See main article: Eighty-five martyrs of England and Wales.
Alexander Crow (died 1586/7) was born in Yorkshire[1] around 1550.[2] He took up an early trade as a shoemaker,[3] and hearing of an opportunity to follow his trade at the English College, then at Rheims, he travelled to France. He worked as a cobbler, porter, then under-cook at the seminary. Eventually he trained as a priest and was ordained in Laon in 1583.[4] In February 1584, he returned to the north of England to continue his mission for eighteen months, until he was arrested in South Duffield[1] whilst baptising a baby.[3] Taken to York, he was hanged, drawn and quartered on 30 November 1586 or 1587.[1] Sources conflict as to the year of his death, whether it was 1586 or a year later, 'being about the year of thirty five,'[5]
One of the Eighty-five martyrs of England and Wales, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 22 November 1987.[1]