June 2 – The executions of Sir Francis Bigod, George Lumley and Sir Thomas Percy

On this day in Tudor history, 2nd June 1537, in the reign of King Henry VIII, Sir Francis Bigod, George Lumley and Sir Thomas Percy were executed at Tyburn for their part in Bigod’s Rebellion which followed the Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion.

You can find out more about Bigod and his rebellion in the video below, but interestingly he was a reformer and so initially opposed the Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion. However, he realised he had common ground with the rebels: his opposition to Henry VIII’s involvement in religious matters.

When the Pilgrimage of Grace rebels disbanded after the king made them promises, Bigod was sceptical and launched his own rebellion. It failed and the king used it as an excuse not only to punish Bigod and his fellow rebels, but also those who’d been involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace.

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