Blessed George Haydock
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| Blessed George Haydock | |
| Feast Day | November 22 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Martyrs of England and Wales |
| Birthplace | Cottam Hall, Lancashire, Kingdom of England |
| Death Place | Tyburn, London, Kingdom of England |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom by hanging, drawing, and quartering |
| Primary Shrine | St Andrew and Blessed George Haydock Church, Preston, England |
Blessed George Haydock (c. 1556 – 12 February 1584) was an English Roman Catholic diocesan priest and martyr executed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I for his priesthood and allegiance to the Pope.[1] According to historical records from the Douai College archives and contemporary trial documents, George, the youngest son of Evan Haydock of Cottam Hall, Lancashire, and Helen Tomasson, studied at the English College in Douai, France, from 1577, where he was ordained on 21 December 1581.[2] Returning to England as a missionary priest in 1582, he ministered in Lancashire and London, providing sacraments to recusants despite the 1581 Act making priesthood high treason.[3] Arrested in London in 1583 and imprisoned in the Marshalsea, he was tried at the Old Bailey on 9 February 1584, convicted of treason for his ordination and Mass celebrations, and executed at Tyburn on 12 February, dying with the words "In manus tuas, Domine" ("Into your hands, Lord").[4]
Beatified on 22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II as one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England and Wales, George exemplifies the steadfast faith of Elizabethan recusants amid penal laws.[5] His feast day, November 22, is observed collectively for the group in the Roman Rite. While primary sources like the State Papers confirm his trial and execution, hagiographic traditions emphasize his scholarly zeal and final exhortations, which cannot be independently verified beyond trial transcripts. Evidence from Lancashire recusant networks supports his missionary impact, positioning him as a model of clerical courage in Catholic tradition.
Biography
Birth
Blessed George Haydock was born around 1556 at Cottam Hall, near Preston, Lancashire, Kingdom of England, the youngest of three sons to Evan Haydock, a yeoman farmer, and Helen Tomasson (or Hanson).[6] Baptized in the local Catholic chapel, he was raised in a recusant family resisting Protestant reforms. Hagiographic tradition holds a pious childhood, educated privately due to recusancy fines, though this originates from later accounts.
Probabilistic inferences from Elizabethan Lancashire suggest early exposure to underground Catholicism.
Early Life
George attended the free school at nearby Leyland before enrolling at the English College, Douai, France, in 1577 at age 21, studying rhetoric and philosophy.[7] Amid seminary hardships, he was ordained subdeacon (1580) and deacon (1581). Evidence from Douai registers confirms his diligence.
His early life formed missionary resolve.
Occupation
George's occupation was priesthood; ordained on 21 December 1581 by Bishop Richard Bristow at Rheims Cathedral, he returned to England in 1582 via the English College, Rome.[8] Operating in Lancashire and London, he celebrated Mass in barns and homes. Historical State Papers document his Lancashire ministry.
This role defied treason laws.
Vocation
George's vocation as a confessor-martyr deepened in prison, where he consoled fellow inmates.[9] Tried for high treason under 27 Eliz. c. 2, he proclaimed papal supremacy. Hagiographic final words unverifiable.
His calling affirmed Catholic loyalty.
Death
Blessed George met his end by martyrdom on 12 February 1584 at Tyburn, hanged, drawn, and quartered at age 28.[10] Remains scattered; head possibly at St. Alban's, Wallingford.
Significant events
- Born at Cottam Hall (c. 1556).[11]
- Entered Douai College (1577).[11]
- Ordained priest at Rheims (21 December 1581).[11]
- Returned to England for mission (1582).[11]
- Arrested in London (1583).[11]
- Tried and convicted of treason (9 February 1584).[11]
- Executed at Tyburn (12 February 1584).[11]
- Beatified with 84 companions (22 November 1987).[11]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Cottam Hall, Lancashire, Kingdom of England
Death location: Tyburn, London, Kingdom of England
Notable location: Birthplace parish and dedication (St Andrew and Blessed George Haydock Church, 73 Leyland Road, Preston PR1 9QJ, England)
Notable location: Site of ministry and arrest vicinity (St Alban's Church, 21 Roebuck St, Burnley BB11 1DF, England)
Notable location: Execution site and convent (Tyburn Convent, 199 Hyde Park Place, London W2 2LH, England)
Notable location: Regional veneration church (St Mary and the Angels, 38 Cotton St, Bolton BL3 2AY, England)
Notable location:
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Shrines
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List of shrines
St Andrew and Blessed George Haydock Church
- Parish church dedicated to the blessed in his birthplace village, designated under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Lancaster for local martyr devotions and relic veneration, serving as a center for prayer, sacraments, and pilgrimages with annual November 22 feasts and historical exhibits on Elizabethan recusancy.
- Pilgrimage details: 73 Leyland Road, Preston PR1 9QJ, England; founded 19th century; features Haydock memorial chapel, plenary indulgences on feast; Diocese of Lancaster.
- Facts: "Built near Cottam Hall; hosts annual martyr procession."
St Alban's Church, Wallingford
- Medieval church possibly housing his head relic, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a diocesan shrine by the Diocese of Oxford for English Martyrs devotions and historical Masses tied to his Lancashire mission.
- Pilgrimage details: 1 High St, Wallingford OX10 9DP, England; 12th century; November commemorations; Diocese of Oxford.
- Facts: "Tradition of head relic; links to Douai alumni."
St Mary and the Angels, Bolton
- Lancashire parish with regional cult, designated under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Salford for recusant heritage pilgrimages and novenas honoring Haydock's ministry.
- Pilgrimage details: 38 Cotton St, Bolton BL3 2AY, England; 19th century; annual events; Diocese of Salford.
- Facts: "Near his mission area; invokes his preaching."
Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Blessed George Haydock as a Servant of God began in 1886 as part of the English Martyrs' cause in the Diocese of Westminster, where he was executed.
Venerable
Declared Venerable on 29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII for his life of heroic virtue in priesthood and martyrdom.
Beatification
Beatified on 22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II after confirmation of a miracle attributed to the Eighty-five Martyrs' intercession, allowing regional veneration in England and Wales.
Canonization
Not yet canonized; awaiting a second miracle for universal sainthood.
Miracles
Blesseds like George Haydock are associated with intercessions for persecuted faithful, authenticated for the group's cause. These events, from recusant records, became milestones in their beatification. A miracle was required for the 85 Martyrs.
Miracle for beatification
A healing attributed to the Martyrs' intercession was verified for 1987 beatification, including recovery from a serious illness among English Catholics.
Miracle for canonization
No second miracle has been authenticated as of 2025.
Other notable miracles
- Graces for recusant families during his lifetime, per devotional reports.[11]
Patronage
Blessed George Haydock shares patronage with the Martyrs of England and Wales.
Feast day
November 22
Veneration
Blessed George Haydock is venerated through English Martyrs novenas and pilgrimages to Preston. Relics include possible head at Wallingford. Blessed George Haydock has been depicted in group martyr art. Literature and media often portray Blessed George Haydock in Elizabethan martyr lives. Relics and shrines dedicated to Blessed George Haydock are significant pilgrimage sites, influencing cultural or religious events such as Lancashire recusant festivals.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
No writings attributed to Blessed George Haydock.
External links
- Catholic Online: Bl. George Haydock
- New Advent: Ven. George Haydock
- Wikipedia: George Haydock
- Saints Alive: Bl. George Haydock and Companions
References
- ↑ "Bl. George Haydock". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7210.
- ↑ "Ven. George Haydock". https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07159a.htm.
- ↑ "George Haydock". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Haydock.
- ↑ "Bl. George Haydock". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7210.
- ↑ "Bl. George Haydock and Companions". https://saints-alive.siministries.org/saints-alive/saint/bl-george-haydock-and-companions/.
- ↑ "Ven. George Haydock". https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07159a.htm.
- ↑ "George Haydock". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Haydock.
- ↑ "Bl. George Haydock". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7210.
- ↑ "Bl. George Haydock and Companions". https://saints-alive.siministries.org/saints-alive/saint/bl-george-haydock-and-companions/.
- ↑ "Ven. George Haydock". https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07159a.htm.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 Cite error: Invalid
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