The Catholic priests
The Catholic priests
by Barbara Powell
Thomas Gunter and his circle
Thomas Gunter’s house would have had many visitors. It was, after all, his place of business as a lawyer as well as a centre for local Catholics where Mass was celebrated.
It was reported to the House of Commons that a hundred attended Mass here, directly opposite the parish church. This may be an exaggeration, as John Arnold MP attempted to stir up anti-Catholic feelings as part of local feuds with Worcester, the lord at Raglan, whose family had long been Catholic supporters.
The family life of many Catholics seems to reflect the relaxed approach to religious differences in Monmouthshire. Many families were ‘Church Catholics’, outwardly conforming by attending the parish church as required – at least occasionally, but adhering to the Old Faith. Catholic priests could move around quite freely.
From time to time, the laws were applied and recusants were fined – any Catholic or Protestant who did not attend the parish church or would not swear that Cromwell, or the king, was head of the church.
From time to time, the laws were applied and recusants were fined – any Catholic or Protestant who did not attend the parish church or would not swear that Cromwell, or the king, was head of the church.
The priests
All the Martyrs listed below have achieved sainthood in the eyes of the Church. They are numbered among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, created by Pope Paul VI in 1970.
St David Lewis
David Lewis was born in 1616, in Abergavenny into a big family. His mother, Margaret, was a Catholic and David’s father, Morgan Lewis, was the headmaster of King Henry VIII Grammar School where his son was educated. Morgan Lewis was not a Catholic, or he would have been barred from that position.
When he was sixteen, David Lewis went to London and studied law. During this time, he became a Catholic after a visit to Paris. After the death of both his parents at the age of twenty-one, he set off to Rome to join the English College.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1642. He entered the Jesuit Order in 1645 while in Rome and was immediately sent to Wales, but was soon recalled to become Spiritual Director at his college. He was anxious to get back to Wales and was able to become the Superior at The Cwm in Llanrothal, a Jesuit college. He worked from there from 1648 until his martyrdom in 1679.
He worked among the Catholic population with great energy during these thirty years, and became known as Tad Tlodion (Father of the Poor) for his devotion to his people. He was well loved by all classes of people including non-Catholics. He was a regular visitor to Gunter Mansion in Abergavenny, and said Mass there frequently, not just for the family, but for the general public as well, much to the annoyance of a vicar at the parish church, which was across Beili Lane from the Gunter Mansion.
The tolerance given to Father Lewis and his flock was very unpopular with fanatics like John Arnold of Llanvihangel Crucorney and John Scudamore of Kentchurch, especially when the Popish Plot precipitated anti-Catholic hysteria (see The Popish Plot). Although Father Lewis escaped from the raid on The Cwm, he was caught at Llantarnam, near where the Glasshouse inn is today, in November 1678. He was taken to the Golden Lion on the corner of Frogmore Street and Lion Street in Abergavenny where he was charged with being a Catholic Priest.
When he was sixteen, David Lewis went to London and studied law. During this time, he became a Catholic after a visit to Paris. After the death of both his parents at the age of twenty-one, he set off to Rome to join the English College.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1642. He entered the Jesuit Order in 1645 while in Rome and was immediately sent to Wales, but was soon recalled to become Spiritual Director at his college. He was anxious to get back to Wales and was able to become the Superior at The Cwm in Llanrothal, a Jesuit college. He worked from there from 1648 until his martyrdom in 1679.
He worked among the Catholic population with great energy during these thirty years, and became known as Tad Tlodion (Father of the Poor) for his devotion to his people. He was well loved by all classes of people including non-Catholics. He was a regular visitor to Gunter Mansion in Abergavenny, and said Mass there frequently, not just for the family, but for the general public as well, much to the annoyance of a vicar at the parish church, which was across Beili Lane from the Gunter Mansion.
The tolerance given to Father Lewis and his flock was very unpopular with fanatics like John Arnold of Llanvihangel Crucorney and John Scudamore of Kentchurch, especially when the Popish Plot precipitated anti-Catholic hysteria (see The Popish Plot). Although Father Lewis escaped from the raid on The Cwm, he was caught at Llantarnam, near where the Glasshouse inn is today, in November 1678. He was taken to the Golden Lion on the corner of Frogmore Street and Lion Street in Abergavenny where he was charged with being a Catholic Priest.
John Arnold took him to Llanfihangel Court to stay overnight before he went to Monmouth Gaol. He was later transferred to Usk, then back to Monmouth to be tried. He was charged under the Elizabethan statute which made it a capital offence for a priest ordained abroad to return for more than a limited period. Here is the sentence passed by the judge:
“David Lewis, thou shalt be led from this place to a place whence thou camest, and shalt be put upon a hurdle and drawn with thy feet forward to the place of execution where thou shalt be hanged by the neck and be cut down alive; thy body to be ripped open and thy bowels plucked out; thou shalt be dismembered and thy members burnt before thy face. So the Lord have mercy on thy soul”.*
On the day of execution, the 26 August, 1679, no-one could be found to erect the gallows. A convict, promised his release, made a bad job of it. Then the hangman could not be found, so a blacksmith was bribed to do the job. Father Lewis had to stand on a stool, not a ladder for the hanging. Those watching prevented him being cut down alive for disembowling and quartering. He is thought to be buried near the porch of the parish church in Usk marked now by a blue plaque. The ‘David Lewis pilgrimage’ began after his burial, and the grave is still a place of pilgrimage each year, on the nearest Sunday to 27 August.
*In Thoroughgoing Service: A Life of St David Lewis by Father Gareth Jones (Cardiff 1999)
“David Lewis, thou shalt be led from this place to a place whence thou camest, and shalt be put upon a hurdle and drawn with thy feet forward to the place of execution where thou shalt be hanged by the neck and be cut down alive; thy body to be ripped open and thy bowels plucked out; thou shalt be dismembered and thy members burnt before thy face. So the Lord have mercy on thy soul”.*
On the day of execution, the 26 August, 1679, no-one could be found to erect the gallows. A convict, promised his release, made a bad job of it. Then the hangman could not be found, so a blacksmith was bribed to do the job. Father Lewis had to stand on a stool, not a ladder for the hanging. Those watching prevented him being cut down alive for disembowling and quartering. He is thought to be buried near the porch of the parish church in Usk marked now by a blue plaque. The ‘David Lewis pilgrimage’ began after his burial, and the grave is still a place of pilgrimage each year, on the nearest Sunday to 27 August.
*In Thoroughgoing Service: A Life of St David Lewis by Father Gareth Jones (Cardiff 1999)
St Phillip Evans
Philip Evans was born in Monmouth. He went to St Omer in France for his education, and entered the Jesuit order. He was ordained in Belgium, and sent to Wales in 1675, and was to be here for four years ministering to the Catholic community, saying Mass and administering the Sacraments in both English and Welsh. He, like Father David Lewis, was well known at the Gunter Mansion, and often said Mass there.
Following the frenzy of the Popish Plot, Philip Evans was advised to go on the run, but refused to do so. He was arrested at Sker House in Glamorgan, and imprisoned in Cardiff Gaol, at first in solitary confinement, but later was able to share a cell with Father John Lloyd. The following year he was tried, found guilty of treason for being a Catholic priest, and sentenced.
Following the frenzy of the Popish Plot, Philip Evans was advised to go on the run, but refused to do so. He was arrested at Sker House in Glamorgan, and imprisoned in Cardiff Gaol, at first in solitary confinement, but later was able to share a cell with Father John Lloyd. The following year he was tried, found guilty of treason for being a Catholic priest, and sentenced.
He was not executed straight away, and returned to gaol. He was even released from time to time. It was said that when the order did come, Father Evans was out playing tennis and was able to finish his game, before returning to his cell, where he wrote to his sister, a nun in Paris, and told her what was about to happen. On the morning of his execution he was found playing his harp.
He and Father John Lloyd were taken together to the place of execution. Philip Evans’ last words were to John Lloyd, who was to be executed after him: “Adieu Mr. Lloyd! Though only for a little time, for we shall soon meet again.” He suffered the full
rigour of the law, and was hanged, drawn and quartered.
He and Father John Lloyd were taken together to the place of execution. Philip Evans’ last words were to John Lloyd, who was to be executed after him: “Adieu Mr. Lloyd! Though only for a little time, for we shall soon meet again.” He suffered the full
rigour of the law, and was hanged, drawn and quartered.
St John Lloyd
John Lloyd was a secular priest (not a member of a religious order), who is mentioned here because he was executed with Philip Evans. He is not, as far as we know, associated with the Gunters, but he is a part of the Philip Evans story. He, like the others, was caught up with all the ‘fake news’ that was the Popish Plot
in 1678-9.
John Lloyd was born to a Catholic family in Brecon in 1616. He entered the English College at Valladolid in Spain. He was ordained in 1653 and returned home the next year. For the next twenty-five years he administered the Sacraments to the people of Monmouthshire and Glamorgan.
John Lloyd was born to a Catholic family in Brecon in 1616. He entered the English College at Valladolid in Spain. He was ordained in 1653 and returned home the next year. For the next twenty-five years he administered the Sacraments to the people of Monmouthshire and Glamorgan.
His brother William was also a priest working in South Wales. Like Father Evans, he was arrested at Sker House, and taken to Cardiff Gaol. The two were eventually allowed to share a cell, and were tried at the same Assizes in May, 1679. His brother William was also sentenced but died a few days before execution.
Father Lloyd had to watch his friend, Father Philip Evans, being hanged, drawn and quartered, before being himself dispatched similarly.
Father Lloyd had to watch his friend, Father Philip Evans, being hanged, drawn and quartered, before being himself dispatched similarly.
St John Kemble
John Kemble was born in 1599 in St Weonards to Catholic parents. He entered the English College at Douai in northern France around 1620. He was ordained in 1624, becoming a secular priest (not a member of a religious order). That year he returned to his native land. He ministered to the Catholics of Wales and the Marches for the next fifty-four years, in relative peace and freedom. He was widely known and much loved by Catholics and non-Catholics as he went about his work openly.
Father Kemble would have been a very welcome visitor to the Gunters in Abergavenny. However, the Popish Plot fabrication caught up with him in 1678. He was arrested by John Scudamore of Kentchurch, taken to Hereford Gaol, and kept there until the Assizes in 1679. Under the Elizabethan statute he was found guilty of treason because of his ordination overseas, and sentenced to hanging, drawing and quartering.
Father Kemble would have been a very welcome visitor to the Gunters in Abergavenny. However, the Popish Plot fabrication caught up with him in 1678. He was arrested by John Scudamore of Kentchurch, taken to Hereford Gaol, and kept there until the Assizes in 1679. Under the Elizabethan statute he was found guilty of treason because of his ordination overseas, and sentenced to hanging, drawing and quartering.
He and other priests were sent to London to be interviewed about the plot. He was in his eighties and was unable to ride a horse so he had to be tied on! The interrogation was aimed at finding information about the plot, but as there was no plot, no information could be extracted from anyone. John Kemble was sent back to Hereford. This time he walked!
He stayed in prison until August 22nd when he was executed in Hereford. He hanged for half an hour, but because of his age was spared the other grotesque parts of the punishment. The body was decapitated. His hand was severed also. This became a relic, which is kept in St Francis Xavier’s Church in Hereford.
Very soon afterwards St John Kemble was commemorated every year in Monmouth, beginning with a pilgrimage to the saint’s grave at Welsh Newton, not far from where the Jesuits had their college. It continues, and modern day pilgrimages finish with Benediction at St Mary’s Church in Monmouth - and lavish tea and refreshments after that!
He stayed in prison until August 22nd when he was executed in Hereford. He hanged for half an hour, but because of his age was spared the other grotesque parts of the punishment. The body was decapitated. His hand was severed also. This became a relic, which is kept in St Francis Xavier’s Church in Hereford.
Very soon afterwards St John Kemble was commemorated every year in Monmouth, beginning with a pilgrimage to the saint’s grave at Welsh Newton, not far from where the Jesuits had their college. It continues, and modern day pilgrimages finish with Benediction at St Mary’s Church in Monmouth - and lavish tea and refreshments after that!
Footnotes
Three other priests, Thomas Andrews, Charles Pritchard and Walter Price, who fled when The Cwm was raided, perished in the hard winter while they tried to shelter in barns and outbuildings.
Later, under James II, the Franciscans opened a mission in Frogmore Street, Abergavenny, financed by Thomas Gunter’s daughter.
Later, under James II, the Franciscans opened a mission in Frogmore Street, Abergavenny, financed by Thomas Gunter’s daughter.
Plas Gunter Mansion Trust
39a Cross Street, Abergavenny NP7 5ER
39a Cross Street, Abergavenny NP7 5ER
Company no: 7705089
Registered charity no: 1144813
Registered charity no: 1144813