The Tudor Society
  • August 5 – The suspicious deaths of two brothers in Scotland

    On this day in Tudor history, 5th August 1600, John Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie, and his brother, Alexander Ruthven, Master of Ruthven, were killed in mysterious circumstances at Gowrie House near Perth in Scotland.

    They were killed as they allegedly tried to kidnap, King James VI of Scotland, who, in 1603, inherited the English throne from Queen Elizabeth I and became King James I.

    But what happened? Did these men really try to kidnap the king or was there more to the story?

    [Read More...]
  • 5 August – Rebels defeated near Exeter

    On this day in Tudor history, 5th August 1549, during the reign of King Edward VI, son of King Henry VIII, the Battle of Clyst St Mary took place near Exeter, in Devon. It was part of the Prayer Book Rebellion, a rebellion against the religious measures of King Edward’s government.

    I explain what provoked this rebellion and what happened when the Crown’s forces got to Clyst St Mary on this day in 1549.

    [Read More...]
  • Battle of Clyst St Mary

    The Battle of Clyst St Mary, which was a battle fought during the Prayer Book Rebellion, took place on 5th August 1549 at the village of Clyst St Mary, 3 miles east of Exeter in Devon.

    [Read More...]
  • Battle of Clyst St Mary – 5 August 1549

    The Battle of Clyst St Mary, which was a battle fought during the Prayer Book Rebellion, took place on 5th August 1549 at the village of Clyst St Mary, 3 miles east of Exeter in Devon.

    The Devonian and Cornish rebels were defeated by Lord Russell’s troops, and around 900 prisoners were massacred later that day on Clyst Heath.

    [Read More...]