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Mary I's Fight For The Throne

17th July - Mary prepares for battle

Upon hearing of Northumberland's intended approach from Cambridge, "such panic seized the inhabitants of the Bury area, both gentlemen and common folk, that those who could bear arms hastily took them up and fled to Queen Mary with all possible speed". 1

Mary summons her council, and "on their advice issued a most solemn edict to the sound of a trumpet that the field commanders should make every effort, with more than their usual diligence, to arm their men, muster the army, keep due order, await the enemy and not leave the camp without permission." 2

She makes the Earl of Sussex her lieutenant, Thomas Wentworth the lord marshal and Henry Bedingfeld the knight marshal. The men begin to train her troops, the majority unskilled peasants, to be ready for battle. In anticipation of Northumberland, Mary also sends to Great Yarmouth for their men and ordnance, 3 and orders Ipswich to convey more victuals. 4

Gilbert Grice arrives at Framlingham, having been escorted from his jailers in Lowestoft. He submits himself "to the queen's mercy". 5 Mary accepts and orders him to bring ordinance from The Greyhound to Framlingham. Thomas Poley goes with him. 6

At nightfall, Mary is petitioned by men from Bury to rescue their cattle, not wanting them to fall into the hands of the enemy. She agrees, and sends a group of men with horses to fetch the animals to Framlingham. 7

Circa this time, Peter Carew "respecting his faith, duty, and allegiance to his natural prince, and little regarding what had been done by a former proclamation, did cause the said lady Mary to be proclaimed queen in two market towns near to the place where he then dwelled — the one in Dartmouth, and the other at Newton Abbot." 8

Meanwhile...

Northumberland writes "somewhat sharply" to the Privy Council, "for lack of men as munitions, but a slender answer he had." 9

In Amersham, Buckinghamshire, Scottish preacher John Knox (later author of The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women) preaches "0 England! If thou obstinately wilt return into Egypt, that is, if thou contract marriage, confederacy or league with such princes as do maintain and advance idolatry, such as the Emperor, which is no less enemy unto Christ, than ever was Nero; if for the pleasure and friendship of such princes, I say, thou return to thine old abominations before used under Papistry; then, assuredly England thou shalt be plagued and brought to desolation, by the means of those whose favour thou seekest, and by whom thou art procured to fall from Christ, and to serve Antichrist." 10

The Earl of Oxford is forced to support Mary after his household servants revolt against him. They crowd "into the ample space of the castle hall and sent up deafening shouts that they recognized no other queen but Mary." 11 They threaten "immediately to throw off their liveries" 12 if their master does not go to her.

Sources:

1. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

2. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

3. Acts of the Privy Council, Vol 4

4. Acts of the Privy Council, Vol. 4

5. Acts of the Privy Council, Vol. 4

6. The Navy of Edward VI and Mary I

7. Acts of the Privy Council, Vol. 4

8. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Mary

9. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Mary

10. Ecclesiastical Memorials, John Strype

11. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

Mary I's Fight For The Throne

16th July - Mary is optimistic

Lord Wentworth arrives at Framlingham "to avoid the appearance of breaking his pledge, clad in splendid armour", 1 along with other men including Sir Richard Cavendish.

Mary is told Sir John Williams has proclaimed her queen in Oxfordshire 2, and when she learns of Edward Hastings and Edmund Peckham's rebellion sends scouts back with rewards, "so that when they had returned they could let their own people know that their efforts and their loyalty expanded with such resolution and eagerness for their sovereign were very welcome to her Highness; that she was now protected by forces of ample strength and took sure hope, God willing, for a future victory, but that the enemy was too near for her to use their forces or assistance." 3

Mary also receives a letter from the Mayor of Thetford requesting aid from rebels, presumably Northumberland's men. She tells them in a similar optimistic tone that "the expectation is that the pride of the enemy shall in such short space be abated, that they of Thetford may be out of all doubt of their conceived fear." 4

Meanwhile...

Jane writes to Justices of the Peace: "Trusty and well beloved, we greet you well. Albeit that our estate in this imperial Crown whereof we be actually and really possessed, as may appear by our procIamaction, wherein our title is published, is not or can be any wise doubtful to all such our good and faithful subjects, as, setting blind affection apart, do in reason and wisdom consider the very foundation and ground of our tytle, with the great commodities thereby coming thorough God's providence to the preservation of our common weale and policy, yet for that we understand the Ladye Marye doth not cease by Ietters in her name, provoked thereto by her adherents enemies of this realm, to publish and notify slandorously to divers of our subjects, matter derogatory to our title and dignity royal, with the slanders of certain of our nobility and council. We have thought meet to admonish and exhort you, as our true and faithful subjects, to remain fast in your obedience and duty to the imperial Crown of this realm, wheerof we have justly the possession, and not to be removed any ways from your duty by slanderous reports, or of Ietters dispersed abroad, either by the said Lady Marye, or by her adherents, for truly like as the nobility of realm, our Council, our prelates, our judges, and learned men, and others, good, wise, godly, and natural subjects, do remain fast and surely in their allegiance towards us, ready to adventure their lives, lands, and goods, for our defence, so can a great number of the same nobility, council, and judges truly testify to all the world in saving of their conscience, how carefully and earnestly the late king of famous memory, our dear cousin king Edward the sixth, from time to time motioned and provoked them partly by persuasions, partly commandments, to have such respect to his succession, if god should call him to his mercy without issue, as might be the preservation of the crown in the whole undefiled English blood. And therefore of his own mere motion, both by grant of his Ietters patents, and by declaration of his will, established the successors as it is declared by our proclamation. And for the testimony hereof to the satisfaction of such as shall conceive any doubt herein, we understand that certain of our nobility have written to you at this present in some part to admonish you of your duties, and to testify their knowledge of the truth of our title and right. Wherefore we leave to proceed further therein being assured in the goodness of god that your hearts shall be confirmed to owe your duty to us your Sovereign Lady, who mean to preserve this Crown of England in the royal blood, and out of the dominion of strangers and papists, with the defence of all you our good subjects, your lives, lands, and goods, in our peace, against the invasions and violences of all foreign or inward enemies and rebels. Given under our Signet at o' Tower of London, the xvi'' day of July, in the first year of our Reign." 5

Jane shuts the Tower of London gates, and orders the keys sent to her. 6

Bishop Ridley preaches a second sermon against Mary on the streets of London. 7

In Cambridge, Bishop Edwin Sandys preaches against Mary, using a chalice and missal "which Sir George Howard with certain of the Guard had taken that night in M. Huddlestone's house where lady Mary had been a little before, and there had Mass." 8

Following the burning of Sawston Hall, the Earl of Warwick and George Howard argue. Fighting breaks out amongst their camp, and George Howard leaves for Mary "with 50 of the King's best horses." 9

Sources:

1. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

2. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

3. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

4. Acts of Privy Council, Vol. 4

5. The Loseley manuscripts

6. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

7. Spanish State Papers, 22nd July 1553

8. The Acts and Monuments, John Foxe

Mary I's Fight For The Throne

15th July - Mary wins a fleet

At daybreak, Henry Jerningham, John Tyrrell and Edward Glemham go to inspect the ships in the haven. The crew ask Jerningham "what he would have, and whether he would have their captains or no; and he said yeah, mary. Said they " Ye shall have them, or else we shall throw them to the bottom of the sea." The captains, seeing this perplexity, said forthwith they would serve queen Mary gladly." 1

Jerningham takes Richard Brooke, the squadron's commander, back to Framlingham castle, where they "bring news of this happy and unexpected arrival to the queen." 2 The last ship, The Greyhound, still remains in Lowestoft, but for now they focus on bringing the artillery and weapons from the rest to Framlingham.

Tyrrell and Glemham also reveal to Mary that Lord Wentworth has submitted, telling the pair that "although he had pledged his fealty to Jane by the obligation of his oath, his inner conscience constantly proclaimed that Mary had a greater right to the throne, so that he would pay no more heed to that obligation but set it aside and join his true sovereign with all speed." 3

Approximately on this day, in response to the Duke of Northumberland's letter ordering them to proclaim Jane, the mayor of Coventry, "being ruled by Mr Edward Sanders, the recorder, would not do it." 4 A fervent Catholic, Sanders "speedily proclaimed queen Mary."5 The city hold a "great store of armour; and there was a cry that the city was firing in four places, which caused the common bell to be rung, the gates shut, and the walls manned, but there was no hurt." 6

Meanwhile...

The Duke of Northumberland enters Cambridge. 7

Lord Edward Clinton joins Northumberland with more supplies and weaponry. 8

Francis Jobson raises 500 rebels at Ware to join Northumberland at Cambridge. 9

Northumberland's son and heir, the Earl of Warwick, and George Howard, brother of Mary's step mother Katherine, burn Sawston Hall down in revenge for housing Mary. 10

In Buckinghamshire, Edward Hastings and Sir Edmund Peckham lead a force of men intending to march towards the Palace of Westminster "where their purpose is to apprehend Mr [Francis] Jobson and to take the armour and munitions that they shall there find, for the better furnishing of themselves in the defence of the Queen’s majesty’s person and her title." 11

A printed epistle dedicated to Gilbert Potter, the man who had his ears chopped off for proclaiming Mary, is distributed amongst London . "Whereas thou hast of late showed thy self to be a true subject to Mary, queen of England, not only by words but by deeds, and for the farther trial of thy true heart towards her, did offer thy body to be slain in her quarrel, and offered up thy self into the hands of the ragged bear most rank, with whom is nether mercy, pity, nor compassion, but his indignation present death. Thy promise (Gilbard) is faithful, thy heart is true, thy love is fervent towards her grace ; and, whereas you did promise me faithfully (when I last visited thee in prison) to be torn with wild horses, thou would not deny Marye our queen […] For, as it shall be to the great honour and praise in this world, and in heaven, to die in her grace's quarrel, and in the defence of thy country ; so would it be to the utter destruction both of thy body and soul to do the contrary […] I hear say that the true subject, Sir Edmund Peckham, is gone, with all his power and treasure, to assist her grace […] I hear also, that there is come more to help her grace, the earl of Darbey, the earl of Oxford, the earl of Bath, and divers other nobles […] The good earl of Arundel and the earl of Shrewsbury be here still; but, as I am informed, the earl of Arundel will not consent to none of their doing […] The author reveals he has also sent two "into the ragged bears camp. Keep that close which thou hast; the world is dangerous. The great devil, Dudley, ruleth; (duke, I should have said) : well, let that pass, seeing it is out, but I trust he shall not long. 12

The Imperial ambassadors are "being watched so closely to see whether we do what the Council prohibited that we are unable to negotiate as freely as we could wish or attempt certain useful expedient." 13

Members of the Privy Council visit the Imperial ambassadors again, to ask them to decide whether they want to stay or not "for if we did wish to remain our persons should be secure and my Lords would do their best for us. If we wished to depart they would give us an escort to conduct us safely out of the kingdom." 14 They decide to leave town on the 20th, slowly making their way to Dover hoping to hear of news regarding Mary and Northumberland.

Sources:

1. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

2. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

3. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

4. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

5. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

6. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

7. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

8. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

9. Calendar of the Patent Rolls, Philip and Mary Vol 1. 1553 - 1554

10. Spanish State Papers, 20th July 1553

11. Acts of the Privy Council, Volume 4

12. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

13. Spanish State Papers, 16th July 1553

Mary I's Fight For The Throne

14th July - Mary sends out a scout

Great Yarmouth finally declare for Mary, who send a bailiff to "signify the towns faithfulness and allegiance, which the said queen took in very good part, giving him her great thanks and commendation, promising to requite this the towns dutiful kindness." 1

Around this time, Colchester also proclaim Mary queen, sending provisions to Framlingham that include "three tuns of beer [...] and the carriage of the same in six carts." 2

After she hears nothing from Glemham and Tyrrell sent to Lord Wentworth yesterday, Mary sends one of her most trusted men Henry Jerningham to follow after them and discover if they have succeeded.

While in an nearby inn, Jerningham learns in conversation that "a squadron of five ships of the late King Edward VI, laden with soldiers and weaponry, had been forced into the safety of Orwell haven by bad weather and was lying there [...] The crews were in a state of great disturbance and had most courageously mutinied against their officers because of the disowning of Princess Mary." 3 One of the sailors onboard disembarked and is now in the inn.

He orders the sailor brought to him to verify the tale. When he does, Jerningham decides to set out in the morning with Glemham and Tyrrell, who are sleeping in the same inn.

Meanwhile in London...

Forces are mustered on Tothill 4 and paid a month's wages in advance. 5

The Duke of Northumberland leaves London for Cambridge, with his sons Ambrose and Henry, Sir John Gates, Sir Thomas Palmer, the Marquis of Northampton, Francis Hastings earl of Huntingdon, the earls of Rutland and Westmorland, and various troops. 6

The Imperial ambassadors send a man after Northumberland's army to find out news. 7

Sources:

1. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

2. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

3. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

4. The Chronicle of the Grey Friars: Jane

5. Spanish State Papers, 12th July 1553

6. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

Mary I's Fight For The Throne

13th July - Mary's army grows

More people are joining Mary, including men practising Protestantism. They agree to help her, on the assumption that "she would not attempt the alteration of the religion which her brother King Edward had before established by laws." 1 Mary promises no innovation will be made of religion.

Because of her growing army, there is a lack of food in the area. Purveyors sent to find food nearby report that "There was never less store of grain in Marshland, and as for beef they were never so scant." 2

Keen to add more prominent men to her cause, along with their supplies, weapons and food, Mary sends two men, Edward Glemham and John Tyrrell, to the local lord, Lord Thomas Wentworth, with the message that "he should take a good care for himself and for his family not to forsake the queen's cause, which would be to the perpetual dishonour of his house." 3 Glemham and Tyrell are distant relatives of the man. 4

Upon their men returning from Norwich, Great Yarmouth order them to "ride immediately this night to the Queen’s grace with certain instructions to be declared unto her Grace’s counsel”. 5

Meanwhile...

Henry Dudley leaves London for France, hoping to get French support. 6

The Imperial ambassadors announce their departure to the Privy Council, who beg them not to leave until a reply from the Emperor. 7

Sources:

1. The Acts and Monuments, John Foxe

2. The History of Norfolk Vol. I

3. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

4. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

5. Great Yarmouth under Queen Mary

6. Spanish State Papers, July 1553

Mary I's Fight For The Throne

12th July - Mary relocates to Framlingham

Mary moves from Kenninghall to Framlingham castle.

On the ride, Sir Thomas Cornwallis arrives to submit, begging to be pardoned. Cornwallis had heard from a friend that "the people of London were very ill-disposed to Northumberland and the great men of the realm for disinheriting Mary, and that everything there pointed to violence and an uprising." 1 As a result of the conversation, he returned to Ipswich and proclaimed her queen. He throws his white sherriff staff on the ground "to offer his due fealty on behalf of Norfolk and Suffolk." 2 Though at first Mary "seemed to berate the man for being somewhat slow and stubborn and less mindful of his duty than he ought to have been despite the repeated requests of her letters" 3 she forgives him and adds him to her growing council of noblemen.

Mary and her train of followers reach Framlingham around 8pm, where "as many as possible of the local gentry and justices, together with a crowd of country folk, awaited her highness's arrival in the deerpark lying below the castle." 4 The crowd includes the earls of Bath and Sussex, returning with their troops as previously promised.

After arriving, Mary discovers Norwich has now also proclaimed her. 5 Having "certain tidings" 6 of King Edward's death, they "immediately proclaimed her, and raised 100 soldiers, and sent them to meet her at Framlingham castle in Suffolk." 7

As a consequence of Norwich proclaiming Mary, Great Yarmouth's council decide to send men to "ride immediately to Norwich to know the advice and counsel of the Worshipful there and of their council, and that the proclamation shall be delayed and deferred until their return." 8

Meanwhile...

The Privy Council decide to send the Duke of Suffolk to lead an army against Mary. Jane "taking the matter heavily, with weeping tears, made request to the whole Council that her father might tarry at home in her company; whereupon the council persuaded the Duke of Northumberland to take that voyage upon him." 9

Three carts of guns, bows, arrows and artillery are taken to the Tower of London in preparation for war. 10

The Imperial ambassadors are visited by members of the Privy Council, who reveal they are sending Northumberland to Mary. They tell the ambassadors they "must by no means hold communication" 11 with Mary and inform them their embassy has expired. Once asked for an escort to take them to Dover, the Council members say they were mistaken to tell the ambassadors their commission has expired.

Reformer John Bradford preaches a sermon on the death of Edward VI: "Great and heavy is God’s anger against us, as the most grievous plague of the death of our late king (a prince the most peerless of all that ever were since Christ’s ascension into heaven in any religion), now fallen upon us doth prognosticate. For when God’s judgement has begun with his child, this our dear darling, let other men think as they can, I surely cannot be persuaded otherwise, but that a grievous and bitter cup of England’s vengeance is ready to be poured out for us Englishmen to drink of.” 12

From jail, Captain Grice sends three gold rings to his Master John Hurlock as a signal for him to come on shore and speak with him. “Hurlock, taking the said rings, put the same on his finger.” 13 In his absence, the crew open his chests as traitors goods, finding £15 of the £20 Northumberland had paid him in advance, as well as his livery coat and various other clothing they distribute amongst themselves. 14

Sources:

1. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

2. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

3. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

4. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

5. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

6 An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Vol 3, Part 1

7 An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Vol 3, Part 1

8. Great Yarmouth under Queen Mary

9 Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

10. Diary of Henry Machyn, July 1553

11 Spanish State Papers, 12th July 1553

12. British Reformers: Writings of John Bradford

13. The Navy of Edward VI and Mary I

Mary I's Fight For The Throne

11th July - Mary decides to move

Mary receives a reply from the Privy Council to her letter:

Madame, we have received your letter the ix of this instant declaring your supposed title which you judge yourself to have: the Imperial Crown of this Realm and all the domains thereunto belonging. Our answer whereof is to advise your forasmuch as our Sovereign Lady Queen Jane is after the death of our Sovereign Lord King Edward VI, a prince of most noble memory, invested and possessed with right and just title in the Imperial Crown of this Realm, not only by good order of old ancient laws of this realm, but also by your late Sovereign Lord’s letters patent signed with his own hand and sealed with the Great Seal of England in the presence of the most part of the nobles and councillors, judges, and divers other grown and sage persons assenting and subscribing unto the same. We must therefore (and of most duty and right we ought to) profess and declare unto you that forasmuch as divers divorces made between the King of most noble memory Henry VIII and the Lady Katherine your mother was necessary to be had, both by the everlasting law of God as also by the laws and by the most part of the notable and learned universities of Christendom and confirmed also by the divers acts of parliament removing it, therefore and thereby you made illegitimate and inheritable to the Imperial Crown of this Realm and the dominions and possessions of the same. You will upon just consideration thereof and of divers other causes lawful to be alleged for the same, and for the just inheritance of the right, and goodly orders taken by the late King our Sovereign Lord Edward VI, and agreed unto by the noble and great personages aforesaid, cease by your pretence to vex and molest any of our Sovereign lady Queen Jane’s subjects, drawing them from the true faith and allegiance unto Her Grace. Assuring that if you will for respect show yourself quiet and obedient as you ought, you shall find us all and several [ready] to do you any service that we, with duty, may be glad with you to preserve the common state of this Realm, wherein you may otherwise be grievous unto us to yourself and to them. And thus we bid you most heartily well to fare, from the Tower of London the IX *July. Your ladyship’s loving friends, showing yourself an obedient subject. 1 *misdated, should be the Xth

After conferring with important local magnates including Lord Thomas Wentworth, Sir Thomas Cornwallis, Sherriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, proclaims Queen Jane in Ipswich marketplace. Soon after, Mary's servant Thomas Poley arrives and reads out her proclamation:

"Know ye all the good subjects of this realm that your most noble Prince, your sovereign Lord and King, Edward the VI, is upon Thursday last, being the 6th of July, departed this world to God’s mercy. And that now the most excellent princess his sister Mary, by the grace of God is Queen of England and Ireland, and very owner of the crown, government, and title of England and Ireland, and all things thereunto belonging, to God’s glory, the honour of the realm of England, and all your comforts. And her Highness has not fled this her realm, nor intends to do, as is most untruly surmised." 2

He leaves hurriedly, "taking refuge in flight." 3, for fear that he will come to blows with the leading men gathered to support Jane.

In Norwich, they refuse to proclaim Mary queen because they are "not certain of the king's death" 4, while in Great Yarmouth, the town council meet to discuss the situation after having visited Mary. They adjourn their meeting until the next day “to make a plan and definite agreement whether the Lady Mary her grace shall be proclaimed Queen of England”. 5

Back at Kenninghall, Sir Richard Southwell, who had recently helped Mary with the matter of her stolen hawks, arrives with money, provisions, and armed men to "make the most humble submission that he could to the queen, repeatedly recalling in his petition the many favours heaped on him by Henry VIII." 6

Southwell's arrival, with "reinforcements of men, a store of provisions and moreover money, the sinews of war, as they call it, not to mention his own skill in counsel and long experience" 7 prompts Mary to make plans to move her household from Kenninghall.

The decision is made to go to Framlingham, and Mary sends a messenger to the Imperial ambassadors in London informing them. She also begs for further aid, ordering the messenger to tell the men she sees "destruction hanging over her" 8 unless she receives help from the Emperor.

Meanwhile...

Jane writes to the Marquis of Northampton, lieutenant of Surrey, and the sheriffs and chief justices of the peace in that county "Right trusty and right well beloved, we greet you well, advertising the same that whereas it hath pleased almighty God to call to his mercy out of this life our dearest cousin the King, your late sovereign lord, by reason whereof and such ordinances as the said late King did establish in his life time for the security and wealth of this Realm, we are entered into our rightful possession of this kingdom, as by the last will of our said dearest cousin our late progenitor, and other several instruments to that effect, signed with his own hand and sealed with the great seal of this realm in his own presence. Whereunto the nobles of this realm for the most part and all our council and Judges, with the Mayor and Aldermen of our City of London, and divers other grave personages of this our realm of England, have also subscribed their names as by the same will and instrument it may more evidently and plainly appear. We therefore do you to understand, that by the ordinance and sufferance of the heavenly Lord, and by assent and consent of our said nobles and councillors, and others before specified, we do this day make our entry into our Tower of London as rightful Queen of this realm, and have accordingly set forth our proclamations to all our loving subjects, giving them thereby to understand their duties and allegiance which they now of right owe unto us, as more amply by the same you shall briefly perceive and understand, nothing doubting right trusty and right well beloved cousin, but that you will endeavour yourself in all things to the uttermost of your power not only to defend our just title but also assist us in our rightful possession of this kingdom, and to disturb, repel, and resist the feigned and untrue claim of the lady Mary, bastard daughter to our great uncle Henry the eight of famous memory. Wherein as you shall do that which to your honour, truth, and duty appertain, so shall we remember the same unto you and yours accordingly. And our further pleasure is that you shall continue, do, and execute every thing and things as our lieutenant within all places according to the tenor of the commission, addressed unto you from our late cousin King Edward the vi, in such and like sort as if the same had been, as we mind shortly it shall be, renewed and by us confirmed under our great seal unto you. Given under our Signet at our Tower of London on the xi of July the first year of our reign." 9

Gilbert Potter, the young man who said Mary had the right title is set on the pillory where both his ears are cut off. In the evening, his master drowns. 10

Richard Grafton, the royal printer, issues a pamphlet of the town criers announcement yesterday, reiterating Mary and Elizabeth are "proved illegitimate and born unlawful and clearly discharged from the crown and from all manner of possessions of the king their father Henry the VIII." 11

The Imperial ambassadors report Jane will not be "crowned for a fortnight or more." 12

A man from Lowestoft comes aboard The Greyhound asking how Captain Grice and the rest of the crew fare. They "demand if they could with their hearts serve Queen Mary [...] unto whom every one of the company answered and said they would live and die with her grace." 13 Grice changes out of his livery and goes abroad with the man into Lowestoft, asking what news there is. Hearing that the country is up in rebellion, he is then questioned if he is a servant of the Duke of Northumberland. He denies it, but the sailors with him reveal he is. He is then “by the townsmen taken as an offender." 14

Sources:

1. The Reign of Mary I, Robert Tittler

2. The History and Antiquities of Hengrave, in Suffolk

3. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

4. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

5. Great Yarmouth under Queen Mary

6. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

7. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

8. Spanish State Papers, 14th July 1553

9. The Loseley Manuscripts

10. Diary of Henry Machyn, July 1553

11. The Chronicle of the Grey Friars: Jane

12. Spanish State Papers, 11th July 1553

13. The Navy of Edward VI and Mary I

Mary I's Fight For The Throne

10th July - Mary gains an earl

While riding to meet Mary at Kenninghall, Sir John Huddlestone comes across the younger son of the Earl of Sussex, who is "on his way to the Council in London with letters from his father". 1 He captures and takes him to Mary, who is "thoroughly delighted with this arrival, just as much at the return of Huddleston, whom she greatly valued, as at the capture of the letters which revealed her enemies' plans, but especially because she hoped to be able to win over the elder Henry to her cause through his son." 2

Hearing of his kidnapped son, the Earl of Sussex hastily arrives to Kenninghall, saying he "had been too ready to believe Northumberland's son Robert about the king's death. Now, on his honour, fully persuaded of the death of his sovereign, he gave his most bounden fealty to his sovereign queen in the customary form that he would uphold her cause in future." 3

Mary sends him back to his home, ordering him to raise his troops and return.

Meanwhile...

Jane Grey is proclaimed Queen of England and enters the Tower of London. Her train is carried by her mother, the Duchess of Suffolk, but "no one present showed any sign of rejoicing, and no one cried: “Long live the Queen!” except the herald who made the proclamation and a few archers who followed him." 4

Mary is publicly "declared unfitted for the Crown, as also the Lady Elizabeth. Both ladies were declared to be bastards; and it was stated that the Lady Mary might marry a foreigner and thus stir up trouble in the kingdom and introduce a foreign government, and also that as she was of the old religion she might seek to introduce popery" by town criers on street corners. 5

Gilbert Potter, a young man, is arrested for saying Mary is the rightful queen. 6

William Paget, Marquis of Winchester, brings the crown of England for Jane Grey to try on. A family row ensues between the Grey's and Dudley's when Jane says she "should be content to make my husband a duke, but would never consent to make him king. Which resolution of mine gave his mother (this my opinion being related to her) great cause for anger and disdain, so that she, being very angry with me, and greatly displeased, persuaded her son not to sleep with me any longer as he was wont to do, affirming to me moreover that he did not wish in any wise to be a duke, but a king." 7

Thomas Hungate arrives and delivers Mary's letter to the Privy Council who are "greatly astonished and troubled. The Duchesses of Suffolk and Northumberland, it is said, began to lament and weep." 8 Hungate is then arrested, with Northumberland telling him "I am truly sorry that it was your lot to be so immature and thus rashly to throw yourself away in this embassy." 9

The Privy Council send secretaries William Petre and William Cecil to the Imperial ambassadors to inform them of Edward's death. The ambassadors "pray the Council to remember my Lady Mary, cousin german to [Charles V], to receive her into their protection and shelter her; for princes had always esteemed that kinship was one of the most powerful instruments of peace and goodwill between countries." 10

Approximately on this day, bad weather forces 5 of the 6 ships sent from London into Orwell haven. 11 The Greyhound, manned by the Duke of Northumberland's servant Gilbert Grice, sails on to Lowestoft. 12

Sources:

1. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

2. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

3. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

4. Spanish State Papers, 10th July 1553

5. Spanish State Papers, 10th July 1553

6. Diary of Henry Machyn, July 1553

7. The History of Mary I, Queen of England, J Stone

8. Spanish State Papers, 11th July 1553

9. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

10. Spanish State Papers, 10th July 1553

11. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

rabbit riding a hound with a trained snail of prey  Pontifical of Guillaume Durand, Avignon, before 1390.

Mary I's Fight For The Throne

9th July - Mary writes to the Privy Council

Mary continues sending out letters to rally support amongst the nobility. She also writes directly to the Privy Council, ordering them to proclaim her queen:

My lords, We greet you well and have received sure advertisement that our dearest brother the King and late sovereign lord is departed to God. Marry, which news, how they be woeful unto our hearts, He wholly knoweth to whose will and pleasure we must and humbly submit us and our will. But in this lamentable case, that is to wit now after his departure and death, concerning the Crown and governance of this Realm of England with the title of France and all things thereunto belonging, what has been provided by act of Parliament and the testament and last will of our death father – besides other circumstances advancing our right – the Realm know and all the world knoweth. The rolls and records appear by authority of the king our said father and the king our said brother and the subjects of this Realm, as we verily trust that there is no good true subject that is or can or will pretend to be ignorant hereof. And of our part, as God shall aid and strengthen us, we have ourselves caused and shall cause our right and title in this behalf to be published and proclaimed accordingly. And, albeit this matter being so weighty, the manner seemeth strange that our said brother, dying upon Thursday at night last past, we hitherto had no knowledge from you thereof. Yet we considered your wisdom and prudence to be such that having eftsoon among you debated, pondered, and well weighed this present case with our estate and your estate, the commonwealth, and all your honours, we shall and may conceive great hope and trust and much assurance in your loyalty and service, and that you will like noble men work the best. Nevertheless, we are not ignorant of your consultations and provisions forcible, there with assembled and prepared – by whom and to what end God and you know, and nature can but fear some evil. But be it that some consideration politic of some whatsoever reason hath hastily moved you thereto, yet doubt you not, my lords, we can take all these your doings in gracious part, being also right ready to remit and fully pardon the same freely, to eschew blood-shed and vengeance of those that can or will amend. Trusting also assuredly you will take and accept this grace and virtue in such good part as appeareth, and that we shall [not] be enforced to use the service of other our true subjects and friends which in this our just and rightful cause God, in whom our whole affiance is, shall send us. Wherefore, my lords, we require you and charge you, for that our allegiance which you owe to God and us, that, for your honour and the surety of your persons, you employ your selves and forthwith upon receipt hereof cause our right and title to the Crown and government of this Realm to be proclaimed in our City of London and such other places as to your wisdoms shall seem good and as to this case appertaineth, not failing hereof, as our very trust in in you. And this letter signed with our hand shall be your sufficient warrant. Given under our signet at our Manor of Kenninghall, the 9th July 1553 Mary the Queen 1

Her servant, Thomas Hungate, offers to ride to London and deliver it. While he rides off, she also writes to Edward Hastings -

Right trusty and well beloved cousin, we greet you well; Advertising you, that to our great grief and heaviness of heart, we have received woeful news of advertisement that the King, our dearest brother, and late sovereign Lord, is departed to God’s mercy, upon Thursday last, at night, by means whereof the right of the crown of this realm of England, with the governance thereof, and the title of France, is justly come unto us by God’s providence; as appears by such provisions as have been made by act of Parliament, and the testament and will of our late dearest father King Henry VIII, for our preferement in this behalf, whereby you are now discharged of your duty of allegiance to our said brother the King, and unburdened and set at large, to observe, execute or obey any commandment heretofore or hereafter to be addressed unto you by letter or otherwise, from or in the name, or by colour of the authority of the same King, our late brother; and only to us and our person are and owe to be true liegeman.  Wherefore, right trusty and beloved, for the special trust and affiance we have in you, and as you be a nobleman, we require, command and charge you to have a heart and eye vigilant and fully bent to God’s glory, our honour, and surety of our person, and the universal quietness of the whole realm; especially of those in our counties of Middlesex and Bucks, where your habitation and mansion is: and that ye stir not in a forcible array, at the commandment, call or bidding, by letters or otherwise, of any person or persons whatsoever except for us your sovereign Lady; and except also if any wilful, as God forbid will dare and attempt otherwise violently and by force, that shall to you seem prejudical unto us, our right and title aforesaid. For the prevention of which cause, and also to the intent you shall and may be ready to serve us at our command, hereafter to be addressed unto you, we will you shall, to the best of your person, fortify and prepare yourself. And this our letter, signed with our hand, shall be your warrant and discharge in this behalf. Willing you further not to doubt, but that we shall in the balance of equity, reason and justice consider your endeavour, and also employ our own person and study accordingly; and so prosecute you with such our favour and grace as shall advance God’s glory and the commonweal, to your comfort, with the help of God, who have us all in his blessed keeping. Given at our manor of Kenninghall, the 9th of July in the year of our lord God 1553 2

Her servant, Thomas Wharton, is sent to his brother in law, the nearby Earl of Sussex, to recruit him to their cause, however the earl is "falsely convinced by Lord Robert, Northumberland's third son, that the king was still alive." 3 Following an unsuccessful attempt to bring him over to their side, Wharton only just escapes from "an ambush laid for him by the servants of Lord Robert while he was journeying back to the queen." 4

In the evening, the town council at Great Yarmouth send bailiffs and gentlemen to "ride immediately unto my Lady Mary’s Grace to Kenninghall to know her Grace’s pleasure concerning her letter to us sent this present night signed with her hand”. 5

Meanwhile in London...

Having been recuperating in Chelsea from sickness (possibly related to what the Duchess of Northumberland told her), Jane Grey is summoned to Syon Palace and told she is now Queen of England, per the last will of King Edward VI. She "greatly bewailed myself for the death of so noble a prince, and at the same time, turned myself to God, humbly praying and beseeching him, that if what was given to me was rightly and lawfully mine, his divine Majesty would grant me such grace and spirit that I might govern it to his glory and service, and to the advantage of this realm." 6

The Captain of the Royal Guard summons all the archers and publicly informs them of King Edward's death, ordering them to repair to the Tower tomorrow to swear to abide his will. The Lady Mary is "not fit to succeed because of the divorce that had separated her father, King Henry, from her mother, Queen Catherine". 7 She is "unable to administer the kingdom, being a woman and of the old religion." 8

Sources:

1. The Reign of Mary I, Robert Tittler

2. Ecclesiastical Memorials, John Strype

3. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

4. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

5. Great Yarmouth under Queen Mary

6. The History of Mary I, Queen of England, J Stone

7. Spanish State Papers, 10th July 1553

Mary I's Fight For The Throne

8th July - Mary announces the King's death to her household

Mary takes counsel with her advisors, and following that has her whole household summoned to her presence. She then tells them "of the death of her brother Edward VI; the right to the Crown of England had therefore descended to her by divine and by human law after her brother's death, through God's high providence, and she was most anxious to inaugurate her reign with the aid of her most faithful servants, as partners in her fortunes. Roused by their mistress's words, everyone, both the gently-born and the humbler servants, cheered her to the rafters and hailed and proclaimed their dearest princess Mary as queen of England." 1.

She starts the first of many letters to rouse her supporters, writing to knights Sir George Somerset, Sir William Drury, Sir William Waldegrave and Justice of the Peace Clement Higham "signifying unto them the king’s death, and thereby her right to the crown, requiring them to obey no commandment to be issued out upon any pretence or gloss of the deceased king’s authority, being bound now to be true liegeman to her own, and lastly charging them, in all haste possible, to prepare and put themselves in order to repair to her at Kenninghall, where at their coming, they should know further of her pleasure." 2

Mary's actions have not gone unnoticed.

The Privy Council, after finding out of her departure, "despatched to the officers in all parts of the kingdom" 3 the following letter:

"So it is that the lady Mary, not many days past, removed from [Beaulieu] in Essex to her house of Hunsdon in Hertfordshire, the cause whereof, although we knew not, we rather think it likely that her grace would have seen his majesty; but now upon Tuesday last she hath suddenly, without knowledge given given either to us here or to the country there and without any cause in the world by us to her given, taken her journey from Hunsdon towards Norfolk, making her first day's journey to one Mr Huddlestone's house in Cambridgeshire, being the same too far for her any of her accustomed journeys [...] before this her sudden departure, she had caused great provisions to be made in the country about Hunsdon, for keeping of her household there a long time [...] and although some of hers note her removing to be for the sickness of her servants, yet we see no likelihood of truth therein." 4

In fear and anger at her having slipped away, they reveal they knew Mary had secretly been sending her comptroller Robert Rochester to the Imperial ambassador, stating "it is not unknown to us but some near about the Lady Mary have very lately in the night seasons had privy conferences with the Emperor's ambassador here." 5

They urge them to "use the best means you may in those parts under your charge to keep the people of the country in quiet and obedience, and to repress all manner of slanderous brutes of the King’s majestys death (from the which we doubt not, but God will long preserve His Majesty)." 6

Meanwhile...

The Privy Council send a secretary to the Imperial ambassadors, letting them know King Edward is unable to grant them an audience "as his indisposition [keeps] him most of the time in bed." 7

The Lord Mayor of London is summoned to court with aldermen and merchant adventurers, where the Council "secretly declared the death of king Edward, and also how he did ordain for the succession of the Crown by his letters patents, to the which they were sworn, and charged to keep it secret." 8

Sources:

1. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

2. Ecclesiastical Memorials, John Strype

3. Spanish State Papers, 10th July 1553

4. Collection of State Papers relating to Affairs In the Reigns of King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth From the year 1542 to 1570

5. Collection of State Papers relating to Affairs In the Reigns of King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth From the year 1542 to 1570

6. Collection of State Papers relating to Affairs In the Reigns of King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth From the year 1542 to 1570

7. Spanish State Papers, 10th July 1553

Mary I's Fight For The Throne

7th July - Mary hears of the King's death

Whilst the exact timeline and whereabouts of Mary on her journey to Kenninghall is unknown, she is confirmed to have stayed at Euston Hall, the house of Lady Burgh, "a lady worthy of high praise for her ready and courteous services to her sovereign." 1

It is here where she is first told of her brother King Edward's death by her goldsmith Robert Reynes, a "citizen of London, newly returned from the City." 2

Courtier Nicholas Throckmorton later claimed to have sent Robert to Mary, writing a poem in his autobiography:

"Wherefore, from four of us, the news was sent, How that her brother he was dead and gone, In post her goldsmith then from London went, By whom the message was dispatched anon She asked "If we knew it certainly?" Who said, "Sir Nicholas knew it verily." The author bred the errand's great mistrust, She feared a train to lead her into a trap She said "If Robert had been there she durst Have gauged her life and hazarded the hap."3.

Whilst Nicholas Throckmorton was a Protestant, his brother Robert was Catholic, and married to the daughter of Mary's former chamberlain.

Regardless of who sent Robert Reynes, Mary does not trust the messenger, and does "not let the news be spread abroad." 4 Instead, she leaves Euston Hall and carries on to the safety of her own house at Kenninghall.

Meanwhile...

The newly arrived Imperial ambassadors demand an audience with King Edward. The Privy Council tell them they "will speak to the King about it, fix a time according to his Majesty's condition, and let [them] know." 5

The French ambassador Antoine de Noailles visits the Duke of Northumberland. 6

The Mayor of London, magistrates and members of the King's guard are summoned to Greenwich and agree to abide by the terms of Edward's will. They swear allegiance to the new queen. 7

The captains of the 6 ships in Margate convene under their commander, Sir Richard Brooke. Upon his return to The Greyhound, Captain Gilbert Grice reveals King Edward is dead, "but praised be God as he declared the realm had another King, being the Duke’s his lord and master’s son the Lord Guildford, who was married unto the Duke of Suffolk’s daughter.” 8 When asked by his men what Lady Mary should do, being King Henry’s daughter, Grice answers that they are to go forth for her apprehension, and at Yarmouth they should go on land and keep the country from going to her. He says they should “play the man, and in doing so obtain and win the spurs.” 9 The Greyhound's Master, John Hurlock, declares Grice is a villain traitor for saying so, declaring Lady Mary the rightful queen, and with her he would live and die.

Sources:

1. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

2. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

3. Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary

4. Vita Mariae Angliae Reginae of Robert Wingfield

5. Spanish State Papers, 7th July 1553

6. Spanish State Papers, 10th July 1553

7. Spanish State Papers, 10th July 1553

8. The Navy of Edward VI and Mary I

Mary I's Fight For The Throne

6th July - Mary secretly travels

The exact timeline and whereabouts of Mary on some parts of her journey to Kenninghall is still unknown to historians.

In 1554, the Venetian ambassador wrote when recounting her escape that Mary's friends "contrived when the King was at the point of death to let her know it; whereupon, although it was night, she took flight with six attendants, including two of her maids of honour." 1

Meanwhile...

Around 6 - 8pm, King Edward VI dies aged 15. 2

The Emperor's new ambassadors - Jehan de Montmorency, Sieur de Courrières, Jacques de Marnix, Sieur de Thoulouse and Simon Renard - arrive in London. 3

Sources:

1. Venetian State Papers, 18th August 1554

2. Spanish State Papers, 7th July 1553

Metal Detectorist Discovers Medieval Wedding Ring  

Every metal detectorist dreams of unearthing something valuable. For one man the English countryside yielded an incredible find when he stumbled upon a medieval diamond wedding ring in “almost perfect condition” near Thorncombe, in the South West of the country.

Now the item is expected to fetch between £30,000 and £40,000 (Sold For: £38,000) when it goes on auction later this month.

David Board, 69, found the “stunning” ring on his second attempt at becoming a metal detectorist after a stint in the 1970s in which he scoured local beaches but found nothing of much consequence, a press release from auction house Noonans said earlier this week.

Board called the ring “a once-in-a-lifetime” find.

During a recent interview, he said: “There will probably never be another one like it. Back then, each ring was individual and unique, not mass produced like today. It’s stunning.”

Board took up metal detecting again in 2019. During the second day of a field search, he had almost given up when he got a signal on his metal detector by a footpath.

Initially, the culprit looked like a sweet wrapper but Board soon realized that it was a gold ring.

When he dug it up all covered in mud, Board said he thought it was just “scrap metal” and popped it into his pocket.

“It was once I got home and washed it off that we realized it was a lot better than we thought,” he explained.

The ring is in “almost perfect condition,” Nigel Mills, a consultant in coins and antiquities at Noonans, said in the release. The jewelery has a golden hoop of two entwined bands to symbolize marital union and an inverted diamond set into it.

Inside the band is a medieval French inscription that reads, “Ieo vos tien foi tenes le moy,” translating as, “I hold your faith, hold mine,” according to the auction house.

Due to the location of the find and the quality of the ring, Noonans’ experts surmised that it’s the wedding ring of Joan Brook, given to her by her husband, Thomas Brook.

Their marriage in 1388 brought great wealth to the Brook family, the release said, as Joan was the widow of Robert Cheddar, a wealthy cloth merchant and twice mayor of Bristol – a city in western England.

It was at a time when medieval notions of chivalry and courtly love were at their zenith, concepts which the ring reflects, Noonans said.

Now known as The Lady Brook Medieval diamond ring, the item will be auctioned on November 29.

Board goes out three times a week, weather permitting, in hope of uncovering another great relic among the musket balls and King George I coins. “It will be amazing if I did,” he responded, adding “you never know what the next signal is going to bring.”

The discovery adds to a list of incredible finds by detectorists in the UK.

One amateur uncovered a haul of Bronze Age objects in a Scottish field in 2020, in what experts at the time called a “nationally significant” discovery.

And last year it was reported that a huge hoard of Iron Age gold artifacts had been found by a rookie detectorist in Denmark.

Imagine a Catherine of Aragon political saga, an Anne Boleyn procedural drama, a Jane Seymour body horror.

And further back, an Elizabeth of York mystery, an Elizabeth Woodville witch tale, a literal coming of age story for Isabella of Valois.