Saint Winifred and her Well

Saint Winifred or Saint Winefride (Welsh: Gwenffrewi; Latin: Vinefrida) is a 7th-century Welsh Catholic Saint. Her life of virtue, prayer and joy affected all who met or knew her. She was tutored by her uncle, the holy Saint Bueno and consecrated her life to God. Her encounter with a prince saw her flee his impious intentions and many miracles occur. A healing spring at the site of her decapitation and restoration is now a shrine and pilgrimage site called St Winefride's Well in Holywell, Flintshire, Wales and known as the Lourdes of Wales.

Saint Winifred flees from Prince Caradoc
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this inspiring Saint.

Prince Caradoc arrives at the home of St. Winifred, seeking refreshment from the hunt
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions



For our film about Saint Winifred we recreated some key moments in her life with friends and parishioners in the barn attached to our parish church. We also went on location to Petworth Park among the fallow deer to film St. Winifred's escape from the Prince and also her prayerful, meditative walks. The original music in the film is uplifting and contemplative and the scenery and visuals are reflective, absorbing and beautiful. The portrayals do not have dialogue but run beneath the narrative and score. The film is a spiritual encounter with the story of Saint Winifred as she gives us insight into the beautiful witness she has left.

 

Saint Winifred and her Well is vailable on DVD through www.marysdowryproductions.org/shop/

 

Blessed Francisco Marto - Filming day for Bl. Francisco Marto film, Mary's Dowry Productions, EWTN, Fatima

Francisco Marto (June 11, 1908 – April 4, 1919), his sister Jacinta Marto (March 11, 1910 – February 20, 1920), also known as Blessed Francisco Marto and Blessed Jacinta Marto, and their cousin Lúcia Santos (1907–2005) were children from Aljustrel near Fátima, Portugal, who said they witnessed three apparitions of an angel in 1916 and several apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1917. Mary was given the title Our Lady of Fátima as a result, and Fátima became a major centre of world Christian pilgrimage.

 

Screenshot from 'Blessed Francisco Marto'
© Mary's Dowry Productions

 

Mary's Dowry Productions filmed visuals for Blessed Francisco Marto in 2010. These visuals are prayerful and gentle images that run beneath a narration with original music. The story of Blessed Francisco is very inspiring and important.

 

Blessed Francisco often thought about the Light of God
Screenshot from 'Blessed Francisco Marto'
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

 In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this inspiring Blessed.

 

In prison, Blessed Francisco with a prisoner having told him to
remove his hat when he prayed
Screenshot from 'Blessed Francisco Marto'
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

Mary's Dowry Productions recreated backdrops from key moments in Blessed Francisco Marto's story, such as the visit of the Angel of Peace, the visits of Our Lady of Fatima, his time in prison, his prayers and penances and his final days.

 

Blessed Francisco receives his first and last Holy Communion
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

The film is a prayerful encounter with Blessed Francisco Marto despite being full of information and details from his life.

 

Blessed Francisco spent many hours before 'the hidden Jesus'
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Blessed Francisco Marto'

Blessed Francisco of Fatima is available on DVD through Mary's Dowry Productions:

www.marysdowryproductions.org/shop/

We ship worldwide, all region formats. As seen on EWTN

 

Saint Edmund Campion Mary's Dowry Productions, filming day, screenshot, EWTN, Jesuit priest, English Martyr

St. Edmund Campion: A Hero Returns

Although he defended the Catholic Faith in Elizabethan England with outstanding writings that captured many audiences including the most powerful of the courts, St. Edmund Campion was a man of intense faith, prayer and hope.  From his early life he sought the Truth, left his high position as Queen Elizabeth I's favourite, travelled Europe and returned to England to bring the Mass  to the people in a hostile environment. his prayer, devotion and love of God shines out in his own words.

Saint Edmund Campion returns to England
Screenshot from 'St. Edmund Campion'
© Mary's Dowry Productions

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this inspiring Elizabethan Saint.

Saint Edmund Campion travels throughout England with Brother Ralph
Screenshot from 'St. Edmund Campion'
© 2008 Mary's Dowry Productions

Mary's Dowry Productions recreated key moments from the life of Saint Edmund Campion in order to invite the viewer of our film on his life to enter prayerfully and thoughtfully with him on his journey. An informative yet spiritual narrative runs over the visuals that we recreated, accompanied by contemplative original music especially written for the film, fusing medieval, contemporary sounds. If you are not used to viewing film in a prayerful, spiritual way, this is a fascinating experience and an encounter with Saint Edmund Campion that invited you to forget the usual style of film making and peer through a window into the heart and mind of one of our English Saints.

A secret Mass in a forest during missionary travels.
Screenshot from 'St. Edmund Campion'
© 2008 Mary's Dowry Productions

Saint Edmund Campion tells his own story using his own words, many of which have been taken from his brag and Ten Reasons. His spirit of prayer, joy and love of God shines through in his writings and with prayerful meditation we can encounter his spirit and mission.

Saint Edmund Campion was a man of prayerful mission with a message of hope
Screenshot from 'St. Edmund Campion'
© 2008 Mary's Dowry Productions

Length and Format:

Our film runs for 1 hour and 5 minutes and is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

Available through www.marysdowryproductions.org/shop/

Holy Spirit of PEACE CD, contemplative Catholic music, Christian music, fusions, Holy Spirit, Mary's Dowry Productions, Peace, Calm

Ten beautiful tracks written with prayer in mind, to draw the listener in and to bring calm to the soul. A new series of CDS called 'Holy Spirit Music Series' especially written by Bernadette who does all of the music on the films for Mary's Dowry Productions.

These ten tracks are based upon God the Holy Spirit's gift of Peace.

Track listing:

1) Seeking after God

2) The Prince of Peace

3) Peace in Death

4) God Blesses with Peace

5) Peace I leave you

6) Let not your heart be troubled

7) Be not afraid

8) Resting with the God of Peace

9) Peace Not of This World

10) Tranquility in the Soul

The album runs for 42 minutes and focusses upon the peaceful attributes of God the Holy Spirit through reflective use of piano and strings and accompanying instruments such as cello, flute and acoustic guitar.

Available from our online shop:

www.marysdowryproductions.org

Final St. Polydore Plasden film

Saint Polydore Plasden was a young Elizabethan priest who was executed at Tyburn.

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this inspiring Elizabethan Saint.

Screenshot from 'St. Polydore Plasden'
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

Our film recreates several key moments from the life of Saint Polydore Plasden which run silently beneath a narrative where he tells us the journey of his life and mission during the troubled days of Elizabethan England.

Saint Polydore Plasden had such a love for God and people that he longed to be able to share it with others. He was especially devoted to the Eucharist. He became a Catholic priest in order to offer Mass for people during a troubled time in England's history.

Saint Polydore Plasden travelled England in disguise in order
to avoid capture. He stayed at the home of Saint Swithun Wells
in London in order to offer Mass for the people
Screenshot from 'St. Polydore Plasden'
© Mary's Dowry Productions 2010

Saint Polydore Plasden's joy and kindness touched all who encountered him. He shared the Gospel with many and worked without sleep many times, travelling to homes and offering Mass and hearing Confession. He was only 28 when the authorities eventually caught up with him. His spirit of prayer and gentle aspect infuriated the Queen's priest hunter Richard Topcliffe who locked Saint Polydore up in the Tower of London before his trial.

Despite being roughly treated, Saint Polydore's kindness and joy
was evident in his prayerful manner and peace.
Screenshot from 'St. Polydore Plasden'
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

We filmed many moments from Saint Polydore's life including his prayerful time on the English Mission, offering Mass, peace and patience in prison and his final days. For our scenes were recreated backdrops with friends and parishioners in the barn and courtyard attached to our parish church. These images run beneath St. Polydore's narration with original contemplative and uplifting music in an Elizabethan and contemporary style. Despite being full of information, details and facts, our film is aimed at a spiritual encounter with Saint Polydore Plasden in a manner of prayer.

A secret Mass in a secret room in the home of
St. Swithun Wells
Screenshot from 'St. Polydore Plasden'
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

Saint Polydore Plasden has left us an inspiring and relevant example of love, joy and peace in the Gospel especially during troubled times.

Our DVD about Saint Polydore Plasden is available in all region formats and ships worldwide:

 

Available through www.marysdowryproductions,org/shop/

Key words:

The English Martyrs, the Tyburn Tree, Tyburn gallows, Tower of London, recusant Catholic, Old Bailey, Saint Anne Line, Saint Edmund Campion, Ten Reasons, recusants, hurdle, rack, Popish plot, Society of Jesus, English Mission, Catholic Martyrs, Tyborn, Marian priests, Henry VIII, trial, Westminster, fines, rosary, devotional candles, St. Margaret Clitherow, Act of Supremacy, Act of Succession, execution, Jesuits, birettas, Treason, Plots, noose, the Gunpowder Plot, the counter-reformation, Catholic England, hanged, drawn and quartered, priest at the gallows, medieval torture, The English Reformation, Catholics until the Emancipation, English Martyrs, the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, Protestant Reformation, Bridewell, Dissolution of the Monasteries, London bridge, Scavenger’s Daughter, Judas Chair, thumbscrews, martyrdom, Bell Tower, Eucharist, Catholic Sacraments, hangman, priest holes, safe houses, John Gerard, Medieval taverns, secret Mass, relics, medieval prison, Little Ease, Beast Market, stocks, beheading, Parliament, Queen Elizabeth I, manacles, Faith, fleas, rats, Topcliffe, ravens, chopping block, beheading axe, vestments, hidden room, Samuel Pepys, the plague, Henry Morse, city gates, castle walls, 40 Martyrs, traitor’s gate, persecution, Tudor Monarchy, Douai, Rheims, heroic sacrifice, Queen Elizabeth I, Cranmer, Book of Common Prayer, cauldron, pikes, betrayal, priest hunters, heretics, priest catchers, Papal Bull, Statue 27 Elizabeth.

Final St. Margaret Ward film

 

In 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions recreated some key moments from the life of English Saint Margaret Ward.

 

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this inspiring Elizabethan Saint.

 

Saint Margaret Ward assists with the underground Catholic Church
in Elizabethan England
Screenshot from 'St. Margaret Ward'
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

 

For our film about Saint Margaret Ward we went to the Weald and Downland Museum near Chichester where we filmed inside an original 16th century farmhouse, showing Saint Margaret at prayer, planning missions and preparing to assist imprisoned priests.

Saint Margaret Ward was a young Catholic Elizabethan woman who lived during a troubled time in English history. She loved the Catholic Church, priests and all around her and especially wished to assist those in need of relief.

Saint Margaret Ward enlists the help of boatman John Roche
to assist with the escape of a Catholic priest
Screenshot from 'St. Margaret Ward'
© Mary's Dowry Productions



Although the times were dangerous, Saint Margaret Ward had a courage and joyful spirit. She bravely placed others before herself in order to render them help.

 

The jailer of Bridewell prison and his wife allowed St. Margaret Ward
to visit condemned priests. Secretly she smuggled in rope to help them escape.
Screenshot from 'St. Margaret Ward'
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

  Saint Margaret Ward's story is one of hope and joy during difficult times. She is an English Martyr and a Catholic Saint of England.

 

Our film about Saint Margaret Ward offers an informative but spiritual encounter with this beloved Saint and inspiring Elizabethan woman.

 

Available through  www.marysdowryproductions.org/shop/

English Martyr Key words:

The English Martyrs, the Tyburn Tree, Tyburn gallows, Tower of London, recusant Catholic, Old Bailey, Saint Anne Line, Saint Edmund Campion, Ten Reasons, recusants, hurdle, rack, Popish plot, Society of Jesus, English Mission, Catholic Martyrs, Tyborn, Marian priests, Henry VIII, trial, Westminster, fines, rosary, devotional candles, St. Margaret Clitherow, Act of Supremacy, Act of Succession, execution, Jesuits, birettas, Treason, Plots, noose, the Gunpowder Plot, the counter-reformation, Catholic England, hanged, drawn and quartered, priest at the gallows, medieval torture, The English Reformation, Catholics until the Emancipation, English Martyrs, the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, Protestant Reformation, Bridewell, Dissolution of the Monasteries, London bridge, Scavenger’s Daughter, Judas Chair, thumbscrews, martyrdom, Bell Tower, Eucharist, Catholic Sacraments, hangman, priest holes, safe houses, John Gerard, Medieval taverns, secret Mass, relics, medieval prison, Little Ease, Beast Market, stocks, beheading, Parliament, Queen Elizabeth I, manacles, Faith, fleas, rats, Topcliffe, ravens, chopping block, beheading axe, vestments, hidden room, Samuel Pepys, the plague, Henry Morse, city gates, castle walls, 40 Martyrs, traitor’s gate, persecution, Tudor Monarchy, Douai, Rheims, heroic sacrifice, Queen Elizabeth I, Cranmer, Book of Common Prayer, cauldron, pikes, betrayal, priest hunters, heretics, priest catchers, Papal Bull, Statue 27 Elizabeth.

Saint Nicholas Owen DVD release. The Priest Hole Maker

Released in 2010 - a DVD produced by Mary's Dowry Productions on the fascinating life and mission of one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, Saint Nicholas Owen.

Saint Nicholas Owen emerges from one of his priest holes,
hoping to spare the Jesuit priests also concealed in the house.
Screenshot from 'St. Nicholas Owen - the Priest Hole Maker'
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

 In 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions filmed some key moments from the life of Saint Nicholas Owen using costumed portrayals, sets, backdrops, on location and scenes. These were done to run silently beneath the narrative of Saint Nicholas Owen telling his story, accompanied by beautifully contemplative and uplifting music composed by Bernadette Bevans. The film offers a prayerful encounter with Saint Nicholas Owen and although it is filled with information and historical context it is first and foremost a spiritual film.

Saint Nicholas Owen measures for a priest hole in a home.
© Mary's Dowry Productions 2010

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this inspiring Catholic Saint.

The film is available on DVD in all region formats worldwide from our online shop.

www.marysdowryproductions.org/shop

English Martyrs Key Words:

The English Martyrs, the Tyburn Tree, Tyburn gallows, Tower of London, recusant Catholic, Old Bailey, Saint Anne Line, Saint Edmund Campion, Ten Reasons, recusants, hurdle, rack, Popish plot, Society of Jesus, English Mission, Catholic Martyrs, Tyborn, Marian priests, Henry VIII, trial, Westminster, fines, rosary, devotional candles, St. Margaret Clitherow, Act of Supremacy, Act of Succession, execution, Jesuits, birettas, Treason, Plots, noose, the Gunpowder Plot, the counter-reformation, Catholic England, hanged, drawn and quartered, priest at the gallows, medieval torture, The English Reformation, Catholics until the Emancipation, English Martyrs, the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, Protestant Reformation, Bridewell, Dissolution of the Monasteries, London bridge, Scavenger’s Daughter, Judas Chair, thumbscrews, martyrdom, Bell Tower, Eucharist, Catholic Sacraments, hangman, priest holes, safe houses, John Gerard, Medieval taverns, secret Mass, relics, medieval prison, Little Ease, Beast Market, stocks, beheading, Parliament, Queen Elizabeth I, manacles, Faith, fleas, rats, Topcliffe, ravens, chopping block, beheading axe, vestments, hidden room, Samuel Pepys, the plague, Henry Morse, city gates, castle walls, 40 Martyrs, traitor’s gate, persecution, Tudor Monarchy, Douai, Rheims, heroic sacrifice, Queen Elizabeth I, Cranmer, Book of Common Prayer, cauldron, pikes, betrayal, priest hunters, heretics, priest catchers, Papal Bull, Statue 27 Elizabeth.

Well Known Saints Volume Three DVD, Saint Thomas More, Lucy, Peter, Bernadette, Martin de Porres, Matthew and Joan of Arc, Catechetical, Catholic Saints, DVD

In the latest volume of our DVD series, the lives of seven more well known Saints of the Catholic Church are presented using imagery, art, narration, photographs and film.
Volume Three gives an encounter with the lives of:

Saint Thomas More

Saint Lucy

Saint Peter

Saint Bernadette

Saint Martin de Porres

Saint Matthew

and Saint Joan of Arc

These films are excellent for use in Confirmation classes. They present the life and heroic virtue of these inspiring Catholic men and women to all ages and allow for a good encounter in a DVD medium. Great also for children, families and schools.
 Available from www.marysdowryproductions.org.

Gifts of the Spirit DVD, resource, Fruits of the Holy Spirit, Precepts, Beatitudes, Seven Sacraments and Gifts, Mary's Dowry Productions, Confirmation

Gifts of the Spirit presents five original mini movies with narration, text, sacred art and imagery giving the information about the Seven Sacraments, The Fruits of the Holy Spirit, the Precepts of the Catholic Church, The Beatitudes and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
 A resource for people desiring information about these five vital workings of the Holy Spirit in the Catholic Church.
Available from www.marysdowryproductions.org

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with these informative and inspiring mini movies. Visit our website to view our full range of DVDs.

Saints of England: Volume Two, Saints Thomas Becket, Dunstan, Margaret Ward, Wulfstan, Ethelbert of Kent, Werburgh, Nicholas Owen, DVD, Catholic Saints, Mary's Dowry Productions

A new release from Mary's Dowry Productions - Saints of England: Volume Two.
Containing seven five minute biographies of English Saints, these DVDS have been requested by priests and teachers for schools and Confirmation candidates to give a quick and absorbing encounter with the lives of known and unknown Saints.
 Volume Two presents:

Saint Thomas Becket

Saint Dunstan

Saint Margaret Ward

Saint Wulfstan

Saint Ethelbert of Kent

Saint Werburgh

Saint Nicholas Owen

A lovely and inspiring way to get to know these fascinating lives of English Catholic Saints.
Out now at:

www.marysdowryproductions.org

Coming soon: Well Known Saints: Volume Three.

Saint Anne Line Film

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this inspiring Elizabethan Saint.

 

Saint Anne Line was a young Elizabethan woman with a spirit of joy and love for God and those around her. She longed to serve the Catholic Church and especially priests during the troubled days of Elizabethan England.

 

Saint Anne Line at prayer in one of the Safe Houses that
she cared for
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

In 2010, Mary's Dowry Productions carefully produced visuals to run silently beneath the narrative of Saint Anne Line's story. These visuals were filmed at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum near Chichester and on especially built sets in the barn next to our parish church.

 

Saint Anne Line arrives at a Safe House
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

The film is a prayerful journey with Saint Anne Line who tells us her story.

 

'Saint Anne Line' by Mary's Dowry Productions is available through our online shop:

www.marysdowryproductions.org/shop/

English Martyrs Key Words:

Old Bailey, Saint Anne Line, Saint Edmund Campion, Ten Reasons, recusants, hurdle, rack, Popish plot, Society of Jesus, English Mission, Catholic Martyrs, Tyborn, Bridewell, Dissolution of the Monasteries, London bridge, Scavenger’s Daughter, Judas Chair, Act of Supremacy, Act of Succession, execution, Jesuits, birettas, Treason, Plots, noose, the Gunpowder Plot, the counter-reformation, Catholic England, hanged, drawn and quartered, priest at the gallows, medieval torture, The English Reformation, Catholics until the Emancipation, English Martyrs, the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, Protestant Reformation, thumbscrews, martyrdom, Bell Tower, Eucharist, Catholic Sacraments, hangman, priest holes, safe houses, John Gerard, Medieval taverns, secret Mass, relics, medieval prison, Little Ease, Beast Market, stocks, beheading, Parliament, Queen Elizabeth I, manacles, Faith, fleas, rats, Topcliffe, ravens, chopping block, beheading axe, vestments, hidden room, Samuel Pepys, the plague, Henry Morse, city gates, castle walls, 40 Martyrs, traitor’s gate, persecution, Tudor Monarchy, Douai, Rheims, heroic sacrifice, Queen Elizabeth I, Cranmer, Book of Common Prayer, cauldron, pikes, betrayal, priest hunters, heretics, priest catchers, Papal Bull, Statue 27 Elizabeth.The English Martyrs, the Tyburn Tree, Tyburn gallows, Tower of London, recusant Catholic, Marian priests, Henry VIII, trial, Westminster, fines, rosary, devotional candles, St. Margaret Clitherow

The notorious Richard Topcliffe - Queen Elizabeth's 'interrogator'

Richard Topcliffe, infamous hater of priests, torturer of many historical figures known and lesser known such as Jesuit Robert Southwell, John Gerard and Henry Garnet, Swithun Wells, Edmund Gennings and Polydore Plasden. 
Richard Topcliffe features in many films about the lives of the English Martyrs especially 28 year old priest Polydore Plasden who was tortured and eventually hanged at the infamous triple Tyburn tree despite the attempted intervention of Sir Walter Raleigh. He also hunted poet and priest St. Robert Southwell with a grim determination to see the young man executed for his missionary spirit.

Screenshot from our 2015 film about Saint Robert Southwell
Showing Richard Topcliff in the Tower of London
© Mary's Dowry Productions 2015

"A veteran in evil".

Richard Topcliffe also interrogated Ben Jonson in August 1597 in investigations into Jonson's suppressed play, The Isle of Dogs

Mary's Dowry Productions is a Catholic film production apostolate based in England. 
Selected films have been broadcast on SKY, BBC1 and EWTN. 
Many films featuring Topcliff are available on DVD through
www.marysdowryproductions.org/shop/

In our films Queen Elizabeth's priest hunter, who oversaw the executions of the above Martyrs, as well as many others, is covered well.

 In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with our Saints and Martyrs.

Richard Topcliffe on Wikipedia:

Richard Topcliffe (14 November 1531 – 1604) was a landowner and Member of Parliament during the reign of Elizabeth I of England. He became notorious as a priest-hunter and torturer and was often referred to as the Queen's principal "interrogator".

Topcliffe entered the service of the Queen's secretary, William Cecil in the 1570s, and worked for Sir Francis Walsingham and the Privy Council. However, he regarded his authority as deriving directly from the Queen.

Topcliffe was a fanatical persecutor of Catholics and the Catholic Church, and was involved in the interrogation and torture of many priests and laity, at a time when all Catholics were accused of actively seeking to overthrow the ruling Anglican establishment of England in order to return England to Catholicism.

Richard Topcliffe during the trial of St Robert Southwell
Screenshot from our film 'St. Robert Southwell'
© Mary's Dowry Productions 2015

Topcliffe gained a reputation as a sadistic torturer who frequently played mind games with prisoners under interrogation. He claimed that his own instruments and methods were better than the official ones, and was authorized to create a torture chamber in his home in London. He also involved himself directly in the execution of sentences of death upon Catholic recusants, which involved hanging, drawing and quartering.

Topcliffe arrested Polydore Plasden and Edmund Gennings during a secret Mass at St. Swithun Wells' house in Gray's Inn Lane. On the day of their execution, Richard Topcliffe rode first to the gallows especially erected outside Swithun's house, where he was so enraged by the 24 year old Fr. Edmund Gennings that he had the ladder turned quickly so that Gennings hung and then ordered the executioner to cut him down not a moment later so that when the executioner cut out Gennings' heart, Edmund was still alive.

 Swithun was cheerful as he stepped up to die for his faith and told Topcliffe to hurry up and that he should be ashamed to keep an old man waiting in his shirt in the cold. Topcliffe waited until he had seen Swithun hanged and then rode fast to Tyburn where Eustace White and Polydore were to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

 

Sir Walter Raleigh insisted that Polydore Plasden hang until he was dead before he was disembowelled, but Eustace suffered the same fate as Edmund Gennings and was alive when they disembowelled him.

 

These Martyrs dealt face to face with a great persecutor of Catholicism in Elizabethan England and showed great courage and determination to the very end.

 

 

 

Individual films on these Martyrs are now available through Mary's Dowry Productions
(our online shop):

www.marysdowryproductions.org/shop/

Our films seek to offer a spiritual encounter with our Saints and Martyrs in the context of history and faith.

 

NEW St. Anne Line film

From Mary's Dowry Productions, a new film on St. Anne Line, English Catholic Martyr, who was hanged at Tyburn in 1601 for hiding a Catholic priest. 

Visit our website for more information and to buy this DVD available in all Region Formats

www.marysdowryproductions.org/shop/

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this inspiring Elizabethan Saint.

Saint Anne Line prepares a room in a Safe House for Mass.
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

 

Our film is told in Saint Anne Line's own words, taking us on a journey of faith, hope and joy as she gave her time to prayer and in service of the Catholic Church in Elizabethan England.

Saint Anne Line was raised as a Calvanist. When she and her brother converted to the Catholic Faith they were disowned by her father. She found a kindred spirit in Catholic Roger Line whom she married. Upon her journey, Saint Anne and Roger were separated when Roger was arrested for attending an outlawed Mass. He was exiled and he and Anne never saw one another again in this world.

 

Recusant Catholic Roger Line, husband of Saint Anne Line
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'St. Anne Line'

 Saint Anne Line continued to share the Faith with those around her, bringing joy and a spirit of prayer to many. She looked after Safe Houses where priests could shelter during the troubled days of Elizabethan England. Her story is one of hope and love.

 

 

Father Mark Barkworth praises Saint Anne Line as they await
execution at Tyburn, London.
© Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'St. Anne Line'



Our film about Saint Anne Line is available on DVD through:

www.marysdowryproductions.org

 

Saint Anne Line film update

Our film about saint Anne Line, completed in 2010, in available on DVD through Mary's Dowry Productions. 

Saint Anne Line was an Elizabethan woman whose great love for the Catholic faith in England shone out in her kind and prayerful spirit. She loved to assist priests and looked after safe houses for them as they travelled England during the troubled times after the reformation.

Saint Anne Line lived a live of prayer and charity, being a light of joy and spiritual love for all who met her. She joyfully accepted the Will of God in every moment of her life and gave a beautiful witness of love for God and her friends that is especially relevant in our own days.

Our film about Saint Anne Line is available worldwide in all region formats on DVD:

www.marysdowryproductions.org/shop/

 

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this inspiring Elizabethan Saint.

 

Saint Anne Line (c.1563 – 27 February 1601) was an English Catholic martyr. After losing her husband she became very active in sheltering clandestine Catholic priests, which was illegal in the reign of Elizabeth I. Finally arrested, she was condemned to death and executed for harbouring a priest. Considered as a martyr by the Catholic Church she was canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI. Liturgically she is commemorated on 27 February.

Key words

 

Safe houses, priests, saints, Anne Line, English Martyr, Rosary, Tyburn Gallows, Elizabethan, Gerard, Jesuits, London, Scapular, Weald and Downland, England, Prayer, sacrifice, gallows, hanged, Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth, recusant, Roger Line, priests

Jesuits, Birettas, Priest Holes and St. Nicholas Owen

The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu, S.J., SJ or SI) is a male religious congregation of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits. The society is engaged in evangelization and apostolic ministry in 112 nations on six continents. Jesuits work in education (founding schools, colleges, universities and seminaries), intellectual research, and cultural pursuits. Jesuits also give retreats, minister in hospitals and parishes, and promote social justice and ecumenical dialogue.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola founded the society after being wounded in battle and experiencing a religious conversion. He composed the Spiritual Exercises to help others follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. In 1534, Ignatius and six other young men, including Francis Xavier and Peter Faber, gathered and professed vows of poverty, chastity, and later obedience, including a special vow of obedience to the Pope in matters of mission direction and assignment. Ignatius's plan of the order's organization was approved by Pope Paul III in 1540 by a bull containing the "Formula of the Institute".

Saint Nicholas Owen measures the wall inside a house in order
to built his ingenious priest hole.
Screenshot from 'St. Nicholas Owen'
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

In England, during the troubled days following the reformation, the Jesuits played a very important part in bringing the outlawed sacraments to the English people.
Many young English men travelled abroad to train as priests and Jesuits and return to England to bring the Gospel back to the people.
Saint Nicholas Owen was a Jesuit layman who travelled with the Jesuits constructing secret rooms and priest holes up and down England.

St. Henry Garnets and the Jesuits hide Nicholas Owen before
they too conceal themselves in priest holes as the
house is raided in the aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot
Screenshot from 'St. Nicholas Owen'
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions

St. Nicholas Owen's fascinating, spiritual and evangelical life of priest hole making is looked at in this DVD available through our online shop: www.marysdowryproductions.org/shop/
 

 Fr. Henry Garnett, Superior to the Jesuits in England until his capture and execution during the reign of King James I was arrested with St. Nicholas Owen.

 The Jesuits hid in one of his priest holes in the aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot.

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this inspiring English Saint.