TOWER OF LONDON
'His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London'
Historic royal palace on the north bank of River Thames, dating back to the 11th century.
Also served as a prison since 1100, as well as armoury, treasury, menagerie, Royal Mint, public records office and home of Crown Jewels.
Also place of execution for a select few high-profile prisoners.
KEY EVENTS
21 Apr 1509 - Death of Henry VII and accession of Henry VIII; subsequent arrest on 24 Apr 1509 of EDMUND DUDLEY and imprisonment in Tower of London until execution by beheading on Tower Hill on 17 Aug 1510.
May-Jul 1546 - Reformist Preacher Anne Askew is arrested for the third and final time, due to her expressed religious beliefs, specifically her views on transubstantiation.
It is known that JANE GUILDFORD (as "Viscountess Lisle') communicated with Anne whilst she was imprisoned in the Tower, and ANNE STANHOPE (as "Lady Hertford') also sent her money in support.
Following her conviction for heresy, Anne was tortured in the tower, only one of two women to be, including use of the 'rack'; when she was taken to Smithfields for her death sentence to be carried out (to be burnt to death at the stake) on 16 Jul 1546, she was unable to walk, and so had to be carried in a chair.
17 Jan 1549 - Arrival of THOMAS SEYMOUR, 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley, following arrest after being found attempting to break into EDWARD VI's rooms at Hampton Court Palace. Was held in the Tower until execution, during which time he was found guilty of treason by Act of Parliament.
20 Mar 1549 - THOMAS SEYMOUR is executed by beheading on Tower Hill; was subsequently buried in Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
Oct 1551 - EDWARD SEYMOUR, 1st Duke of Somerset sent to the Tower of London, initially on charges of treason. Later charged with felony, and held in tower until execution.
22 Jan 1552 - Execution of EDWARD SEYMOUR by beheading on Tower Hill; was buried in Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
30 May 1553 - ANNE STANHOPE released from Tower of London - had been arrested and taken to Tower in Oct 1551, along with husband EDWARD SEYMOUR.
10 Jul 1553 - Arrival of JANE GREY (accompanied by husband GUILDFORD DUDLEY, mother-in-law JANE GUILDFORD) at Tower of London from Syon House, as was traditional prior to a monarch's coronation; following arrival, Jane was publicly proclaimed Queen of England, following the death of EDWARD VI 4 days earlier. .
18 Jul 1553 - Members of Privy Council leave the Tower of London, and gather at Baynard's Castle, where they make decision to declare for Mary Tudor.
19 Jul 1553 - Mary I proclaimed Queen of England; JANE GREY is imprisoned in Tower of London Gentleman Gaoler's apartments. Prior to this, many of her supporters had already abandoned her, and left the tower.
GUILDFORD DUDLEY imprisoned in Beauchamp Tower. JANE GUILDFORD is released from the Tower shortly after proclamation. HENRY GREY and FRANCES BRANDON were able to leave the Tower and return to their home at Charterhouse. JANE GUILDFORD is initially prevented from leaving, but is released a few days later.
25 Jul 1553 - Arrival of JOHN DUDLEY, Duke of Northumberland, and sons JOHN DUDLEY, AMBROSE DUDLEY, ROBERT DUDLEY and Henry Dudley at Tower of London, following surrender to Mary I's troops at Framlingham Castle, Norfolk; all later tried and convicted of high treason (although only John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland executed in Aug 1553).
Sep 1553 - ELIZABETH TAILBOYS, ANNE SEYMOUR and AMY ROBSART known to have visited husbands AMBROSE DUDLEY, JOHN DUDLEY and ROBERT DUDLEY in the Tower of London.
10 Feb 1554 - Arrival of HENRY GREY at Tower of London, following arrest at estate at Astley, Warwickshire; was tried and convicted of high treason for role in failed 'Wyatt's Rebellion' and executed on Tower Green on 23 Feb 1554.
12 Feb 1554 - Execution by beheading of JANE GREY on Tower Green within the Tower of London; is buried along with husband GUILDFORD DUDLEY (who had been executed earlier that day on Tower Hill) in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
17 Mar 1554 - Princess Elizabeth (later Elizabeth I) imprisoned at Tower of London on orders from Mary I; was released 2 months later on 19 May 1554.
11 Oct 1554 - Release of ROBERT DUDLEY, JOHN DUDLEY and Henry Dudley from Tower of London; John Dudley dies at Penshurst Place 3 days following release on 21 Oct 1554.
Nov 1554 - Release of AMBROSE DUDLEY from Tower of London.
August 1561 - Imprisonment of KATHERINE GREY and EDWARD SEYMOUR, 1st Earl of Seymour in Tower of London, on orders from Elizabeth I following news of their marriage (and subsequent pregnancy).
Katherine gave birth to two children whilst prisoner in Tower in Sep 1561 and 1563.
Aug 1563 -Release of KATHERINE GREY, EDWARD SEYMOUR and their children from Tower of London, at the request of their families, due to concerns re: the spread of plague. Katherine is separated from her eldest son.
08 Feb 1601 - Arrest of ROBERT DEVEREUX, CHRISTOPHER BLOUNT and other conspirators involved in failed 'Essex Rebellion', and taken into custody to Tower of London.
25 Feb 1601 - Execution by beheading of ROBERT DEVEREUX on Tower Green, following conviction of high treason due to role in failed 'Essex's Rebellion'. He is the last person to be executed by beheading within the Tower of London. Was buried in Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
18 Mar 1601 - Execution by beheading of CHRISTOPHER BLOUNT on Tower Hill; was subsequently buried in Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
