Sir Walter Raleigh

was not so polite • • •
STANDING near the new memorial cross in Ruins Field, Chideock, Bishop Restieaux on Sunday addressed the large crowds who had come to honour the memory of the five Chideock Martyrs hanged there for the Faith some 400 years ago.
Chideock might also be known as the place where Sir Walter Raleigh's politeness failed him...
It was here in 1594 that Fr. John Cornelius and his friend Thomas Bosgrave, and two servants at the castle-John Carey and Patrick Salmon-were arrested on charges of practising and spreading the "Romish religion."
Fr. Cornelius was born in Bodmin in 1554. A promising scholar, he was elected Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford, but was soon expelled for "Popery." Thereafter he spent his life praying and preaching.
Found guilty at their Dorchester trial, the four men were taken to Chideock. The three friends of the priest were hanged first until they were dead.
Fr. Cornelius climbed the gallows and embraced the hanging feet of his companions. He then tried to address the crowds but was prevented by Sir Walter Raleigh.
The priest placed the rope round his neck, prayed for the Queen and his persecutors, and was martyred with great violence.
The fifth martyr was born in I.ondon the year Fr. Cornelius and • his companions died. He was RI. Hugh Green, born of Protestant parents but converted and ordained on the continent.
While Fr. Green was serving as a chaplain at Chideock Castle Charles I issued an order that all priests should leave the country by a certain date. Fr. Green miscalculated the date by two days, was arrested as he attempted to escape at Lyme Regis, and was tried and sentenced to death.
HI. Hugh Green died on August 19, 1642. He spoke to the people from the Chideock gallows and then was martyred with horrible butchery-the fanatical Puritan crowd cutting off his head and using it as a football.