John Speed

Who they were

John Speed, also called Spence, used to guide the priest John Boste from one Catholic house to another in the north of England. For helping him he was condemned and executed at Durham on 4 February 1594.

He died firm in his faith, refusing the inducements offered him to conform. Grace Claxton, in whose house Boste was taken, was condemned with him but reprieved because she was with child.

The miracles

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

Why that counted as sanctity

A layman executed at Durham in 1594 for guiding a hunted priest.

Connected on this site

• John Boste Saint
  “John Speed, also called Spence, used to guide the priest John Boste from one Catholic house to another in the north of England.” — this site's research