Thomas Godden facts for kids

Thomas Godden, whose real name was Tylden (born in Addington, Kent in 1624 – died in London on December 1, 1688), was an English courtier and Catholic priest. He was wrongly accused of serious crimes like murder and treason during a time known as the Titus Oates or Popish Plot. Luckily, he managed to escape the country. Later, it was proven that he was completely innocent.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Godden's father, William Tylden, made sure his son received a good education. Thomas first attended a private school in Holborogh. When he was fifteen, he started studying at Queen's College, Oxford. The very next year, he moved to St John's College, Cambridge. In 1640, he earned a special scholarship.

He received his first degree, a B.A., in 1641. During his college years, he met John Sargeant. This friendship led Thomas to join the Catholic Church. In 1642, Thomas and John traveled together to the English College, Lisbon.

Life as a Priest and Scholar

Thomas Godden became a priest. He was known for being very smart and good at discussing ideas. By 1650, he was teaching philosophy at the college. He quickly moved up in his academic career. He became a professor of theology, then a prefect of studies, and later the vice-president. In 1655, he became the president of the college.

Five years later, he earned a special degree called Doctor of Divinity. He was so well-known for his speaking skills and religious devotion that Princess Catherine of Braganza chose him. She was about to marry Charles II, and she brought Godden to England to be her private chaplain. He was welcomed in England and was well-liked by the King.

The Popish Plot and False Accusations

A time of trouble began because of something called the Popish Plot. This was a made-up story by an informer named Titus Oates. It caused big problems for Godden. A man named Miles Prance, who was a silversmith and knew people at the King's court, was arrested. He was suspected of being involved in the plot.

When questioned about the murder of Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey, Prance claimed that Godden and his servant, Lawrence Hill, were involved. He even said that Godfrey's body had been hidden in Godden's rooms for a while. Prance couldn't give a good reason for the murder. He just vaguely said Godden had sided with two Irish priests in an argument with Godfrey, and that argument somehow led to murder.

It's not clear why Prance named Godden and Hill. However, Prance had been treated very badly in prison. He was put in chains and almost froze. He was also threatened with torture. He was desperate to give the authorities information to get free. He might have just named the first Catholic people he thought of, or he might have had a personal dislike for Godden.

Escape and Unjust Conviction

Godden worried that people's anger against Catholics would prevent a fair investigation. So, he managed to escape to another country, finding safety in Paris. His home in Somerset House was searched.

Lawrence Hill, Godden's servant, was found guilty. This happened even though several witnesses, including Godden's niece Mary Tylden, said Hill was somewhere else when the murder happened. They also said Godden's rooms were too small to hide a body. Hill was executed at Tyburn on February 21, 1679. Two other men, Henry Green and Robert Berry, who were supposedly involved, were also executed. At the trial, Mrs. Hill bravely told the court that Prance was lying. She said, "he knows all of this is as false as God is true." She also correctly predicted that he would later admit he lied, but it would be too late.

Later Years and Clearing His Name

Later on, new information showed that Godden had nothing to do with Godfrey's death. Public opinion changed. In 1686, just as Mrs. Hill had predicted, Miles Prance admitted that his accusations against Hill, Berry, Green, FitzGerald, and Godden were all lies.

When James II became King, Godden returned to England. He went back to his job as almoner (a person who gives out money or help to the poor) for the Queen Dowager (the King's mother). From this time until his death, he was very active in religious discussions in England. In 1686, he and Bonaventure Giffard defended a Catholic belief called the Real Presence in front of the King. He was buried under the royal chapel in Somerset House.