In October 1562, less than three years after her accession to the throne, Elizabeth I contracted the highly-infectious smallpox virus; this led to her becoming critically ill, and subsequently raised questions in regards to the governing of a country with an incapacitated queen, and speculation relating to the future of the English monarchy.

On 17 January 1549, Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley, and Lord High Admiral, was arrested at his London home of Seymour Place, on The Strand, on charges of treason.

On This Day (15 January) 1569, Catherine Carey, Lady Knollys, Elizabeth I's Chief Lady of the Bedchamber, died at Hampton Court Palace...

On 13 February 1542, Jane Parker, Viscountess Rochford, was led to a scaffold that had been erected on Tower Green...

On 12 November 1537, a funeral service was held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for Jane Seymour, Queen of England.

On This Day (25 Oct) in 1562, Elizabeth I resumed her normal duties whilst at Hampton Court Palace.

On This Day (24 Oct) in 1537, Jane Seymour died at Hampton Court Palace, 12 days after giving birth to her only child, Prince Edward.

On This Day (12 Oct) in 1537, the future King Edward VI was born at Hampton Court Palace, the only child of Jane Seymour.

On This Day (10 Oct) 1562, Elizabeth I was at Hampton Court when she started to feel unwell.

Francis Knollys, the eldest son and heir of Sir Robert Knollys and his wife Lettice Penninston, was born c.1512, likely at Rookes Manor...

Thomas Seymour was born in c.1508, a younger brother to Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford and later Duke of Somerset, and older brother to Jane Seymour, Queen of England. Their parents were Sir John Seymour and Margaret Wentworth, and their family seat was Wulfhall, in Wiltshire.