We have been finding out about some of the people surrounding Lady Jane Grey, but what about the powerful nobleman who supported her claim to the throne before helping to bring her short reign to an end?
Today I want to find out a little about Henry Fitzalan, 12th Earl of Arundel. He served several Tudor monarchs and became one of the most influential-and politically adaptable-noblemen of his time.
Henry was born on the 23rd of April 1512. He was the only son of William Fitzalan, 11th Earl of Arundel, and Anne Percy, whose family included the powerful Earls of Northumberland.
Henry VIII reportedly acted as his godfather, and Henry entered the royal court while he was still a teenager. He later accompanied the king to Calais and was summoned to Parliament using one of his father’s titles, Lord Maltravers.
Henry also had an important family connection to Lady Jane Grey. His first wife, Katherine Grey, was the sister of Jane’s father, Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk. This made Henry Fitzalan Jane’s uncle by marriage.
During Henry VIII’s reign, Arundel’s career continued to rise. He served in Calais, helped to improve its defences and became a Knight of the Garter. He was also appointed Lord Chamberlain, giving him an important position within the royal household.
He was present during the trials of Anne Boleyn and her brother George in May 1536, showing just how closely he stood to some of the most dramatic events of the Tudor court.
Arundel’s position became less secure after the young Edward VI inherited the throne. He became caught up in the struggle for power between Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, and John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland.
Arundel lost his offices, faced enormous fines and spent periods under house arrest and in prison. However, he eventually returned to the Privy Council in May 1553, just as Edward VI was becoming dangerously ill.
Edward did not want his Catholic half-sister Mary to succeed him. His new plan for the succession placed his Protestant cousin, Lady Jane Grey, next in line for the throne.
Arundel was among the councillors who signed the document supporting Jane’s claim.
After Edward died, Jane was proclaimed queen on the 10th of July 1553. However, Mary quickly gathered an army of supporters, while Jane’s government began to collapse.
Once Northumberland had left London to confront Mary, Arundel changed sides.
On the 19th of July, he helped to persuade the council to proclaim Mary as queen. He then travelled to meet her at Framlingham and later helped to arrest Northumberland.
Jane’s reign had lasted for only nine days.
Mary rewarded Arundel for his support, appointing him Lord Steward of the royal household. Yet his connection to Jane’s family did not protect them. After Jane’s father joined Wyatt’s Rebellion in 1554, Arundel presided over the trial of his own brother-in-law. Henry Grey was found guilty of treason and executed.
Arundel remained an important figure under Elizabeth I, although his Catholic beliefs and involvement in discussions about the succession made the queen suspicious of him. He was arrested more than once because of alleged connections to plots involving Mary, Queen of Scots.
Henry Fitzalan died on the 24th of February 1580. His life had stretched across the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I.
He had supported Lady Jane Grey when it appeared that she would become queen-but abandoned her when Mary’s victory began to look certain.
Do you think Henry Fitzalan genuinely believed Mary was the rightful queen, or was he simply protecting himself?
No comments:
Post a Comment