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28 June 1491 – The birth of King Henry VIII
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June 28 – A poisoned Catholic earl and the end of a rebel baron
On this day in Tudor history, 28th June 1557, Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel, was born at Arundel House, the Strand, London.
Arundel ended up being condemned to death for treason and dying of alleged poisoning in 1589, when he was just 32.
Let me tell you more about Arundel and his rather sticky end…
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June 27 – The end of two Cornish rebels, and a bishop who died in poverty
On this day in Tudor history, 27th June 1497, in the reign of King Henry VII, two of the chief commanders of the rebels of the Cornish Rebellion were executed.
Lawyer and member of Parliament Thomas Flamank and blacksmith Michael Joseph (known as Michael an Gof) were hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn in London.
What had led them to this awful end?
What was the Cornish Rebellion about and why do they have “fame permanent and immortal”?
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June 26 – Two loyal soldiers: Sir Edmund Carew and Sir John Wingfield
On 26th June 1513, in the reign of King Henry VIII, a loyal soldier lost his life serving the Crown.
What happened to Sir Edmund Carew? How did he die? And how else did his service to the Crown affect him?
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Tudor Coronations True or False Quiz
We’ve just had the anniversary of the coronation of the second Tudor monarch, King Henry VIII, who was crowned on 24th June 1509, so I thought I’d test your knowledge of Tudor coronations.
How much do you know about the coronations of the Tudor kings and queens?
Test your knowledge with this fun quiz…
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June 25 – Death of Mary Tudor, Dowager Queen of France and Henry VIII’s sister
On this day in Tudor history, 25th June 1533, in the reign of King Henry VIII, the king’s younger sister, Mary Tudor, former Queen of France and wife of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, died at her home in Suffolk. She was just thirty-seven years old.
Let me tell you about Mary’s ill-health, her death and funeral…
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June 24 – Happy birthday, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
On this day in Tudor history, 24th June 1532, the Feast of St John the Baptist, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and favourite of Elizabeth I, was born.
Elizabeth I called Leicester her “eyes” and “sweet Robin” and there was gossip over their relationship, but there was far more to Robert Dudley than his closeness to the queen. Find out all about his life and career…
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Harvington Hall
This week for our Friday treat, I want to share this video from our archives on the beautiful moated manor house, Harvington Hall. Thank you to Philippa Lacey Brewell for allowing us to travel vicariously!
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June 23 – Levina Teerlinc amd her miniatures, and a Tudor doctor and mathematician
On this day in Tudor history, 23rd June 1576, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, painter and miniaturist Levina Teerlinc died at Stepney in London.
Teerlinc was court painter to Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, and was a prolific artist.
Find out more about her and her work…
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June 22 – Bishop Fisher is executed
On this day in Tudor history, 22nd June 1535, in the reign of King Henry VIII, John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, was executed.
Why was Fisher executed and how did the pope try to save him?
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June 21 – Henry VIII goes to the Tower, and Lady Jane Grey is chosen as Edward VI’s successor
On this day in Tudor history, 21st June 1509, the new king, the nearly 18-year-old Henry VIII, travelled from Greenwich to the Tower of London.
Why was Henry VIII going to the Tower?
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June 20 – The Casket Letters and Mary, Queen of Scots
On this day in Tudor history, 20th June 1567, a silver casket of eight letters were allegedly found in the possession of James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, the third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots.
These letters, which became known as the Casket Letters, were instrumental in bringing down Mary, Queen of Scots.
Let me tell you a bit more about the Casket Letters and why they were “dynamite” for Elizabeth I’s advisors.
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June 19 – A son for Mary, Queen of Scots, and a Jesuit priest is executed
On this day in Tudor history, on 19th June 1566, in Scotland, Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to a baby boy who would grow up to be King James VI of Scotland and King James I of England. He was baptised Charles James though.
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Henry VIII’s Children Crossword Puzzle
Our Sunday brain-stretcher this week is a crossword puzzle testing your knowledge on Henry VIII’s children.
How much do you know about these Tudor offspring? Get those little grey cells working with this fun crossword puzzle.
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June 18 – The inventor of the = sign
On this day in Tudor history, 18th June 1558, the will of Welsh mathematician, physician and mint administrator Robert Recorde was proved.
Robert Recorde was the inventor of the “=” sign and wrote books on mathematics. Interestingly, he also wrote a urological treatise “The Urinal of Physick”.
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June 17 – Mary, Queen of Scots, is imprisoned, and a man who survived being condemned to death
On this day in Tudor history, 17th June 1567, in Scotland, Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned at Loch Leven Castle.
She’d been taken prisoner following her surrender at the Battle of Carberry Hill on 15th June.
At Loch Leven, it was reported that she miscarried twins fathered by her third husband, the Earl of Bothwell, and she was also forced to abdicate. She did, however, escape, but her freedom was very short-lived.
Find out more about this time in Mary, Queen of Scots’ life…
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June 16 – The Battle of Stoke Field and Lambert Simnel
On this day in Tudor history, 16th June 1487, the final battle of the Wars of the Roses took place, and I’m not talking about the Battle of Bosworth!
The Battle of Stoke Field was between the forces of Henry VII and the Yorkist forces of Lord Lovell and John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln, who had recently crowned Lambert Simnel as King Edward VI.
Who won that day? What happened? And what happened to the boy, Lambert Simnel?
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June 15 – The death of Will Somer, court fool
On this day in Tudor history, 15th June 1559, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, court fool William Somer (Sommers) died in Shoreditch, London.
He’d served as court fool to Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I.
Somer managed to survive the wrath of King Henry VIII to die a natural death in Elizabeth’s reign.
He wasn’t the only court fool at the time, and you can find out more about him and Jane the Fool in this video:
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June 14 – Friar Peto and Sir Christopher Danby, both lucky men
On this day in Tudor history, 14th June 1557, in the reign of Mary I, Friar William Peto was made a cardinal and a papal legate.
He’d done well to survive Henry VIII’s reign as he’d upset the king with a controversial sermon and was attainted at one point.
Find out more about Peto in this short video…
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Chat about “Becoming Elizabeth” and learn about Elizabeth I from Tudor experts!
Fancy chatting with other Tudor history lovers weekly about episodes of “becoming Elizabeth”? Well, if you do, you can join us by being part of my latest event.
After the success of my previous two online events, I’m excited to announce my third, and it’s on Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of Anne Boleyn.
“Elizabeth I: The Life of Gloriana, the Virgin Queen” is a completely online event, so you can listen to expert talks and participate in Q&A sessions and chats from the comfort of your own home.
The main talks and Q&A sessions run from 7-16 September 2022, BUT we also have a bonus talk and Q&A session on the death of Amy Dudley (Robsart) in July, AND we have weekly chatroom sessions while the STARZ series “Becoming Elizabeth” is being aired. Out first chat is 17th June! We can dissect and discuss each episode – hurrah!
Let me tell you a bit more about my Elizabeth I event…
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June 13 – George Neville, and fighting actors
On this day in Tudor history, 13th June 1535, courtier George Neville, 3rd Baron Bergavenny, died. He’d done well for himself in the reigns of King Richard III and Henry VII, but came undone in Henry VIII’s reign.
What happened to George Neville?
Find out a bit more about him
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June 12 – A lawyer and torturer, and Master Secretary Cromwell pleads for mercy
On this day in Tudor history, 12th June 1567, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich, died.
He wasn’t a particularly nice Tudor chap and was involved in the cases of Sir Thomas More and Anne Askew.
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Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon Quiz
I thought we’d celebrate Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon’s wedding anniversary, which was yesterday, by testing your knowledge of them and their marriage.
Get those little grey cells working with this fun quiz and do feel free to share your score.
Good luck!
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June 11 – St Barnabas Day, Sir Anthony Cooke, and Henry VIII gets married to Catherine of Aragon
Today, 11th June, is the Feast of St Barnabas, a feast day that was celebrated by the Tudors by decorating churches with garlands of flowers.
Find out more about St Barnabas and how he was commemorated in medieval and Tudor times…
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June 10 – Elizabeth I’s “frog”, Thomas Cromwell’s arrest, and the sad end of two Carthusian monks
On this day in Tudor history, 10th June 1584, Francis, Duke of Anjou and Alençon, died in Paris, probably of of malaria.
Anjou was, for a time, one of Elizabeth I’s suitors, and Elizabeth appears to have had true affection for him. She nicknamed him her “frog” and considered marrying him.
Find out more about what happened between Elizabeth and her dear “frog”
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London Charterhouse and its history
As today is the anniversary of the deaths of two Carthusian monks on 10th June 1537, who were starved to death. I thought I’d share this talk I did after my visit to the home of their order, London Charterhouse, which has a wonderfully rich history.
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June 9 – William Courtenay, William Paget, and the 1549 Book of Common Prayer
On this day in Tudor history, 9th June 1511, in the reign of King Henry VIII, William Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon, died.
Who was Courtenay and how did he go from being in favour to being a traitor and then back to being in favour?
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June 8 – Elizabeth Woodville, and an Act of Succession
On this day in Tudor history, 8th June 1492, in the reign of King Henry VII, the king’s mother-in-law, Elizabeth Woodville, died at Bermondsey Abbey.
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June 7 – A queen’s physician is hanged, and a historic meeting
On this day in Tudor history, 7th June 1594, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the queen’s physician, Roderigo Lopez, was hanged, drawn and quartered after being accused of plotting to poison the queen.
Find out more about Lopez and what happened…
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June 6 – Trouble brewing in Bodmin, and a lucky musician
On this day in Tudor history, 6th June 1549, in the reign of King Edward VI, an army of rebels assembled at Bodmin in Cornwall. A town meeting was held, in which the rebels’ demands were put forward.
These men were rebelling against the recent religious changes, particularly the new law concerning the Book of Common Prayer.
Trouble ensued and their grievances became a full-blown rebellion, the Prayer Book Rebellion. You can find out what happened next and how the rebellion ended in this video:
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