Thomas Belson

Who they were

Thomas Belson, of Brill in Oxfordshire, studied at Reims and was arrested in 1589 at an Oxford inn with his confessor George Nichols and the priest Richard Yaxley.

Tortured in Bridewell and the Tower, he was condemned for helping priests and executed at Oxford on 5 July 1589. He died after the priests, kissing their bodies and asking their prayers for the grace to imitate their courage.

The miracles

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

Why that counted as sanctity

A layman who died with his priests and asked their prayers.

Connected on this site

• George Nichols Blessed
  “Thomas Belson, of Brill in Oxfordshire, studied at Reims and was arrested in 1589 at an Oxford inn with his confessor George Nichols and the priest Richard Yaxley.” — this site's research
• Richard Yaxley Blessed
  “Thomas Belson, of Brill in Oxfordshire, studied at Reims and was arrested in 1589 at an Oxford inn with his confessor George Nichols and the priest Richard Yaxley.” — this site's research