Claire | February 9, 2018
On this day in history, on the night of 9th February 1542, four days before her execution, Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford, was rowed to the Tower of London. While her mistress, Catherine Howard, was confined at Syon, Jane had been residing at the home of Sir John Russell, Lord Admiral, on the Strand. Jane had […]
Claire | February 13, 2016
On 13th February 1542, Catherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII, and her lady, Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford, were executed by beheading within the confines of the Tower of London. Chronicler Edward Hall recorded: “And so on the thirtene daie, these twoo ladies were behedded on the Grene, within the Tower with an axe, and […]
Claire | January 21, 2016
On 21st January 1542, just over two and a half months since Catherine Howard’s colourful past had come to light, a bill of attainder against Catherine and her lady, Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford, was introduced into the House of Lords. According to this bill, the women were guilty of treason and could be punished without […]
Claire | February 13, 2015
On this day in history, 13 February 1542, Catherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII, and Lady Jane Rochford, wife of the late George Boleyn, were executed at the Tower of London. We have an eye-witness account of their executions from a letter written by London merchant Otwell Johnson. “[…] And for news from hence, […]
Claire | February 10, 2015
On 10 February 1542, Catherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII, was taken from Syon to the Tower of London by barge. Eustace Chapuys, the imperial ambassador at Henry VIII’s court, recorded Catherine’s journey: “Some days after, that is to say on the afternoon of the 10th, the Queen after some difficulty and resistance was […]
Claire | January 21, 2014
On 21st January 1542 a bill of attainder against Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Rochford was introduced into the House of Lords. According to this bill, the women were guilty of treason and could be punished without there being any need for a trial. Retha Warnicke points out that although the bill was introduced into […]
Claire | September 16, 2011
Just a quick reminder about a webinar I will be doing next Thursday, the 22nd September. This is the first in a series of webinars I will be doing for Anne Boleyn Fellowship members and Part 1 is on George and Jane Boleyn, examining who they really were in contrast to the way they are […]
Claire | June 3, 2011
Today we have a guest post from author and historian, Julia Fox, who wrote “Jane Boleyn: The Infamous Lady Rochford” and who has just released Sister Queens: Katherine of Aragon and Juana Queen of Castile: Katherine of Aragon and Juana Archduchess of Burgundy. I was fortunate enough to meet Julia, and her husband John Guy, […]
