Next Saturday is the anniversary of the death of St John Fisher. It is his feast day. He was beheaded in the Tower of London in 1535 for his outspoken criticisms of King Henry VIII.

While he was, as a bishop, a member of the House of Lords he protested vigorously against the persecution of priests who did not accept the King as the head of the Church. At the same time he criticised the clergy, both Anglican and Roman Catholic, for their worldliness and lavish life – styles.

Just before his execution the Pope sent him a Cardinals hat. Hence, he died as a Cardinal.