Robert Nutter was an English Catholic priest and a member of the Dominican Order who lived during the religious unrest of the English Reformation. Born in Lancashire around 1550, he studied at Oxford and the English College in Reims. After his ordination in 1581, he returned to England, leading to a series of arrests and imprisonments in locations such as the Tower of London, Newgate, and Wisbech Castle. He eventually faced execution in Lancaster in 1600, where he was drawn and quartered for his faith.
Life and ministry
Nutter's religious life was marked by repeated imprisonment and physical hardship. After being detained in the Tower of London, he endured forty-seven days in a pit and was subjected to torture. Despite being deported to France, he returned to England to escort newly ordained priests. While held at Wisbech Castle, he joined the Dominican Order. Following an escape attempt alongside Edward Thwing, the two men were recaptured and executed in 1600.
Veneration
He is recognized as a blessed in the Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II beatified him in 1987. He is remembered for his spiritual resilience, having been described as a man possessing a powerful soul who overcame the fear of death.