Little is known about the life of our Patron Saint, as much is shrouded in tradition. Catherine is thought to have been of noble parentage and was a virgin who suffered martyrdom in Alexandria, Egypt in the 5th Century. Renowned for her exceptional learning and her outstanding beauty she stood up to the persecutions of Christians by the Emperor Maximus, who ordered Christians to be sacrificed to the false gods.
St Catherine was condemned to death by torture on a spiked wheel. As she was being tortured the wrath of God, recognising a righteous person, struck and broke the wheel; a break which is shown in the Arms above. Her persecutors persisted and she was subsequently beheaded.
It is believed that her body was transported by angels to Mount Sinai where it was discovered in 800 A.D. Justinian, first Emperor of the East (527-565 A.D.) built and dedicated a monastery in her honour at the site.
There are murals of St Catherine at Winchester Cathedral and Eton College, and there are many fine stained glass windows, notably those in Canterbury Cathedral, St Lawrence Jewry and St Katherine Cree in the City of London.
Wheelwrights, saddlers, ropemakers, attorneys, scholars and young women have claimed St Catherine as Patron. Because of her reputed excellence of learning she was also adopted as Patroness of philosophers and of eloquence.
The Company celebrates her Feast Day on the 25th of November every year in the Church of St Bride's, Fleet Street in the City of London, honouring the loyalty of one who is not fearful or ashamed to confess the Faith of Christ Crucified, even unto death.