Edward Warner (1511–1565) facts for kids
Sir Edward Warner (born 1511, died November 7, 1565) was an important English politician. He served as the Lieutenant of the Tower of London, a very important job. He was also elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for several areas, including Grantham, Great Grimsby, and Norfolk. He was given the title of Knight on May 18, 1544, becoming Sir Edward Warner.
His Family Life
Edward Warner was the younger son of Henry Warner. His mother was Mary Blennerhassett. He had a brother named Robert Warner.
Sir Edward married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth (who died in 1560). She was the daughter of Thomas Brooke, 8th Lord Cobham. Elizabeth had been married before to Sir Thomas Wyatt I. Sir Edward and Elizabeth had three sons together. Elizabeth passed away in August 1560 and was buried in the Tower of London.
His second wife was Audrey (who died on July 16, 1581). She was the daughter of William Hare. Audrey had also been married before to Thomas Hobart.
Sir Edward's Career
In 1549, Sir Edward helped defend the city of Norwich during a rebellion led by Robert Kett. He worked as a leader under William Parr.
In October 1552, he was given the important job of Lieutenant of the Tower of London. This meant he was in charge of the famous Tower of London.
However, when Queen Mary I became queen in July 1553, Sir Edward was removed from his position. This was likely because he was thought to support Lady Jane Grey, who had also claimed the throne. His dismissal made him unhappy. He was even arrested on January 25, 1554, during Sir Thomas Wyatt's rebellion, because he was suspected of being involved. He was held in the Tower, but his punishment was not too harsh. He was released on January 18, 1555, after paying a large sum of money as a promise to behave.
When Queen Elizabeth I became queen, Sir Edward was quickly given his job back as Lieutenant of the Tower. In 1559, he attended a special ceremony in London for the late King Henry II of France.
In 1561, Sir Edward was given the responsibility of looking after Lady Katherine Grey, Countess of Hertford. Lady Katherine had upset Queen Elizabeth because she had secretly married the Earl of Hertford. Sir Edward was asked to get Lady Katherine to tell the Queen everything about her marriage. However, Lady Katherine did not confess much. Sir Edward felt sorry for her and allowed her husband to visit her. This led to the birth of a second child, which made Queen Elizabeth even angrier.
Sir Edward was also in charge of guarding bishops who had been removed from their positions because they did not accept Queen Elizabeth's authority. In 1563, he served in Parliament for the county of Norfolk. In 1565, he traveled to the Netherlands to check on English trade. He was also appointed to a group in Norfolk to help stop piracy and other problems at sea.
Sir Edward Warner passed away on November 7, 1565. He did not have any children of his own.
What He Gained
Sir Edward gained a lot of land and wealth during his life. In 1544, he received land in Norfolk. He also benefited greatly when King Henry VIII and King Edward VI closed down monasteries. He received grants of church lands.
He was elected to Parliament for Grantham in 1545, 1547, and 1553. In 1546, he gave important information about Lord Surrey, the son of the Duke of Norfolk. As a reward, he received land belonging to the Duke in Castleacre, Norfolk.
His Legacy
In a small church in Little Plumstead, there is a special stone marking Sir Edward Warner's grave. It shows a knight in armor.
A poem is written on the stone:
Sir Edward Warner, Knight, now resteth here
Who lived to full 50 years and fower
His wifes also by armes you see appeare
What needeth then with words to blaze them o're
His virtues rare, would not be letten passe
Ne yet so worthy state in silence synke
But who dares wright his golden gifts in brasse
Or blot his fame with rude and silly inke
In somme therefore, let this be sayd for all
With God and man he liveth and ever shall
Obijt. 7°. die Nov. Ao. Domi. 1565.
This poem tells us that Sir Edward lived to be 54 years old. It also mentions his wives. The stone describes his family symbols, called "arms." Sir Edward's first wife, Elizabeth, was the daughter of Thomas Lord Brook of Cobham.
There is also a tablet in the same church for Audrey, his second wife. It says:
Audrey daughter of William Hare,
His only heir by law, and right,
Of Thomas Hobart, a wife very rare,
And then to Sir Edward Warner, Knight.
And last to William Blenerhasset,
Three cozens Germans, by God so assigned,
Where - - - - - - and lovely marriage was met,
To live all in one, a rare thing to find.
Full ty's to them, a wife most true,
To these a most good and loveing mother;
But by Hobart only her issue grew,
The eldest Miles, and Henry his brother.
She loved God's word, and lived likewise,
She gave to the poore, and welcomed the rich.
She exchanged this life July 16, 1581.
Lo here, you ladies, you widows, and wives,
A glass for your geer, your selfs to behold,
Seek here a sample, and guide for your lifes,
Far passing beauty, and borders of gold.
This poem explains that Audrey was the daughter of William Hare. She was married three times: first to Thomas Hobart, then to Sir Edward Warner, and finally to William Blenerhasset. It mentions her sons, Miles and Henry, from her marriage to Thomas Hobart.
The Henry mentioned in the poem was Sir Henry Hobart, 1st Baronet (born January 1, 1560, died December 29, 1625). He was an important figure from Blickling Hall.
