WESTMINSTER
Historically part of Middlesex, became city of Westminster in 1540.
Location of old Palace of Westminster, renamed 'Whitehall Palace' - primary royal residence in 16th century.
Location of Westminster Abbey, place of coronation and burial of Tudor and Stuart monarchs, which were attended by 'Dudley Women'.
Location of 'Westminster Hall', place of multiple trials accused (and convicted) of treason.
KEY EVENTS
28 Jan 1547 - Death of Henry VIII at Palace of Whitehall; sixth wife KATHERINE PARR blocked from visiting Henry prior to his death (remained at Greenwich/Palace of Placentia); was informed of his death by THOMAS SEYMOUR. Henry VIII's coffin is moved from Whitehall to Windsor Castle, where he was buried with third wife JANE SEYMOUR. Stopped at Syon House during the journey, where his corpse supposedly 'exploded' and burst open the coffin overnight, when resting in the chapel at Syon (then belonging to EDWARD SEYMOUR).
20 Feb 1547 - Coronation of EDWARD VI at Westminster Abbey; EDWARD SEYMOUR and THOMAS SEYMOUR holding significant roles as Lord Protector and Lord High Admiral. JOHN RUSSELL acted as Lord High Steward and Keeper of the Privy Seal.
17 Jan 1549 - Arrest of THOMAS SEYMOUR from Seymour Place; is initially taken to Westminster, and then taken that night to Tower of London. Act of attainder is later passed by parliament, and he is sentenced to death without a trial; is executed on Tower Hill on 20 Mar 1549.
01 Dec 1551 - Trial of EDWARD SEYMOUR at Westminster Hall; was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death; is executed on Tower Hill on 22 Jan 1552.
08 Aug 1553 - Funeral of EDWARD VI at Westminster Abbey; his coffin had travelled from Greenwich Palace where he died to Westminster before the funeral.
18 Aug 1553 - Trial of JOHN DUDLEY is held at Westminster Hall; he is transported from St Thomas's Tower, Tower of London, where he had been imprisoned since his capture in Cambridge on 20 Jul 1553. He is found guilty of high treason, and is sentenced to death; he is executed on Tower Hill on 22 Aug 1553.
Son JOHN DUDLEY also undergoes his trial alongside his father, being transported from the Beauchamp Tower, Tower of London, where he had been held alongside his 4 brothers. This John was also found guilty of treason, and sentenced to death; however, he is released in Oct 1554, and dies shortly after.
01 Oct 1553 - Coronation of MARY I at Westminster Abbey; had arrived at Palace of Westminster in the coronation procession from Tower of London on 29 Sep 1553, accompanied by her ladies, including half-sister ELIZABETH.
17 Feb 1554 - Trial of HENRY GREY at Westminster Hall; he was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death.
17 Nov 1558 - Death of MARY I at St James's Palace; ascension of younger half-sister ELIZABETH I, who was residing at Hatfield Palace.
14 Dec 1558 - Funeral of MARY I at Westminster Abbey; she had been moved to the abbey the previous day, from St James' Palace, where she had died on 17 Nov 1558.
14 Jan 1559 - Procession of ELIZABETH I from Tower of London to Whitehall Palace; is accompanied by ROBERT DUDLEY and AMBROSE DUDLEY.
15 Jan 1559 - Coronation of ELIZABETH I at Westminster Abbey; LETTICE KNOLLYS and CATHERINE CAREY granted coronation livery, with Knollys family present at ceremony. Coronation feast later takes place at Westminster Hall, following which Elizabeth leaves for Whitehall Palace.
05 Dec 1559 - Burial of FRANCES BRANDON in St Edmund's Chapel, Westminster Abbey.
11 Mar 1565 - Marriage of ANNE RUSSELL and AMBROSE DUDLEY in Royal Chapel at Whitehall Palace, attended by ELIZABETH I. Three days of tournaments are held in their honour.
Apr 1569 - Burial of CATHERINE CAREY in St Edmund's Chapel, Westminster Abbey, following death in Jan 1569; burial paid for by ELIZABETH I.
20 Apr 1578 - Death of MARY GREY; is later buried with mother FRANCES BRANDON in St Edmund's Chapel, Westminster Abbey.
16 Apr 1587 - Death of ANNE STANHOPE; is later buried in St Nicholas' Chapel. Westminster Abbey.
19 Feb 1601 - Trial of ROBERT DEVEREUX at Westminster Hall; is found guilty of treason for role in 'Essex's Rebellion' and sentenced to death. Is executed at Tower of London on 25 Feb 1601.
05 Mar 1601 - Trial of CHRISTOPHER BLOUNT at Westminster Hall; is found guilty of treason for role in 'Essex's Rebelion' and sentenced to death. Is executed on Tower Hill on 18 Mar 1601.
26 Mar 1603 - ELIZABETH I's coffin moved to Whitehall Palace by barge from Richmond Palace at night, following her death on 23 Mar. Lies in state with lords and ladies attending to it constantly, including ANNE RUSSELL and MARGARET RUSSELL.
28 Apr 1603 - ELIZABETH I's coffin leaves Westminster Hall in funeral procession, to Westminster Abbey, where she is buried. ANNE RUSSELL and MARGARET RUSSELL are part of funeral procession. LETTICE KNOLLYS and ANNE CLIFFORD are also known to have attended the ceremony.
25 Jul 1603 - Coronation of James I and Queen Consort Anne of Denmark; MARGARET RUSSELL and husband George Clifford known to have attended (as documented by their daughter ANNE CLIFFORD). Unconfirmed whether ANNE RUSSELL attended, although Queen Anne known to have 14 Countesses attending her procession.
Nov 1605 - Location of planned 'Gunpowder Plot' or 'Gunpowder Treason': a plot to blow up the House of Lords, within the Houses of Parliament, on the State Opening of Parliament. Thomas Percy, cousin to Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland, was one of the chief conspirators, and rented the cellar in which Guido Fawkes was found with gunpowder in the early hours of 05 Nov 1605.
