Edward Barlow (religious name Ambrose) was born in November 1585 at Barlow Hall in Manchester to the noble Barlow recusant Catholic family — son of Sir Alexander Barlow.
In 1615, Edward undertook the Benedictine vocation at the monastery of St. Gregory at Douai in the Spanish Netherlands (the continental English Benedictine formation-house). Ordained Catholic priest in 1617.
Ambrose returned to England as a Catholic recusant priest — serving as chaplain at the recusant Catholic house of Morleys Hall near Manchester for the 24 years (1617–1641).
On Easter Sunday, April 25, 1641, Ambrose was arrested at Morleys Hall — during the Easter Mass. Imprisoned at Lancaster Castle, Ambrose was tried and condemned to death for the treason of Catholic priesthood.
On September 10, 1641, Ambrose was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Lancaster.
Canonized on October 25, 1970 by Pope St. Paul VI.