John Woodcock
Franciscan priest, martyr in England
Who they were
A Franciscan priest, in religion Martin of St Felix, who was hanged at Lancaster with Edward Bamber and Thomas Whitaker for having entered the dominions of King Charles I as a priest; the Acta Apostolicae Sedis record his death at Lancaster in 1646, at the age of forty-three. He was beatified on 22 November 1987 by John Paul II, among George Haydock and eighty-four companions, martyrs of England, Wales and Scotland.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
The Roman Martyrology names him among the martyrs of England.
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
- Edward Bamber Blessed“A Franciscan priest, in religion Martin of St Felix, who was hanged at Lancaster with Edward Bamber and Thomas Whitaker for having entered the dominions of King Charles I as a priest; the Acta Apostolicae Sedis record his death at Lancaster in 1646, at the age of forty-three.” — this site's research
- George Haydock Blessed“He was beatified on 22 November 1987 by John Paul II, among George Haydock and eighty-four companions, martyrs of England, Wales and Scotland.” — this site's research
- Thomas Whittaker Blessed“Naturally timid and dreading his death, he nevertheless refused every offer of life for conforming, saying: 'A reprieve or even a pardon upon your conditions I utterly refuse.' He was executed at Lancaster on 7 August 1646 with Edward Bamber and John Woodcock.” — this site's research
- Roman Martyrology, 7 August (Italian Bishops' Conference, Santo del giorno)
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 83 (1991) - beatification letter
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 79 (1987) - decree on the martyrdom
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.