Edward Arden facts for kids
Edward Arden (born around 1542, died 1583) was an important English nobleman. He was the head of the Arden family and a Catholic who was later seen as a martyr.
Arden lived at Park Hall, a large estate near what is now Birmingham. He was a Catholic who secretly kept a priest named Hugh Hall at his home. The priest pretended to be a gardener. Edward Arden's son-in-law, John Somerville, planned to harm Queen Elizabeth I. Somerville was caught before he could do anything. After this, Edward Arden's household was searched. Even though Arden might not have known about Somerville's plan, he was arrested and later beheaded.
Edward Arden was related to Mary Arden, who was the mother of the famous writer William Shakespeare.
Contents
Edward Arden's Story
A Time of Change
Edward Arden was the leader of a well-known family in Warwick. He became the head of the family in 1563 after his grandfather, Thomas Arden, passed away. Edward Arden remained loyal to the old Catholic faith during a time when England was becoming more Protestant.
A Secret Priest
Because of his faith, Edward Arden kept a Catholic priest named Hugh Hall hidden in his home, Park Hall. The priest pretended to be a gardener to avoid being discovered. This priest had some influence over John Somerville, who was Edward Arden's son-in-law. Somerville had even heard about Mary Queen of Scots, who had visited Coventry in 1569.
A Dangerous Plan
John Somerville began talking about harming the Queen of England. He then set off for London. However, he was arrested before he could carry out his plan. During questioning, Somerville confessed and said that his father-in-law, Edward Arden, was involved in his treason. He also named the priest, Hugh Hall, as the one who encouraged him.
The Trial and Its Sad End
All three men – Edward Arden, John Somerville, and the priest Hugh Hall – were put on trial and sentenced to death. John Somerville died in his prison cell. Edward Arden was executed in London on December 20, 1583. The priest, Hugh Hall, was spared and did not face the same fate. After their deaths, the heads of Arden and Somerville were placed on London Bridge.
Some people at the time, like the writer William Camden, believed that Edward Arden's execution happened because a powerful person, Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, disliked him.
Family Life
Edward Arden married Mary Throckmorton, who passed away in 1603. Mary was the daughter of Sir Robert Throckmorton. Edward and Mary had one son and two daughters:
- Robert Arden.
- Margaret Arden, who married John Somerville. They had two daughters named Elizabeth and Alice.
- Katherine Arden, who married Sir Edward Devereux. He was from Castle Bromwich.
