In early February 1586, James left Rheims for the mission, accompanied by Stephen Rowsham who had been banished from England the year before.

He was captured on board a ship at Littlehampton, Sussex, on 19 April 1586, with three other priests, Thomas Bramston, George Potter, and his fellow martyr, Ralph Crockett, and they were charged with being Catholic priests and coming into the realm of England contrary to an Act of Parliament of 1584.

After the failure of the Spanish Armada, an attempt to invade England which was defeated in July and August 1588, the government of Queen Elizabeth I wanted revenge, and the priests in its custody became a target.

On 1 October 1588, the other three were drawn on a hurdle to Broyle Heath, near Chichester, where Edwardes recanted and was also reprieved.

Crockett and James continued to refuse to recant and to take the oath and were executed at Chichester, after absolving each other.