James Duckett
James Duckett | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gilfortrigs, Skelsmergh, Westmorland, England |
| Died | 19 April 1602 |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, tailor |
| Known for | Catholic martyrdom, distributing Catholic devotional texts |
James Duckett (died 19 April 1602) was an English Catholic layperson and martyr who was executed at Tyburn for producing Catholic devotional texts.
Life
Originating from Gilfortrigs in Skelsmergh, Westmorland, James Duckett was initially raised in the Protestant faith. During his apprenticeship as a book printer in London, a friend lent him The Foundation of the Catholic Religion, which led to his conversion to Catholicism. He faced imprisonment twice for declining to attend Protestant worship services; although his employer arranged his release, he was subsequently asked to seek employment elsewhere.
His formal reception into the Catholic Church occurred through a priest held captive in Westminster's Gatehouse. Around 1590, he wed Anne Hart, a Catholic widow. Of their twelve years together, nine were spent incarcerated due to his religious beliefs. Duckett supported himself as a tailor, crafting clothing and altar linens for clergy members.
He was deeply involved in distributing Catholic literature. His residence underwent numerous searches; following the discovery of printing equipment and copies of Our Lady's Psalter, he was confined in The Clink and later transferred to Newgate Prison. Although released on bail, he voluntarily returned to custody to shield those who had posted his bond. He faced repeated detentions for circulating primers in both English and Latin.
In March 1602, Peter Bullock, a bookbinder seeking clemency, betrayed Duckett, leading to his arrest for possession of twenty-five copies of Father Southwell's publications and imprisonment at Newgate. During the trial, Bullock testified against him; Duckett acknowledged binding Catholic books but refuted other accusations. While the jury initially found him not guilty, Judge Sir John Popham exerted pressure resulting in a conviction. Both Bullock and Duckett were executed at Tyburn on 19 April 1601.
According to James’s son, John Duckett—who later became Prior of the English Carthusians at Nieuwpoort—James forgave Bullock on their way to execution and encouraged him to embrace the Catholic faith before death, though Bullock did not do so.
At the same trial, priests Thomas Tichborne, Robert Watkinson, and Francis Page were sentenced and executed the next day.
James Duckett received beatification from Pope Pius XI on 15 December 1929. It is believed that John Duckett, a subsequent priest and martyr, was his grandson.
Veneration
James Duckett is honored as the patron saint for booksellers and publishers seeking intercession.
See also
Sources
- See also Godfrey Anstruther, Seminary Priests, Mayhew-McCrimmond, Great Wakering, vol. 2, 1975, pp. 89–90.
- James Duckett, M.M. Merrick, (Douglas Organ, London 1947)