Andrew Bromwich
Encyclopedia
Andrew Bromwich was an English Roman Catholic priest, a survivor of the Popish Plot
, and the founder of the Oscott Mission, which developed into St. Mary's College, Oscott
.
in Staffordshire
to a Catholic farming family which by tradition had already produced several priests. He entered the English College, Lisbon
in 1668, was ordained about 1672, and returned to Staffordshire. His home county had one of the strongest Catholic communities in England, and a certain degree of immunity from the Penal Laws was provided by the fact that Lord Aston , a powerful local landowner was a Catholic who made little attempt to conceal his beliefs. Bromwich took a crucial precaution by swearing the Oath of Supremacy
and the Oath of Allegiance
. Prior to the Popish Plot it was unofficially understood that priests who took the oaths were to be left in peace.
. Dudgale in revenge turned informer: his intelligence, charm and social standing were a marked contrast to earlier informers like Titus Oates
so that even Charles II
, a sceptic, " began to think there was somewhat in the Plot". After some hesitation Dugdale directly accused Aston of treason; Aston went to the Tower of London
, though he was never brought to trial, and the removal of their patron exposed the Staffordshire Catholics to persecution.
who was a convinced believer in the Plot, and though tolerant enough of the Catholic laity, violently prejudiced against the priesthood. In the event he was prepared to be merciful to these particular priests ,but not until the guilty verdict was in, and jury and accused were subjected to his famous bullying manner. Bromwich's plea that he had taken the oaths was dismissed as a lie " you priests are full of tricks", and the jury were treated to a tirade on the evils of the priesthood : "It is to these sorts of men we owe all the troubles we are in, the threat to the King's life,the subversion of our government, and the loss of our religion." Not surprisingly they were both found guilty.
Having secured the required verdicts, Scroggs was prepared to be merciful. Bromwich produced proof that he had taken the oaths, which unofficially entitled him to a reprieve, while Scroggs accepted that Atkins' age and frailty made him a suitable case for clemency. Atkins died in prison in 1681; Bromwich must have been released at the latest in February 1685 when James II
announced that all persecution of his Catholic subjects should immediately cease.
Popish Plot
The Popish Plot was a fictitious conspiracy concocted by Titus Oates that gripped England, Wales and Scotland in Anti-Catholic hysteria between 1678 and 1681. Oates alleged that there existed an extensive Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Charles II, accusations that led to the execution of at...
, and the founder of the Oscott Mission, which developed into St. Mary's College, Oscott
St. Mary's College, Oscott
St Mary's College, Oscott, often called Oscott College, is the Roman Catholic seminary of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, England, though it admits students for the priesthood from various dioceses of England & Wales, as well as some overseas students...
.
Early career
He was born at Old OscottOld Oscott
Old Oscott is an area of Great Barr, Birmingham, England . The suburb forms a triangle bounded to the north by Pheasey, to the west by Perry Beeches, and to the east by Kingstanding. The Birmingham City Council ward that covers the area is called simply Oscott.The area has been known locally as...
in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
to a Catholic farming family which by tradition had already produced several priests. He entered the English College, Lisbon
English College, Lisbon
The English College, Lisbon was a Roman Catholic seminary that existed from the 17th century to the 20th century.-Early history:...
in 1668, was ordained about 1672, and returned to Staffordshire. His home county had one of the strongest Catholic communities in England, and a certain degree of immunity from the Penal Laws was provided by the fact that Lord Aston , a powerful local landowner was a Catholic who made little attempt to conceal his beliefs. Bromwich took a crucial precaution by swearing the Oath of Supremacy
Oath of Supremacy
The Oath of Supremacy, originally imposed by King Henry VIII of England through the Act of Supremacy 1534, but repealed by his daughter, Queen Mary I of England and reinstated under Mary's sister, Queen Elizabeth I of England under the Act of Supremacy 1559, provided for any person taking public or...
and the Oath of Allegiance
Oath of allegiance
An oath of allegiance is an oath whereby a subject or citizen acknowledges a duty of allegiance and swears loyalty to monarch or country. In republics, modern oaths specify allegiance to the country's constitution. For example, officials in the United States, a republic, take an oath of office that...
. Prior to the Popish Plot it was unofficially understood that priests who took the oaths were to be left in peace.
Popish Plot
During the Popish Plot the young Lord Aston, who had just succeeded to the title, became a principal target when he dismissed his steward, Stephen DugdaleStephen Dugdale
Stephen Dugdale was an informer, and self-proclaimed discoverer of parts of the Popish Plot . He perjured himself on numerous occasions, giving false testimony.-Life:...
. Dudgale in revenge turned informer: his intelligence, charm and social standing were a marked contrast to earlier informers like Titus Oates
Titus Oates
Titus Oates was an English perjurer who fabricated the "Popish Plot", a supposed Catholic conspiracy to kill King Charles II.-Early life:...
so that even Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
, a sceptic, " began to think there was somewhat in the Plot". After some hesitation Dugdale directly accused Aston of treason; Aston went to the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
, though he was never brought to trial, and the removal of their patron exposed the Staffordshire Catholics to persecution.
Trial
Bromwich was tried at the Stafford Assizes in August 1679 with the Jesuit William Atkins (1601-1681) who was so old and frail that even the most credulous should have had difficulty in believing him a conspirator. In fact unlike earlier victims they were charged only with acting as priests , but even so were liable to the death penalty under a statute of 1585. They were tried before the Lord Chief Justice, Sir William ScroggsWilliam Scroggs
Sir William Scroggs , Lord Chief Justice of England, was the son of an Oxford landowner; an account of him being the son of a butcher of sufficient means to give his son a university education is merely a rumour....
who was a convinced believer in the Plot, and though tolerant enough of the Catholic laity, violently prejudiced against the priesthood. In the event he was prepared to be merciful to these particular priests ,but not until the guilty verdict was in, and jury and accused were subjected to his famous bullying manner. Bromwich's plea that he had taken the oaths was dismissed as a lie " you priests are full of tricks", and the jury were treated to a tirade on the evils of the priesthood : "It is to these sorts of men we owe all the troubles we are in, the threat to the King's life,the subversion of our government, and the loss of our religion." Not surprisingly they were both found guilty.
Having secured the required verdicts, Scroggs was prepared to be merciful. Bromwich produced proof that he had taken the oaths, which unofficially entitled him to a reprieve, while Scroggs accepted that Atkins' age and frailty made him a suitable case for clemency. Atkins died in prison in 1681; Bromwich must have been released at the latest in February 1685 when James II
James II
James II may refer to:* James II, Count of La Marche , King Consort of Naples* James II , the second EP by Mancunian band James* James II of Aragon , King of Sicily...
announced that all persecution of his Catholic subjects should immediately cease.