COPYRIGHTED

BY REV. W. GLEESON,

1880.

Stereotyped and Printed at
THE NEW YORK CATHOLIC PROTECTORY.

West Chester, N. Y.

ΤΟ

THE REV. MICHAEL MORIARTY,

ROCHDALE, ENGLAND,

THIS WORK

IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Persecution of the Catholics in England from Henry's revolt down

to the accession of William-The king made supreme

head of the Church-The bishops subscribe to the act of

supremacy-Suppression of the religious houses-The plunder

obtained in this way-Henry dies-The state of the Church

under Edward-Mary's accession brings peace to religion-

Elizabeth ascends the throne-The reasons that determined

her to adopt the Reformed Creed-Her first parliament-

She is made head of the Church-Terrible persecution of the

Catholics-The country almost destitute of clergy-Sem-

inaries founded on the continent to supply priests-The

prisons filled with victims.

CHAPTER II.

PAGR.

James I. ascends the throne-His character-He enforces the

penal enactments-The Catholics harassed in a thousand

ways by fines, extortion, etc.-The gunpowder plot-Terrible

penal enactments-Charles L. succeeds to the throne--He

differed little from his brother-Charles beheaded-The

great fire of London-The crime attributed to the Catholics-

They are oppressed and persecuted in consequence-Titus

Oates' plot-Attempt to exclude the heir-apparent from the

throne because of being a Catholic.
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CHAPTER III.

Persecution of the Catholics in Ireland particularly severe-Many

records lost-Circumstances which rendered the persecution

severe-The king's supremacy voted by the Irish parliament

-Suppression of the religious houses and destruction of

sacred objects-Sufferings of the expelled religious-Firm-

ness of the clergy-Elizabeth succeeds Mary-How Eliza-

beth's supremacy was obtained-The war against religion-

Terrible sufferings of the people-Attempt to starve the

nation into submission-Terrible famine in consequence-

Deplorable condition of the country-Fidelity of the people

under all circumstances in adhering to their faith.

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