Off with Their Heads: Five Famous Beheaded Queens

However, the people of Scotland disliked the union and revolted. She managed to escape imprisonment, which was a mistake, as she fled to England seeking sanctuary. She was confined in England for 18 years, before finally being found guilty of attempting an assassination plot against Elizabeth I. She was executed by axe, where it purportedly took 2-3 blows before her head was removed. Whereupon the executioner lifted her head and all were appalled as her head rolled to the ground, and the executioner was only clutching a wig. Legend claims that her dog had followed his master to her death, and after her execution, the dog went to lay between her shoulders and head. Her lips still trembled a good quarter an hour after death.

Anne Boleyn (1507?-1536)

She was the second wife of Henry VIII, and historians still argue as to whether they were legally married. She became pregnant before their marriage, which hastened their union. Henry VIII fought heaven and earth to make Anne his wife, but he became tired of her shortly after they were married. Since she couldn’t produce a male heir, her popularity with Henry VIII began to falter. Rumors of adultery and the legitimacy of Elizabeth began to spread. Henry VIII, being a man who could be easily swayed, began to believe in the rumors.

“Evidence” of adultery, treason, and incest with her brother began to mount against Anne. Despite her pleas and protests, she was found guilty, and was to be put to death either by burning or beheading; whichever the king found most suitable. Plagued by his conscience, Henry VIII decided to have a swordsman from Calais do the deed. It took one stroke to remove her head. She had not yet been dead 2 weeks before Henry VIII was onto his 3rd wife, Jane Seymour.

Catherine Howard (1520?-1542)

She was fairly promiscuous as a young girl, which would end up haunting her in marriage to Henry VIII. She had two involvements with men before her marriage, and a possible intent to marry to Francis Dereham. She wasn’t particularly bright, but she had a beauty about her that caught Henry VIII eyes. He was never interested in Anne of Cleves, his 4th wife. Eventually, Henry VIII would annul his marriage to Anne, and marry Catherine.

Henry VIII was nearly 50, and she, a mere 20. Catherine was repulsed by the obese king, and she began to have an affair with Thomas Culpeper. Catherine was not discreet about her affair, and many people began to ask favors of the queen. She mistakenly appointed her past lovers into her household. Evidence was found against the young woman, and she was found guilty of treason. She too, was committed to die by beheading.

Lady Jane Grey (1537-1554)

The sad pawn of financial power, Jane was thrust onto the throne for a mere 9 days. Even though she had no right to the throne, Edward VI put Jane as a successor upon his death; even though Mary was still heiress presumptive to the throne. It is probable, that Northumberland, whom Jane was recently married to his son, persuaded the young king to include Jane as successor. Jane was a Protestant, and many did not want a Catholic ruling the kingdom; which Mary was.

When Edward died, Jane was proclaimed queen. Despite Jane’s ascension to the thrown, Mary found support against Jane and was declared the rightful Queen of England. Initially Jane was spared, but as Mary realized that she could be a potential threat to her throne, she eventually signed the death warrant for Jane’s demise. Queen Mary allowed for Jane to be executed in private, and the young girl died before she would turn 17.