Thomas Tunstall was a 17th-century English Catholic priest who was executed in Norwich. Born in Lancashire, he was associated with the family of Thurland Castle, though some historical records suggest he may have been born within the ancient Diocese of Carlisle. After completing his studies and receiving orders at Douay and Arras, he returned to England to serve as a priest. His ministry was cut short by his arrest, leading to a period of imprisonment and a failed attempt to escape from Wisbech Castle.
Life and death
Following his arrest, Tunstall spent several years in various prisons. He eventually escaped from Wisbech Castle, but sustained hand injuries during the flight. While seeking medical treatment for these wounds, he was identified by the authorities and sent to Norwich Gaol. During the following assizes, he was convicted and sentenced to death. He was executed by being hanged, drawn, and quartered near the Magdalen Gate in Norwich in July 1616.
Veneration
Tunstall is recognized as a martyr within the Catholic Church. He was beatified in 1929, a process that officially acknowledged his status as a blessed. A contemporary portrait of him exists at Stonyhurst, depicting him as a young man with dark hair and a moustache.