Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Richmond and Somerset facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Grace The Duke of Richmond and Somerset
Portrait miniature by Lucas Horenbout, between 1533 and 1534
Lord High Admiral of England
In office 1525–1536
Monarch	Henry VIII
Preceded by	The Duke of Norfolk
Succeeded by	The Earl of Southampton
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
In office 1529–1534
Preceded by	The Earl of Ossory
Succeeded by	William Skeffington
Personal details
Born	15 June 1519 Blackmore, Essex
Died	23 July 1536(1536-07-23) (aged 17) St. James's Palace, London
Resting place	Framlingham Church
Spouse	Lady Mary Howard
Parents	Henry VIII of England Elizabeth Blount

Arms of Sir Henry Fitzroy, KG, at the time of his installation as a knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter

Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Richmond and Somerset, (born June 15, 1519 – died July 23, 1536), was the son of King Henry VIII of England. His mother was Elizabeth Blount, who was not the King's wife. He was the only child born outside of marriage whom Henry VIII officially recognized.

Henry FitzRoy was the younger half-brother of Queen Mary I. He was also the older half-brother of Queen Elizabeth I and King Edward VI. His last name, FitzRoy, comes from a French term meaning "son of the king."

His Birth and Early Life

Henry FitzRoy was born in June 1519. His mother, Elizabeth Blount, was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine of Aragon. His father was King Henry VIII. To keep his birth quiet, Elizabeth Blount was moved away from the King's court. She went to a religious house in Blackmore, Essex.

The exact date of his birth is not known, but it is often given as June 15, 1519. His birth was kept a secret from the public.

His Christening

Henry FitzRoy's christening (baptism) was also kept private. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a very important advisor to the King, was his godfather. The christening likely happened before June 29, 1519. The identity of his other godfather is not known.

King Henry VIII Recognizes His Son

The baby boy was given the last name FitzRoy. This made it clear to everyone that he was the King's son. King Henry VIII openly accepted Henry FitzRoy as his child. The King was very proud of his newborn son and showed him off to his court.

Growing Up in the Royal Nursery

Even though Henry FitzRoy was born outside of marriage, he was still raised close to his father. He was likely part of the royal nursery, just like the King's other children. He often visited the royal court after 1530.

Royal families in the 1500s moved around a lot. So, Henry FitzRoy probably did not grow up in just one house. He moved between different homes around London, similar to his royal half-siblings. He also received some basic education before he became a duke in 1525.

Becoming a Duke

By 1525, King Henry VIII still did not have a son with his wife, Catherine of Aragon. Their only living child was Princess Mary, who was nine years old. Henry FitzRoy, however, was a strong six-year-old boy. He was the King's only recognized son.

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the King's chief minister, took a special interest in Henry FitzRoy. In June 1525, Wolsey called him "Your entirely beloved sonne, the Lord Henry FitzRoy."

A Grand Ceremony

On June 18, 1525, the six-year-old Henry FitzRoy was brought to Bridewell Palace in London. Here, he received many honors. He traveled by boat down the River Thames with many important people.

At the palace, young Henry knelt before his father. Sir Thomas More read out the official papers. First, Henry was made the Earl of Nottingham. This was a very important title. It was the first time in centuries that a king's son born outside of marriage had been given such a high rank.

The ceremony continued. Young Henry FitzRoy knelt again. This time, he was given the titles of Duke of Richmond and Duke of Somerset. Being a duke was the highest rank of nobility in England. The King gave his son two dukedoms, which was very unusual.

The lands that came with his new titles had belonged to King Henry VII (Henry VIII's father) and his grandmother, Margaret Beaufort. This showed a strong connection to the royal family. King Henry VIII was very proud of his son. He held big celebrations with feasts and entertainment.

Queen Catherine of Aragon was upset by this ceremony. She knew she had not given the King a son, and she worried about her own daughter Mary's future.

Important Jobs

After becoming a duke, Henry FitzRoy was given several important jobs. These included Lord High Admiral of England (in charge of the navy) and Lord President of the Council of the North (in charge of governing northern England). He held these jobs in name only, meaning others did the actual work.

From then on, the Duke was raised like a prince. He lived at Sheriff Hutton Castle in Yorkshire. His father, King Henry VIII, cared deeply about his upbringing.

Plans for Ireland

In 1529, Henry FitzRoy was made Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. There was even a plan to make him King of Ireland. However, the King's advisors worried that this would create a separate kingdom that could cause problems for England. After Henry FitzRoy's death, a law was passed in 1542. It said that whoever was King of England would also be King of Ireland.

Time in France

In 1532, King Henry VIII took Richmond with him to meet the King of France. As part of the meeting, Richmond stayed in France. He lived with the French King's sons until August 1533, when he returned to England.

His Marriage

Sketch of the Duchess of Richmond by Hans Holbein the Younger

When King Henry VIII was trying to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, some people suggested that Richmond marry his half-sister Mary. This idea was meant to strengthen Richmond's claim to the throne.

Instead, at age 14, Henry FitzRoy married Lady Mary Howard on November 28, 1533. She was the daughter of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. Henry FitzRoy got along very well with his brother-in-law, the poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.

Possible Heir to the Throne

Around the time of Richmond's death, a new law was being discussed in Parliament. This law would have allowed King Henry VIII to choose his next ruler, whether that child was born in or out of marriage. There is no clear proof that Henry VIII planned to make Richmond his heir. However, this law would have allowed him to do so if he wished.

Some people at the time believed that Richmond might not become king because he was often sick.

His Death

Henry FitzRoy's promising life ended suddenly in July 1536. He became ill with a serious lung problem, often called "consumption" (which is usually tuberculosis). He died at St. James's Palace in London on July 23, 1536.

Chest tomb of Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Richmond, Framlingham Church, Suffolk

His father-in-law, the Duke of Norfolk, wanted his burial to be secret. Henry FitzRoy was first buried at Thetford Priory. Later, his remains were moved to Framlingham Church in Suffolk. His ornate tomb is still there today.

His father, King Henry VIII, died about ten years later. Henry VIII was succeeded by his son, Edward VI, who was born shortly after FitzRoy's death.

Family Tree

See also

In Spanish: Henry Fitzroy para niños