Edward Morgan (priest)
Encyclopedia
Edward Morgan was a Welsh Roman Catholic priest. He is a Catholic martyr.
, in Lancashire
.
Of his reported education at Douai College, no evidence appears; but he certainly was a scholar at St. Omer, and at the English College, Rome, Valladolid
, and Madrid
. For a brief period in 1609 he was a Jesuit novice, having been one of the numerous converts of Father John Bennett
, S.J.
Ordained priest at Salamanca
, he was sent on the English mission in 1621. He seems to have gone to Wales, and in April, 1629, was in prison in Flintshire, for refusing the oath of allegiance
. Later about 1632 he was condemned in the Star Chamber
to have his ears nailed to the pillory
for having accused certain judges of treason. Immediately afterwards he was committed to the Fleet Prison
in London, where he remained until a few days before his death on 26 April.
He was condemned at the Old Bailey
for being a priest under the provisions of 27 Eliz., c. 2 on St. George's Day, 23 April 1642. At the same time was condemned John Francis Quashet, a Scots Minim
, who subsequently died in Newgate Prison
.
A letter purporting to be Morgan's last, written at Newgate prison on 23 April and addressed to the King and Parliament, was published in London on the 29th.
Life
His father's Christian name was William. Of his mother we know nothing except that one of her kindred was Lieutenant of the Tower of London. From the fact that Morgan was known at St. Omer as John Singleton, Gillow thinks that she was one of the Singletons of Steyning Hall, near BlackpoolBlackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
, in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
.
Of his reported education at Douai College, no evidence appears; but he certainly was a scholar at St. Omer, and at the English College, Rome, Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
, and Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
. For a brief period in 1609 he was a Jesuit novice, having been one of the numerous converts of Father John Bennett
John Bennett
-Arts & entertainment:* John Bennett , British actor from the film The Fifth Element* John Bennett , British composer and organist* John Bennett , drummer of the UK doom metal band The Prophecy...
, S.J.
Ordained priest at Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
, he was sent on the English mission in 1621. He seems to have gone to Wales, and in April, 1629, was in prison in Flintshire, for refusing the oath of allegiance
Oath of allegiance
An oath of allegiance is an oath whereby a subject or citizen acknowledges a duty of allegiance and swears loyalty to monarch or country. In republics, modern oaths specify allegiance to the country's constitution. For example, officials in the United States, a republic, take an oath of office that...
. Later about 1632 he was condemned in the Star Chamber
Star Chamber
The Star Chamber was an English court of law that sat at the royal Palace of Westminster until 1641. It was made up of Privy Counsellors, as well as common-law judges and supplemented the activities of the common-law and equity courts in both civil and criminal matters...
to have his ears nailed to the pillory
Pillory
The pillory was a device made of a wooden or metal framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used for punishment by public humiliation and often further physical abuse, sometimes lethal...
for having accused certain judges of treason. Immediately afterwards he was committed to the Fleet Prison
Fleet Prison
Fleet Prison was a notorious London prison by the side of the Fleet River in London. The prison was built in 1197 and was in use until 1844. It was demolished in 1846.- History :...
in London, where he remained until a few days before his death on 26 April.
He was condemned at the Old Bailey
Old Bailey
The Central Criminal Court in England and Wales, commonly known as the Old Bailey from the street in which it stands, is a court building in central London, one of a number of buildings housing the Crown Court...
for being a priest under the provisions of 27 Eliz., c. 2 on St. George's Day, 23 April 1642. At the same time was condemned John Francis Quashet, a Scots Minim
Minim
Minim may refer to:* Minim , a note length, another name for a half note * MINIM , an industrial rock band from Spain* Minim , an amount of fluid...
, who subsequently died in Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison was a prison in London, at the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey just inside the City of London. It was originally located at the site of a gate in the Roman London Wall. The gate/prison was rebuilt in the 12th century, and demolished in 1777...
.
A letter purporting to be Morgan's last, written at Newgate prison on 23 April and addressed to the King and Parliament, was published in London on the 29th.