Monday 4 July 2011

The Chideock Martyrs

Today we celebrate some special martyrs of our diocese: Blessed John Cornelius and his companions. Blessed John was born of Irish parents in Bodmin. Sir John Arundell of Lanherne sent him to Oxford. He then studied at Rheims and was ordained in Rome. He worked for 10 years in England before being arrested as chaplain to Lady Arundell at Chideock castle.

A cousin of the Arundells, Thomas Bosgrave, gave John his hat as he was being escorted to the sheriff's house and was promptly arrested - along with two servants of the castle (so be careful who you give your hat to). All were executed at Dorchester on July 4th 1594.

Chideock is a peaceful spot in west Dorset; there is a fine shrine to the martyrs with its own website:  http://www.chideockmartyrschurch.org.uk/

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