ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions The Untold Story of The Tudor Woman that was "Crushed to Death"
Welcome to the fascinating history of Shambles, a street in York known for its medieval charm. But beyond its picturesque appearance, Shambles holds a gripping story from the past. This is the tale of Margaret Clitheroe, also known as the Pearl of York, who bravely stood up to Queen Elizabeth I during a time of intense religious conflict.
Margaret Clitheroe’s trial took place in the Guild Hall of York. She was a woman of strong beliefs and refused to be judged by a jury or admit to any wrongdoing. Margaret argued that she had done nothing illegal and therefore should not be tried. Her decision to avoid a trial was strategic; she wanted to protect her children from being forced to testify against her. Instead of facing a trial, she chose to accept a death sentence.
In Elizabethan England, those who refused to plead were punished by being pressed to death. On March 15, 1586, Judge George Clinch announced Margaret’s sentence. She remained unrepentant, saying, “God be thanked I am not worthy of such a good death as this.” Much of what we know about her story comes from a book by her confessor, John Mush, who couldn’t attend the trial himself due to being a Catholic priest.
Margaret’s execution took place on Lady Day in 1586. Despite the fear she must have felt, she remained calm and even joyful as she walked barefoot to the toll booth on Ouse Bridge. She sent her shoes to her daughter Anne, hoping Anne would follow in her footsteps. When asked to confess, she declared, “No, Mr. Sheriff, I die for the love of my Lord Jesus.” Her execution was brutal; she was laid on the ground with a sharp stone under her back, her arms stretched out and tied, and a heavy door placed on top of her until she died. Her last words were a plea for mercy.
During the late 1560s and 1570s, England was in the midst of religious upheaval. Queen Elizabeth I sought to undo the Catholic policies of her predecessor, Mary I, by re-establishing Protestantism and enforcing strict laws against Catholics. Many Catholics, including Margaret, secretly attended illegal Catholic Masses. Margaret was a proud Catholic and joined others in York who refused to attend official church services or pledge allegiance to the queen.
Over the years, Margaret became familiar with York’s prisons. She was fined for not attending church, and her Protestant husband paid these fines. She was arrested several times for defying the law, and during her imprisonments, she learned to read and write. Her final arrest on March 10, 1586, was due to the discovery of a hidden space in her home where she sheltered Catholic priests.
Margaret’s story unfolded amidst political intrigue in York, where different groups sought the queen’s favor by persecuting Catholics. Her stepfather, the Lord Mayor of York, was in power during her arrest, adding to the scandal. Opinions about Margaret varied; some thought she was mad, while others, including Queen Elizabeth I, seemed to disapprove of her harsh punishment.
In more recent times, Margaret has been honored rather than condemned. She was canonized by Pope Paul VI in October 1970 as one of the 40 English Martyrs. It was also Pope Paul VI who first called her the Pearl of York.
Margaret Clitheroe’s story is a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to stand up for one’s beliefs, even in the face of severe consequences. Her legacy continues to inspire many today.
Research the key events in Margaret Clitheroe’s life and the religious turmoil in England during the late 16th century. Create a timeline that highlights these events. Use images and brief descriptions to make your timeline visually engaging. This will help you understand the sequence of historical events and their impact on Margaret’s life.
Participate in a role-playing debate where you take on the roles of different historical figures from the time of Margaret Clitheroe. You could be Queen Elizabeth I, a Catholic priest, or a member of the York community. Debate the religious policies of the time and Margaret’s actions. This will help you explore different perspectives and the complexities of the historical context.
Write a diary entry from the perspective of Margaret Clitheroe. Imagine her thoughts and feelings on the day of her execution. Consider her motivations, fears, and hopes. This activity will help you empathize with historical figures and understand their personal experiences.
Use a map of York to locate significant places related to Margaret Clitheroe’s story, such as Shambles, the Guild Hall, and Ouse Bridge. Create a walking tour guide that includes historical facts and anecdotes about each location. This will help you connect the story to real-world geography and visualize the setting of historical events.
Create an artwork that represents Margaret Clitheroe’s legacy. You can choose any medium, such as drawing, painting, or digital art. Focus on symbols that represent her courage and faith. Share your artwork with the class and explain the symbolism you used. This activity encourages creative expression and deeper reflection on historical themes.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
[Music] This is Shambles, a street in the city of York. Its overhanging medieval timber-frame structures make it a popular tourist spot today. However, the history of Shambles offers more than just preserved architecture; it tells the tale of the Pearl of York, a woman who defied Queen Elizabeth I during a time of religious persecution. Welcome to Nutty History. This is the untold story of the Tudor woman who faced a tragic fate.
Margaret Clitheroe’s trial took place at the Guild Hall of York. Margaret was steadfast in her beliefs and refused to be tried by a jury or acknowledge the charges against her. She boldly claimed that she had committed no offense for which she should confess guilt and demanded that there should be no trial, as there had been no offense against the law. Margaret had ulterior motives for avoiding the trial; if she had cooperated, her children would have been used as witnesses against her. Therefore, she chose to accept a death sentence instead.
The punishment of being pressed to death was assigned to those who refused to plead and stand trial in Elizabethan England. On March 15, 1586, a day after her arraignment, Judge George Clinch read out her sentence. She showed no remorse and instead remarked, “God be thanked I am not worthy of such a good death as this.” Much of what we know of her martyrdom comes from her confessor, John Mush’s book, “Life of Margaret Clitheroe.” As a Catholic priest, he could not risk attending court in person, so someone else had to be his eyes and ears on the streets of York.
Margaret’s execution was carried out on Lady Day 1586. Despite enduring a night of fear, she was calm, joyous, and smiling as she walked barefoot to the toll booth on Ouse Bridge. She had sent her shoes to her daughter Anne as a token for her to follow in her footsteps. Despite being urged to confess her crimes, she firmly stated, “No, Mr. Sheriff, I die for the love of my Lord Jesus.” She was laid on the ground with a sharp stone beneath her back, her hands stretched out in the form of a cross and bound to two posts. A door was placed upon her, weighted down until she succumbed to the pressure. Her last words during the painful ordeal were a plea for mercy.
During the late 1560s and 1570s, England was experiencing a religious upheaval. Elizabeth I, the young queen, sought to reverse the Catholic policies imposed by her predecessor, Mary I. Elizabeth reimposed Protestantism and enforced laws against Catholics. Many Catholics, including Margaret Clitheroe, remained true to their faith, often sneaking off to attend illegal Catholic Mass after Protestant services. Margaret was an unapologetic Catholic who joined York’s recusants—those who shunned official church services and refused to swear allegiance to the queen.
Over the next ten years, Margaret became well-acquainted with York’s prison system. Initially, she was fined for not attending church, and her husband, a Protestant, paid her fines. Margaret was arrested multiple times for defying the law, and during her time in prison, she learned to read and write. Her fourth arrest on March 10, 1586, was due to the discovery of a priest hole in her home, where she had sheltered Catholic priests during their persecution.
Margaret’s story unfolded against a backdrop of political intrigue in York, where various factions vied for the queen’s favor by persecuting Catholics. Her stepfather, the Lord Mayor of York, was in a position of power during her arrest, which added to the scandal surrounding her case. Opinions on Margaret varied; some contemporaries deemed her mad, while others, including Elizabeth I, seemed to condemn her punishment.
In more recent history, Margaret has been revered rather than condemned, being canonized by Pope Paul VI in October 1970 as one of 40 English Martyrs. It was also Pope Paul VI who first referred to her as the Pearl of York.
Would you like us to cover more personalities like her from the Nutty Archives of History? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more Nutty History videos! [Music]
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – In history class, we learned about the causes and effects of the French Revolution.
Religion – A system of beliefs, practices, and values often centered around the worship of a deity or deities. – Religion played a significant role in shaping the cultures and societies of ancient civilizations.
Trial – A formal examination of evidence in a court, typically with a judge, to decide guilt in a case of law. – The trial of Socrates is one of the most famous events in ancient Greek history.
Execution – The carrying out of a sentence of death on a condemned person. – The execution of King Charles I marked a pivotal moment in English history.
Catholic – Relating to the Roman Catholic Church, its beliefs, and practices. – The Catholic Church played a central role in the politics and culture of medieval Europe.
Protestantism – A form of Christian faith and practice that originated with the Reformation, opposing the Roman Catholic Church. – Protestantism spread rapidly across Europe during the 16th century, leading to significant religious and political changes.
York – A historic city in England, known for its rich heritage and significant role in English history. – York was a major center of trade and governance during the medieval period.
Queen – A female monarch or the wife of a king. – Queen Elizabeth I was one of the most influential rulers in English history, known for her strong leadership and support of the arts.
Martyr – A person who is killed or suffers greatly for a religious cause or belief. – Joan of Arc is remembered as a martyr who was executed for her role in the Hundred Years’ War.
Legacy – Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to cultural or historical impact. – The legacy of the Roman Empire can still be seen in modern legal and governmental systems.
