William Thomson
Diocesan priest, martyr in England
Who they were
William Thomson was a diocesan priest. The source records that he was put to death for the faith at Tyburn in London in 1586, at the age of twenty-six. 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 Tyburn in London in 1586 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.
Connected on this site
- Richard Sargeant Blessed“The Roman Martyrology for 20 April places him at London with William Thomson, priests and martyrs condemned to death for having entered England as priests and remained there, who suffered the extreme penalty at Tyburn.” — this site's research
- Richard Sergeant Blessed“He was condemned with William Thomson merely for being a priest and coming into the realm, and executed at Tyburn on 20 April 1586.” — this site's research
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 83 (1991), p. 871 - apostolic letter 'Ecclesia in Anglia' of 22 November 1987 (85 martyrs of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland)
- Roman Martyrology, 20 April (Italian Bishops' Conference, Santo del giorno)
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.