James Duckett

Who they were

James Duckett, of an old Westmorland family, was a London bookseller converted while an apprentice by a Catholic book. Twice imprisoned before he was even received into the Church, he spent nine of his twelve married years in prison for spreading Catholic books.

Betrayed by a bookbinder seeking his own release, he was condemned and executed at Tyburn in April 1601. On the way he drank to his betrayer and asked his wife to forgive him freely.

The miracles

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

Why that counted as sanctity

A bookseller who died for the Faith and forgave his betrayer.

Connected on this site

• John Duckett Blessed
  “John Duckett, probably grandson of the martyr James Duckett, was ordained in 1639 and studied in Paris.” — this site's research