The Death of Elizabeth Barton
The Death of Elizabeth Barton On this day in 1534, a 28-year-old woman by the name of Elizabeth Barton met her end by hanging at Tyburn, accused and convicted of treason against King Henry VIII. Her crime? Opposing his annulment from Catherine of Aragon and desire to remarry Anne Boleyn. But the details of her opposition go further than a mere disagreement. Elizabeth's story is a fascinating one, because she claimed to receive visions from God, and prophesied about future events and some of which proved true. Her reputation as both the recipient of heavenly miracles and her knowledge of future events (granted from God) earned her the monikers of the "Nun of Kent" and the "Holy Maid of London". Certain others who found her ravings a bit loony instead referred to her as the "Mad Maid of Kent". Her execution on this day 487 years ago is one worth discussion. Just what did the "Nun of Kent" do to inspire such anger in the king. Sister Elizab...