Born in England in 1473, she was the oldest daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, and his wife Anne, daughter of the Earl of Warwick. 

Margaret’s mother died when she was three. Afterward, her father had two servants killed, who he suspected of poisoning her, and so the intrigue and the treachery of the lives of the royals in the Middle Ages came into Margaret’s life when she was still very young. 

Through all of this, Margaret became a devoted Catholic, and her faith would guide her all of her life. 

She married Sir Richard Pole, who was close to King Henry VII, and they had five children together, one of whom would grow up to be a prominent Cardinal, Reginald Cole. 

Her husband died in 1504 and Margaret was appointed as Governess to Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII, who called Margaret the holiest woman in England. 

But, when she would not support Henry’s marriage to Ann Bolin, he exiled her from the court. Then, when her son, Cardinal Cole, denied Henry’s act of supremacy, the King imprisoned Margaret in the Tower of London for two years.

Then without any trial, Henry VIII ordered Margaret to be executed on this day in 1541. 

Two of her sons were also beheaded. She was beatified in 1886.

Blessed Margaret Pole, please pray for us.