William Dean (priest)
Encyclopedia
William Dean was an English Roman Catholic priest. He is a Catholic martyr, beatified in 1929.
and was ordained priest at Soissons
, 21 December 1581, together with the martyrs George Haydock
and Robert Nutter
. Their ordination coincided with the time that the news of Edmund Campion
's death reached the college.
Dean said his first Mass 9 January and left for England 25 January 1581. He was banished with a number of other priests in 1585, put ashore on the coast of Normandy
, and threatened with death if he dared to go back to England. Nevertheless he quickly returned to his mission work there and was again arrested, tried, and condemned for his priesthood, 22 August 1588.
The failure of the Spanish Armada
brought about a fierce anti-Catholic persecution and some twenty-seven Catholics were executed that year. Six new gibbet
s were erected in London, it is said at the Earl of Leicester
's instigation, and Dean, who had been condemned with five other priests and four laymen, was the first to suffer on the gallows erected at Mile End
. With him died a layman, Henry Webley, for relieving and assisting him.
At the execution Dean tried to speak to the people, "but his mouth was stopped by some that were in the cart, in such a violent manner that they were like to have prevented the hangman of his wages". Seven Catholics died on the same day.
Life
He studied at ReimsReims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
and was ordained priest at Soissons
Soissons
Soissons is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France, located on the Aisne River, about northeast of Paris. It is one of the most ancient towns of France, and is probably the ancient capital of the Suessiones...
, 21 December 1581, together with the martyrs George Haydock
George Haydock
George Haydock was an English Roman Catholic priest. He is a Catholic martyr, beatified in 1987.-Life:...
and Robert Nutter
Robert Nutter
Robert Nutter was an English Catholic martyr. He was beatified in 1987....
. Their ordination coincided with the time that the news of Edmund Campion
Edmund Campion
Saint Edmund Campion, S.J. was an English Roman Catholic martyr and Jesuit priest. While conducting an underground ministry in officially Protestant England, Campion was arrested by priest hunters. Convicted of high treason by a kangaroo court, he was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn...
's death reached the college.
Dean said his first Mass 9 January and left for England 25 January 1581. He was banished with a number of other priests in 1585, put ashore on the coast of Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, and threatened with death if he dared to go back to England. Nevertheless he quickly returned to his mission work there and was again arrested, tried, and condemned for his priesthood, 22 August 1588.
The failure of the Spanish Armada
Spanish Armada
This article refers to the Battle of Gravelines, for the modern navy of Spain, see Spanish NavyThe Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England to stop English...
brought about a fierce anti-Catholic persecution and some twenty-seven Catholics were executed that year. Six new gibbet
Gibbet
A gibbet is a gallows-type structure from which the dead bodies of executed criminals were hung on public display to deter other existing or potential criminals. In earlier times, up to the late 17th century, live gibbeting also took place, in which the criminal was placed alive in a metal cage...
s were erected in London, it is said at the Earl of Leicester
Earl of Leicester
The title Earl of Leicester was created in the 12th century in the Peerage of England , and is currently a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, created in 1837.-Early creations:...
's instigation, and Dean, who had been condemned with five other priests and four laymen, was the first to suffer on the gallows erected at Mile End
Mile End
Mile End is an area within the East End of London, England, and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross...
. With him died a layman, Henry Webley, for relieving and assisting him.
At the execution Dean tried to speak to the people, "but his mouth was stopped by some that were in the cart, in such a violent manner that they were like to have prevented the hangman of his wages". Seven Catholics died on the same day.