Laurence Humphreys
| Blessed Laurence Humphreys | |
|---|---|
| Martyr | |
| Born | c. 1571 Hampshire |
| Died | 7 July 1591 (aged 19 - 20) Winchester, Hampshire, U.K. |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI |
| Feast | 7 July |
Laurence Humphreys (1571 – 7 July 1591) was an English Catholic martyr. He was born in Hampshire, into a Protestant family.[1]
In his youth, he often read the Bible and other religious works and practiced the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy by visiting the sick and those in prison, as well as teaching others about the faith. When he was eighteen years of age, he met several times with the local priest, who persuaded him to convert to Roman Catholicism.[1]
In 1591 he became seriously ill, and while delirious called Queen Elizabeth a harlot and a heretic while in this state. These words were overheard, and before he had completely recovered he was arrested and committed to Winchester jail. At his trial, he claimed to have no recollection of saying such things about the queen, but he did not dispute the evidence placed before him and was willing to be punished because of his actions of which he had no memory. He was later condemned and executed[1] at the Barditch (or City Ditch).[2][3]
Laurence Humphreys was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1929. His feast day is 7 July.
From the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia
Laurence Humphreys — Layman and martyr, born in Hampshire, England, 1571; died at Winchester, 1591. Of Protestant parentage, he was a studious youth, well read in the Bible and in religious works. At the age of eighteen he sought to enter the lists of religious controversy and had several meetings with Father Stanney, who soon succeeded in making him a convert. He was a virtuous and good-hearted youth, who delighted to visit prisoners and sick persons, to instruct the ignorant, and generally to exercise the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. In 1591 he was taken seriously ill, and in his delirium he called Queen Elizabeth a harlot and a heretic. He was overheard by some Protestants, and before he was quite convalescent was arrested and committed to Winchester jail. At his trial he solemnly averred that he could not recollect having used opprobrious epithets about the queen, but that he did not dispute the evidence of the witnesses who had overheard him, and that he was willing to suffer for his words, though unconscious of them. And for these words alone, spoken in delirium, he was condemned and executed.
[Note: Laurence Humphreys was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1929. His feast day is 7 July.]
CHALLONER, Memoirs (Edinburgh, 1878), I, 278.
References
- Back to citation occurrence 1.0 Back to citation occurrence 1.1 Back to citation occurrence 1.2 Brown, C.F. Wemyss. "Laurence Humphreys." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 7. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 9 Feb. 2013
- Back to citation Pollen, John Hungerford, "Venerable Laurence Humphrey", Acts of the English Martyrs Hitherto Unpublished, p. 233, Burns and Oates, Ltd., London, 1891
- Back to citation Barditch (or City Ditch)