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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 May 2017
In an article by Fr. W. K. L. Webb, S.J. in Biographical Studies (Recusant History) vol. 2, pp. 216 ff, Roger Widdrington of Cartington, Northumberland, has been adequately cleared of the misconception which identified him as the author of works put out, under the alias of Roger Widdrington, by Thomas Preston. There is no need, therefore, to dwell further upon this point. The object of the present study is to present a picture of the real Roger Widdrington.
He was born c. 1572, the second son of Edward Widdrington of Swinburne Castle, near Hexham, and Ursula Carnaby. His parents appear to have conformed, and it was as a Protestant that he visited Durham city one day in July 1594, to witness the execution of a seminary priest, now known to us as St John Boste.
‘When the hangman, pulling out Mr. Boast's heart, showed it to the crowd, with a “Behold the heart of a traitor”, a voice was heard to the effect: “No, the heart of a servant of God”. At which Mr. Widdrington of Cartington, who heard the voice, was so struck, that he was thereupon reconciled to the Church’. (Account of the Rev. Mr. Yaxley, which he received from Widdrington Castle.)
1. Challoner, Memoirs of Missionary Priests, 1924 ed., p. 600.
2. Ibid., p. 598.
3. Bain, Border Papers, vol. 2, pp. 184, 187.
4. Ibid., p. 480.
5. John Hodgson, History of Northumberland, Part 2, vol. 2, p. 237.
6. Calendar, Acts of Privy Council (New Series), vol. 28.
7. New History of Northumberland, vol. 3, pp. 65, 102.
8. Recusants Roll E.377/1, Northumberland. (C.R.S. vol. 18, p. 250.)
9. Raine, Test. Dunelm. 1, 177.
10. S.P.14/14/1.
11. E.377/14, Northumbr.
12. Foley, vol. 3, p. 112.
13. N.H.N., vol. 3, p. 104.
13a. E.377/41.
14. E.401/1890 et seq.
14a. Court of High Commission, Durham, 1614-1617, fol.12 (Dean and Chapter Muniments).
14b. G. N. Taylor, The Story of Elsdon, p. 16. These names all appear on the Recusant Roll E.377/25, convicted of recusancy, 21 July 1619.
15. Ct. of H.C., fols. 32,38,46.
15a. S.P.14/87/14 and 89/96.
16. Archaeologia Aeliana, 2nd Ser. vol. 3, p. 195, the Diary of Thomas Chaytor.
17. Ct. of H.C., fol. 75.
18. A.A.W.ll/fols. 7, 325, 331, 351 (1616) and 12/443 (1613). I am indebted to this reference to Dom Maurus Lunn, O.S.B.
19. E.377/25.
20. Cal. A.P.C. 1625-26.
21. Ibid.
22. S.P.16/11/47.
23. Cal. A.P.C. 1625-26, p. 281.
24. S.P.16/12/64.
25. S.P.16/22/115.
26. Cal. A.P.C. loc. cit. p. 393.
27. Ibid.
28. S.P.16/27/114.
29. Cal. A.P.C. June-Dec. 1626, p. 142.
30. Hedley, W. P., Northumberland Families, vol. 2, p. 168.Google Scholar
31. Sir Henry died in 1623, and his heir was a boy of thirteen.
32. Cal. A.P.C. loc. cit. (30 July).
33. Ibid.
34. Patent Roll C.66/2441, no. 7.
35. C.R.S. vol. 53, p. 357.
36. E.377/29.
37. C.R.S. vol. 53, p. 380.
38. C.66/2504, pt. 8 dorsum p. 393.
39. C.R.S. vol. 53, p. 357.
40. Surtees Society, vol. 34, pp. 68 et seq.
41. S.P.16/302/107.
42. S.P.16/397/45.
43. S.P.16/409/207. 410/4, 410/29. 412/62, 413/32m, 414/102, 415/11.
44. Arch. Ael., 3rd Ser. vol. 8, p. 30.
45. N.H.N., vol. 15, p. 477.
46. S.P.16/423/16.
47. S.P.16/423/29.
48. S.P.16/426/38.
49. Surtees Soc, vol. 142, pp. 288 et seq.
50. Ibid.
51. Information received from Dom Maurus Lunn, O.S.B. on MSS. in the Abbey of S. Pietro, Perugia.
