William Marsden
Diocesan priest, martyr on the Isle of Wight under Elizabeth I
Who they were
The Roman Martyrology for 25 April places him on the Isle of Wight with Robert Anderton, priests and martyrs condemned to death under Elizabeth I for having entered England as priests, if only by shipwreck, who faced martyrdom with a firm and serene mind.
The apostolic letter ‘Atrocissima tormenta’ in Acta Apostolicae Sedis 22 (1930) lists him as ‘marsden gulielmus sacerdos’ among the hundred and thirty-six martyrs of England whom Pius XI declared blessed on 15 December 1929, a secular priest of the college of Reims killed with Robert Anderton on the Isle of Wight on 25 April 1586.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
Put to death on the Isle of Wight for being a priest in 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
- Robert Anderton Blessed“Along with his companion, William Marsden, he was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1929.” — Wikipedia
- Roman Martyrology, 25 April (Italian Bishops' Conference, Santo del giorno)
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 22 (1930) - beatification letter
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.