Blessed James Bird
He
was born at Winchester, brought up as a Protestant, became a Catholic and went
to study at Rheims. He returned home, but because of his zeal for his beliefs he
was arrested, the charge against him was that he had been reconciled to the
Catholic Church and had maintained that the Pope was the visible head of the
church on earth. He did not deny this at his trial, and so was sentenced to the
death of a traitor, unless he would attend a Protestant service.
He chose to die rather than act against his conscience. After a long imprisonment, he was hanged, drawn and quartered at Winchester on March 25th 1593.
His head was put on public display over one of the city gates. His father saw it and is reported to have said 'Ah! My son Jemmy, who not only living was obedient and dutiful, but now also, when dead, pays reverence to your father. How far from your heart was all affliction or will for treason, or any other wickedness?' tha father is said to have seen his son bow his head as he passed.
James Bird was 19 years old.