Margaret Cheyne facts for kids
Margaret Cheyne, later known as Margaret Bulmer (died 25 May 1537), was a woman who was executed during the time of Henry VIII of England. She was involved in the events that followed two major uprisings: the Pilgrimage of Grace and Bigod's Rebellion.
Margaret's Family Life
Some historical records suggest that Margaret was the daughter of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham. Her first husband was William Cheyne from London.
Before 1536, Margaret began a relationship with Sir John Bulmer of Wilton. It seems they cared for each other deeply. They got married in 1536, after their previous partners had reportedly passed away. Because of how their relationship started, some people questioned if her second marriage was legal when she later went to trial. Margaret and John Bulmer had several children together. One of their children was the famous mining engineer, Sir Bevis Bulmer.
Role in the Uprising
In 1536, John Bulmer joined the Pilgrimage of Grace, a large protest against King Henry VIII's changes. He became one of the leaders of this uprising. It's not completely clear how much Margaret was involved. Historians believe she likely knew about the plans for the rebellion. Most of the information against her came from a single source, a priest named John Watts.
John Bulmer was arrested in January 1537. That same month, Margaret gave birth to their youngest son. She was arrested after John Watts claimed she had encouraged her husband to rebel. By late April 1537, she was held as a prisoner in the Tower of London.
When they first went to trial in May 1537, both Margaret and John Bulmer said they were not guilty of the serious crime of going against the king. However, while the jury was thinking about their decision, they changed their plea to guilty. In her official statement, Margaret admitted telling her husband that "the common people wanted a leader." Both were sentenced to death and executed on 25 May 1537. John Bulmer was hanged and beheaded. Margaret was burned at the stake in West Smithfield.
Why Margaret's Story Matters
Margaret did not receive the same leniency as other women who avoided execution, even though some of them had been more openly supportive of the rebellions. Historians suggest a few reasons for this difference. People saw her as having a complicated personal life. She was also connected to important rebel leaders like Robert Aske and Francis Bigod. Plus, if the reports about her father were true, she was distantly related to the king.
The court records from the Bulmers' case give us important information about relationships in early England. They show how some people involved in unusual arrangements actually felt about their partnerships. One historian, Jennifer Gourlay, notes that the Bulmer case tells us a lot about the people involved and how Margaret felt about her relationship with John. She argues that their close relationship shows that sometimes, even unusual beginnings could lead to a loving partnership that suited both people.
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