Blessed James Duckett

James Duckett (died 19 April 1602) was an English Catholic layman and martyr, executed at Tyburn for printing Catholic devotionals. James Duckett was born at Gilfortrigs in the parish of Skelsmergh in Westmorland at an unknown date. Brought up a Protestant, he was converted by a book: a friend of his, Peter Mauson lent him The Foundation of the Catholic Religion while Duckett was serving his apprenticeship to a book printer in London, and he decided to become a Catholic. He was twice imprisoned for not attending the Protestant services, first in Bridewell, then in the compter. Both times his employer interceded and got him freed. But then the employer asked James to find a job elsewhere. He was received into the Catholic Church by an old priest named Weekes who was imprisoned in the Gatehouse at Westminster. Two or three years later, about 1590, he married a Catholic widow, Anne Hart. Out of his twelve years of married life, nine were spent in prison for his new faith. Their son later became a Carthusian monk and recorded much of what we know about his father. Duckett made his living at that time as a tailor, also making garments, vestments, and altar linens for priests. He was active in propagating Catholic literature. His house was searched, and upon finding a press and copies of Our Lady's Psalter, Ducket was confined to The Clink on St. Thomas' Day before Christmas. He then spent two years in Newgate Prison before being released on bond. Ten weeks later his house was searched again, and although Duckett was able to leave by the back door, he later surrendered to protect those who had posted his bond. He was then sent to The Clink. He was briefly released at the petition of two Protestant midwives when his wife went into labor, but subsequently picked up when it was found that he had sent some English and Latin primers to a bookbinder. He was again released, two knights of the shire going surety for him.