Margaret Somerville

Margaret Arden, died after 1583, was the daughter of Edward Arden of Park Hall, Warwickshire (1533-x.December 20, 1583) and Mary Throckmorton (c.1542-1603). She married John Somerville of Edstone, Warwickshire (1560-December 19, 1583). In 1583, convinced that it was his duty as a Catholic to kill Queen Elizabeth, Somerville set out to do so, telling anyone who would listen of his plans. When arrested, he implicated Margaret, her parents, and the family priest, Hugh Hall, who lived with the Ardens in the guise of their gardener. Margaret's father's entry in the Oxford DNB says she was arrested along with her parents. Her husband's entry says only her parents were taken into custody. They were condemned to die. Somerville hanged himself in his cell the night before the execution. Arden was executed. Margaret's mother was released from the Tower of London after her husband's death. According to another account, the priest, Margaret, and her mother were pardoned. Margaret had two daughters by Somerville, Elizabeth (who married Thomas Warwick) and Alice.