Ralph Ashley

Ralph Ashley (executed 7 April1606) was an English Jesuit lay-brother who became involved with the aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot. He is a Catholic martyr, beatified in 1929.

Life

Ashley is first heard of as cook at Douay College, which he left 28 April, 1590, for the English College at Valladolid. Here he entered the Society of Jesus, but after a time returned to England because of ill-health.

He fell in with Father Tesimond (Greenway), who eulogizes his courage he had displayed among the Dutch, by whom he had been captured during his journey. He landed in England 9 March, 1598, and was sent to serve Edward Oldcorne.

Eight years later, he and Oldcorne were arrested at Hindlip Hall, [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=OaqWAEry-wkC&pg=PA55&dq=%22Edward+Oldcorne%22+jesuit&lr=&ei=WKxuSPChEJjSigGK4ZUV&sig=ACfU3U0gAVzV9akH-TH-U-r8Wu2rEoG5Nw Lives of the Saints] By Alban Butler, Peter Doyle, ISBN:0860122530] near Worcester, and were committed to the Tower of London, together with Henry Garnet, and Nicholas Owen, another lay-brother, servant to Garnet. The two servants were tortured, Owen dying. Ashley's confessions is still available.

He was ultimately remanded with Oldcorne to Worcester, where they were tried, condemned and executed together at Red Hill. He accompanied his master to their execution. It is said that as Oldcorne waited on the ladder to die, Ashley kissed his feet and said, "What a happy man am I to follow in the steps of my sweet father". Oldcorne died with the name of St Winifred on his lips. When Ashley came to die he prayed and asked for forgiveness and noted that like Oldcorne he was dying for his religion and not for being a traitor.

Saint Edward Oldcorne and Ashley were canonized in 1929.

References