Horner, Nicholas, Bl.
HORNER, NICHOLAS, BL.
Lay martyr; b. at Grantley, Yorkshire, England; hanged, drawn, and quartered at Smithfield, London, d. March 4, 1590. Arrested in London on the charge of assisting Catholic priests, he was released after contracting blood poisoning that required the amputation of his leg. Charged a second time with assisting Bl. Christopher bales, a seminary priest, he refused to conform religiously in exchange for his life. On the eve of his execution, according to a letter from Horner's friend to St. Robert southwell (dated March 18, 1590), he had a vision of a crown of glory hanging over his head, which filled him with courage to face the impending ordeal. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on Nov. 22, 1987 with George Haydock and Companions.
Feast of the English Martyrs: May 4 (England).
See Also: england, scotland and wales, martyrs of.
Bibliography: r. challoner, Memoirs of Missionary Priests, ed. j. h. pollen (rev. ed. London 1924), I, 166, 169, 218. j. morris, ed., The Troubles of Our Catholic Forefathers Related by Themselves (London 1872–77), v. 3. j. h. pollen, Acts of English Martyrs (London 1891).
[k. i. rabenstein]