22 August – John Dudley’s execution and the Battle of Bosworth

On this day in Tudor history, 22nd August 1553, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, was beheaded on Tower Hill for his part in putting his daughter-in-law, Lady Jane Grey, on the throne. Northumberland's friends and supporters, Sir John Gates and Sir Thomas Palmer, were also executed.

Northumberland was actually scheduled to die the previous day and the crowd turned up to see, the scaffold was prepared and even the executioner was ready... but, instead, the duke was taken to church.

Why?

Find out why and also hear a contemporary account of the duke's execution...

Also on this day in Tudor history, 22nd August 1485, the Battle of Bosworth took place.

King Richard III was killed and Henry Tudor became King Henry VII, starting the Tudor dynasty on the throne of England.

Find out what happened on that day in rural Leicestershire, and how Henry was victorious even though Richard came into battle with a huge advantage...