The Tudor Society

December 19 – Conspirator John Somerville found dead

On this day in Tudor history, 19th December 1583, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, John Somerville was found dead in his cell at Newgate Prison.

The twenty-three-year-old Somerville had been found guilty of conspiring to assassinate the queen. His death was said to be suicide, due to his poor mental health, but some Catholics believed that he had been killed.

Did Somerville really intend to kill the queen? Was he mentally ill? Was he manipulated by others?

Find out more about John Somerville...

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December 19 – Conspirator John Somerville found dead