Hanged at York for the “crime” of being a Catholic priest. He was sentenced to being hanged, drawn and quartered. A gentleman on horseback made the executioners wait until Blessed Rawlins was dead from the hanging, and then had them lower his body with a rope so that it would not touch the ground. On the same day and place Saint Henry Walpole was also executed. The same mercy of death by hanging was extended to him.
Saint of the Day Quote: Blessed Alexander Rawlins
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
The gentleman on horseback is intruinguing. Who was he? How did he persuade the executioners to leave Blessed Alexander and St Henry hung by the neck until dead before the gruesome drawing and quartering? Was it with coin? Or was the mystery gentleman of some influence because of his station? Or was it an angelic messenger?
Also what did lowering the body so as not to touch the ground rather than the customary cutting and dropping the body to the ground signify?
Respect presumably.
Who was he?
Probably a local squire of some influence.