Two Jesuits And The English Counter Reformation

Intrigues of Persons, Campian, and the Seminary Priests.

In 1568, Dr. Allen, formerly principal of St. Mary's Hall, Oxford, established a college at Douay for the education of missionary priests in England. He after wards originated another at Rheims ; a similar one was founded at Rome; and these colleges, named Seminaries, were filled chiefly with English Roman Catholic exiles,

The Jesuits desperate men, ready to brave any perils. In 1579, the Jesuits joined them, chief among whom were Robert Persons.

and Edmund Campion, formerly of Oxford. Persons was a fierce bigot; Campion a virtuous man, the pride and boast of Douay for scholarship. In June, 1580, they came to England to make known the modification which Gregory XIII. had made in the bull against Elizabeth—to the effect that it was not to be considered binding, except there was an opportunity for executing it. Such a Jesuitical mission naturally excited the alarm of the English ministers, who, therefore, closely watched the two emissaries, and issued more rigorous proclamations against the Roman Catholics.

All persons who had sent their children be educated to be educated abroad, were required to give in their abroad. names to the bishop of their diocese, and recall them within four months ; and every one was warned against incurring the penalties of treason by harboring a priest or Jesuit.

When parliament assembled (January, 1581), it confirmed these proclamations, and enacted more stringent statutes against reconciliation to Rome.

A penalty of £20 per lunar month was imposed on all Romanists who did not attend the established worship;

and, in default of payment, the Queen was authorized to seize two-thirds of any delinquent's lands, and all his goods.

Link (here)

Engraving is of Campion's martyrdom