16th century
Feast: December 6
Dutch Franciscan priest martyred by Calvinists for defending Catholic doctrine and the Mass.
Nicholas Pieck was a Dutch Franciscan priest martyred in Gorkum in 1572 (1534-1572). He was captured along with other clergy by Calvinist Sea Beggars during the Dutch Revolt. When ordered to renounce Catholic doctrine and papal authority, he refused. He was tortured and hanged with 18 other clergy. Canonized as one of the Martyrs of Gorkum.