[Okay, let's acknowledge that the number is at least double that, since in retrospect all reasonable people can agree that the Protestants who were killed under Mary were just as much martyrs as the Catholics who were killed under Henry, Elizabeth, and James.]
The Saint herself |
I don't know what to make of the fact that she was born in Anglican England and converted to Roman Catholicism after having three kids. Or maybe in the midst of having three kids. At least her husband remained an Anglican, which was lucky, because then the kids were not fully orphaned when the authorities came knocking. Then again, I guess I do know what to make of it -- it stinks. Her kids needed a mom more than the Lord needed another martyr, and further, I cannot believe that the Lord was so narrow as to even recognize the difference between a Roman Catholic and an Anglican, let alone give a damn. But that's just my (potentially sacrilegious) impression of the Lord, and I don't claim any special insight.
The Shrine at the Shambles |
Except that one time they didn't get to scurry away. She got busted for harboring priests, and in an attempt to get her to plead, they laid her on top of a small, sharp stone and then put a door upon her. On that they placed weights, crushing the air out of her slowly while the stone pressed into her spine. She refused to plead so they crushed her to death.
The Hand of Margaret at Ladyewell |
Margaret's hand was removed from her body and preserved as a holy relic. Bar Convent, York, had a hand that they claim is hers, but so does Ladyewell. Of course, she had two hands when they put the door on top of her, so it could be that both are telling the truth.
Saint Margaret has an individual feast on March 26.
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