26 January – Justice Spelman and Anne Boleyn’s trial, and Mary I writes to Elizabeth

On this day in Tudor history, 26th January 1546, judge of assize and law reporter, Sir John Spelman, died.

Now, you may never have heard of Justice John Spelman, but his reports on the legal cases of people like Queen Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas More, Bishop John Fisher and Cardinal Thomas Wolsey have been very useful to historians - a wonderful resource.

Find out more about Sir John Spelman and what he had to say about Anne Boleyn's trial in this video...

Also on this day in Tudor history, 26th January 1554, Queen Mary I wrote to her half-sister, Elizabeth, summoning her to court and warning her about Wyatt's Rebellion.

Find out how Elizabeth reacted in this video...