James Clayton (priest)
Encyclopedia
James Clayton was an English Roman Catholic priest.
(1582), where he was ordained priest in 1585.
He immediately returned to England on mission work in Yorkshire
. Four years later, while visiting the Catholic prisoners in Derby
gaol, he was apprehended and condemned to death for exercising his priestly office. His brothers pleaded for his pardon and his execution was delayed, though he was still kept a prisoner. Prison life brought on a sickness of which he died, as a prisoner in Derby gaol.
Life
He was the son of a shoemaker, apprenticed to a blacksmith for seven years. He spent his leisure hours in educating himself, giving special attention to the study of Latin. His studies led him to embrace the Catholic religion, and he was sent to the English College 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....
(1582), where he was ordained priest in 1585.
He immediately returned to England on mission work in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
. Four years later, while visiting the Catholic prisoners in Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
gaol, he was apprehended and condemned to death for exercising his priestly office. His brothers pleaded for his pardon and his execution was delayed, though he was still kept a prisoner. Prison life brought on a sickness of which he died, as a prisoner in Derby gaol.