The Margaret Clitherow House York: The Free Hidden Shrine on The Shambles

While walking down York’s historic Shambles on Christmas Eve, I came across the Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow. I was genuinely surprised — I’ve been down The Shambles probably hundreds of times and had always walked straight past the Margaret Clitherow house. It’s one of those places that’s easy to miss and absolutely worth stopping for. The shrine tells the story of a time of religious strife and the unwavering faith of one woman, St. Margaret Clitherow. She is a martyr of the Roman Catholic church and is often called the “Pearl of York.”

After walking past it and asking my husband what it was, I decided to go back and find out all about the story of Margaret Clitherow York and her husband, John Clitherow, during the tumultuous backdrop of the English Reformation. St. Margaret Clitherow is one of the most significant of the York martyrs, and her story is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

Early Life and Conversion to Catholic Faith

Margaret Middleton, born in 1556, was the daughter of Thomas Middleton, a wax chandler and a Sheriff of York. At just fifteen, she wed John Clitherow, a prosperous butcher and a Chamberlain of the City. St. Margaret Clitherow embraced the Catholic faith following her marriage, a critical decision that would ultimately shape her destiny and make her one of the most famous York martyrs.

Life on The Shambles

After their marriage, Margaret and John Clitherow moved to The Shambles in the city of York, known for its overhanging timber-framed buildings and narrow cobblestone lanes. Here, John ran a successful butcher’s shop. As Margaret was a butcher’s wife, she managed their household and raised their three children in their small medieval house—the building that would later become Margaret Clitherow’s house and eventually the Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow.

The Shift to Catholic Faith

In the late 1500s, Margaret’s life took a significant turn. Influenced by the wife of Dr. Thomas Vavasour, a prominent Catholic in York, she converted to Catholicism. Despite the potential implications, her husband, whose brother was a Catholic priest, supported her decision and even paid her fines for non-attendance of church services.

St. Margaret Clitherow was imprisoned for her refusal to attend Anglican services, and further prison sentences would ensue. Margaret spent a considerable amount of time behind bars at York Castle, using her time in a prison cell to deepen her understanding of the Catholic liturgy by learning to read Latin. Her determination and faith during this period would eventually lead to her being recognised as one of the York martyrs.

A Sanctuary for Fugitive Priests

The Act of Parliament in 1581 declared it a treasonous act to harbour Catholic priests or attend a Catholic service. Despite these perilous circumstances, St. Margaret Clitherow became a beacon of hope for endangered priests. She meticulously crafted a secret chamber within her residence—what would become known as Margaret Clitherow house—and even created a hidden cupboard to store essentials for Mass.

Her home in the Shambles soon became one of the most critical sanctuaries for fugitive priests in northern England. She harboured fugitive priests, held secret masses at her home, and even created a clandestine Catholic school for children. The bravery shown by Clitherow York during this dangerous period demonstrates the extraordinary courage of the York martyrs.

A Martyr’s Arrest and Trial

In March 1586, Margaret’s sanctuary was betrayed, and Margaret Clitherow’s house was raided. Despite a priest managing to escape, the location of the hiding place in the secret room was disclosed, leading to St. Margaret Clitherow’s arrest.

Refusing a trial by jury, she said, “I know of no offence whereof I should confess myself guilty. Having made no offence, I need no trial.” Her refusal to stand trial was an act of protection towards her family, friends, and students who could have been forced to testify against her. This selfless act is characteristic of the York martyrs, who often chose to suffer rather than endanger others.

She was imprisoned for her refusal to attend Anglican services, marking the beginning of a series of incarcerations. Margaret spent a considerable amount of time behind bars, using her confinement to deepen her understanding of the Catholic liturgy by learning to read Latin.

The Death Penalty

St. Margaret Clitherow’s steadfastness led to a dire consequence – a sentence of death by pressing with heavy weights, a rare and brutal method of execution. She died by this harsh punishment on the 25th of March 1586, coinciding with the Feast of the Annunciation (Lady Day) and Good Friday that year. She was only 30 years old when she died due to her death sentence.

Her final resting place is a mystery, but the remains of her right hand can be found in the chapel of the Bar Convent. St. Margaret Clitherow’s death made her one of the most significant York martyrs, and her sacrifice continues to inspire Catholics today.

Canonisation and Legacy

In October 1970, St. Margaret Clitherow was canonised as one of the 40 English martyrs by Pope Paul VI, who referred to her as “the Pearl of York.” She is now the patron saint of the Catholic Women’s League. Her canonisation recognised her place among the York martyrs who gave their lives for their faith during the English Reformation.

The legacy of Clitherow York extends beyond her personal sacrifice. She represents the courage of ordinary people who stood firm in their beliefs despite persecution. Her story is intertwined with the broader narrative of the York martyrs, a group of Catholics who were executed for their faith in York and the surrounding area during the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow

In the 20th century, the Church acquired a house on the Shambles that was either the original Margaret Clitherow house or situated very close to where the Clitherows lived. This building, now the Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow, stands as a testament to the quiet, heroic faithfulness of those who kept the Church alive in times of persecution.

The Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow embodies the spirit of Margaret Clitherow, a woman of remarkable faith and fortitude. It serves as a place of pilgrimage for Catholics and a historical site for anyone interested in the story of the York martyrs and the religious turmoil of Tudor England.

When you visit the shrine, you’re standing in or very near the actual Margaret Clitherow house where she lived, worked, hid priests, and held secret masses. The authenticity of the location makes it a powerful and moving experience for visitors.

The York Martyrs: Clitherow York’s Catholic Heritage

St. Margaret Clitherow is the most famous of the York martyrs, but she was not alone in her sacrifice. The York martyrs were a group of Catholics executed during the English Reformation, primarily during the reign of Elizabeth I, for refusing to renounce their Catholic faith.

The persecution of Catholics in York and throughout England was part of a broader religious conflict following Henry VIII’s break with Rome. Catholics who refused to attend Protestant services, harboured priests, or practiced their faith faced fines, imprisonment, and in some cases, execution.

Other notable York martyrs include:

• Blessed Margaret Ward – Executed in 1588 for helping a priest escape from prison
• Blessed Nicholas Postgate – A priest martyred in 1679
• Blessed Thomas Thwing – Another priest who was executed for his faith

The Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow honours not only St. Margaret Clitherow herself but all the York martyrs who suffered for their beliefs. Mass at the shrine is followed by prayers in honour of the York martyrs, keeping their memory alive.

The story of Clitherow York and the other York martyrs is an important part of England’s religious history. It reminds us of a time when religious freedom was not guaranteed, and people were willing to die for their right to worship as they chose.

Visiting the Shrine

The Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow is open to all and is free to visit. A small chapel within the shrine houses a commemorative plaque narrating St. Margaret Clitherow’s life story and two statues, one of St. Margaret Clitherow and the other of the Blessed Thomas Thwing (one of the other York martyrs).

The shrine is sometimes searched as St Margaret of York church, though it is not a full church — it is a small private chapel within a medieval house. The nearest Catholic church for regular Mass in York city centre is the Bar Convent on Blossom Street, which is also well worth a visit. The shrine on The Shambles holds its own Saturday morning Mass and is maintained as a place of quiet prayer and reflection.

When you visit Margaret Clitherow’s house, you can see:

• The Chapel – A small but beautiful space dedicated to St. Margaret Clitherow
• Historical Information – Displays telling the story of Clitherow York and the York martyrs
• Statues and Plaques – Commemorating St. Margaret Clitherow and other York martyrs
• The Secret Room – Evidence of the hidden chamber where priests were concealed

The Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow is tucked away in the Shambles, so it’s easy to walk past without noticing it. Look for the small entrance between the shops – it’s well worth stepping inside to learn about this remarkable woman and the York martyrs.

The shrine provides a quiet space for reflection in the midst of the busy Shambles. Whether you’re religious or simply interested in history, the Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow offers a fascinating glimpse into a turbulent period of English history and the courageous individuals who became the York martyrs.

Mass At The Shrine

Mass is celebrated in the Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow every Saturday at 10 am. Mass is followed by prayers in honour of the York martyrs, acknowledging not just St. Margaret Clitherow but all those who suffered persecution for their Catholic faith in York and the surrounding area.

If you’re visiting York on a Saturday morning, attending Mass at the shrine is a meaningful way to honour the memory of St. Margaret Clitherow and the York martyrs. Even if you’re not Catholic, the shrine welcomes visitors throughout the week to learn about Margaret Clitherow’s house and the history of Clitherow, York.

Address

Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow
The Shambles
York
YO1 7LX

Free to visit. Mass every Saturday at 10am.

The Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow is located in the heart of the Shambles, one of York’s most famous medieval streets. It’s within easy walking distance of York Minster and other major York attractions.

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Visiting York? The Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow is a must-see for anyone interested in English history, the Reformation, or the story of the York martyrs. Margaret Clitherow’s house stands as a powerful reminder of the courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times. St. Margaret Clitherow’s story continues to inspire visitors from around the world, and the shrine dedicated to her memory is a poignant and important historical site in the city of York.

Final Thoughts

The Margaret Clitherow house is one of those places in York that most people walk straight past, even people who’ve lived here for years. It takes less than 20 minutes to visit and it’s completely free. The story of Margaret Clitherow — the faith, the courage, the quiet defiance of sheltering priests in a city that could have her killed for it — is one of the most remarkable in York’s history. If you’re walking The Shambles and you’ve already been in all the Harry Potter shops, stop here instead. It’s the real thing.

FAQs About the Margaret Clitherow House York

Where is the Margaret Clitherow house in York?

The Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow is on The Shambles, York, YO1 7LX. It’s on the right-hand side as you walk down from the top — look for the small sign and the open doorway. Most people walk straight past it, which is part of what makes it such a worthwhile stop.

Is the Margaret Clitherow shrine free to visit?

Yes — the shrine is completely free to visit and open to everyone regardless of faith. There’s no booking required. It’s a small, quiet space that takes about 15 to 20 minutes to explore properly.

Who was Margaret Clitherow?

Margaret Clitherow was born in York in 1556 and converted to Catholicism after her marriage to butcher John Clitherow. During the English Reformation, when practising Catholicism was illegal, she sheltered Catholic priests in her home on The Shambles. She was arrested, tried, and executed in 1586 — pressed to death on Ouse Bridge. She was canonised in 1970 by Pope Paul VI, who called her the Pearl of York. She is now the patron saint of the Catholic Women’s League.

Is the shrine the actual house where Margaret Clitherow lived?

The building is either the Clitherow family home or situated very close to it — historical records cannot confirm the exact property with certainty. In the 20th century the Catholic Church acquired the house to preserve it as a shrine. Whether it is the exact house or not, it stands on the street where Margaret lived and worked, which gives it genuine historical significance.

Is there a St Margaret of York church?

The shrine on The Shambles is sometimes searched for as St Margaret of York church, but it is a small private chapel rather than a parish church. Mass is held there every Saturday at 10am. The Bar Convent on Blossom Street is the oldest surviving Catholic convent in England and has its own chapel — also well worth visiting if you’re interested in the history of Catholicism in York.

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