William Exmew
Encyclopedia
Blessed William Exmew, was an English Catholic priest
, Carthusian monk
and martyr
. Exmew was beatified by Pope Leo XIII, on 9 December 1886.
, and became a proficient classical scholar. Entering the London Charterhouse
, he was soon raised to the office of vicar (sub-prior) and in 1534 he was named procurator. He was said to have had a particular reputation for learning.
The government was at first anxious to secure the public acquiescence of the monks of the London Charterhouse
in the matter of the break with Rome, since for the austerity and sincerity of their mode of life they enjoyed great prestige. When there was unexpected resistance, the only alternative was terror. On 4 May 1535 the authorities sent to their death at Tyburn Tree three leading English Carthusian
s, John Houghton, prior of the London house, Robert Lawrence and Augustine Webster, respectively priors of Beauvale
and Axholme
.
Two days later William Exmew and the vicar, Humphrey Middlemore, were denounced to Thomas Cromwell by Thomas Bedyll
, one of the royal commissioners, as being "obstinately determined to suffer all extremities rather than to alter their opinion" with regard to the primacy of the pope. Three weeks later they and another monk of the community, Sebastian Newdigate, were arrested and thrown into the Marshalsea
, where they were made to stand in chains, bound to posts, and were left in that position for thirteen days. After that, they were removed to the Tower of London
. Named in the same indictment as Bishop John Fisher
, they were brought to trial at Westminster
, on 11 June and pleaded not guilty to high treason, but were also stern in asserting their adhesion to Catholic Church teaching on the subject of spiritual supremacy and denied that King Henry VIII
had any right to the title of head of the Church of England. They were consequently condemned to death as traitors, and were hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn Tree on 19 June 1535. This process of attrition was to claim fifteen of the London Carthusians.
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
, Carthusian monk
Carthusian
The Carthusian Order, also called the Order of St. Bruno, is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monastics. The order was founded by Saint Bruno of Cologne in 1084 and includes both monks and nuns...
and martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
. Exmew was beatified by Pope Leo XIII, on 9 December 1886.
Life
He studied at Christ's College, CambridgeChrist's College, Cambridge
Christ's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.With a reputation for high academic standards, Christ's College averaged top place in the Tompkins Table from 1980-2000 . In 2011, Christ's was placed sixth.-College history:...
, and became a proficient classical scholar. Entering the London Charterhouse
London Charterhouse
The London Charterhouse is a historic complex of buildings in Smithfield, London dating back to the 14th century. It occupies land to the north of Charterhouse Square. The Charterhouse began as a Carthusian priory, founded in 1371 and dissolved in 1537...
, he was soon raised to the office of vicar (sub-prior) and in 1534 he was named procurator. He was said to have had a particular reputation for learning.
The government was at first anxious to secure the public acquiescence of the monks of the London Charterhouse
London Charterhouse
The London Charterhouse is a historic complex of buildings in Smithfield, London dating back to the 14th century. It occupies land to the north of Charterhouse Square. The Charterhouse began as a Carthusian priory, founded in 1371 and dissolved in 1537...
in the matter of the break with Rome, since for the austerity and sincerity of their mode of life they enjoyed great prestige. When there was unexpected resistance, the only alternative was terror. On 4 May 1535 the authorities sent to their death at Tyburn Tree three leading English Carthusian
Carthusian
The Carthusian Order, also called the Order of St. Bruno, is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monastics. The order was founded by Saint Bruno of Cologne in 1084 and includes both monks and nuns...
s, John Houghton, prior of the London house, Robert Lawrence and Augustine Webster, respectively priors of Beauvale
Beauvale Charterhouse
Beauvale Charterhouse was a Carthusian monastery in Beauvale, Nottinghamshire. It is a scheduled ancient monument.-History:...
and Axholme
Axholme Charterhouse
Axholme Charterhouse, North Lincolnshire is one of the ten medieval Carthusian houses in England. It was established in 1397/1398 by Thomas Mowbray, Earl of Nottingham. The house was centred around a pre-existing chapel at Low Melwood in the Isle of Axholme...
.
Two days later William Exmew and the vicar, Humphrey Middlemore, were denounced to Thomas Cromwell by Thomas Bedyll
Thomas Bedyll
Thomas Bedyll was a divine and royal servant. He was royal chaplain and clerk of the Privy Council of Henry VIII, assisting him with the separation from Rome.-Biography:...
, one of the royal commissioners, as being "obstinately determined to suffer all extremities rather than to alter their opinion" with regard to the primacy of the pope. Three weeks later they and another monk of the community, Sebastian Newdigate, were arrested and thrown into the Marshalsea
Marshalsea
The Marshalsea was a prison on the south bank of the River Thames in Southwark, now part of London. From the 14th century until it closed in 1842, it housed men under court martial for crimes at sea, including those accused of "unnatural crimes", political figures and intellectuals accused of...
, where they were made to stand in chains, bound to posts, and were left in that position for thirteen days. After that, they were removed to the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
. Named in the same indictment as Bishop John Fisher
John Fisher
Saint John Fisher was an English Roman Catholic scholastic, bishop, cardinal and martyr. He shares his feast day with Saint Thomas More on 22 June in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints and 6 July on the Church of England calendar of saints...
, they were brought to trial at Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
, on 11 June and pleaded not guilty to high treason, but were also stern in asserting their adhesion to Catholic Church teaching on the subject of spiritual supremacy and denied that King Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
had any right to the title of head of the Church of England. They were consequently condemned to death as traitors, and were hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn Tree on 19 June 1535. This process of attrition was to claim fifteen of the London Carthusians.