This day in London’s History
1536 Henry VIII puts Anne Boleyn and her brother on trial in the Great Hall of the Tower, charged with pretty much everything in the book. She denies the charges. He denies the charges. His wife disagrees and testifies against them. Her lover, Henry Percy, sits on the jury. Their uncle, Thomas Howard, sentences them. Execution by beheading, two days later. At least they kept the whole thing in the family.
London fact of the week
The Tower of London is famous for its grizzly history. It’s surprising to learn, then, that only seven executions have occured within its walls. Joining Ms Boleyn in this unenviable club are William, Lord Hastings; fellow queens Catherine Howard and Jane Grey; Catherine’s lady-in-waiting, Jane Viscountess Rochford; Margaret Pole, Countess Salisbury; and Robert Deveraux, Earl of Essex. Everyone else was executed outside the Tower walls, for the delectation of a bloodthirsty London population.
London person of the week
Shelley Jacobs of Pinner for her brilliantly pointless mission to visit every street in the UK with ‘Shelley’ in the name. More on that story here.
One thing you must do in London this week
Photo-London 2006 at the Royal Academy, 18-21 May. Some of the finest shots since photography was invented are assembled for your perusal and purchase (if you have a spare couple of thousand quid).
