Today in Queen Bess's Life

Anne Boleyn is executed on Tower Hill in 1536.  Her speech:

“Good Christian people, I have not come here to preach a sermon; I have come here to die. For according to the law and by the law I am judged to die, and therefore I will speak nothing against it. I am come hither to accuse no man, nor to speak of that whereof I am accused and condemned to die, but I pray God save the King and send him long to reign over you, for a gentler nor a more merciful prince was there never, and to me he was ever a good, a gentle, and sovereign lord. And if any person will meddle of my cause, I require them to judge the best. And thus I take my leave of the world and of you all, and I heartily desire you all to pray for me.”

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Also today, Elizabeth was released from the Tower and taken to Woodstock to continue her imprisonment under house arrest.  The procession from the Tower to Woodstock showed that Elizabeth had many supporters as she received an enthusiastic reception by the commoners.  Elizabeth would remain almost a year at Woodstock during which time the stress took a toll on her health as she waited for the moment that she would be taken back to the Tower for execution.  Her freedom was very limited -- including access to writing materials.  It was at Woodstock that she wrote the following on a shutter:

"Much suspected by me,

Nothing proved can be, 

Quoth Elizabeth prisoner."