Palaser, Thomas, Bl.
PALASER, THOMAS, BL.
Priest, martyr; b. ca. 1570 at Ellerton-upon-Swale (near Boulton), North Riding, Yorkshire, England; hanged, drawn, and quartered Aug. 9, 1600 at Durham. He studied in the English College at Valladolid (1592–96) where he was ordained (1596). Upon returning to England, he was arrested almost immediately in the home of Bl. John norton with Norton, his wife Margaret, and Bl. John talbot. All four were tried at Durham and sentenced to death: Palaser for his priesthood and the others for assisting him. Margaret Norton, who was pregnant, and another gentleman, who was condemned at the same time but apostatized, were reprieved. The attempted poisoning of Palaser and his companions by the jailer's wife resulted in the conversion of Mary Day, her servant. Palaser, Norton, and Talbot were 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). j. h. pollen, Acts of English Martyrs (London 1891).
[k. i. rabenstein]