Anthony William Hall facts for kids

Anthony William Hall (1898–1947) was a British man who called himself King Anthony I or Anthony Tudor. He claimed to be a direct descendant of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. He said he was related through an illegitimate son born before their marriage.

Anthony William Hall's Life Story

His Early Career

After World War I, Anthony William Hall joined the Shropshire Constabulary, a police force. He was a police constable and was known for being good at his job. He was good at photography, shorthand, and typing. He also understood fingerprinting.

At 28, he became a Police Inspector. But in 1927, he suddenly quit after a disagreement with his boss. That same year, he moved to Canada. His wife returned to the UK in December, and he stayed in Canada until April 1929. For the next ten years, he lived in Hereford and then in London.

Claiming the English Throne

His Big Idea

Anthony William Hall believed he was the 11th direct male descendant of King Henry VIII. He claimed his family line started with John Hall, a son of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. This son, he said, was born before Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon.

However, this claim was not true. Anne Boleyn was very young at the time, possibly less than nine years old. Also, in England, the crown does not pass to children born outside of marriage. At the same time, other people also claimed to be the rightful rulers of different countries in Europe.

What Happened Next?

In 1931, Hall wrote an "open letter" to King George V. In this letter, he tried to claim the English throne for himself. He also gave many speeches, especially in Birmingham. He explained his claim and even challenged King George V to a duel, saying the loser should die.

Hall also had big plans for the country. He wanted to deal with the national debt, get rid of the government, and stop income tax.

King George V heard about Hall's claims. Records from 2006 show the King discussed it with his private secretary, Sir Clive Wigram. In 1931, Wigram wrote that the King agreed Hall should be stopped. But the King felt it would look bad to jail someone who seemed "demented" (mentally unwell). He wondered if Hall could be kept under observation instead of being put in prison.

However, Sir John Anderson at the Home Office decided Hall was not so clearly unwell that he could be dealt with without going to court.

Hall reportedly gave over 1,000 speeches in six years. He was arrested many times for using "scandalous language." He was often fined and told to keep the peace. For example, in 1936, he tried to hold a public meeting in Hereford. He was charged with blocking the street and bothering a police officer. He also behaved in a way that could cause trouble.

In court, he declared that Hereford would be his new capital city. He said he would set up royal mints (places to make money) in every city. When he was fined £20, he first refused to pay. He argued that as their "lawful king," they couldn't demand money from him.

In London, he promised to rebuild the city to hold 100 million people. He even tried to give eviction notices to the King at Buckingham Palace. He was known for loudly announcing his claims up to five times a day near Tower Hill and Woolwich Dockyard.

He also traveled around the country to spread his message. He sold small slips of paper, claiming they would be the new money when he became king. In July 1937, he was fined £1 for selling these papers in Southend. During that court case, he said his name was also Anthony Tudor.

When he was in prison, two doctors examined him. They could not find any signs of mental illness. One doctor even said Hall's ideas for solving the national debt were not crazy.

Later Years

In 1939, his wife started divorce proceedings against him. Hall handled his own case in court and questioned his wife for over six hours. The judge described Hall as a "tempestuous, undisciplined and erratic" man. The judge also said Hall seemed capable of good actions but was "completely reckless." His wife was granted the divorce and custody of their child.

During World War II, Hall had a disagreement with his sister, Mary Hall. He had taken over his mother's house in Little Dewchurch, and his sister wanted him to leave. Hall argued that a law from 1857 was not valid. He said he would take the issue to the House of Lords, a high court. However, the judge ruled against him. The judge gave the house to his sister but allowed Hall time to appeal the decision.

Anthony William Hall died in Little Dewchurch in December 1947. Even after his death, people still mentioned him as someone who claimed to be the rightful King of Britain as late as 1950.

See also

• Michel Roger Lafosse, who claims descent from Charles Edward Stuart.