine sent him on an important trip to Spain. He went to see Emperor Charles V to discuss the King's plan to divorce Queen Catherine. When he returned, the Queen gave him a church position in Bradwell, Essex. Thomas Abell remained a strong supporter of Queen Catherine. He believed her marriage to King Henry VIII was valid and right.

Standing Up for His Beliefs

In 1532, Thomas Abell wrote a book called Invicta veritas. This title means "Unconquered Truth." In his book, he argued that it was not lawful for King Henry VIII to divorce Queen Catherine. The book was printed secretly in Antwerp, Belgium, to avoid trouble. It was a response to many other writings that supported King Henry's claims over the Church. King Henry tried to buy up all copies of Abell's book to destroy them.

Imprisonment and Legacy

Because of his book and his strong support for Queen Catherine, Thomas Abell was sent to the Beauchamp Tower in the Tower of London. After being freed for a year, he was put back in prison in December 1533. He was accused of spreading the ideas of the "Maid of Kent," a woman named Elizabeth Barton, who also spoke against the King's divorce. He was also accused of encouraging the Queen to stick to her opinion and of saying she was still the rightful Queen.

Thomas Abell was kept in prison until he was executed at Smithfield. This happened just two days after Thomas Cromwell was executed. You can still see a carving he made on the wall of his prison cell in the Tower of London. It's a picture of a bell with the letter "A" on it, and his name "Thomas" above it. He also wrote a very religious letter to another person who was also going to be a martyr. He wrote another letter to Thomas Cromwell, asking for better conditions in prison, like being allowed to go to church and say Mass inside the Tower. He signed it, "your daily bedeman, Thomas Abell, priest."

Thomas Abell was accused of treason. This meant he was seen as an enemy of the King and the country. The official document stated that he and others "most traitorously adhered themselves unto the bishop of Rome, being a common enemy unto your Majesty and this your Realm, refusing your Highness to be our and their Supreme Head of this your Realm of England." This meant they supported the Pope instead of King Henry VIII as the head of the Church in England. For this, he was sentenced to death.

Recognition as a Saint

Thomas Abell was later recognized for his strong faith. He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII on December 29, 1886. He is considered one of the fifty-four English Martyrs.

Today, he is a patron of the Oxford Gregorian Chant Society. This is a student group at Oxford University.