Sir Nicholas Throckmorton was accused of conspiring in Wyatt’s Rebellion during the reign of Queen Mary I. The rebellion arose out of concern of Mary’s forthcoming marriage to Philip II of Spain and an effort to retain England as a Protestant nation. England was weary of having a foreign king. Would he usurp power from Mary? Would he involve England in wars that were not their fight? Would their taxes go towards non-English benefit?
Throckmorton was said to have defended himself well during the trial, running circles around his accusers and having more knowledge of the law. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, which was, quite frankly, unheard of in Tudor times. As a result, Thomas Wyatt’s severed head was stolen during the celebrations of Throckmorton’s acquittal.
Mary I was incensed and, as a result, every sitting member of the jury was arrested and forced to pay fines. Throckmorton remained imprisoned until January 1555. Unfortunately, Wyatt’s head was never recovered!
Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, Unknown, c. 1562, NPG, London
Thomas Wyatt the Younger, Hans Holbein the Younger, c. 1540-1542, The Weiss Gallery, London
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