Blessed John Storey

Biography

Blessed John Storey, also known as John Story, was born in 1504 in northern England. He received his education at the prestigious University of Oxford, where he excelled academically and earned a Doctor of Law degree. In 1537, Storey became the President of Broadgate Hall (now known as Pembroke College), a position he held until 1539. He was also appointed as the first Regius Professor of civil law.

Storey's career took several twists and turns, reflecting the complex religious and political landscape of his time. In 1547, he entered the English Parliament as a member and staunchly opposed the anti-Catholic laws enacted by King Edward VI. However, his vocal opposition to the Bill of Uniformity led to his imprisonment from 1548 to 1550.

After his release, Storey and his family relocated to Leuven, Belgium. They returned to England in August 1553, following the ascension of Catholic Queen Mary to the throne. Storey served as Chancellor to Bishop Edmund Bonner during this period and also resumed his position as a member of Parliament from 1553 to 1560.

However, in 1560, Storey's opposition to the Bill of Supremacy, which declared Queen Elizabeth as the supreme governor of the Church of England, incurred the wrath of the reigning queen. He was imprisoned in Fleet Prison on 20 May 1560 but managed to escape. Unfortunately, he was captured at Marshalsea and subsequently re-imprisoned.

Determined to secure his freedom, Storey escaped again and fled to Antwerp, Belgium. There, he renounced his English citizenship and pledged allegiance to the Catholic Spanish crown. He found employment as a customs official in Flanders.

In a dramatic turn of events, Storey was kidnapped by agents of Queen Elizabeth while in Bergen-op-Zoom in August 1570. He was forcibly brought back to England and locked in the infamous Tower of London, where he endured repeated acts of torture. On 26 May 1571, he was indicted for conspiring against the Queen's life, a charge he vehemently denied due to his status as a Spanish subject and the court's lack of jurisdiction over him. Despite his protests, Storey was condemned on 27 May 1571.

On 1 June 1571, Blessed John Storey was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn, England, sealing his fate as a martyr for his Catholic faith. He is venerated on both 1 June and 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University.

Finally, it is worth noting that Pope Leo XIII beatified John Storey on 29 December 1886, confirming his cultus and recognizing his martyrdom. His unwavering commitment to his beliefs and his ultimate sacrifice continue to inspire Catholics to this day.