George Boleyn, Viscount Rochford, (1504 – 1536) was the brother of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII of England. Though his sister would eventually be executed by beheading for treason, George himself met a more gruesome end as he was hung, drawn, and quartered on May 17th, 1536. This article will explore […]
Tudor Citizens
The Tudor citizens profiled here lived through a century of incredible change; their lives reflect the tumultuous spirit of Tudor England. They also provide insight into the personalities and politics of the Tudor monarchs.
Follow the links on this page to learn more about these fascinating men and women. You can also visit Tudor England: Images to view portraits of the courtiers. Primary Sources includes contemporary chronicles and letters.
Charles Brandon duke of Suffolk
The Boleyn Family - Mary Boleyn
Thomas Wolsey Cardinal and Lord Chancellor
Thomas Cromwell Lord Chancellor and earl of Essex
Thomas Cranmer archbishop of Canterbury and martyr
St Thomas More Lord Chancellor, author, and martyr
Thomas Culpeper
On December 10, 1541, Thomas Culpeper was executed. He was beheaded for treason against King Henry VIII, and his head displayed at London Bridge. Thomas Culpeper was born in 1514 the son of a gentleman farmer and had grown up in Kent, but that’s about all we know of his early life. He first appears […]
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex was a fascinating and complex figure in English history. He was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I, but his life ended in tragedy after he led a failed rebellion against her. Robert Devereux was born on November 17, 1567 in England. He was the second son of Walter Devereux, […]
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester was an important figure in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. He was a trusted advisor to the Queen and held many important positions in her government. He was also a great patron of the arts and helped support many artists and musicians during his time. Robert Dudley was […]
Margaret Pole
Margaret was born into the House of York and was the daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, brother of Edward IV. Margaret was born in 1473 during the Wars of the Roses in the first 12 years of her life would come the death of Edward IV, the disappearance of his sons Edward V and Richard Duke […]
Edmund de la Pole
SIR EDMUND DE LA POLE, 3RD EARL OF SUFFOLK Edmund de la Pole was born around 1471 at Cotton, Suffolk, England. He was the second son and third child of John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk, and Elizabeth Plantagenet (sister of Edward IV and Richard III). This meant that Edmund had a claim to […]
Thomas Cranmer: The First Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury
Thomas Cranmer was born in 1489 in Aslockton, Nottinghamshire. He studied at Cambridge University, where he became a leader of the Protestant Reformation. In 1533, he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry VIII and played a leading role in making England into a Protestant country. Cranmer was arrested and executed during the reign […]
Walter Raleigh
Walter Raleigh was an explorer, writer, and soldier during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. He is most remembered for his involvement in colonial ventures in North America, but he also had a long and distinguished career in politics and diplomacy. Raleigh was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth, who knighted him […]
Sir Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake was a famous explorer and privateer who sailed the world in search of new adventures. He is best known for his voyage around the world in 1577, which became the first successful circumnavigation of the globe. Drake also played a significant role in defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588, one of English […]
Sir Francis Bacon – A Philosopher and Statesman Who Changed the World
Francis Bacon was born on January 22, 1561, in London, England. The son of Sir Nicholas Bacon and Lady Anne Cooke Bacon, he was educated at Trinity College in Cambridge. After leaving college, Bacon embarked on a career in law and politics. He served as Attorney General and as Lord Chancellor of England. Early Years […]