Anthony Denny facts for kids
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Sir Anthony Denny (born 1501, died 1549) was a very important person in the court of King Henry VIII of England. He was the King's closest friend and advisor. Sir Anthony was in charge of the King's private rooms, called the Privy Chamber. He even helped sign official papers using a special "dry stamp" of the King's signature. He was also with King Henry VIII when he died.
Sir Anthony Denny was part of a group that wanted to change the church in England. This group was called the Reformists. He was also very rich. He gained many lands and buildings that used to belong to monasteries after they were closed down. By 1548, he was in charge of the Palace of Westminster.
Sir Anthony Denny's Life
Anthony Denny was born in 1501. His father, Sir Edmund Denny, was a judge. His mother was Mary Troutbeck. Anthony had an older brother, two younger brothers, and ten sisters.
He went to St Paul's School and then St John's College, Cambridge. In 1544, he was made a knight. In 1547, he was chosen to represent Hertfordshire in Parliament.
Helping King Henry VIII
Sir Anthony Denny was one of the key people who helped finish King Henry VIII's will. This happened just before the King died in 1547. Sir Anthony even talked to the King many times about who should be in the will. He was also the one who told King Henry that he was going to die soon.
Because of his important job, Sir Anthony could control who saw King Henry VIII in his last years. The King spent a lot of time in his private rooms then. Sir Anthony could also influence the King because they were so close. He and another important official, Sir William Paget, might have helped choose who would be in charge after the King died.
Family Life
In 1525, Sir Anthony Denny married Joan Champernowne. She was a close friend of King Henry VIII's wife, Queen Catherine Parr. Joan might have been the sister of Katherine Ashley, who was a teacher to the future Queen Elizabeth I.
Sir Anthony and Joan had 12 children, including:
- Henry Denny (died 1574): He became a church leader. His son was Edward Denny, 1st Earl of Norwich.
- Sir Edward Denny, Knight Banneret of Bishops Stortford (1547–1599): He also had children.
- Mary Denny: She married Thomas Astley, who worked for Queen Elizabeth I.
Three of his sons also supported changes in the church. They had to leave England when Queen Mary I was in power because she did not agree with these changes.
Sir Anthony Denny was buried at St. Mary parish church in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. There are no stone memorials left for him there.
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