Roman Catholics Four hundred years ago, three Catholic priests were hanged, drawn and quartered on St Mary’s Bridge in Derby. Their heads and bloody quarters were fixed to poles and displayed around the town - one of the heads was put on top of a house. Under cover of darkness a small group of Catholics took down the remains and gave them a proper burial. The head of one of the martyrs, Nicholas Garlick, is believed to be buried in Tideswell churchyard. Garlick had been found with another priest, Robert Ludlam, hiding in a chimney during a raid on Padley Hall near Grindleford. The Hall was owned by the Fitzherbert family who were forced to worship in secret because the Roman Catholic religion was illegal in the time of Queen Elizabeth I. The Fitzherberts were among many Peakland families who kept faith secretly with the old religion. Garlick and Ludlam were found guilty of high treason and together with a third priest, Richard Sympson, were executed on 24 July 1588. Read More >> More Pictures Religion Churches