Thomas Pickering (martyr)
- Thomas Pickering (martyr)
Blessed Thomas Pickering (c. 1621 - 9 May, 1679) was a Benedictine lay brother who served in England during the time of recusancy. He was martyred as a result of the fraudulent claims of Titus Oates that he was part of a plot to murder King Charles II.
Born in Westmorland, England, he entered the English Benedictine monastery of St. Gregory at Douai (now at Downside Abbey, Somerset) and took vows as a lay brother in 1660.
In 1665, he was sent to London to be steward for the Benedictine monks who served the chapel of Catherine of Braganza, the Catholic wife of King Charles II. There he became known personally to the Queen and Charles II; and when in 1675, urged by the parliament, Charles issued a proclamation ordering the Benedictines to leave England within a fixed time, Pickering was allowed to remain, probably on the grounds that he was not a priest.
In 1678, Titus Oates made claims of Catholic plots against the King's life, and Pickering was accused of being part of this conspiracy. No evidence except Oates's word was produced and Pickering's innocence was so obvious that the Queen publicly announced her belief in him, saying that she could not accept that he was a risk to the royal family: "I should have more fear to be alone in my chamber with a mouse". Nonetheless, the jury found him guilty, and with two others he was condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. The king was divided between the wish to save the innocent men and fear of the popular clamour, which loudly demanded the death of Oates's victims, and twice within a month the three prisoners were ordered for execution and then reprieved. At length Charles remitted the execution of the other two, hoping that this would satisfy the people and save Pickering from his fate. However, on 26 April 1679, the House of Commons petitioned for Pickering's execution. Charles yielded, and on 9 May 1679, Pickering was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn.
He was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1929.
References
* Bede Camm (1931) "Nine Martyr Monks", pp. 344-348.
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Thomas Pickering — may refer to: *Blessed Thomas Pickering (c. 1621 – 9 May, 1679), English Benedictine lay brother and martyr *Thomas R. Pickering (born 1931), U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations;See also *Timothy Pickering (1745 – 1829), the third United States … Wikipedia
Pickering (surname) — Pickering is a surname.People with Pickering as a surname: * Adrienne Pickering (1981 present), Australian actress * Andrew Pickering, sociologist and science historian * Bill Pickering (1901 ), former English professional footballer * Calvin… … Wikipedia
Pickering — Ven. Thomas Pickering † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Ven. Thomas Pickering Lay brother and martyr, a member of an old Westmoreland family, b. c. 1621; executed at Tyburn, 9 May, 1679. He was sent to the Benedictine monastery of St. Gregory … Catholic encyclopedia
Thomas More — For other uses, see Thomas More (disambiguation). The Right Honourable Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellor In offic … Wikipedia
9 mai — Éphémérides Mai 1er 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 … Wikipédia en Français
List of Catholic martyrs of the English Reformation — The Catholic martyrs of England are men and women who died for the Catholic faith in the years between 1535 and 1680. They have officially been recognized as martyrs by the Roman Catholic Church. The vast majority were executed under treason laws … Wikipedia
English Confessors and Marytrs (1534-1729) — English Confessors and Martyrs (1534 1729) † Catholic Encyclopedia ► English Confessors and Martyrs (1534 1729) Though the resistance of the English as a people to the Reformation compares very badly with the resistance offered by… … Catholic encyclopedia
Downside Abbey — The Basilica of St Gregory the Great at Downside, commonly known as Downside Abbey, is a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery and the Senior House of the English Benedictine Congregation. One of its main apostolates is a school for children aged… … Wikipedia
Chronological list of saints and blesseds in the 17th century — A list of 17th century saints: Name Birth Birthplace Death Place of death Notes Anne Line 1601 Germaine Cousin 1579 1601 Blessed John Pibush … Wikipedia
William Ireland — Venerable William Ireland (1636 January 24, 1679) was an English Jesuit and martyr from Lincolnshire. He was executed during the reign of King Charles II for participating in the Popish Plot against the king.Ireland was the eldest son of William… … Wikipedia
