Fathers George Nichols and Richard Yaxley and two laymen, Thomas Belson and Humphrey Pritchard were arrested on the eve of Pentecost 1589 at The Catherine Wheel , an Oxford Inn, known as a refuge for all Catholics arriving in Oxford.
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Humphrey Pritchard was a Welsh serving-man at the inn, where he was known for striving to serve Catholics in every possible way.

Born local to Oxford and to Catholic family, Thomas Belson had studied in Rheims and was associated with the work and witness of the Catholic mission.

George Nichols was Oxford born, and Richard Yaxley born in Boston, Lincolnshire. Both studied in Rheims, and were contemporaries of  Belson. Nichols served on the mission for c5 years and Yaxley for c 3years prior to their arrest.
After their arrest and transport to London for harsh interrogation the four men were returned to Oxford for execution in the city.

The martyrs were beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1987.

A further victim of the persecution was the landlady of the Catherine Wheel. She too was tried, and though her life was spared, her goods were confiscated, and she was condemned to life imprisonment.

The memorial of the martyrs is kept on the 5th July.

Lord God,
you gave to Blessed George Nichols and his companions
the gift of faith and a great love of your Church.
Even in suffering they did not deny you
but continued to minister to your people.
May we be blessed with such faith and love.
Through Christ our Lord.

The junction of Holywell and St Cross streets: the site of the execution of Blessed George Nichols and his companions

Memorial to the martyrs of England, in the former Ushaw Seminary

The building in the centre, on the corner of Geroge Street and Cornmarket Street, stands on the site of the former inn, the Catherine Wheel.