Amias, John, Bl.
AMIAS, JOHN, BL.
Priest, martyr; b. Wakefield, England; hanged, drawn, and quartered at York, March 15, 1589. After the death of his wife (sometimes given as Anne), John Amias, a textile merchant, divided his property among his children and left for the Catholic College at Rheims. There he was ordained in 1581. Thereafter he labored in the English Mission until his arrest in the home of a Mr. Murton in Lancashire. Taken to York, he was tried in company with two other martyrs, Bb. Robert Dalby and Robert dibdale. Anthony (Dean) Champney, who was present at their execution, has left an account in his history. Other accounts note that he went to death "as joyfully as if to a feast." He was declared venerable in 1886, and beatified by Pius XI on Dec. 15, 1929.
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; repr. Farnborough 1969). j. h. pollen, Acts of English Martyrs (London 1891) 331.
[k. i. rabenstein]