Alice Arden, born around 1516 in England, was the daughter of John Brigandine and Alice Squire. Following her father's death, her mother married Sir Edward North, later known as Lord North, positioning Alice within a family of notable social standing. She married Thomas Arden, a gentleman of Faversham, Kent, and together they had at least one daughter, Margaret, born in 1538. 

The couple resided in Faversham Abbey, a property acquired after the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536. Despite their outwardly respectable life, Alice's marriage was reportedly strained, leading her to engage in an affair with Richard Mosby, a tailor of lower social status. This liaison was conducted openly, causing significant scandal within their community.​

Alice Arden's extramarital affair with Richard Mosby led her to conspire against her husband, Thomas Arden. After an unsuccessful attempt to poison Thomas, Alice and Mosby sought assistance from accomplices, including John Green, who harbored personal grievances against Thomas, and a hired killer known as "Black Will." Multiple assassination attempts failed, leading Alice to orchestrate a plan to murder Thomas within their home. 

On February 14, 1551, after supper, while Thomas played a game with Mosby, Black Will emerged from hiding and strangled Thomas with a towel. Mosby then struck Thomas with a pressing iron, and Alice stabbed him multiple times to ensure his death. The conspirators attempted to stage the scene to suggest Thomas was killed outside, but evidence quickly pointed to their involvement. Alice and her accomplices were arrested, tried, and convicted. Alice was executed by burning at the stake in Canterbury on March 14, 1551. ​

The dramatic nature of the crime inspired the 1592 play "Arden of Faversham," which explores themes of domestic betrayal and ambition. The authorship of the play remains uncertain, with some attributing it to William Shakespeare. ​