Edward Bamber

Who they were

Edward Bamber, born near Poulton-le-Fylde, studied at Valladolid and was ordained. Landing at Dover he knelt to thank God, was seen, arrested and banished; he returned, was taken again, escaped when his keepers were drunk, and was sheltered by Mr Singleton, who had been warned in a dream to help him.

Arrested a third time, he spent three years in Lancaster Castle. Condemned for administering the sacraments, he suffered with great constancy on 7 August 1646, reconciling a felon executed with him and encouraging his fellow martyrs.

The miracles

As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.

Why that counted as sanctity

A priest who kept his courage through escapes, prison and death.

Connected on this site

• Thomas Whittaker Blessed
  “Naturally timid and dreading his death, he nevertheless refused every offer of life for conforming, saying: 'A reprieve or even a pardon upon your conditions I utterly refuse.' He was executed at Lancaster on 7 August 1646 with Edward Bamber and John Woodcock.” — this site's research