13 moments

1. Birth at York House

   1561-01-22 · York House, Strand, London, England

   

   Francis Bacon was born at York House on the Strand, the London residence associated with his father, Sir Nicholas Bacon. York House no longer survives; coordinates identify its documented former site.

2. Student at Trinity College

   1573-04-05 · Trinity College, Cambridge, England

   

   At age twelve, Bacon entered Trinity College, Cambridge, beginning the formal education that preceded his legal and political career.

3. Diplomatic journey to Paris

   1576-01-01 · Paris, France

   

   Soon after entering Gray's Inn, Bacon travelled abroad in the retinue of Sir Amias Paulet, England's ambassador in Paris, beginning several years of continental travel and diplomatic service. The source places the departure a few months after 27 June 1576; it does not supply a more precise arrival date.

4. Admission to Gray's Inn

   1576-06-27 · Gray's Inn, London, England

   

   Bacon and his brother Anthony entered Gray's Inn, initiating Bacon's association with the London Inn of Court where he trained and later practised law.

5. Residence for legal study

   1579-01-01 · Gray's Inn, London, England

   

   After returning to England following his father's death, Bacon made Gray's Inn his legal residence and supported himself through legal work.

6. Essex hearing at York House

   1600-06-05 · York House, Strand, London, England

   

   Bacon took part as one of Queen Elizabeth's learned counsel when the Earl of Essex underwent an informal proceeding at York House. York House no longer survives; coordinates identify its documented former site.

7. Counsel at the Essex treason trial

   1601-02-19 · Westminster Hall, London, England

   

   Bacon acted for the Crown at the trial of the Earls of Essex and Southampton, a consequential rupture with his former patron, Essex. The source uses the Old Style legal-year date 1600; 19 February 1600 Old Style corresponds to 19 February 1601 in modern dating.

8. Marriage to Alice Barnham

   1606-05-10 · St Marylebone's Chapel, Marylebone, London, England

   

   Bacon married Alice Barnham at St Marylebone's Chapel, joining a prominent London mercantile family. The chapel/church building of Bacon's marriage was later demolished; coordinates are a representative point for the documented historic Marylebone church site.

9. Pondyards project at Gorhambury

   1608-01-01 · Pondyards, Gorhambury, Hertfordshire, England

   

   Bacon began converting the Pondyards at Gorhambury into an elaborate water garden, a project associated with his rise as a royal officeholder and his interest in garden design. Coordinates are a representative point for the Gorhambury estate and Pondyards landscape; the precise site of Bacon's associated Verulam House no longer survives.

10. Imprisonment in the Tower

    1621-01-01 · Tower of London, London, England

    

    After Parliament charged him with corruption, Bacon was sentenced and briefly imprisoned in the Tower of London, ending his public career. The source establishes the year but not the precise dates of imprisonment.

11. Retirement at Gorhambury

    1621-01-01 · Gorhambury, Hertfordshire, England

    

    Following his political fall and brief imprisonment, Bacon spent much of his remaining life at Gorhambury while continuing his literary and philosophical work. The source describes recurring residence from 1621 until his death rather than continuous presence.

12. Burial at St Michael's Church

    1626-01-01 · St Michael's Church, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England

    

    After his death, Bacon's remains were buried at St Michael's Church in St Albans, where his monument remains in the chancel. The source does not provide the burial day; 1626 is supported by the known date of death.

13. Death at Arundel House

    1626-04-09 · Arundel House, Highgate, Middlesex, England

    Bacon died at Arundel House in Highgate after falling ill during an experiment involving preservation of meat in snow. The exact site of the historic Highgate Arundel House is uncertain; coordinates represent Highgate.