Charles Wriothesley facts for kids
Charles Wriothesley (born May 8, 1508 – died January 25, 1562) was an important officer at the College of Arms in London. He was part of a family of heralds. His grandfather, John Writhe, was a very important herald called Garter Principal King of Arms. Charles was the last herald in this family line.
About Charles Wriothesley
Charles Wriothesley was born in London on May 8, 1508. His father, Thomas Wriothesley, was also a Garter King of Arms. Charles's uncle, William Wriothesley, also worked at the College of Arms.
In 1511, Charles moved with his family into Garter House. His father had built this house to show their family's growing importance. Charles went to Trinity Hall, Cambridge to study law. He was studying there by 1522.
Charles Wriothesley died in London on January 25, 1562. His fellow heralds paid for a grand funeral for him. He was buried in the middle aisle of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate. After he died, his large collection of books was sold. Many of these books went to Gilbert Dethick and his son William. They started a new family of heralds.
His Job as a Herald
In October 1524, Charles Wriothesley was appointed Rouge Croix Pursuivant. He was only 16 years old. A pursuivant is a junior officer of arms. His official appointment came on May 29, 1525, with a yearly salary of £10. After this, Wriothesley continued his law studies. In 1529, he became a gentleman of Gray's Inn.
In the early 1530s, Wriothesley was very busy as an officer of arms. He was part of the ceremony when Anne Boleyn was made Marquess of Pembroke in 1532. He also attended her coronation the next year.
When his father, Thomas Wriothesley, died in 1534, other heralds moved up in rank. Charles was made Windsor Herald of Arms in Ordinary. A herald is a senior officer of arms. However, Charles did not seem to do very well in this role.
When the Garter King of Arms died in 1536, Charles was not chosen for the top job. This was the same important job his father and grandfather had held. Even when his cousin, Thomas, Baron Wriothesley, became Lord Chancellor, it did not help Charles's career. In 1550, Charles was again passed over for promotion to Garter.
In 1554, King Philip and Queen Mary I created a special charter. This charter made the heralds and their future successors a permanent group. It also gave them a house called Derby Place. This house was for keeping their important records and rolls safe. Charles Wriothesley's name was on this important charter.
See also
- A Chronicle of England During the Reigns of the Tudors, From A.D. 1485 to 1559, (Wriothesley's Chronicle)
- Heraldry
- King of arms
