Hunt, Thurstan, Bl.

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HUNT, THURSTAN, BL.

Priest, martyr; alias Greenlow; b. ca. 1555 at Carlton Hall (near Leeds), Yorkshire, England; hanged, drawn, and quartered ca. April 3, 1601 at Lancaster. The wellborn Hunt was ordained (1585) at Rheims by Cardinal de Guise after he completed study there in 1584. Thereafter he worked in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cheshire for 15 years. On Sept. 30, 1600, he was captured near Preston by the authorities while trying to rescue Bl. Fr. Robert middleton as he was being taken to prison. They were imprisoned in London, but returned to Lancaster for sentencing and execution. Following their execution, their relics were eagerly gathered and venerated. Hunt's "haughty courage stout" was commemorated in a contemporary song. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on Nov. 22, 1987 with George Haydock and Companions.

Feast: Feb. 12; May 4 (Feast of the English Martyrs in England).

See Also: england, scotland, and wales, martyrs of.

Bibliography: r. challoner, Memoirs of Missionary Priests, ed. j. h. pollen (rev. ed. London 1924). j. h. pollen, Acts of English Martyrs (London 1891).

[k. i. rabenstein]