Blessed Thomas Maxfield Biography
Blessed Thomas Maxfield Profile. Born: 1590 AD in United Kingdom, Europe. Worked in London. Died: July 1 1616 in Tyburn, London, England.. Feast Day is celebrated on July 1.
Blessed Thomas Maxfield Biography, Feast Day, Date of Birth, Country of Birth, Profession, Place of Work, Date of Death, Place of Death, Beatification Date, Canonization Date |
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| Date of Birth | 1590 AD |
|---|---|
| Country of Birth | United Kingdom of Europe |
| Matrimony/Holy Orders | Blesseds who were Priests |
| Profession | Priest |
| Place of Work | London |
| Date of Death | July 1 1616 |
| Place of Death | Tyburn, London, England. |
| Feast Day | July 1 |
| Beatification | Beatified by Pope Pius XI |
| Canonization | Canonized by N/A |
| Patron Saint of | N/A |
Blessed Thomas Maxfield Biography
Blessed Thomas Maxfield was an English priest. He is a Catholic martyr. He was the son of Ursula and William Macclesfield. Thomas’ father was charged with hiding and supporting priests, one of who was the brother to Thomas, Father Humphrey.
Blessed Thomas Early life
Blessed Thomas was born in Stafford gaol. He was one of the younger sons. William Macclesfield a Catholic rebel, was condemned to death in 1587 for the crime of harboring priests.
His mother Ursula, was the daughter of Francis Roos, of Laxton, Nottinghamshire. William Macclesfield is believed to have passed in prison. He is suspected of being one of the prætermissi as William Maxfield. Though, since his death occurred in 1608, there are doubts.
Studies
On March 16, 1602, Thomas arrived at the English College at Douai. Eventually, he had to return to England on May 17, 1610, due to ill health. In 1614, he returned to Douai and ordained as a priest. Went to London in the next year.
Arrest
However, within three months of getting there, he got arrested and sent to the Gatehouse, Westminster. Eight months later, he tried to escape using a rope tied to the window in his cell. Unsuccessful, he got captured upon getting to the ground. This happened at midnight 14–15 June 1616. The next seventy hours, they put him in the stocks in a dungeon at the Gatehouse. On Monday night June 17, transferred to Newgate Jail, amongst other criminals.
Prosecution
Brought to the bar at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, June 26. Condemned solely for being a priest on the next day. The Spanish ambassador tried his best to get a pardon or at least a reprieve. His efforts, however, did not bear fruit.
Blessed Thomas, condemned to execution at Tyburn, London. The march to Tyburn which was early the next morning, joined by many devout Spaniards. Who, despite the mockery, formed a guard of honor.
Almost half of Maxfield’s relics are now placed at Downside Abbey, near the town of Bath.
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