Edmund Campion, who had held a fellowship at St. John's College, Oxford, had in 1566 welcomed Queen Elizabeth to the university, and won her lasting regard when was chosen among the scholars to lead a public debate in front of the queen.

By the time Elizabeth had left Oxford, Campion had earned the patronage of the powerful William Cecil and also the Earl of Leicester, tipped by some to be future husband of the young Queen.

People were now talking of Campion in terms of being a future Archbishop of Canterbury, in the newly established Anglican Church.

Religious difficulties had then aroisen; but at the persuasion of Richard Cheyney, Bishop of Gloucester, although holding Catholic doctrines, Campion had received deacon's orders in the Anglican Church.

Inwardly "he took a remorse of conscience and detestation of mind."

Rumors of his opinions began to spread and, giving up the office of proctor, he leaves Oxford in 1569 and ...