Christopher Holywood
Encyclopedia
Christopher Holywood was an Irish
Jesuit of the Counter Reformation. The origin of the Nag's Head Fable
has been traced to him.
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His family, which draws its name from Holywood, a village near Dublin, had long been distinguished both in Church
and State
. Christopher Holywood studied at Padua
, entered the Society of Jesus
at Dôle in 1579, was afterwards professor of Scripture and theology at Pont-a-Mousson, Ferrara, and Padua, and there met St Robert Bellarmine
. In 1598 he was sent to Ireland, but was arrested on his way and confined in the Gatehouse Prison
, the Tower of London
and Wisbech Castle
, and was eventually shipped to the continent after the death of Queen Elizabeth
. He then resumed his interrupted journey and reached Ireland on St. Patrick's Eve, 1604. This same year he published two Latin works attacking the Church of England
. One of which included the first allegation of an indecent consecration of archbishop of Canterbury
Matthew Parker
. This became known as the Nag's Head Fable
and the story was not discredited in the eyes of some Roman Catholics for centuries. He was soon appointed superior of the Jesuits in Ireland, a post of great importance in the absence of all Roman Catholic bishops, for it had been impossible during the Reformation to preserve their succession.
, there had been a reaction in favor of Catholicism
, and if this was strong even in England
, it was far stronger in Ireland, leading in some cases to the Jesuit occupation of the Church of Ireland
properties. Father Holywood and his fellow Jesuits had their hands full of work. Though there were only four Jesuits in Ireland when he landed, their number rapidly increased, and there were forty-two when he died, besides sixty others in training or occupied in teaching on the continent. After the imposition of the Oath of Allegiance there followed a persecution. By the enforced education of their children as Anglicans, many noble and influential families converted, and the lands of Roman Catholics were freely given to settlers from England. Holywood continued to do his work. At Kilkenny
, for instance, a school which lasted until Oliver Cromwell
's time was begun in 1619. Five "residences", or bases for Jesuit Fathers, were established, from where missionaries were sent out. Holywood's last report is for the year 1624. He died on 4 September 1626.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
Jesuit of the Counter Reformation. The origin of the Nag's Head Fable
Nag's Head Fable
The Nag's Head Fable was a fiction which purported that Matthew Parker, an Archbishop of Canterbury, was not consecrated solemnly, but instead was consecrated with a Bible pressed to his neck while inside the Nag's Head tavern...
has been traced to him.
Roman Catholic and Irish
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and State
State (polity)
A state is an organized political community, living under a government. States may be sovereign and may enjoy a monopoly on the legal initiation of force and are not dependent on, or subject to any other power or state. Many states are federated states which participate in a federal union...
. Christopher Holywood studied at Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
, entered the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
at Dôle in 1579, was afterwards professor of Scripture and theology at Pont-a-Mousson, Ferrara, and Padua, and there met St Robert Bellarmine
Robert Bellarmine
Robert Bellarmine was an Italian Jesuit and a Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was one of the most important figures in the Counter-Reformation...
. In 1598 he was sent to Ireland, but was arrested on his way and confined in the Gatehouse Prison
Gatehouse Prison
Gatehouse Prison was a prison in Westminster, built in 1370 as the gatehouse of Westminster Abbey and first used as a prison by the Abbot, a powerful churchman who held considerable power over the precincts and sanctuary...
, 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...
and Wisbech Castle
Wisbech Castle
Wisbech castle was a motte-and-bailey castle built to fortify Wisbech, in the Fenland area of Cambridgeshire, England by William I in 1072. The Norman castle, reputedly was destroyed during a devastating flood of 1236, the original design and layout is still unknown.In the 15th century repairs were...
, and was eventually shipped to the continent after the death of Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
. He then resumed his interrupted journey and reached Ireland on St. Patrick's Eve, 1604. This same year he published two Latin works attacking the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
. One of which included the first allegation of an indecent consecration of archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1559 until his death in 1575. He was also an influential theologian and arguably the co-founder of Anglican theological thought....
. This became known as the Nag's Head Fable
Nag's Head Fable
The Nag's Head Fable was a fiction which purported that Matthew Parker, an Archbishop of Canterbury, was not consecrated solemnly, but instead was consecrated with a Bible pressed to his neck while inside the Nag's Head tavern...
and the story was not discredited in the eyes of some Roman Catholics for centuries. He was soon appointed superior of the Jesuits in Ireland, a post of great importance in the absence of all Roman Catholic bishops, for it had been impossible during the Reformation to preserve their succession.
Ireland under King James I
On the accession of King James IJames I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
, there had been a reaction in favor of Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
, and if this was strong even in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, it was far stronger in Ireland, leading in some cases to the Jesuit occupation of the Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
properties. Father Holywood and his fellow Jesuits had their hands full of work. Though there were only four Jesuits in Ireland when he landed, their number rapidly increased, and there were forty-two when he died, besides sixty others in training or occupied in teaching on the continent. After the imposition of the Oath of Allegiance there followed a persecution. By the enforced education of their children as Anglicans, many noble and influential families converted, and the lands of Roman Catholics were freely given to settlers from England. Holywood continued to do his work. At Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
, for instance, a school which lasted until Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
's time was begun in 1619. Five "residences", or bases for Jesuit Fathers, were established, from where missionaries were sent out. Holywood's last report is for the year 1624. He died on 4 September 1626.
Works
- Defensio decreti Tridentini et sententiæ Roberti Bellarmini, S. R. E. cardinalis, de authoritate Vulgatæ editionis Latinæ, adversus sectarios, mazime Whitakerum. In qua etiam fuse admodum refutatur error sectariorum de Scripturæ interprete et judice controversiarum. Authore Christophoro a Sacrobosco, Dubliniensi Societatis Jesu, olim sacræ theologiæ in alma academia Dolana professore. (1604), published at Antwerp, 8vo. Reissued 1619 with additions by the author.
- De investiganda vera ac visibili Christi ecclesia libellus. (1604) Antwerp, 8vo.
- His works were replies to Dr. William WhitakerWilliam Whitaker (theologian)William Whitaker was a prominent Anglican theologian. He was Master of St. John's College, Cambridge, and a leading divine in the university in the latter half of the sixteenth century.-Early life and education:...
and other protestant controversialists.
Other sources
- O'Sullivan-Beare, PhilipPhilip O'Sullivan BearePhilip O'Sullivan Beare was an Irish soldier who became more famous as a writer.He was son of Dermot O'Sullivan and nephew of Donal O'Sullivan Beare, Prince of Beare. He was sent to Spain in 1602, and was educated at Compostela by Vendamma, a Spaniard, and John Synnott, an Irish Jesuit.He served...
, Historiæ Catholicæ Iberniæ Compendium 1621. - Bibliotheca Scriptorum Society Jesu Rome, 1675
- Oliver, GeorgeGeorge Oliver (historian)George Oliver was an English Roman Catholic priest and historian of the Exeter area.-Life:He was born at Newington, Surrey, on 9 February 1781, and was educated, first at Sedgley Park School, Staffordshire, and afterwards at Stonyhurst College...
(1845) Collections towards illustrating the biography of the Scotch, English, and Irish members of the Society of Jesus. London: Charles Dolman - de Backer, AugustinAugustin de BackerAugustin de Backer was a Belgian Jesuit and renowned bibliographer.-Early years and Formation:...
Bibliothèque des écrivains de la Compagnie de Jésus ou Notices bibliographiques. 1858| - Calendar of State Papers, Ireland 1874
- Ibernia Ignatianæ (1880)
- Foley, HenryHenry FoleyBrother Henry Foley, S.J., was an English Jesuit Roman Catholic church historian.-Biography:He was born at Astley in Worcestershire, England on 9 August 1811. His father was the Protestant curate in charge at Astley...
, SJ Records of English Province, vii. (1882)