Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, had been a popular and active courtier during the reign of Elizabeth I, following in the footsteps of his father, John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford, a high-ranking councillor during the reigns of the three previous monarchs: Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I.

Henry Carey was the second child of Mary Boleyn, the eldest daughter of Thomas Boleyn, born in March 1526.

In mid-June 1519, a baby boy was born to a young unmarried woman who, for the past few months, had been residing at the Prior's House of St Lawrence's Priory in Blackmore, Essex. This baby, whilst illegitimate, would take the name of his acknowledged father, the king of England: Henry Fitzroy.

On 30 April 1544, Thomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of Walden, Lord High Chancellor of England, and father of Margaret Audley, died at his City of London home, 'Christchurch Place', Aldgate, after a year of deteriorating health.

On This Day (25 February) in 1601, 35 year-old Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, was taken to a scaffold that had been erected within the Tower of London, and executed after being found guilty of high treason for his primary role in the failed 'Essex's Rebellion' earlier in the month.

On 21 February 1590, only a short time after undergoing a lower leg amputation, Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick, died at Bedford House.

On This Day (13 Feb) in 1608, Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, Elizabethan courtier and builder, known as 'Bess of Hardwick', died.

On This Day (12 February) in 1554, Lady Jane Grey and her husband, Guildford Dudley, were executed.

On This Day (09 February) in 1604, Anne Russell, Countess of Warwick, died at her home North Hall, in Northaw, Hertfordshire, aged 55.

On 08 February 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was executed at Fotheringhay Castle, after being found guilty of high treason.

On This Day (07 January) in 1619, Elizabethan portrait miniaturist and goldsmith Nicholas Hilliard, was buried at St Martin-in-the-Fields...

On This Day (27 Oct) 1561, Mary Sidney, Countess of Pembroke, was born at Tickenhall Manor, Bewdley.

On This Day (30 Aug) in 1596, George Gower was buried in the churchyard of St Clement Danes, London.