Born Jane Parker, a distant relative of Henry VIII, she became a lady-in-waiting to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and to quite a few of those that followed. Married Anne Boleyn’s brother, George, and later, when Anne was an unwanted wife and George and Anne were accused of incest, Jane gave evidence against her husband. Consequently George was beheaded on Tower Hill along with four other men also accused of adultery with Anne. A few years later when Henry needed to get rid of another wife, Anne of Cleves, Jane again provided useful evidence. When Catherine Howard (number 5) needed a go-between to facilitate her liaisons with Thomas Culpeper Jane stepped into the role. But the affair was discovered and all involved and some that weren't, were imprisoned. Jane appeared to suffer a nervous breakdown and was declared insane which ought to have saved her life but Henry changed the law to allow the execution of the insane and so Jane was beheaded at Tower Green, immediately after Catherine.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Jane Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford
Commemorated ati
Tower of London execution site
Catling wrote the poem as well as creating the sculpture. Doesn't that cushio...
Other Subjects
John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester
Born Yorkshire. Opposed Henry VIII's self-appointment as head of the Church of England. Result: decapitation on Tower Hill.
Carthusian Martyrs
18 Carthusians were executed for refusing to accept Henry VIII as the head of the church of England. 16 were from London Charterhouse, including the prior John Houghton, and 2 from other English Ch...
Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey
Closely related to the royal family but Henry VIII took against Henry and his father, Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. They were imprisoned and Henry was beheaded at Tower Hill. His father sur...
Patrick Packingham
Burnt at the stake in Uxbridge for his Protestant beliefs. Aged 23. He was charged with not doing deference to Romish ceremonies, and was condemned by Bishop Bonner, his cause not being heard. T...
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King George VI
Became king when his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated. Like his father George V, he was born a second son and rather unexpectedly ascended to the throne. Like his grandfather, Edward VII, he was bor...
William Shakespeare
Born and died in Stratford-upon-Avon. His birth date is usually given as the 23rd, the same date as his death, but all that is actually known is that he was baptised 3 days later, on the 26th. Even...
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