Unveiling of the plaque to St Margaret Clitherow 29th August 2008



The plaque that marks the spot near to where Margaret Clitherow
was martyred

Bishop Terence Drainey of Middlesbrough


Members gather under the Ouse Bridge for the ceremony

The National President and National Treasurer at the ceremony to mark the unveiling of the plaque to St Margaret Clitherow

On 25th March in 1586 St Margaret Clitherow was martyred in the Tollbooth on Ouse Bridge in York because she had allowed her house to be used for the shelter of priests and as a lodging place for a Catholic schoolteacher. She refused to plead at her trial, wishing, she said, to spare the jury’s conscience.

422 years later her supreme sacrifice for her faith was recognised in a ceremony on a spot close to where the martyred Saint gave her life. The ceremony was arranged by the Knights of St Columba Council 95 (York) and took place on the Ouse Bridge. Fortunately, in what had been a disastrous summer as far as the weather was concerned, the day remained dry for the event.

The ceremony was conducted by Bishop Terence Drainey, Bishop of Middlesbrough. It was a truly ecumenical occasion and Mrs Doreen Pooley, National President of the Catholic Women’s League, was able to meet not only His Grace, Bishop Terry, but also the Precentor of York Minster and the Chair of the York and Hull District of the Methodist Church as well as a  Minister of the URC who was also in attendance.  The City of York was represented by the Sheriff and his Lady and also present was the Supreme Grand Knight of the Knights of St Columba and Mrs Margaret Valentine also of the Catholic Women’s League.

Bishop Terry delivered a wonderful homily in which he related the circumstances of St Margaret’s death to the realities of life today and then unveiled the plaque. This was followed by a short Prayer Service on the bridge amongst the hustle and bustle of busy York on a Friday afternoon. The visitors who had come to honour St Margaret (it is estimated that around 300/400 people were present) gathered under the bridge and were able to participate fully in the Service. Many Catholic Women’s League members had come from as far away as the Midlands, East Anglia, Lancaster, Leeds and Salford as well as the local Branch of Middlesbrough.

Following the ceremony a Reception took place at nearby Fairfax House, one of the finest Georgian townhouses in England. The house is owned by York Civic Trust who carried out major restoration work in the 1980s to return this magnificent building to its former glory. The Fairfax Family (who owned the House in the 18th century) were one of the great Catholic recusant families of Yorkshire.

The Unveiling Ceremony, the Reception at Fairfax House and the friendship and camaraderie of the members of the League, for whom it was a very special occasion, all made for a very worthy tribute to an exceptionally brave and spiritual woman who died for her Christian belief.

With thanks to John Rayne-Davis KC

September 2008.