Mathew Flathers was an English Roman Catholic priest born around 1580 in the West Riding of Yorkshire. After completing his education at Douai and being ordained in Arras in 1606, he joined the Benedictine order. He returned to England to serve the Catholic mission, but his activities quickly drew the attention of government agents. Following a period of exile and a subsequent return to his ministry in Yorkshire, he was captured again and faced trial for his priesthood.