Thurston Hunt

A contemporary sang of Thurston Hunt was born in 1555, and belonged to a family living at Carlton Hall, near Leeds.

Born in 1571, he was a nephew of Margaret (Middleton) Clitheroe, who was pressed to death in 1586 for refusing to enter a plea to the charge of harbouring Catholic priests.

Initially a member of the Church of England, he became a practising Catholic and went to Rheims to study at the English College.

By order of the Privy Council, their feet tied beneath their horses' bellies, and they were carried in public disgrace to London and back to Lancaster, where they were condemned and executed for being ordained overseas and daring to return as priests.

Middleton's sister was present at his execution and offered £100 for his life and for him to talk to a minister in the hope of re-converting him.