Sir Thomas More Skull and why it still matters
12th March 2026 by | Uncategorized
History has a way of whispering to us across the centuries.
In the church of St Dunstan’s Church rests one of the most extraordinary relics of Tudor England — the skull of Sir Thomas More, preserved in the Roper family vault.
For those who do not know the story, after More’s execution in 1535 his head was placed upon London Bridge as a warning to others. It was later rescued by his devoted daughter, Margaret Roper, who ensured it was given a Christian burial.
It is a remarkable survival.
Few physical remains of the Tudor court exist today, and yet here we have the skull of one of the most famous figures of the age — a man who stood against the will of Henry VIII and paid the ultimate price.
Recently I was invited to record an interview with BBC Kent to discuss this extraordinary story and what it tells us about the Tudor world.
In the end the programme did not go ahead.
But history should never be left unheard.
So in a few weeks’ time, when my son is visiting, we will record the conversation ourselves and share it here so that anyone curious about the story can listen.
The past is never silent.
And sometimes the most fascinating stories are the ones still waiting to be told.
Do follow along if you would like to hear the full discussion about the extraordinary journey of Thomas More’s skull.
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Thank you for reading my posts.
Gemma
The past is never silent.
www.murderinthetower.london