Today in 1588, Blessed Richard Lloyd of Bangor in the county of Gywnedd, met his maker through martyrdom at Tyburn in London.
Also known as Richard of Anglesey, Richard Flower, Richard Fudd or Richard Graye, he had been born in 1561. His older brother Owen was a Catholic Priest.
Blessed Richard was condemned to death because he provided shelter for Father William Horner (aka William Forrest). Richard was beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius XI.
On that same day in 1588, the following also became glorious martyrs Blessed Richard Leigh, Blessed Edward Shelley, Blessed Richard Martin and Blessed John Roche.
Finally, Margaret Ward, who was born in Congleton over the border in neighbouring Cheshire. She became a servant of a family in London and was arrested after helping a priest to escape from prison.
Tomorrow (Sunday 31/08/14), the Tyburn Walk takes place.
The walk is a commemoration of the Catholic martyrs who were executed in London during the 16th and 17th centuries.
The walk follows the final steps made by the martyrs from where their fate was sealed at Newgate Gaol (where the Old Bailey now stands), to their place of execution, close to Tyburn Convent at Marble Arch.
This year the Latin Mass Society has organised the walk. It follows the traditional route, starting from St Sepulchre's Church in the City (opposite the Old Bailey), moving via Soho Square, where Mass will be offered, on to Oxford Street finishing at Tyburn Convent on the Bayswater Road just beyond the end of Edgware Road where there will be Benediction. The starting time will be 2.30pm and it is expected to reach Tyburn between 4.00pm and 5.00pm.
Blessed Richard Lloyd … pray for us!
All Martyrs of England and Wales … pray for us!