Saint Nicholas Owen, often known as Little John (died 2 March 1606), was an English martyr who built several priest holes in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England. March 2 is the 61st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (62nd in leap years). ... Events January 27 - The trial of Guy Fawkes and other conspirators begins ending in their execution on January 31 May 17 - Supporters of Vasili Shusky invade the Kremlin and kill Premier Dmitri December 26 - Shakespeares King Lear performed in court Storm buries a village of St Ismails near... Historically, a martyr is a person who dies for their convictions or religious faith, such as during the persecution of early Christians in the Roman Empire. ... The concealed entrance to a Priest Hole in Partingdale House, Middlesex (to right of drawing) A priest hole is the term given to hiding places for priests built into many of the principal Middle Ages Roman Catholic houses of England. ... Elizabeth I Queen of England and Ireland Queen of France, nominal title Elizabeth I (September 7, 1533–March 24, 1603) was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from November 17, 1558 until her death. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the British Isles Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st UK...

Little is known of his early life, but it is believed that he was born around 1550 into a devoutly Catholic family. He became a carpenter by trade, and for several years built hiding-places for priests in the homes of Catholic families. He frequently travelled from one house to another, under the name of "Little John", accepting food as payment before starting off for a new project. Events February 7 - Julius III becomes Pope. ... Roman Catholic priest LCDR Allen R. Kuss (USN) aboard USS Enterprise A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ...

Owen was only slightly taller than a dwarf, and suffered from a hernia. Nevertheless, his work often involved breaking through stone, and, to minimize the chances of betrayal, he always worked alone. The exact number of hiding-places he constructed is unknown. Some may be still undiscovered. This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

For some years, Owen worked in the service of the Jesuit priests John Gerard and Henry Garnet. He was admitted into the Society of Jesus as a lay brother. He was first arested in 1582 or 1583, after the execution of Edmund Campion, for declaring his innocence, but later released. He was arrested again in 1594, and was tortured, but revealed nothing. He was released after a wealthy Catholic paid a fine on his behalf, the jailers believing that he was merely an insignificant friend of some priests. He continued his work, and is said to have contrived Father Gerard's escape from the Tower of London in 1597. Henry Garnet or Garnett (1555 - May 3, 1606), English Jesuit, son of Brian Garnett, a schoolmaster at Nottingham, was educated at Winchester and afterwards studied law in London. ... It has been suggested that Brothers of the Society of Jesus be merged into this article or section. ... Lay brothers are Catholic religious occupied solely with manual labour and with the secular affairs of a monastery or friary. ... Events January 15 - Russia cedes Livonia and Estonia to Poland February 24 - Pope Gregory XIII implements the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1583 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... Saint Edmund Campion (1540-1581), Catholic priest, Jesuit and martyr. ... Events February 27 - Henry IV is crowned King of France at Rheims. ... For the film with this title, see Tower of London (1939 film) The Tower of London, seen from the river, with a view of the water gate called Traitors Gate. ... Events 17 January - A court case in Guildford recorded evidence that a certain plot of land was used for playing “kreckett” (i. ...

Early in 1606, Owen was arrested again in Hindlip Hall in Worcestershire, giving himself up voluntarily in order to distract attention from priests who were hiding nearby. Under English law, he was exempt from torture, as he had been maimed a few years previously, when a horse fell on him. Nevertheless, he was racked until he died, having betrayed nothing. Father Gerard wrote of him: "I verily think no man can be said to have done more good of all those who laboured in the English vineyard. . . . He was the immediate occasion of saving the lives of many hundreds of persons, both ecclesiastical and secular." The exact date of his death is not known; some sources give 2 March, while others place his death in November 1606. Events January 27 - The trial of Guy Fawkes and other conspirators begins ending in their execution on January 31 May 17 - Supporters of Vasili Shusky invade the Kremlin and kill Premier Dmitri December 26 - Shakespeares King Lear performed in court Storm buries a village of St Ismails near... Worcestershire (pronounced ; abbreviated Worcs) is a county located in the West Midlands region of central England. ... The Iron Maiden of Nuremberg is an infamous and rarely used torture device. ... The rack is a torture device. ... March 2 is the 61st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (62nd in leap years). ...

Saint Nicholas Owen was canonized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales by Pope Paul VI on October 25, 1970. His feast day, along with that of the other thirty-nine martyrs, is on October 25. Canonization is the process of declaring someone a saint and involves proving that a candidate has lived in such a way that he or she is worthy of sainthood. ... The Forty Martyrs of England and Wales are a group of Christian martyrs who were canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI to represent the Catholics martyred in England and Wales between 1535 and 1679. ... Pope Paul VI (Latin: ), born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini (September 26, 1897 – August 6, 1978), reigned as Pope and as sovereign of Vatican City from 1963 to 1978. ... October 25 is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 67 days remaining. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... October 25 is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 67 days remaining. ...