THE TESTIMONY OF CONSCIENCE
Blessed William Howard - Layman
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| Arundel Castle © 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint Philip Howard' DVD |
He was a son of Thomas, Earl of Arundel, and grandson of Saint Philip Howard, and he married Mary, sister of the last Baron Stafford, through whom he had his title, Viscount Stafford. During the Civil War he suffered for his loyalty to King Charles, but bore himself with the courage and constancy proper to his birth and faith, though he was of a litigious disposition. After the Restoration he lived in peace and happiness with his wife and children till his sixty-sixth year, when he was accused by Oates as being a party to the "plot". Knowing his own innocence, he made no change in his manner of life, and was arrested. After two years in the Tower he was brought to trial before the House of Lords.
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| Saint Philip Howard - William's grandfather - also held in the Tower © 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint Philip Howard' DVD |
For four days the prosecuting lawyers assailed him, producing some very scoundrelly witnesses, and the force of his integrity exposed the falsehood of his accusers. Nevertheless, he was condemned by thirty-five peers against thirty-one. Three weeks passed before his execution, and he gave much care to the making of his will; in it he movingly expressed his willingness to part from his "most deserving wife and most dutiful children" at God's call:
"Receive, therefore, most dear Jesus, this voluntary oblation."
He was recommended to wear a cloak on the way to the block, to which he assented, "Let", said he, "I shake from cold, but never from fear."
He was beheaded on Tower Hill on 29th December, St Thomas of Canterbury's day, 1680.
"Our glory is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity of heart ... we have conversed in this world." - 2 Cor. 1, 12.
Reading for 29th December
Mementoes of the Martyrs and Confessors of England and Wales
by Henry Sebastian Bowden of the Oratory
Our DVD about Blessed William Howard's grandfather
Saint Philip Howard - English Martyr
Saint Philip of Arundel:
St. Philip Howard was the Earl of Arundel in West Sussex where his beautiful castle stands today. The castle is featured in this film. He was also Queen Elizabeth I's cousin. St. Philip became a Catholic during a troubled time in Elizabethan England. He loved to pray and was able to keep his beloved dog with him in the Tower of London. His shrine is in Arundel Cathedral and his life gives us an inspiring story of kindness and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. St. Philip tells his story in his own words with beautiful contemplative music composed in a medieval and contemporary style.
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 Elizabethan Saint.
Length and Format:
The film runs for 30 minutes and is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.
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