John Amias
Diocesan priest, martyr hanged at York under Elizabeth I
Who they were
The Roman Martyrology for 16 March places him at York with Robert Dalby, priests and martyrs condemned to death under Elizabeth I for the sole fact of being priests, who went gladly to the gallows.
The apostolic letter ‘Atrocissima tormenta’ in Acta Apostolicae Sedis 22 (1930) lists him as ‘amias ioannes sacerdos’ among the hundred and thirty-six martyrs of England whom Pius XI declared blessed on 15 December 1929, a priest of the province of York trained in the college at Reims who died at York on 16 March 1589.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
Put to death at York simply for being a priest.
The cause
The cause continues. No postulation address is published here yet. Favours received through this person’s intercession, and offers of help, are best sent to the religious order or congregation they belonged to, or to the diocese where the cause was opened; either will pass them to the postulation.
Connected on this site
- Robert Dalby Blessed“Robert Dalby was a priest who was put to death at York on 16 March 1589, under Elizabeth I, together with John Amias.” — this site's research
- Roman Martyrology, 16 March (Italian Bishops' Conference, Santo del giorno)
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 22 (1930) - beatification letter
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.