Sir Henry Norris - Another Victim of Anne Boleyn's Tragic Fall
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- Опубліковано 12 тра 2024
- Join me for the second installment of "Anne Boleyn Week" as I delve into the gripping story of Sir Henry Norris, a trusted confidant of Henry VIII who tragically became ensnared in the events of May 1536.
Discover the illustrious background of Sir Henry Norris, groom of the stool and close friend to the king, whose family history of royal service shaped his influential role at court. Explore Norris's rise to prominence within Henry VIII's privy chamber, where he wielded significant influence and earned the king's favor through unwavering loyalty.
Uncover the pivotal moment when Norris's association with Anne Boleyn took a perilous turn, as suspicions and accusations swirled within the court. Learn about the fateful conversation that sealed Norris's fate, leading to his arrest and imprisonment in the Tower of London.
Explore the intricate dynamics of power and betrayal at court, where Norris's proximity to the throne ultimately became his downfall. Was he a victim of Cromwell's machinations, or was Henry VIII's involvement in Anne Boleyn's downfall the true catalyst for Norris's tragic end?
Join me as I unravel the compelling tale of Sir Henry Norris, a man caught in the crosscurrents of Tudor politics and ambition. Discover how his loyalty and integrity ultimately led to his unjust demise, condemned for crimes he vehemently denied.
Subscribe for more captivating insights into Tudor history and the untold stories of those who shaped this transformative era. Don't miss this episode shedding light on Sir Henry Norris's pivotal role in Anne Boleyn's tumultuous downfall.
I’ll be back tomorrow to tell you about another victim of the events of spring 1536, but if you want to know more about Anne Boleyn, I invite you to register to get instant access to two events I ran in the past: The Fall of Anne Boleyn and Anne Boleyn, the Woman who Changed England. There are so many expert talks to enjoy, and you can find out more on claireridgway.com/.
#anneboleyn #henryviii #toweroflondon #anneboleynweek
I have such compassion for these poor men. What an awful situation to find yourself in, trapped and unable to escape 💔 Another interesting video, looking forward to the next one..
Me too! I am never able to talk about them without getting a lump in my throat.
I love that you are doing this series this week, in remembrance of Queen Anne. I think of her every May 19th, and of course those who went before her earlier that week. Thank you for the detailed reminder of their lives.
Thank you!
Sir Henry Norris (Norreys) was my 14x Great Grandfather through my grandfather's mother (Her surname was York). I swear... SO many of my ancestors have been executed during the Wars of the Roses and Tudor times, but I feel especially sorry for this particular Grandpa.
My mother came out of the German aristocracy. I am related to both the late Queen and her Prince Consort, separately. My family married cousins for centuries! Normal people do not understand what a small world that was...
Henry Norris was older than Henry viii and he could still joust. Henry Norris knew about the impotence. Norris didn't want to marry Mary Shelton, the king's leftovers. I believe that was another reason Henry viii had Norris killed. I believe Henry viii argued with Norris about Madge.
Perhaps so.
The whole thing is so sad....I have learned so much through you....I used to think she was guilty but I no longer believe that. Now when I watch a historical drama I pull out my phone and try to find as much truth as I can. I love that you spread the Tutor truth. 😊
These are the types of videos that I enjoy, despite the tragic subject matter. Concise, informative and thought-provoking...
Thank you!
A terrible end for Sir Henry Norris after a lifetime of service & friendship to his King!
I have a feeling that Henry didnt want anybody to know about his impotance. It would make him look bad or useless. I have so much sympathy for Henry Norris and all the others.😢 thanks Claire!
Thank you!
This series is quite compelling. Each victim of this travesty fascinates me. Yet, I find myself so very sad to think of them all. What a terrible thing to be put through, and how ill used they must have felt.💔
I wonder what a modern day trained counselor, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist would make of Henry - he turned, VICIOUSLY, on people who had always been loyal or close to him, even on people he was supposed to have loved, and condemned many to be put to death on what were clearly horrific miscarriages of justice.
Katharine of Aragon, his beloved wife. John Fisher, who had helped his grandmother, Margaret Beaufort gain the throne for his father Henry VII. Thomas More, whom he considered his dearest friend. Anne Boleyn, another beloved wife. Five innocent men who were railroaded to their deaths - Mark Smeaton, Henry Norris, William Brereton, Francis Weston and George Boleyn. Kathryn Howard, yet ANOTHER beloved wife, the "Rose without a thorn." This list could go on for a while.
He has a lot of blood on his hands
Pretty sure he had a brain injury and uncontrolled diabetes.
NPD
@@kate56966 Agree
Thank you for another informative video, Claire.
Thank you!
So horrifying...,
Claire, many thanks for this informative broadcast on Henry Norris. I have often wondered if those who conspired against Anne chose Henry Norris as the perfect candidate to provoke the King into the rage that culminated in the final, dreadful outcome. As you said Norris had delivered years of loyal service and was an integral part of the King's daily routine. It was the accusations (whatever form they took) against Norris that seemed to rouse the King into action. Norris was the only victim interrogated by the King (this would also have suited Anne's enemies as George Boleyn would have proved more than capable of defending both his and his sister's honour), after which Norris was subjected to dubious questioning by Fitzwilliam that resulted in the rumoured confession. To me, the entrapment of Norris seemed too well choreographed and makes me suspect he was singled out by Cromwell and the Conservative faction as the 'first man' sometime before the 'you look for dead men's shoes' exchange.
Of course, I 'm probably just searching for reason's to explain why, when the end came, it came so swiftly and with such ferocity.
Perhaps so. It is so sad that these men, who were all loyal to the king, were treated in this manner.
Thank you Claire 🌷
Good background info on Norris of which there is much given his long and loyal service.
Love hearing about that confrontation scene with Anne and Norris. The dead mens shoes accusation by Anne is one of my favourite Tudor lines although it was a tad unkind and unfair.
Given the length of his service and loyalty, Norris being accused and brought down must of been particularly shocking to many. Wonder what Henry truly felt about it. Norris was like one of his dependable pillars at Court during much of his reign. But as we know being so close to Henry was a dangerous place to be. A lot of scheming and backstabbing which Norris sadly became a victim of. It makes sense that Cromwell would be behind it, threatened by Norris and his position.
This is all terribly intriguing and fascinating stuff Claire yet so very sad 😢 🌹
I hate how Henry VIII treated people who were nothing but loyal to him.
Claire, you never disappoint me 👍👌 xx
Aw, thank you!
You are always so informative and lovely to listen to. Always a cup of tea and a cozy blanket for listening.
Agreed 💯
Thank you!
Norris is my favorite of the gentlemen. I’m not sure why. He just seems like a decent man. He was “friends” with the King. He had to have known that Anne’s position was crumbling, but he didn’t go seek out the Seymours to secure his place on that side. And the King offered him pardon for a “confession.” Think how hard it had to be to refuse that. He had to know she was doomed with or without his confession, so refusing wouldn’t save her. But refusing would doom him, while a “confession” would pardon him.
I remember Norris in my prayers on the 17th of May.
Not many people can open a video with "so today's victim..."
I enjoy the details you have given very much. I had no idea of the extent of Henry Norris' influence, or what his family had done in service to their monarch. It makes his end all the more bitter.
Claire, I agree with you that Henry was the person who instigated the plot to permanently get rid of Anne so that he could marry Jane Seymour with no inconvenient former wife to cast doubt on Jane’s legality as his wife and queen and the mother of his legitimate son.
Since Anne and Thomas Cromwell were at odds, he would have been quite willing to do the actual work of devising the details of the plot.
I am also sure that neither Henry nor Cromwell ever had any qualms of conscience about creating lies that destroyed the lives of people who were loyal to the king and were on the closest terms with him. Henry’s getting what he wanted was the only thing that mattered.
I think Cromwell was simply the king's servant and his main aim was to keep his master happy.
Thank you Claire. I watched the entire series of Shardlake and I enjoyed it. I’m a fan of the spy genre. It seems that there were many spies in Tudor time. Is there a list of spies? I think it would be a good fiction book about the spies during the Tudor period.
Sir Francis Walsingham set up a whole spy network in Elizabeth I's reign so do read up on him, a fascinating man.
Through time and space (I'm an American) this awful, barbaric tragedy is so very sad.
I've always wondered at Anne's carelessness, even in the context of courtly love, in remarking that Norris sought "dead man's shoes" and "if ought but good came to the king, you would look to have me". And when Norris' horrified reaction provoked Anne's panic, would having Norris swear an oath to her almoner been enough to undo the damage, especially since she threatened to undo him? Tasked with bringing down Anne, Cromwell must surely have had someone report what was said and done in the Queen's chambers. No need to manufacture this conversation. As such, I've also wondered if Norris' would have been identified as one of Anne's lovers if it hadn't been for the exchange in Anne's chamber. The whole situation is heartbreaking.
I find it interesting that the conversation and the date of it were not used in the indictments.
@@anneboleynfiles my first reaction when I read this was a startled oh! Especially since Anne was supposed to be conspiring in the King's death. The byzantine affair is worthy of an entire book? Perhaps it is time to read The Fall of Anne Boleyn.
Thank you Claire for these interesting videos ! I feel so sorry for these poor innocent men and for Queen Anne Boleyn who were all framed and died so tragically,
Tudor England was pretty much a totalitarian state. Awful.
I really flip-flop in terms of my opinion of who was driving the bus, Henry or Cromwell, in terms of bringing about Anne's end. It was convenient for Henry, of course, but Cromwell felt he'd been crossed too many times by Anne.
I think it definitely suited Cromwell to get rid of Anne.
Totally agree with you and love your video! ❤
I had a feeling that Henry Norris would be today's video after Mark Smeaton yesterday and now I want to guess the order of the rest of them:
Francis Westin tomorrow
William Brereton
Thomas Wyatt (if you're covering him even though he was not executed)
George Boleyn
And then this weekend will be for Anne.
I will be mentioning Wyatt and Page.
I think Cromwell wanted Norris out of the way because as Groom of the Stole he had private unlimited access to the King. I think Cromwell wanted one of his lackeys in the job.
Nobody deserved the execution Cromwell had but I'm satisfied he met the safe fate as his many victims.
Hi Claire, thank you for doing these videos, don’t mean to be nosy, but it that a Falcon on your arm? 👍 Quick question, does anyone know if flowers are still delivered to Queen Anne’s grave on May 19, and are they still anonymous?
So Norris, so close to the King, was a traitor? Who betrayed who?
Exactly, He was nothing but loyal.
Sir Henry Norris was my 15 great grandfather
It would be interesting to know what the level of alcohol use/abuse was like at the Tudor court. Because this type of weird behaviour seems to be indicative of people who are not entirely sober. A xx
It definitely would not be appropriate for the queen or those in her chambers to be tipsy or drunk.
The courtly love tradition is a weird one.
Right, so they didn’t even have an excuse. By modern standards they ALL seem so dysfunctional….
Nevertheless, and although I do not believe that Anne meant it, but it is a very odd thing to say, courtly love or no. Especially in the context of a paranoid and dangerous husband…. xx
I read it as her reprimanding him. She certainly wasn't talking about the king's death in a treasonous manner.
Do you believe Henry actually thought these guys were guilty or deep down Do you think he knew they were innocent?
I think Henry VIII knew exactly what was going on and just saw it as the cost of being able to move on.
I understand the basics of, "He had to go," but his innocence is blatant. What could he have said in the ride with Henry that sealed his doom? Is Norris the only one of the group who actually spoke with the king prior to being arrested? Charges against the others were ridiculous, but it seems Norris' words and actions were observed and his response sounds proper. All I can think is that he may have been duty bound to report Anne's jest to the king and in failing to do so, he was guilty of treason.
I don't think he did anything during that ride to seal his doom, but I think the king was hoping that Norris would help him bring down the queen and Norris was not willing to help get rid of an innocent person. The cost of his courage and morality was death.
Is it true that at Henry’s jousting accident that the opponent didn’t know it was the king? I wonder what would have happened if this knight HAD known it was the king… would he have gone easy on him and not pushed him from his horse? Would Anne then not have miscarried the son she was carrying? Henry wouldn’t have that injury to his leg…. How different history would have been…
I fully believe old King wanted her gone...and frankly did NOT care how as long as he got what he wanted...
Such sad circumstances…