Thomas Maxfield

Who they were

Thomas Maxfield was born about 1590 in Stafford gaol, where his father was imprisoned for harbouring priests. He studied at Douai, was ordained in 1614 and came to London, where he was arrested within three months.

After trying to escape, he was kept seventy hours in the stocks in a filthy dungeon, then set among the worst criminals, two of whom he converted. Condemned solely for being a priest, he was executed at Tyburn on 1 July 1616.

The miracles

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

Why that counted as sanctity

A priest born in prison who died for the Faith.