On this day in Tudor history, Queen Mary I wrote her will. She did it because she believed that she was just about to give birth, and, obviously, childbirth was a risky processes.
Find out more about Mary's will and what happened with this "pregnancy" in today's "on this day" video.
Edit: I mistakenly say that Elizabeth I's remains were added to Mary's in 1603, but they weren't added until 1606. Sorry!
You can click here to read an article on Mary's will.
Also on this day in history:
- 1533 - Thomas Cranmer, Archdeacon of Taunton, was consecrated as Archbishop of Canterbury in St Stephen’s College, Westminster Palace.
- 1555 – Burning of Protestant martyr, Robert Ferrar, Bishop of St David's, at Carmarthen. He had already been deprived of his bishopric because he violated the vow of chastity by marrying and was condemned after refusing to agree to articles presented to him, articles which he saw as having been drawn up by man and not by God. He went to his death with courage. Click here to read more about him.
- 1587 – Death of Sir Ralph Sadler, at the age of nearly eighty. Sadler was a diplomat and administrator who worked as Cromwell's Secretary before being noticed by Henry VIII. At his death, he was one of the richest men in England.
Mary made provision for the poor, for the Church, the religious houses, for hospitals for the soldiers who died fighting for England in her reign, she thought of her mother and other family remains and she thought of her servants and the care of the realm. She also appointed her executors and made orders for her tomb and her potential heir. Mary wanted her mother, whom she loved so much, moved to lay with her in Westminster, but Katherine still rests in Peterborough Cathedral today. Maybe they can be at peace together in Heaven. RIP.