Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Friday, 30 January 2026

Ven. Mary Ward

 
The Catholic World Report has an article today about Venerable Mary Ward ( 1585-1645 ) the Yorkshire born 
recusant pioneer in educating girls and in developing an un-enclosed Order for women. Controversial both during her life and after her death, she is far better known on the continent than in her home country. She died on this day in 1645 at Heworth outside York. The city was under siege at the time and she was buried in the nearby churchyard at Osbaldwick.

The Catholic World Report article makes a good case for a sensible understanding of this clearly determined Catholic Yorkshirewoman and it can be read at The truth about Venerable Mary Ward, proto-religious sister and future Saint

I would recommend also reading in conjunction with it the Wikipedia account of her which gives more detail and context for her remarkable life, such as having three uncles involved in the Gunpowder Plot and walking several times to Rome to defend her ideas before the Pope and Cardinals. It can be accessed at Mary_Ward_(nun)

Venerable Mary Ward pray for us


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