Blessed Margaret Pole

Biography

Blessed Margaret Pole, also known as Margaret Plantagenet, was born on August 14, 1473, in Somerset, Wiltshire, England, as the daughter of George, Duke of Clarence. She was the niece of King Edward IV and King Richard III of England, making her part of the royal Plantagenet family.

In 1491, Margaret married Sir Richard Pole, and together they had five children. One of their sons, Cardinal Reginald Pole, would go on to play an influential role in the Church and politics of Europe. Sadly, Margaret was widowed at a young age, and with her husband's passing, she became a single mother.

Margaret's life took a dramatic turn when she became an unofficial ward of King Henry VIII. Recognizing her loyalty and intelligence, Henry VIII appointed her as the governess to Princess Mary, his daughter from his first marriage, and bestowed upon her the title of Countess of Salisbury.

However, Margaret's relationship with Henry VIII and his court began to sour when she opposed his plans to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon in order to marry Anne Boleyn. Margaret remained loyal to Catherine and Princess Mary, which further strained her relationship with the king.

The turning point in Margaret's life came when her son, Cardinal Reginald Pole, openly denounced Henry VIII's claim to spiritual supremacy and supported the Catholic Church's stance. This enraged the king, who saw the Pole family as a threat to his power.

In 1538, two of Margaret's other sons were executed on false charges of treason, simply for being the brothers of Cardinal Reginald. Shortly after this tragedy, the elderly Margaret, then in her sixties, was arrested and falsely accused of plotting revolution. In 1539, she was imprisoned in the Tower of London, where she would spend her remaining two years of life.

Tragically, on May 28, 1541, as an actual uprising broke out, Margaret was summarily executed without a trial as a precautionary measure. She was beheaded on Tower Hill in London, England. Her remains were buried at Saint Peter ad Vincula within the Tower of London, where she found her final resting place.

Margaret Pole's unwavering faith and loyalty to her beliefs, her family, and the Catholic Church led to her eventual beatification. On December 29, 1886, Pope Leo XIII recognized her martyrdom and beatified her, acknowledging her as a holy woman of inspiring devotion and sacrifice.

Blessed Margaret Pole's life serves as a testament to the struggles faced by Catholics during the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII in England. Her unwavering commitment to her faith and her courage in the face of persecution make her a revered figure in Catholic history. Her feast day is celebrated on May 28th, commemorating her martyrdom.