nry Garnet S.J.
| Father Henry Garnett, spelled alternately
as Garnet. Henry Garnett was born in Nottingham in 1555. His father was
a schoolmaster and he received his education in Winchester. In the 1570's
Garnett worked for the law printer Richard Tottel. He joined the Society
of Jesus in 1575 and studied under Bellarmine in Rome. In 1586 Robert Persons
proposed that Garnett join the English mission. After only a few years
service he was promoted following the imprisonment of the Superior of the
Jesuits. As Superior Garnett worked politically to extend tolerance. While
linked to the treason's of 1602 and 1603 Garnett had worked with Father
Blackwell to inform the Government of the Bye plot. It was his belief that
further treason could only set back the case of English Catholics for tolerance.
Along these lines Garnett to important steps to bring as much of the information
of the plot as he was free to disclose to the attention of the pope. Garnett
was linked to the plot via the seal of the confessional which prevented
him from disclosing information concerning the confession of Catesby given
to him by Father Tesimond. Garnett was also visited by Robert Catesby concerning
issues of conscience relating to murder. This consultation encouraged Catesby
to undertake the plot. During Garnet's execution blood spattered from his
wounds onto a grain of wheat painting his image.
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