Sykes, Edmund, Bl.
SYKES, EDMUND, BL.
Priest, martyr; b. at Leeds, Yorkshire, England; hanged, drawn, and quartered March 23, 1587 at Tyburn in York. He completed his seminary studies at Rheims, where he was ordained in 1581. He labored in his native Yorkshire until 1585 when he was betrayed by an apostate, Arthur Webster. He was captured and imprisoned for about six months in the York Kidcot. Weakened by an illness, he consented to attend a Protestant service, but he refused to do so a second time. Banished to the Continent, he made his way to Rome. He made his way back to England in June of 1586 and six months later, he was betrayed by his brother in whose home he was apprehended. He was held as prisoner at York Castle until arraignment at the Lenten assizes, when he was condemned for his priesthood. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on Nov. 22, 1987 with George haydock and companions.
Feast of the English Martyrs: May 4 (England).
See Also: england, scotland, and wales, martyrs of.
Bibliography: r. challoner, Memoirs of Missionary Priests, ed. j. h. pollen (rev. ed. London 1924). j. morris, ed., The Troubles of Our Catholic Forefathers Related by Themselves, 3 v. (London 1872–77), v. 3. j. h. pollen, Acts of English Martyrs (London 1891).
[k. i. rabenstein]