Henry Fitzroy 1519 – 1536 – A Biography

 

Henry FitzRoy was the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII of England by his mistress, Elizabeth (Bessie) Blount, who had been one of Catherine of Aragon’s maids of honour. Fitzroy was born on 15 June 1519 at the Priory of St Lawrence in Blackmore, Essex. At the time of his birth, Henry VIII had been married to Catherine of Aragon for ten years but the union had only produced one surviving child, Mary, born in 1518. Fitzroy’s birth was significant as Henry believed it to be proof that he was able to father sons.  

 

Early Life

Henry FitzRoy was the only illegitimate child of Henry VIII that was officially acknowledged. He was named Henry after his father and given the surname Fitzroy (King’s son).  Thomas Wolsey was given overall responsibility for his care and a nanny, Agnes Partridge was appointed to look after day to day care of the child. 

There is some dispute as to whether Henry’s relationship with Bessie Blount ended after Fitzroy’s birth. Henry arranged for her to marry Gilbert Tailboys, a nobleman of Lincolnshire, but the date of their marriage is not recorded. Some historians believe that the marriage took place within months of the birth of Henry Fitzroy, while other’s point to 1520 or even 1522 when Henry began an affair with Mary Boleyn. Bessie and Gilbert’s first child, Elizabeth Tailboys, was born in 1522 and was recognised as Tailboy’s child. However, historians that point to a later marriage date speculate that Elizabeth Tailboys may also have been Henry VIII’s child. Bessie Blount and Gilbert Tailboys has two more children, George, born in 1523 and Robert, born 1528.

 

Titles and Roles

In June 1525, when FitzRoy was six years old he was given his own household at Durham House in London. He was also given a number of prestigious titles and roles:

7th June 1525 – created a Knight of the Garter at Windsor Castle.
18th June 1525 – created Duke of Richmond, Duke of Somerset and Earl of Nottingham at Bridewell Place, London
22nd June 1525 – created Warden General of the Northern Marches, Lord High Admiral of England, Lord President of the Council of the North and Warden of the Marches towards Scotland.
22nd June 1529 – created Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

 

Political Importance

The titles and roles bestowed upon Henry FitzRoy elevated him to a very high position. His father’s failure to produce a male heir with Catherine of Aragon led to speculation  regarding the succession. Many contemporaries believed that the King was contemplating legitimising Henry Fitzroy and naming him heir to the throne. 

On 28th August 1525, FitzRoy, as Warden of the Northern Marches and President of the Council of the North, was moved to Sheriff Hutton Castle in Yorkshire. There he was raised and educated under the supervision of trusted tutors, including Richard Croke and the notable scholar John Palsgrave. Overseen by Wolsey, he received an exceptional education, preparing him for potential roles in governance or even kingship. 

As Lord Lieutenant of Ireland he he held a nominal position overseeing governance in Ireland, reflecting the king’s trust in him. As a minor, he was not involved in decision-making but played a ceremonial role. 

In 1529, Thomas Wolsey fell from favour after failing to secure Henry VIII a divorce from Catherine of Aragon. Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk and uncle to Anne Boleyn was given responsibility for Henry Fitzroy’s household, education and care. 

In 1532, Fitzroy accompanied Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn when they sailed to Calais for a meeting with King Francis I of France. After the meeting he spent time at the French court before returning to England the following year.

 

Marriage

Henry FitzRoy had excellent marriage prospects. His high status would raise any family that could secure a marriage agreement. Thomas Howard, who had been give overall charge of Fitzroy’s household in 1529 had a daughter, Mary who was born around the same time as Fitzroy. His niece, Anne Boleyn had married Henry VIII in January 1533 and given birth to a daughter, Elizabeth in September 1533. 

 

The marriage of Henry Fitzroy to Mary Howard took place on 26th November 1533. Despite Fitzroy being  aged 14 and Howard 13 years old, Henry had allowed the marriage on condition that it was not consummated until the pair were older. 

 

Health and Death

Throughout his life, King Henry VIII was fearful of illness and isolated himself and the court during outbreaks of plague or other infectious diseases. Despite this concern, there is no evidence that Henry Fitzroy had any underlying illnesses or health concerns. 

In June or July 1536, Henry Fitzroy was taken ill with chest pains and a cough. His condition quickly worsened and he died on 23rd July 1536. It is believed that his cause of death was either tuberculosis (consumption) or sweating sickness. 

The death of Henry Fitzroy was a great blow to the King who still did not have a male heir, a matter which troubled him deeply. Whether due to grief, humiliation or an inability to accept Fitzroy’s death, Henry did not order a lavish funeral. Henry Fitzroy’s body was secretly removed in a straw-covered wagon and quietly buried at Thetford Priory, Norfolk.

In 1540, following the dissolution of the monasteries, his remains were moved to St Michael’s Church Framlingham, Suffolk. 

 

Published Nov 15, 2024 @ 10:40 am – Updated – Nov 15 2024