- Thomas Whittaker
Thomas Whittaker (Whitaker) (born at
Burnley ,Lancashire , 1614; executed at Lancaster,7 August 1646 ) was an EnglishRoman Catholic priest. A Catholic martyr, he wasbeatified in 1987.Life
Son of Thomas Whitaker, schoolmaster, and Helen, his wife, he was educated first at his father's school. By the influence of the Towneley family he was then sent to
Valladolid , where he studied for the priesthood.After ordination (1638) he returned to England, and for five years worked in Lancashire. On one occasion he was arrested, but escaped while being conducted to
Lancaster Castle .He was again seized at
Place Hall inGoosenargh , and committed to Lancaster Castle, 7 August, 1643, undergoingsolitary confinement for six weeks. For three years he remained in prison. Before his trial he made a month's retreat in preparation for death.He declined all attempts made to induce him to conform to
Anglicanism by the offer of his life. He was executed withEdward Bamber and John Woodcock, saying to the sheriff: "Use your pleasure with me, a reprieve or even a pardon upon your conditions I utterly refuse".References
*
Richard Challoner , "Memoirs of Missionary Priests" (London, 741-2), following Knaresborough who had before him a contemporary account.
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