Post by Henry Norris on Jun 6, 2010 23:45:31 GMT 1
Henry born in 1490 was the second son of Sir Edward Norris of Yattendon Castle, Berkshire, by his wife Frideswide, daughter of John Lovel, 8th Lord Lovel.
Henry Norris had come to Court during his youth, and became a close friend of King Henry VIII who appointed him a Gentleman of the Bedchamber. He was granted many offices by the King.
He was present at the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520. He worked his way up and in 1526 took over the post of Groom of the Stole and was in charge of the gentlemen of the King's Privy Chamber. According to Ives in this position he was not only the King's confidant but also perhaps the closest friend the King had.
Norris risked the wrath of Anne Boleyn's faction when, just before the fall of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, he offered the Cardinal his own rooms when the Cardinal had deliberately been left without accommodation. it seems he was affected by Wolsey's fallen condition.
In April 1536, Queen Anne had some talk with Sir Francis Weston, who hinted to her that Norris loved her. She, afterwards, spoke to Norris about it and, jokingly, said that he was waiting for dead men's shoes. He protested and, in the end, she asked him to contradict any rumours he might hear about her conduct. But Norris had many enemies and his alleged intimacy with Anne was carefully reported to Sir Thomas Cromwell. On 1st May 1536, Norris took part in a tournament at Greenwich and, at the close, Henry spoke to Norris, telling him that he was suspected of an intrigue with Anne and urging him to confess. He was then arrested and taken to the Tower by Sir William FitzWilliam.
Henry Norris was accused of adultery with the Queen in 1536, along with George Boleyn, Francis Weston, William Brereton, and Mark Smeaton. Convicted of treason against the King, he was beheaded two days before Anne was. Though he was pressed for information about his "relationship" with Anne (most believe they were only friends, never lovers), he remained a true friend, refusing to speak against her.
Henry Norris had come to Court during his youth, and became a close friend of King Henry VIII who appointed him a Gentleman of the Bedchamber. He was granted many offices by the King.
He was present at the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520. He worked his way up and in 1526 took over the post of Groom of the Stole and was in charge of the gentlemen of the King's Privy Chamber. According to Ives in this position he was not only the King's confidant but also perhaps the closest friend the King had.
Norris risked the wrath of Anne Boleyn's faction when, just before the fall of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, he offered the Cardinal his own rooms when the Cardinal had deliberately been left without accommodation. it seems he was affected by Wolsey's fallen condition.
In April 1536, Queen Anne had some talk with Sir Francis Weston, who hinted to her that Norris loved her. She, afterwards, spoke to Norris about it and, jokingly, said that he was waiting for dead men's shoes. He protested and, in the end, she asked him to contradict any rumours he might hear about her conduct. But Norris had many enemies and his alleged intimacy with Anne was carefully reported to Sir Thomas Cromwell. On 1st May 1536, Norris took part in a tournament at Greenwich and, at the close, Henry spoke to Norris, telling him that he was suspected of an intrigue with Anne and urging him to confess. He was then arrested and taken to the Tower by Sir William FitzWilliam.
Henry Norris was accused of adultery with the Queen in 1536, along with George Boleyn, Francis Weston, William Brereton, and Mark Smeaton. Convicted of treason against the King, he was beheaded two days before Anne was. Though he was pressed for information about his "relationship" with Anne (most believe they were only friends, never lovers), he remained a true friend, refusing to speak against her.
