The Tudor Society
  • July 10 – Elizabeth I visits the Tower of London mint

    A photo of the Tower of London with a c.1560 portrait of Elizabeth I.

    On this day in Tudor history, 10th July 1561, Queen Elizabeth I visited the Tower of London mint to check on the progress of her new coins.

    Debasement of coins had happened between 1544 and 1551, in the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI, when the government was looking to fund foreign wars. The ratio of precious metal to alloy was reduced, so more coinage could be produced more cheaply, with the government pocketing the profit.

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  • July 10 – A plot to depose Elizabeth I

    On this day in Tudor history, 10th July 1584, Francis Throckmorton was executed at Tyburn for high treason after the discovery of his plot, the Throckmorton Plot.

    The Throckmorton Plot aimed to depose the Protestant Elizabeth I and to replace her with the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots.

    But why did Francis Throckmorton plot against his queen? Who did he plot with, and how was the plot discovered?

    Find out more about Francis Throckmorton and his plot…

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  • 10 July – Elizabeth I checks her money

    On this day in Tudor history, 10th July 1561, Queen Elizabeth I visited the royal mint at the Tower of London to check on her new coins. Why was she producing new coins? What was the problem with the previous coinage?

    Find out in this edition of #TudorHistoryShorts…

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