The Catholic London District in the Eighteenth Century

Author:

Butler, David

Format:

Journal Article

Year:

2006

Journal Title:

Recusant History

Volume:

28

Issue:

2

Language:

English

Abstract:

Examines the history of the Catholic district of London in England during the 18th century. While London Catholics were in theory ruled by the penal laws that had been in operation since the time of Elizabeth I, the rules were frequently ignored. Catholic clergy had to be schooled abroad and came to England as missionaries, often in disguise for fear of persecution. Bishop Richard Challoner (1691–1781) estimated that there were 72 priests and some 20,000 English Catholics in the city in 1773, along with many more Catholics of foreign ancestry. Priests in the London district included Jesuits, Benedictines, Franciscans, Capuchins, and Seculars.

What (Subjects):

History -- Local

Controversies -- England

Politics -- Persecution

Where (Locations):

Europe -- UK -- England -- London

When (Centuries):

18th century

Page Range:

245–268

ISSN:

0034-1932