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SIR EDMUND DUDLEY

 

Date of Birth: c. 1462 or 1472

Date of Death: 8 / 17 / 1510 

Crime: Extortion

 

Biography 

Sir Edmund Dudley was an advisor to King Henry VII.  He was the administrator and speaker of the House of Commons.  He was one of the negotiators of the Peace of Etaples with France.  He was married twice.  His first wife was Anne Windsor who bore him a daughter.  His second wife was Elizabeth Grey and she bore him four sons.

Trial and Execution 

After King Henry VII passed away, King Henry VIII imprisoned Sir Edmund Dudley because he thought Dudley had a secret that he would not share with the king.  The charge was treason citing that he had conspired with armed force to take the government of the King and realm.  He was kept in the Tower of London for a year before he was executed.  While held at the Tower, he wrote The Tree of Commonwealth. He was executed by beheading August 17th, 1510 with no incident.  

 

Historic Significance

Sir Edmund Dudley symbolizes the transition from one king to another.  Henry VIII wanted to show his strength as the new king after his father by attacking a close advisor of his father.