ON THIS DAY - 22 January 1554

On This Day (22 January) in 1554, Robert Dudley, the 21-year-old son of John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, was found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death.

'Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester'. Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish Artist, c.1565 © National Gallery of Victoria

Following the Privy Council abandoning their support for Jane Grey, and proclaiming Mary I Queen of England, Robert was taken into custody on 20 Jul 1553, after being apprehended by local forces at King's Lynn; he had been in Norfolk, trying to gather support in the ill-fated coup, led by his father, in the attempt to place their sister-in-law Jane on the English throne, in place of Mary. Following his capture, Robert was taken to Framlingham Castle, where he appeared before Mary, asking her for mercy. This was unsuccessful, as Robert was taken back to London, where along with his brothers John, Ambrose, Henry ('Harry') and Guildford, he was held at the Tower of London. Initially he was held with his younger brother and husband of Jane, Guildford, in the Bell Tower; however, they soon joined their eldest brother John in the Beauchamp Tower, along with Ambrose and Harry, who had been housed in the nearby Coldharbour Gate Tower. Their father was held separately in St Thomas's Tower, until he was quickly executed on 22 August 1553, following a trial at Westminster Hall,

Dudley Graffiti, The Beauchamp Tower, Tower of London © Spitalfields Life

Jane Grey, along with Guildford, Ambrose and Harry, underwent their trial at London's Guildhall in November 1553, following which all were found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death. However, Robert was not tried at this time, as his 'crimes' had been committed in Norfolk, not London, and so local evidence was required.

On 09 January 1554, a hearing was initially held at Norwich's Shire House; a gathered panel heard that Robert had 'fortified' Kings Lynn, and along with his father and "other traitors" had treacherously proclaimed Jane Grey as queen the previous July. Feedback from this hearing was given to London's Lord Mayor, Thomas White, who subsequently arranged a formal trial at the City of London's Guildhall.

'South entrance to Guildhall, London'. Unknown Artist, mid 18thc. © Mary Evans Picture Gallery

Robert appeared at London's Guildhall on 22 January 1554, charged with high treason, having walked the mile distance, accompanied by the Constable of the Tower Sir John Gage. Having heard the evidence, Robert pleaded guilty to the charges put against him. He was subsequently sentenced to death by means of a traitors death - hanging, drawing and quartering. However, his execution warrant was never signed, and on his return to the Tower, Robert, along with his brothers, continued to await his fate. His younger brother Guildford and his wife Jane Grey were not so fortunate, as they were executed in February 1554.

Following their mother Jane Guildford, the widowed Duchess of Northumberland, and brother-in-law Sir Henry Sidney (wife of sister Mary) petitioning for their pardon and release from Mary I and her husband Philip II of Spain (befriending accompanying Spanish nobles), the remaining Dudley brothers were eventually released from the Tower in the winter of 1554. Her eldest son John, 2nd Earl of Warwick, died days after his release, having made his way to Henry Sidney's home, Penshurst Place, Kent..

When Robert, and his surviving brothers Harry and Ambrose, were released from the Tower, they were initially still subject to attainder (as a result of their father's conviction), and so were unable to inherit lands, property or finances. This left the brothers (and their wives) in a state of financial and legal uncertainty, until an Act of Parliament in 1558 restored the surviving Dudley siblings by blood. The brothers were also officially pardoned by Mary I exactly one year after Robert's conviction - 22 January 1555.