Hey, this is Heather from the Renaissance English History Podcast, and this is your Tudor Minute for February 13.
Today in 1542 Katherine Howard and Jane Rochford were executed at the Tower of London. The Imperial Ambassador Eustace Chapuys writes of Katherine, On Sunday the 12th, towards evening, she was told that her execution had been set for the following morning, and that she should prepare for her death. Spanish Ambassador Eustace Chapuys told Charles V that her response was to ask “to have the block brought in to her that she might know how to place herself.”
Jane was killed after Katherine, with her head being severed in just one blow of the ax.
It’s a myth that Katherine Howard said she would rather die the wife of Thomas Culpepper – instead she just recounted her sins, and asked that people pray for her.
That’s your Tudor Minute for today. Remember you can dive deeper into life in 16th century England through the Renaissance English History Podcast at englandcast.com.