Margaret Ward

Who they were

Margaret Ward, a gentlewoman from Congleton, visited the imprisoned priest William Watson and smuggled him a rope to escape. With the help of John Roche he got away.

Arrested, she was flogged and hung by the wrists until crippled. Offered her freedom if she would attend Protestant worship, she refused, and was executed at Tyburn on 30 August 1588.

The miracles

As a martyr she was raised to the altars without a miracle. Canonised among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.

Why that counted as sanctity

A laywoman who risked everything to save a priest.

Connected on this site

• John Roche Blessed
  “John Roche was a layman who was put to death at Tyburn on 30 August 1588, under Elizabeth I, together with Richard Leigh, Margaret Ward, Richard Martin and others condemned with them.” — this site's research
• Richard Martin Blessed
  “Richard Martin was a layman who was put to death at Tyburn on 30 August 1588, under Elizabeth I, together with Richard Leigh, Margaret Ward, John Roche and others condemned with them.” — this site's research