Thurston Hunt
Encyclopedia
The Blessed
Thurston Hunt (executed March 1601 at Lancaster
) was an English
Roman Catholic priest. He was tried
and executed with the Blessed Robert Middleton, also a priest. They were declared to be martyr
s by the Catholic Church, and beatified in 1987, by Pope John Paul II.
A contemporary sang of
, and had made his course of studies for the priesthood at Reims
, 1583-4. Robert Middleton was a nephew of another martyr, Saint
Margaret Clitheroe, and had also studied at Reims and at Rome
, 1594-8.
In November 1600, Middleton was arrested by chance near Preston. An attempt to rescue him was then made by four Catholics, of whom Hunt was one, but the attempt failed. After a long tussle, Hunt was himself captured.
The two were heavily shackle
d night and day. By order of the Privy Council
, with their feet tied beneath their horses' bellies, they were carried in public disgrace up to London and back again to Lancaster, where they were condemned and executed for their priesthood. The local population showed their disapproval, and their relics were carried off after their death.
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
Thurston Hunt (executed March 1601 at Lancaster
Lancaster, Lancashire
Lancaster is the county town of Lancashire, England. It is situated on the River Lune and has a population of 45,952. Lancaster is a constituent settlement of the wider City of Lancaster, local government district which has a population of 133,914 and encompasses several outlying towns, including...
) was an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
Roman Catholic priest. He was tried
Trial
A trial is, in the most general sense, a test, usually a test to see whether something does or does not meet a given standard.It may refer to:*Trial , the presentation of information in a formal setting, usually a court...
and executed with the Blessed Robert Middleton, also a priest. They were declared to be martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s by the Catholic Church, and beatified in 1987, by Pope John Paul II.
A contemporary sang of
- Hunt's hawtie corage staut,
- With godlie zeale soe true,
- Myld Middleton, O what tongue
- Can halfe thy vertue showe!
Life
He belonged to a family living at Carlton Hall, near LeedsLeeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, and had made his course of studies for the priesthood at Reims
Reims
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....
, 1583-4. Robert Middleton was a nephew of another martyr, Saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
Margaret Clitheroe, and had also studied at Reims and at Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, 1594-8.
In November 1600, Middleton was arrested by chance near Preston. An attempt to rescue him was then made by four Catholics, of whom Hunt was one, but the attempt failed. After a long tussle, Hunt was himself captured.
The two were heavily shackle
Shackle
A shackle, also known as a gyve, is a U-shaped piece of metal secured with a clevis pin or bolt across the opening, or a hinged metal loop secured with a quick-release locking pin mechanism...
d night and day. By order of the Privy Council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
, with their feet tied beneath their horses' bellies, they were carried in public disgrace up to London and back again to Lancaster, where they were condemned and executed for their priesthood. The local population showed their disapproval, and their relics were carried off after their death.