No likeness on file

Thomas Watkinson

Layman, widower, martyr in England

BlessedFull write-up

Born

—

unknown

Died

—

unknown

Beatified

22 November 1987

by John Paul II

Canonised

—

not yet

Who they were

Thomas Watkinson was a layman, a widower. The source records that he was put to death for the faith at York in 1591. He was beatified on 22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II among the eighty-five martyrs of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

The miracles

As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.

Why that counted as sanctity

Put to death at York in 1591 for the Catholic faith.

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.

A miracle approved by the Holy See is needed for the next step. If you know the postulation’s own page, tell us and it will be added here.

Connected on this site

Robert Thorpe Blessed
“He was arrested early on Palm Sunday at the house of the yeoman Thomas Watkinson, after someone saw palms being gathered.” — this site's research

Sources

Acta Apostolicae Sedis 83 (1991), p. 871 - apostolic letter 'Ecclesia in Anglia' of 22 November 1987 (85 martyrs of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland)

Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.