Henry Manners, 2nd Earl of Rutland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Manners
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| 2nd Earl of Rutland | |
Henry Manners, 2nd Earl of Rutland, mid-1670s, by Jeremiah van der Eyden, Belvoir Castle
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| Born | 23 September 1526 |
| Died | 17 September 1563 (aged 36) London |
| Father | Thomas Manners, 1st Earl of Rutland |
| Mother | Eleanor Paston |
Henry Manners, 2nd Earl of Rutland, was an important English nobleman. He was also the 13th Baron de Ros of Helmsley and a Knight of the Order of the Garter. Henry was born on September 23, 1526, and passed away on September 17, 1563.
Contents
Who Was Henry Manners?
Henry Manners was the son of Thomas Manners, 1st Earl of Rutland. His mother was Eleanor Paston. He followed in his father's footsteps, taking on many important jobs for the English crown.
Henry's Career and Roles
Henry Manners held many significant positions during his life. He was a key figure in both military and political affairs.
Protecting the Borders
One of his important jobs was being the Warden of the Scottish Marches. This meant he was in charge of protecting the border between England and Scotland. In June 1549, he helped save the town of Haddington. He also took back Ferniehirst Castle from Scottish forces.
Dealing with Challenges
In November 1549, Henry had to investigate a sailor named Thomas Wyndham. Wyndham was accused of capturing merchant ships in the Firth of Forth. Around the same time, Henry's mother-in-law complained about Italian soldiers stationed at Bywell Castle. This castle was in one of her villages.
Military and Political Leadership
Henry became an admiral in 1556, which meant he was a high-ranking naval officer. The next year, he led the cavalry (soldiers on horseback) at the siege of St Quentin. This battle was fought under the rule of Mary I of England.
When Elizabeth I became queen, Henry continued to serve her well. She made him the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire and Rutland. This role meant he was the monarch's representative in those areas. He also became a Knight of the Garter, a very high honor. Later, he was made President of the North, overseeing a large region of England.
Building Belvoir Castle
Not long before he died, Henry finished building Belvoir Castle. This grand castle was an important home for his family.
Succession and Royal Ties
After King Edward VI died in 1553, and then Edward Courtenay died in 1556, Henry Manners became a potential heir to the throne. This was because he was a senior male descendant of Richard, 3rd Duke of York. At that time, James VI/I, who later became King of England, had not yet been born. Henry's connection to the royal family came through Anne of York, Duchess of Exeter.
Family Life and Marriages
Henry Manners was married two times during his life.
First Marriage
His first marriage was on July 3, 1536, to Margaret Neville. Margaret was the daughter of Ralph Neville, 4th Earl of Westmorland. She passed away in 1559. Together, Henry and Margaret had three children:
- Edward Manners, 3rd Earl of Rutland
- John Manners, 4th Earl of Rutland
- Elizabeth Manners (born around 1553, died around 1590). She married Sir William V Courtenay. He was the de jure 3rd Earl of Devon and lived at Powderham Castle in Devon.
Second Marriage
After Margaret's death, Henry married Bridget. Bridget was the widow of Richard Morrison. Later, after Henry's death, Bridget married for a third time to Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford.
Death and Burial Site
Henry Manners passed away in London on September 17, 1563. He is buried at St Mary the Virgin's Church, Bottesford in Leicestershire, England.
His Tomb and Memorial
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Henry's tomb is in the middle of the church's main area, next to his father's tomb. It is made of alabaster, a smooth, white stone. The tomb is considered very special.
The statues, called effigies, of Henry and his wife lie beneath a decorated table-like structure. This structure looks like an Elizabethan dining table with heavy carved legs. It might have been made to look like a communion table, which is used in church services.
Henry's statue shows him wearing armor. His chest plate is made of many layered plates. He wears a small crown, called a coronet, on his head. His head rests on a special helmet used for jousting, called a tilt-heaume. He also wears a long chain that reaches his thighs. The symbol of the Order of the Garter is on his left leg. In his right hand, he holds a closed book, and in his left, a sword. At his feet is a statue of a unicorn without a horn.
His wife Margaret's statue also wears a coronet. She is dressed in the fashion of her time, with a cloak trimmed with ermine, which is soft white fur. Her head rests on a scroll, and her feet rest on a lion.
