Edward Powell (martyr)

Edward Powell (c. 1478 – 30 July 1540) was a Welsh Roman Catholic priest and martyr executed during the reign of King Henry VIII of England. He is venerated as a Blessed by the Catholic Church.

Powell studied at Oxford University, becoming a Doctor of Divinity. He was known as a learned and eloquent preacher, and enjoyed the favor of King Henry VIII in the earlier part of the King's reign. He served as chaplain to Queen Catherine of Aragon and staunchly defended the validity of Henry's marriage to her when the King sought an annulment.

Powell publicly preached against the King's divorce and his claim to be Supreme Head of the Church of England. His opposition led to his imprisonment in the Tower of London. He was attainted for treason in 1534, although he was not executed at that time.

In 1540, he was implicated in the case of Thomas Cromwell and others, although the exact nature of his involvement remains unclear. He was accused of treasonous correspondence and harboring seditious opinions. Along with Thomas Abel and Richard Fetherston, Powell was condemned to death.

He was executed on 30 July 1540 at Smithfield, London. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered. He, along with Abel and Fetherston, were beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1895. His feast day is celebrated on July 30.