The Tudor Society

31 October – The death of Thomas Howard and Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses

On this day in Tudor history, 31st October 1537, Lord Thomas Howard, second son of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, died while imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was about twenty-five years of age at his death.

How did this son of the 2nd Duke of Norfolk and brother of the 3rd Duke of Norfolk end up dying in the Tower?

Well, he fell in love with the wrong woman? He had become secretly betrothed to King Henry VIII's niece, Lady Margaret Douglas.

Find out more about Lord Thomas Howard, his relationship with Lady Margaret Douglas, and what happened to them both, in this talk... Oh, and Margaret really didn't learn her lesson!

Also on this day in Tudor history, 31st October 1517, Reformer, priest and professor of theology Martin Luther is said to have posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, although all we know for definite is that he posted them to Bishop of Brandenburg and the Archbishop of Mainz.

His actions on this day had a huge impact on Europe and were the catalyst of the European Reformation.

Find out more about Martin Luther's 95 Theses and what happened next, in this video...

Leave a Reply

31 October – The death of Thomas Howard and Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses