No likeness on file
William Thomson
Diocesan priest, martyr in England
BlessedResearched
Born
—
unknown
Died
—
unknown
Beatified
22 November 1987
by John Paul II
Canonised
—
not yet
Who they were
William Thomson was a diocesan priest. The source records that he was put to death for the faith at Tyburn in London in 1586, at the age of twenty-six. He was beatified on 22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II among the eighty-five martyrs of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
Put to death at Tyburn in London in 1586 for the Catholic faith.
Connected on this site
- Richard Sargeant Blessed“The Roman Martyrology for 20 April places him at London with William Thomson, priests and martyrs condemned to death for having entered England as priests and remained there, who suffered the extreme penalty at Tyburn.” — this site's research
- Richard Sergeant Blessed“He was condemned with William Thomson merely for being a priest and coming into the realm, and executed at Tyburn on 20 April 1586.” — this site's research
Sources
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 83 (1991), p. 871 - apostolic letter 'Ecclesia in Anglia' of 22 November 1987 (85 martyrs of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland)
- Roman Martyrology, 20 April (Italian Bishops' Conference, Santo del giorno)
- Wikidata R18b74844 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.