Robert Bickerdike
English martyr
Who they were
Robert Bickerdike, a Yorkshire layman of York, was arrested for giving a glass of ale to the priest John Boste. Acquitted of treasonable words, he was tried again at the judge's insistence.
He had defended the martyr Francis Ingleby, saying he was no thief, 'but as true as thou art'. He was condemned and executed at York in 1585.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
A layman who died for a kindness to 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
- Francis Ingleby Saint“He had defended the martyr Francis Ingleby, saying he was no thief, 'but as true as thou art'.” — this site's research
- John Boste Saint“Robert Bickerdike, a Yorkshire layman of York, was arrested for giving a glass of ale to the priest John Boste.” — this site's research
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - Robert Bickerdike
- Wikidata Q7342087 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Robert Bickerdike (martyr) (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.