A Knight of Malta who joined the Order on Malta in 1553. He returned to England in 1540 and was soon arrested on a charge of treason. The writ against him claimed that in Malta “He
denied that King Henry was supreme head of the Church of England and that he called the King a heretic.” The accusation was laid by a fellow knight, Sir Philip Babington, and
Gonson was condemned by Bill of Attainder and was executed by being hanged, drawn and quartered at St. Thomas Waterings on 12th July 1541.
From Church of the Most Blessed Blood
1553 seems to be the wrong date, unless joining the order was posthumous. Perhaps it is meant that Blessed Gonson’s remains were transported to Malta and he was interred there.
What a waste of ordained men, holy lay people, beautiful houses of God and ancient manuscripts during the period of persecution.
It appears to be a typo in the original article. He joined the Knights of Malta on October 20, 1533.