 The continuing religious importance of Black Ladies beyond the English Reformation derives from Thomas Giffard’s commitment to Catholicism when England returned decisively to a Protestant path, early in the reign of Elizabeth I.His successors and most member of the Giffard family were to remain Catholic for more than three centuries.The Giffards became leaders of Catholic Recusancy in the region and stayed true to their faith throughout the vicissitudes of the Reformation, the English Civil War and the Penal Laws.