A valuable prayer book that belonged to Father John Huddleston, the priest who played a key role in protecting and saving the life of King Charles II, is now on public exhibition at Moseley Old Hall in Wolverhampton, England. The missal, which is nearly four centuries old, can be viewed by visitors at the historic stately home.

After the Royalists' loss in the Battle of Worcester in 1651, King Charles II found shelter at the residence of the Catholic Whitgreave Family, where Father John Huddleston, a Benedictine priest, also lived in disguise as a servant.

Huddleston agreed to conceal Charles II in his room on the first floor, which had a secret trap door hidden beneath the cupboard floor, providing access to a hidden compartment known as a priest hole. When soldiers arrived at the house in search of the king, Charles II was able to hide in this secret space.

The National Trust, a conservation charity, acquired the historic missal through an auction with the help of a generous donation from a volunteer and the support of the Friends of the National Libraries organization. The "Missale Romanum," printed in Paris in 1623, is believed to have played a significant role in King Charles II's conversion to Catholicism on his deathbed in 1685.

After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, King Charles II appointed Huddleston as chaplain to his mother, Queen Henrietta Maria, and his wife, Catherine of Braganza. When Charles II was on his deathbed at Whitehall Palace in 1685, he specifically requested Huddleston's presence. Huddleston heard the king's confession, administered holy Communion, and facilitated his conversion to Catholicism.

It is said that the Duke of York, later King James II, acknowledged Huddleston's crucial role in saving the king's life, both physically and spiritually.

Sarah Kay, the Cultural Heritage curator, expressed joy in acquiring the significant book, emphasizing its importance in the story of Moseley. The acquisition ensures that the missal will be accessible to the public and contribute to the telling of Charles II's extraordinary escape.

Tim Pye, the national curator, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition of the Huddleston Missal at Moseley Old Hall.

The 1623 edition of the Missale Romanum is not only a rare book, with only one other complete copy found in UK libraries, but it also provides valuable insights into the usage and circulation of Roman Catholic books during a time when practicing any faith other than Anglicanism was perilous.

The inscriptions and annotations made by Huddleston in the missal further emphasize its significance and personal value to him.