July 6 - The execution of Sir Thomas More

On this day in Tudor history, Tuesday 6th July 1535, Henry VIII’s former friend and Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas More, was beheaded on Tower Hill as a traitor. 

 

In today's talk, historian Claire Ridgway shares accounts of his execution, including one that gives real insight into More's personality, with his black humour on the scaffold.

 

Claire also gives details on the fate of Sir Thomas More's head and what his daughter, Margaret Roper, did with it. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:

https://youtu.be/e8sf5B6Q5mI

 

Also on this day in Tudor history, 6th July 1553, fifteen-year-old King Edward VI died at Greenwich Palace leaving the throne to his cousin's eldest daughter, Lady Jane Grey. Find out more about Edward's final illness and last days, his “Devise for the Succession”, and Lady Jane Grey's reaction at being told that she was Edward’s successor, in my video from last year - https://youtu.be/4UIMLCjf3e0