Cuthbert Mayne was a 16th-century English Catholic priest who became the first martyr among those trained at the English College in Douai. Born near Barnstaple, he studied at Oxford before traveling to the Continent for religious training. Following his ordination in 1575, he returned to England to serve the Catholic mission. His religious activities led to his arrest at Golden Manor, resulting in a charge of high treason under the reign of Elizabeth I.
Life and death
After graduating from Oxford, Mayne was appointed rector of Huntshaw in 1561. He later sought further training in Douai, where he was ordained a priest in 1575. While serving the English mission, he was apprehended at Probus and held in Launceston Castle. He was executed on November 29, 1577, by being hanged, drawn, and quartered.
Veneration
The Catholic Church recognizes Mayne as a saint. He was beatified in 1886 and subsequently canonized in 1970. His feast day is observed annually on November 30.