George Napper was an English Catholic priest who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Born around 1550 to a family with connections to Oxford, he was expelled from Corpus Christi College for his recusancy. After studying at the English College in Douai, he returned to England to serve on the Catholic mission. His commitment to his faith led to his arrest and eventual execution in 1610, making him a martyr of the Reformation.
Life and death
After being released from prison in 1589 following an acknowledgment of royal supremacy, Napper joined the English mission in 1603. He was captured near Woodstock in July 1610 while carrying consecrated Hosts and a small reliquary. Although initially reprieved, his refusal to take the oath of allegiance resulted in a death sentence. He was executed in Oxford in November 1610 after celebrating Mass that morning.
Veneration and legacy
Napper is recognized as a martyr within the Catholic Church and was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1929. His memory is preserved through a plaque at Oxford Castle, which was unveiled in 2010. Additionally, a Roman Catholic school in Banbury carries his name to honor his religious service.