Yesterday I rejoiced at Jane Austen’s victory over Charles Darwin in the battle for recognition on British bank notes. I also rejoiced that the feminists had shot themselves in the foot in their demands for more female figures being recognized on British currency. Miss Austen’s female presence is a feminine presence and therefore an anti-feminist one.
There is, however, one female presence for which the feminists will not be clamouring to see recognized. She is one of the greatest English women of all time and yet she has never been recognized and honoured by her own country. It is also safe to assume that she will never be recognized and honoured by having her image graven on British banknotes. For this lack of recognition, she will doubtless be thankful. She was always happy that the things of Caesar should be rendered unto Caesar. I am speaking of the English Martyr, St. Margaret Ward, whose feast day we celebrate today.
Born in Congleton in Cheshire, St. Margaret Ward was executed at Tyburn on this day in 1588. Knowing that William Watson, a Catholic priest, was imprisoned in London’s Bridewell gaol, she obtained permission to visit him. After several visits she managed to smuggle a cord into Fr. Watson’s cell, whereby he could make his escape. At the appointed time, her accomplice, Blessed John Roche, provided a boat and exchanged clothes with Watson, who made good his escape. But the clothes betrayed John Roche, and the rope convinced the gaoler that Margaret Ward had been instrumental in the flight of the prisoner. They were both arrested and loaded with irons. Shakespeare’s friend, St. Robert Southwell, himself later destined for martyrdom, wrote to Father Acquaviva, S.J. of St. Margaret Ward’s treatment at the hands of her English torturers:
She was flogged and hung up by the wrists, the tips of her toes only touching the ground, for so long a time that she was crippled and paralyzed, but these sufferings greatly strengthened the glorious martyr for her last struggle.
“She was tried and condemned at Newgate, her liberty being offered her if she would attend Protestant worship, which she refused. She was hanged alongside her accomplice on August 30, 1588.”
In one sense it is tragic that this wonderful icon of feminine fortitude and courage is not honoured and recognized by the British State, the Bank of England or by British Feminists. In another sense, however, it is glorious that secularism has indeed honoured and recognized her in the glorious martyrdom that she suffered for Christ and His Church. Truly she has her reward.
St. Margaret Ward, icon of true femininity, pray for England that she may return to the Faith of her Fathers.
In a nutshell: Occasionally it happens that topics which may appear complex are simplified and clarified in just a few words–a sentence, even a phrase, proving once again, that “brevity is the soul of wit.” Here’s one from your post:
“Miss Austen’s female presence is a feminine presence and therefore an anti-feminist one.”
The keyword here is “therefore.”
Nobody has said it better–and not coincidentally–briefer.