Today in Queen Bess's Life

On this day in 1554, Elizabeth was imprisoned in the Tower of London for her suspected involvement in the Wyatt Rebellion.  Led by Sir Thomas Wyatt, the intent was to displace Elizabeth's half sister, Mary, from the throne and replace her with Elizabeth.  Their beef with Mary?  That she was Roman Catholic and set to marry the very Roman Catholic Prince Phillip of Spain.  It was the desire of the rebels to retain the Protestant rule started by Mary and Elizabeth's father, Henry VIII.

It was assumed that Elizabeth was complicit in the plot -- thus her incarceration.

Upon her arrival by boat at the Tower (the very place her mother was beheaded), Elizabeth said:

"Here landeth as true a subject, being a prisoner, as ever landed at these stairs.  Before Thee, O God, do I speak it, having no other friend but Thee alone."

Upon the escort of the Yeoman of the Guard, she further declared:

"Oh Lord, I never thought to have come in here as a prisoner, and I pray you all bear me witnessthat I come in as no traitor but as a true woman to the Queen's Majesty as any as is now living."