Anthony Browne (died 1548) facts for kids
Sir Anthony Browne, a KG, was an important person in the court of King Henry VIII. He lived from about 1500 to 1548. Sir Anthony was a Member of Parliament and held the important job of Master of the Horse for the King. He lived at Battle Abbey and Cowdray Park in Sussex, England.
Who Was Sir Anthony Browne?
Sir Anthony Browne was the son of another important person also named Sir Anthony Browne, who died in 1506. His father was the Standard Bearer of England. Sir Anthony's mother was Lucy Neville. She was the daughter of John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu. This made him the younger half-brother of William Fitzwilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton.
Sir Anthony's Career
Sir Anthony Browne started working for the King in 1518. He was put in charge of hunting areas around castles in Yorkshire. He also went to France as part of an important group to hand over the city of Tournai to King Francis I. In 1522, he was made a knight. Later, in 1525, he became the lieutenant of the Isle of Man. He also served as the English ambassador to France in 1527.
In 1536, Sir Anthony helped the King stop a rebellion called the Pilgrimage of Grace. He led about 2000 mounted troops to Lincoln. He was also put in charge of a military group at Barton-upon-Humber.
Sir Anthony was elected as a Member of Parliament for Surrey several times, starting in 1539. In the same year, he became the King's Master of the Horse. This meant he was in charge of the King's horses and stables. He kept this job until he died.
In 1540, King Henry VIII sent Sir Anthony to meet his future wife, Anne of Cleves. Sir Anthony was surprised by how different she looked from what he had heard. The King later told Browne that he was also disappointed.
Also in 1540, Sir Anthony was made a Knight of the Garter, which is a very special honor. He was given Battle Abbey, a large estate that had become the King's property. Sir Anthony turned it into his country home.
In 1542, Sir Anthony inherited Cowdray House in Sussex from his older half-brother. He finished building this grand house. Sadly, it was destroyed by fire in 1793, but it was later rebuilt.
Sir Anthony was very trusted by King Henry VIII. He even had a special stamp of the King's signature to use for less important letters. By 1547, he was also in charge of Oatlands Palace.
Family Life
Sir Anthony Browne was married twice.
- His first wife was Alice Gage. They married before 1528. They had seven sons and three daughters. Some of their children included:
* Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu, who was his oldest son and heir. * Mary Browne, who married John Grey. * Mabel Browne, who married Gerald FitzGerald. * Lucy Browne, who married Thomas Roper.
- His second wife was Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald. They married after 1540. She was known as the "Fair Geraldine" because she was very beautiful. She was the daughter of Gerald FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Kildare. Lady Elizabeth later married Edward Clinton, 1st Earl of Lincoln. Sir Anthony and Elizabeth had two children, but they both died young.
Death and Burial
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Sir Anthony Browne died on May 6, 1548, at Byfleet House in Surrey, which he had built. He was buried in St Mary the Virgin Church in Battle, Sussex. He was laid to rest in the tomb of his first wife, Alice Gage, as he had asked in his will. His tomb, with statues of him and Alice, can still be seen today. His oldest son, Anthony Browne, inherited his estates.
