A recent visit to the Tower of London was not just a historical outing; it was a chance to revisit a well-known story in our heritage – the committal to the Tower of Sir Rowland Hill (1496-1561).
Standing within the Tower walls, this moment takes on a chilling, more tangible dimension.
Old Sir Rowland was a prominent figure on the Tudor national stage, described as “influential at the highest level.”
The White Tower, the Tower of London – site of the commital of Old Sir Rowland in a crisis
The “Ferrers Case”: A Clash of Power
His brief imprisonment in the Tower in 1542 stemmed from a dramatic clash with Parliament over member’s privilege – a landmark event in British history.
In 1542, George Ferrers, a Member of Parliament, was imprisoned for debt. The House of Commons, asserting its newly developing concept of “member’s privilege,” sent a Sergeant-at-Arms to secure Ferrers’ release. Sir Rowland Hill, as Sheriff of London, was tasked with overseeing the order for custody of Ferrers. A confrontation arose, with some accounts suggesting Sir Rowland mistreated the Sergeant.
This all led to Sir Rowland’s own imprisonment within the Tower of London. It was a humiliating and politically inconvenient situation for everyone.
King Henry VIII, surprisingly, sided with the House of Commons, upholding and developing the principle of parliamentary privilege.
This established a crucial precedent for the future of Parliament’s power.
However, Henry VIII also showed remarkable leniency towards Sir Rowland. Just a few months later, he was released and even knighted.
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It is worth dwelling on the legacy of this moment. Parliamentary privilege, which is mostly a setteled question in our time, protects Members of Parliament (MPs) from arrest, imprisonment, or legal proceedings for actions taken or words spoken in the course of their parliamentary duties.
The Ferrers Case connects to the two later crises:
King Charles I and the Speaker (1642): In 1642, King Charles I entered the House of Commons with an armed guard to arrest five MPs he believed were politically opposed to him. Speaker William Lenthall famously refused to identify their location, stating, “I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as this house is pleased to direct me whose servant I am here.” This episode echoes the spirit of the Ferrers Case, where Parliament asserted its right to protect its members from the arbitrary actions of the Crown.
Brexit Prorogation Crisis (2019): In 2019, Prime Minister Boris Johnson prorogued (suspended) Parliament for five weeks during a crucial period of Brexit negotiations. This move was seen by many as an attempt to silence opposition voices in Parliament. The Supreme Court ruled the prorogation unlawful, citing its impact on Parliament’s ability to hold the government accountable. This case, like the Ferrers Case and the actions of Speaker Lenthall, highlights the judiciary’s role in upholding Parliamentary rights when the Crown or government oversteps its bounds.
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Old Sir Rowland’s brush with imprisonment adds another layer to the legend surrounding him. It also foreshadows the dangers he would face a few years later, as his life became embroiled in a dangerous high-level conspiracies in pursuit of harmony, advancing his faith, and protecting people, texts, and artifacts.
The Chapel of St John the Evangelist is an 11th century Christian chapel of Norman architecture, in the White Tower of the Tower of London. Built in 1080, St John’s is the oldest surviving complete chapel from the early Norman period.
He defied religious edicts by saving the Mercer’s Christ statue, an act that could have easily resulted in another stint in the Tower – or worse.
Furthermore, his involvement in publishing the Geneva Bible, a challenge Mary I’s conter reformation – an act which again could have easily resulted in another stint in the Tower – or worse.
The Tower of London of course offers a wealth of historical experiences beyond Sir Rowland’s tale, but we had close to the top of our minds the remarkable story of Sir Rowland Hill and his part in the Tudor struggles for power, religious freedom, and the importance of independent thought.
The Wakefield Tower was built by Henry III as royal lodgings between
As we at Soulton Hall continue to steward this historic residence, Sir Rowland’s story serves as a constant reminder of the courage it takes to stand up for what you believe in, even in the face of harsh retribution.
Edward I’s recreated bedchamber at St. Thomas’s Tower. Inspired by both financial records & a Merlin image, it offers a glimpse into medieval royalty.
