The Importance of Public Witness in the Face of a Hostile State

Campion's play was performed just months after the Roman catacombs were accidentally rediscovered to tremendous international attention and excitement. Cinfilip Niri, counter-reformation saint,. promoted these early Christian martyrs with particular vigor. He spent all night vigils underground, and he organized ceremonial processions of the relics around the streets of Rome. There was an atmosphere of fervent piety and spiritual excitement. It's unlikely that Campion could have known when he wrote his play that he would so soon be sent back to England.