William Spenser facts for kids
William Spenser was an English Roman Catholic priest who lived a long time ago. He died on September 24, 1589. He is remembered as a Catholic martyr, which means he died for his beliefs. In 1987, he was officially recognized as "beatified" by the Catholic Church, a step towards being declared a saint.
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Early Life and Education
William Spenser was born in a place called Ghisburn, which is in Yorkshire, England. When he was young, his uncle, William Horn, helped him get a good education.
In 1573, William Spenser started studying at Trinity College, Oxford, a famous university. He was a very good student. By 1579, he became a "Fellow" at the college, which is like being a senior member or teacher. The next year, in 1580, he earned his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree.
Becoming a Catholic Priest
While at Oxford, William Spenser became very interested in the Catholic faith. He started to believe strongly in it and even shared his ideas with his students.
In 1582, he decided to fully become a Catholic. He left England from the Isle of Wight with four other men from Trinity College who also wanted to become priests. These friends included John Appletree, William Warford, Anthony Shirley, and John Fixer.
They traveled across the sea and landed near Cherbourg in France. On November 2, they arrived in a city called Reims. Just five days later, they officially joined the Catholic Church.
William Spenser continued his training to become a priest. In April 1583, he became a sub-deacon and then a deacon in a city called Laon. Later that year, on September 24, he was ordained as a priest in Reims by a very important church leader, Cardinal Louis de Guise.
Mission in England
After becoming a priest, William Spenser was sent back to England on August 29, 1584. His mission was to help people in England who wanted to practice the Catholic faith, which was difficult at the time.
He was able to help his own parents and his uncle become Catholic. His uncle even became a Catholic priest himself! William Spenser was so dedicated that he even chose to go into York Castle to help the Catholic prisoners there.
Final Years and Legacy
Because William Spenser was a Catholic priest in England during a time when it was against the law, he was eventually arrested. He was found guilty under a law from Queen Elizabeth I.
He was executed in York on September 24, 1589. A man named Robert Hardesty was also executed with him. Robert Hardesty had helped William Spenser by giving him a place to stay.
William Spenser is remembered today as one of the "Eighty-five martyrs of England and Wales," a group of people who died for their Catholic faith during that period.
