Background
George Gervase was born in Bosham, Sussex.
George Gervase was born in Bosham, Sussex.
He was martyred at Tyburn. Losing both parents in boyhood, he was kidnapped by pirates, remaining in captivity over twelve years. He entered the English College at Douai in 1595, and was ordained priest in 1603.
He at once went to the English mission, where he worked for over two years.
He was arrested in June 1606, and banished with several other clergy. But George was determined to labour for the conversion of his native land, and succeeded in returning to England.
He was soon arrested and incarcerated. Refusing to take the new oath of allegiance on account of its infringing on spiritual matters where Catholics were concerned, he was tried, convicted of the offense of being a priest, and was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn.
He was beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius X.