Henry VIII’s affair with his teenage mistress, Elizabeth Blount, led to the birth of his only acknowledged illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy. Henry took an active interest in his son’s welfare. He also displayed a large degree of paternal pride as Fitzroy resembled his father. Some believed Richmond had a better chance of succeeding Henry VIII than his two sisters. [1]
He was born Lord Henry Fitzroy at the Priory of St Lawrence at Blackmore, Essex, on 15 June 1519.
Fitzroy received some basic education. His tutor complained Fitzroy recited his prayers with a “barbarous Latin Accent”.
Duke of Richmond
Henry created the boy Earl of Nottingham, Duke of Richmond and Somerset, and granted his son several important posts including Lord High Admiral of England, when Richmond was only six years old. Richmond later became a Knight of the Garter.[2]
Henry’s queen, Catherine of Aragon, regarded Richmond’s ennoblement as a public snub.[3]
Richmond was sent to Sheriff Hutton Castle, Yorkshire, for four years where he was raised as a Renaissance prince. Henry also wanted his son to learn the art of government.
The Queen firmly put her foot down when Henry wanted to appoint Richmond King of Ireland. Henry appointed his son Lord Lieutenant of Ireland instead.
Marriage
A search for a foreign princess as Richmond’s bride proved unsuccessful.
Even Richmond’s half-sister Mary was considered as a possibility to offset domination by a foreign power. Rome was prepared to offer everything except the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine—even a dispensation between Mary and Richmond! [4]
Richmond became friends with Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey as they shared lessons at Windsor.
He accompanied Henry and Anne Boleyn to France in October 1532. Richmond visited the French court, accompanied by Surrey, to acquire some polish. He was warmly welcomed by Frances I and his three sons.
Richmond married Lady Mary Howard on 25 November 1533. It was never consummated as the young couple were ordered to wait. (They feared too much sex too soon would kill Richmond!)
Death
Richmond died from tuberculosis on 22 July 1536. He was secretly buried at Thetford Priory.
Henry was furious with Norfolk for not burying his won with honours. The Duke was later laid to rest in Framlingham Church, Suffolk, in an ornate tomb.
His seventeen-year old widow retired from court whilst Surrey mourned his friend by writing poems in his memory.
Mary faced a long struggle. She was not allowed to keep the lands she was entitled to as a widow. Henry expressed doubt whether his son’s marriage was not binding and lawful because it was not consummated. Mary would lose more than her jointure (£1,000 per year) if the marriage was declared invalid.
A compromise was reached in 1540 after a legal wrangle. She was granted several former Church properties which gave Mary an income of over £744 per year.
© 2009 Carolyn Cash
Sources
Fraser, Antonia, The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Murphy, Beverley A, Bastard Prince: Henry VIII’s Lost Son
Weir, Alison, Henry VIII King and Court
Weir, Alison, The Six Wives of Henry VIII
[1] Weir, A, Henry VIII: King and Court, Jonathan Cape, London, 2001, p 295
[2] Ibid., p 252
[3] Weir, A, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Pimlico, London, 1991 (reprinted 1992), p 135
[4] Murphy, B A, Bastard Prince: Henry VIII’s Lost Son, Sutton Publishing Limited, Stroud, 2001 (Reprinted 2002), p 107
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