Nicholas Fitzherbert

Nicholas Edward
Born	1550 prob. Padley, Derbyshire
Died	1612 Florence
Education	Exeter College, Oxford, University of Douai
Occupation	Secretary
Parent(s)	John Fitzherbert

Nicholas Fitzherbert (1550 – 6 November 1612) was an English recusant gentleman who served as secretary to Cardinal William Allen and was found guilty of treason due to his Catholicism. He was the second son of John Fitzherbert of Padley, Derbyshire. Fitzherbert was the grandson of the judge Sir Anthony Fitzherbert (1470–1538), and first cousin to the Jesuit Thomas Fitzherbert. Whilst he was abroad, two priests were arrested at his father's house; they are now saints after becoming martyrs to their faith. Fitzherbert's lands were forfeit, and he was obliged to spend his life abroad. He was buried in Florence.

Fitzherbert matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford, where his name appears in the matriculation register as a senior undergraduate member of the College in 1571 and 1572. However he would not have been able to obtain a degree because of his religion, and therefore like many he went abroad in order that he might practice his Catholic religion.

He finally matriculated in the University of Douai before studying law at Bologna in 1580. During his absence from England he was found guilty of treason on 1 January 1580, on account of his zeal for the Catholic cause, and especially for his activity in raising funds for the English College at Rheims.

Fitzherbert settled in Rome, and received from Pope Gregory XIII an allowance of ten golden scudi a month. In 1587, Dr William Allen (who had founded the English College, Douai, in 1568) became a cardinal, and Fitzherbert became his secretary and continued to reside in his household till the cardinal's death in 1594.

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