Thomas Cottam

Who they were

Thomas Cottam, of Protestant parents, studied at Oxford and was a London schoolmaster when he was converted. He became a Jesuit novice in Rome, hoping for the Indian mission, and was ordained in 1580.

Arrested at Dover, he escaped, but gave himself up to save the friend who had helped him. Racked in the Tower, he was executed at Tyburn on 30 May 1582.

The miracles

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

Why that counted as sanctity

A priest who surrendered himself to protect a friend.