Luke Kirby
Encyclopedia
Saint Luke Kirby was an English Catholic priest and martyr from the North of England, executed during the reign of Elizabeth I.
Kirby is said to have received his M.A. in England, probably at Cambridge
, before converting to Catholicism at Louvain
and entering Douai College
in 1576. He was ordained a priest at Cambrai
in September 1577 and left Rheims for England on May 3, 1578; however, he returned on July 15 and went to Rome. There he took the college oath at the English College, Rome, 23 April 1579. In June of 1580, he was arrested on landing at Dover, and committed to the Gatehouse, Westminster. On December 4, he was transferred to the Tower, where he was subjected to the torture known as the "Scavenger's Daughter
" for more than an hour on December 9. Kirby was condemned on November 17, 1581, and from April 2 until the day he died, he was put in irons. With him died Thomas Cottam
, William Filby
, and Laurence Richardson. All were later beatified in 1885 by Pope Leo XIII. He was canonized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
in 1970.
Kirby is said to have received his M.A. in England, probably at Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, before converting to Catholicism at Louvain
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
and entering Douai College
English College, Douai
The English College, Douai was a Catholic seminary associated with the University of Douai . It was established in about 1561, and was suppressed in 1793...
in 1576. He was ordained a priest at Cambrai
Cambrai
Cambrai is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Cambrai is the seat of an archdiocese whose jurisdiction was immense during the Middle Ages. The territory of the Bishopric of Cambrai, roughly coinciding with the shire of Brabant, included...
in September 1577 and left Rheims for England on May 3, 1578; however, he returned on July 15 and went to Rome. There he took the college oath at the English College, Rome, 23 April 1579. In June of 1580, he was arrested on landing at Dover, and committed to the Gatehouse, Westminster. On December 4, he was transferred to the Tower, where he was subjected to the torture known as the "Scavenger's Daughter
Scavenger's daughter
The Scavenger's daughter was a type of torture device invented in the reign of King Henry VIII of England. Extant documents reveal, however, that the device was rarely used.-History:...
" for more than an hour on December 9. Kirby was condemned on November 17, 1581, and from April 2 until the day he died, he was put in irons. With him died Thomas Cottam
Thomas Cottam
Blessed Thomas Cottam was an English Catholic priest and martyr from Lancashire, who was executed during the reign of Elizabeth I.-Life:...
, William Filby
William Filby
William Filby was an English Roman Catholic priest. He was beatified in 1886.-Life:...
, and Laurence Richardson. All were later beatified in 1885 by Pope Leo XIII. He was canonized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
The Forty Martyrs of England and Wales are a group of men and women who were executed for treason and related offences in the Kingdom of England between 1535 and 1679...
in 1970.