In Aug 1538 [his brother] Geoffrey Pole (age 37) was arrested. He had been corresponding with [his brother] Cardinal Reginald Pole (age 38). The investigation of Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter (age 42) had turned up his name; he had appealed to Thomas Cromwell, who had him arrested and interrogated. Under interrogation, Geoffrey (age 37) said that his eldest brother Henry Pole 1st Baron Montagu (age 46), and Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter (age 42) had been party to his correspondence with Cardinal Reginald Pole (age 38).

In Nov 1538 [his mother] Margaret Pole Countess Salsbury (age 65), her son Henry Pole 1st Baron Montagu (age 46), his son [his son] Henry Pole (age 18), and other Pole family members, and Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter (age 42), his wife Gertrude Blount Marchioness of Exeter (age 35), their son Edward Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 11) and Edward Neville (age 67) were arrested and imprisoned on charges of treason. Cromwell had previously written that they had "little offended save that he [Reginald Pole] is of their kin". They were committed to the Tower of London [Map].

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 09 Dec 1538. And this yere in December was beheddyd at the Towre-hyll lorde Henry markes of Exceter (age 42), lorde Henry Montegew (age 46), and sir Edward Nevelle (deceased).

Hall's Chronicle 1538. 03 Nov 1539. The third day of November were Henry Marquess of Exeter and Earl of Devonshire (age 43) and Sir Henry Pole knight and Lord Montague and Sir Edward Neville brother to the [his former father-in-law] Lord Bergavenny sent to the Tower which three were accused by Sir [his brother] Geoffrey Pole (age 38) brother to the Lord Montague (age 47), of high treason, and the two lords were arraigned the last day of December, at Westminster before the Lord Audley of Walden, Lord Chancellor, and then the High Steward of England, and there found guilty, likewise on the third day after was arraigned Sir Edward Neville, Sir Geoffrey Pole and two priests called Croftes and Collins, and one Holande a mariner and all attainted, and the ninth day of Januarie, were the said two lords and Sir Edward Neville beheaded at the Tower Hill, and the two priests and Holande were drawnn to Tyburn, and there hanged and quartered, and Sir Geoffrey Pole was pardoned.

Letters and Papers 1541. 10 Jun 1541. 897. Chapuys (age 51) to the Queen of Hungary.

If the affair is mentioned, will follow her instructions in her letter of the 28th ult. Expects to be summoned before the King (age 49) two days hence. Is vexed at not having received the copy of her answer to the King, referred to in his despatch of 26 May. The news since that date is that on the 27th three of the chief conspirators in the North - an abbot and two gentlemen - were hung and quartered. About the same time took place the lamentable execution of the [his mother] countess of Salisbury (deceased) at the Tower [Map] in presence of the Lord Mayor and about 150 persons. When informed of her sentence she found it very strange, not knowing her crime; but she walked to the space in front of the Tower, where there was no scaffold but only a small block. She there commended her soul to God, and desired those present to pray for the King, Queen, Prince, and Princess. The ordinary executioner being absent, a blundering "garçonneau" was chosen, who hacked her head and shoulders to pieces. A most virtuous lady nearly 90 years of age. When her death was resolved on her [his son] nephew (grandson) (age 21), the son of lord Montague, who had been allowed occasionally to go about within the Tower, was more strictly guarded. It is to be supposed he will soon follow his father and grandmother. London, 10 June 1541. Original at Vienna.