The Tudor Society

May 17 – Executions in 1521 and 1536, and the spy Anthony Bacon

On this day in Tudor history, 17th May 1521, Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, was executed for treason on Tower Hill.

He'd served King Henry VII and King Henry VIII loyally for many years, so what led to this nobleman being condemned for high treason?

And on this day in 1536, George Boleyn, Sir Henry Norris, Sir Francis Weston, William Brereton and Mark Smeaton were executed on Tower Hill for high treason after being found guilty of adultery with Queen Anne Boleyn and conspiring with her to kill King Henry VIII.

And on this day in 1601, Anthony Bacon was buried in St Olave's, London.

You might have heard of Francis Bacon, but his brother, Anthony Bacon, was rather interesting too!

Who was Anthony Bacon?

Well, he was a spy, providing intelligence for the likes of William Cecil, Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth I and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. Find out more...

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May 17 – Executions in 1521 and 1536, and the spy Anthony Bacon