Description

Margaret Clitherow has been an inspiration for Catholics and all Christians world-wide for her courage. By refusing to plead, she protected her husband and children and many York Catholics who would have been exposed by a formal trial, and who would have been equally at risk of condemnation and execution. At this time Protestantism and Puritanism were becoming increasingly militant.
York was a small town, and like most small towns, secrets were hard to hide. It is a testament to Margaret’s character and popularity that she and other Catholics were able to live an almost-open secret life.
York was also the headquarters of the Council of the North responsible for governing the North of England. The Council could not tolerate Catholics in what was essentially their capital city and it was inevitable that the Clitherows or some other family would come to their attention.
John and Wendy Rayne-Davis get to the heart of Margaret’s family life and tell the story of the sacrifices made, and true faith upheld. The authors also lay to rest rumours and misinformation about Margaret and her family by demonstrating where the historical facts contradict contemporary memoirs: memoirs carefully written to protect other Catholics in case these journals fell into the hands of the authorities.
Margaret Clitherow is a truly inspiring woman.