Poem of Margaret Salisbury

After Margaret Pole, the Countess of Salisbury had been executed, a short piece of text was found carved into the wall. The Countess denied her guilt to the end and it is believed that the poem is written by the Countess herself.

For traitors on the block should die;

I am no traitor, no, not I!

My faithfulness stands fast and so,

Towards the block I shall not go!

Nor make one step, as you shall see;

Christ in Thy mercy, save Thou me!

Sadly, the elderly woman's prayer was not heard - her execution would be remembered as the most horrible execution of the Tower of London.