Thomas Hemmerford
Diocesan priest, martyr at Tyburn under Elizabeth I
Who they were
The Roman Martyrology for 12 February places him at London with James Fenn, John Nutter, John Munden and George Haydock, priests condemned to death for keeping their fidelity to the Church of Rome after Elizabeth I claimed the primacy in spiritual matters, and disembowelled while still alive at Tyburn.
The apostolic letter ‘Atrocissima tormenta’ in Acta Apostolicae Sedis 22 (1930) names him first among the hundred and thirty-six martyrs of England whom Pius XI declared blessed on 15 December 1929, a doctor of law at Oxford trained in the English College at Rome, hanged, disembowelled and quartered at Tyburn on 12 February 1584.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
Put to death at Tyburn for holding to the Church of Rome.
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
- James Fenn Saint“The Roman Martyrology for 12 February places him at London with James Fenn, John Nutter, John Munden and George Haydock, priests condemned to death for keeping their fidelity to the Church of Rome after Elizabeth I claimed the primacy in spiritual matters, and disembowelled while still alive at Tyburn.” — this site's research
- George Haydock Blessed“The Roman Martyrology for 12 February places him at London with James Fenn, John Nutter, John Munden and George Haydock, priests condemned to death for keeping their fidelity to the Church of Rome after Elizabeth I claimed the primacy in spiritual matters, and disembowelled while still alive at Tyburn.” — this site's research
- John Munden Blessed“The Roman Martyrology for 12 February places him at London with Thomas Hemmerford, James Fenn, John Nutter and George Haydock, priests condemned to death for keeping their fidelity to the Church of Rome after Elizabeth I claimed the primacy in spiritual matters, and disembowelled while still alive at Tyburn.” — this site's research
- John Nutter Blessed“The Roman Martyrology for 12 February places him at London with James Fenn, John Nutter, John Munden and George Haydock, priests condemned to death for keeping their fidelity to the Church of Rome after Elizabeth I claimed the primacy in spiritual matters, and disembowelled while still alive at Tyburn.” — this site's research
- Roman Martyrology, 12 February (Italian Bishops' Conference, Santo del giorno)
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 22 (1930) - beatification letter
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.