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Pole

• References:
  • POLE - BARON MONTAGU in [Burkes Extinct]
  • MONTAGU in [Complete Peerage]

"Unknown woman, formerly known as Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury".
Portrait c. 1535. At [NPG].
From Wikimedia Commons. See dispute over public domain status.

Richard Pole, Duke of Suffolk (see here),
mar Margaret Plantagenet, Countess of Salisbury [born 14 August 1473, descendant of Edward III, last of the Plantagenets],
he died 1505,
her 1st cousin's son Henry VIII wiped out the Pole family in order to eliminate rivals for the throne,
he first executed her son and his wife in 1539,
she was imprisoned in the Tower of London,
she was executed within the precincts of the Tower of London, 28 May 1541, age 67 yrs,
it was a famously grisly execution, she struggled and refused to cooperate, and the executioner struck a number of clumsy blows at her head and shoulders before eventually she died,
she was bur in the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula in the Tower of London, no monument,
regarded by the Catholic Church as a Catholic martyr, she was beatified in 1886 as Blessed Margaret Pole, feast day 28 May (day of execution),
had issue:

1. Henry Pole, 1st Baron Montagu (see here), born c.1495,
   mar Jane Neville [descendant of Edward III],
   both Henry Pole and his wife, and her brother Sir Edward Neville, were arrested by Henry VIII in Nov 1538, imprisoned in Tower of London,
   Sir Edward Neville was executed 8 December 1538,
   both Henry Pole and his wife were beheaded 9 January 1539,
   had issue:
   1. Katherine Pole (see here), mar Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon and had issue.

   2. Winifred Pole, born est c.1515, mar Thomas Barrington and had issue.

Execution site of Margaret, Countess of Salisbury, Tower of London.
Photo 2004. See larger and full size.
From Edwin Lee. See terms of use.
See wider shot from here.

Execution Memorial, Tower of London.
Listing the name of Margaret, Countess of Salisbury.
Photo 2008. See larger and full size.
From John Morris. See terms of use.
Search for more photos and Creative Commons photos of execution site.