William Hartley

Who they were

William Hartley of Derbyshire, a chaplain of St John's, Oxford, was ejected in 1579, ordained at Châlons and returned in 1580, helping Parsons and Campion print and spread their books.

Imprisoned from 1581, he was caught saying Mass in prison, and was exiled in 1585. Returning, he was arrested in 1588 and, though suspected of having given way, showed great constancy when he died at Tyburn on 5 October 1588. He was of the meekest disposition, modest and virtuous.

The miracles

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

Why that counted as sanctity

A meek priest whose death proved his constancy.