John Nelson (martyr)

John Nelson (c. 1534 - 1578) was an English Roman Catholic martyr, executed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Nelson was born in Skelton, Yorkshire. He was raised Protestant but converted to Catholicism, likely during a period of travel to Douai. Upon his return to England, he actively sought to reconcile people to the Catholic faith. Due to the Penal Laws enacted by Elizabeth I, the practice of Catholicism was severely restricted and priests were forbidden to enter England.

Nelson was arrested in London in 1577 for denying the Queen's supremacy over the Church and for possessing a "token," presumed to be a relic or an Agnus Dei. He was imprisoned in Newgate Prison.

During his imprisonment, Nelson maintained his faith and was noted for his piety and refusal to conform to the established Church of England. He was offered opportunities to recant his beliefs and acknowledge the Queen as the Supreme Head of the Church, but he steadfastly refused.

On February 3, 1578, John Nelson was convicted of high treason. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn.

Pope Leo XIII beatified John Nelson in 1886, and he was canonized a saint by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. His feast day is celebrated on May 4th, along with the other Forty Martyrs. He is remembered as an example of unwavering faith in the face of persecution.