Fr. Postgate was born in Egton around 1596.
In 1621, he travelled abroad to train for the priesthood at Douay in France. This was where many priests were trained after the Reformation, when it became a crime to be a Catholic priest. Many priests from Britain were trained here, and many died in Britain for their Faith.
He was ordained in 1628.
In 1630, on the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, when he was about 32, he was sent to the English Mission, and so found himself back in his home land.
He began his work at Kilvington, near Thirsk. He would spend the next 50 years or so wandering around the North Yorkshire moors, saying Mass and administering the Sacraments.
He finally settled about 1630 at Ugthorpe, not that far from his birth place. By that time, anti-catholic sentiments had somewhat declined, but the so called "Popish Plot" to install a catholic monarch in Britain re-ignited the flames. The plot had been dreamt up by one Titus Oates.
A severe persecution of Catholics began again, and once more priests became hunted men. They could find shelter among the faithful, some of whom had hiding places - Priests' Holes - constructed in their houses.
Punishment for those abetting priests was also severe.
Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey was murdered during the upheaval begun by Oates, who promptly blamed Catholics.
Sir Edmund's servant swore to root out Catholic Priests and their supporters. He based himself in Whitby, not far from Ugthorpe, possibly because it was believed that Priests from France landed there.
Fr Postgate, now 82 years of age, was arrested at a house at Little Beck, near Whitby, while performing a baptism.
He was found guilty of treason, and at York was hanged, drawn and quartered. One of his hands was sent to the College at Douay.
His portable altar stone is in St Joseph's church in Pickering.
In St Hedda's church, there is a brief history of Fr. Postgate and a number of relics belonging to him, some of which are pictured here.
M.M.M. (1945), VENERABLE NICHOLAS POSTGATE, MARTYR.New Blackfriars, 2: 102–107. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-2005.1945.tb05966.x
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