June 7 – A queen’s physician is executed

On this day in Tudor history, 7th June 1594, Elizabeth I’s physician, Roderigo Lopez (Lopes), was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn after being accused by the Earl of Essex of conspiring with Spanish officials to poison the queen.

Portuguese Lopez settled in London in 1559. He was a physician at St Bart's and then to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, before moving into Elizabeth's employ.

In 1584, a Catholic tract attacking Leicester accused Lopez of poisoning, but it wasn't true. However, he made an enemy of Essex after he told Spanish officials details of Essex's health.

The charges against Lopez appear to be false. He maintained his innocence, and the queen seemed unsure of his guilt. It didn't save him, though.

Lopez may have been the inspiration for Shylock in Shakespeare’s "The Merchant of Venice".

Also on this day in Tudor history...

Image: An engraving by Esaias van Hulsen of Roderigo Lopez and a Spaniard plotting to poison Elizabeth I.