Thomas Marshall

Thomas Marshall (the Blessed John Beche), also known as John Beche,

The Abbot was a strong opponent of the King's new policy, and a friend and admirer of Thomas More and John Fisher. Following the execution of three Carthusian priors, Fisher and More during 1535, his expressions of reverence for them was reported to the authorities.

In November, 1538, Beche denied the legal right of Henry VIII's royal commission to confiscate his abbey. He was then committed to the Tower of London on a charge of treason; despite being discharged, he was rearrested and taken back to Colchester.

The Abbot's servant said that his master denied that the king could suppress the Abbey because it was above the yearly value of 300 marks specified in the statute. His pectoral cross was rescued by the Mannock family of Giffords Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland, who entrusted it to Buckfast Abbey in Devon, where it still remains.

Beatification Pope Leo XIII decreed the beatification of Abbot John Beche on 13 May 1895. His feast is kept on 1 December in the diocese of Brentwood and by the English Benedictine Congregation.