Honor Grenville, Viscountess Lisle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Honor Grenville
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| Viscountess Lisle | |
Monumental brass of Honor Grenville on chest-tomb of her first husband
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| Born | c. 1493 – 1495 |
| Died | 1566 (aged 71–73) Tehidy, Cornwall |
| Buried | 30 April 1566 Illogan Church |
| Noble family | Grenville family |
| Spouse(s) | Sir John Basset Arthur Plantagenet, 1st Viscount Lisle |
| Issue | John Basset George Basset James Basset Philippa Basset Katharine Basset Anne Basset Mary Basset |
| Father | Sir Thomas Grenville |
| Mother | Isabella Gilbert |
Honor Grenville, Viscountess Lisle (around 1493–1495 to 1566) was an important lady from Cornwall, England. Her daily life from 1533 to 1540 is very well known. This is because many of her letters and other papers, called the Lisle Papers, still exist today. They are kept in the National Archives in the UK. These papers give us a special look into what life was like during the time of King Henry VIII.
Contents
Who Was Honor Grenville?
Honor was the daughter of Sir Thomas Grenville (who died in 1513). Her family lived at Stowe in Cornwall. They also owned land in Bideford, North Devon. Her mother was Isabella Gilbert.
Honor's Marriages and Children
Honor Grenville was married two times in her life.
First Marriage to Sir John Basset
Honor first married Sir John Basset (1462–1528). He was from Umberleigh in Devon. When Honor's father died, she was his only unmarried daughter. Her father's will asked his son, Roger, to arrange Honor's marriage. Roger followed these wishes.
On December 15, 1515, a special agreement was made for Honor's marriage. She was about 20 or 22 years old. Sir John Basset was 53 and had no son yet. Together, Honor and John Basset had several children:
- John Basset (1518–1541), their oldest son.
- George Basset, born between 1522 and 1525.
- James Basset (around 1526 – 1558).
- Philippa Basset, born in 1516.
- Katherine Basset, born in 1517.
- Anne Bassett, born in 1521. She was known to be close to King Henry VIII.
- Mary Basset, born between 1522 and 1525.
Second Marriage to Arthur Plantagenet
After Sir John Basset died, Honor married again. Her second husband was Arthur Plantagenet, 1st Viscount Lisle (who died in 1542). He was an illegitimate son of King Edward IV. This meant he was King Henry VIII's uncle.
Life in Calais
In 1532, Honor traveled to Calais with King Henry VIII and his wife, Anne Boleyn. In 1533, Honor moved to Calais permanently with her second husband. He had been given an important job there as the Lord deputy of Calais. They lived in a place called the Staple Inn in Calais until 1540. During this time, Honor worked hard to help her children succeed. She was greatly helped by her husband's agent in England, John Husee.
Trouble in Calais
In 1540, Honor's husband was arrested. He was accused of being involved in a plan against Calais. Calais was a very important place to King Henry VIII. Honor's husband was sent to the Tower of London. Even though no proof was found against him, he died suddenly in the Tower in 1542, just before he was to be set free.
During this difficult time, Honor was kept under house arrest in Calais with her daughters, Mary and Philippa. A writer from that time, Elis Gruffydd, described what happened on May 20, 1540. He said that Honor was put in a room in the palace. Her daughters were taken away and held in different places in the town.
On June 1, 1540, Lady Lisle was moved to another house in Calais. She stayed there under house arrest for two years. The family's belongings were taken by the King's officials. This is when the famous Lisle Papers were found and kept by the state. Everything in their home was carefully listed, from gold and jewels to furniture.
Some people spread rumors that Honor herself was involved in the trouble. It was said that she was planning a marriage for one of her daughters that was seen as a risk to the king. This was because King Henry VIII believed the French were planning to attack Calais. Honor's daughter, Mary Basset, had received letters from a young French nobleman. She hid these letters, but when they were found, they added to the suspicion.
Her husband's arrest was a huge shock to Honor. Some accounts say she became very upset and unwell during her imprisonment.
Return to England
On March 9, 1542, the Privy Council ordered Honor's release. She heard this good news, along with the news that her husband would also be released. Sadly, she then heard that he had died.
Honor lived the rest of her life quietly for 24 more years. She likely lived at the Basset family home of Tehidy in Illogan, Cornwall. In 1558, her grandson, Arthur Basset, gave her the right to live there for the rest of her life.
Honor Grenville died at Tehidy. She was buried in Illogan Church on April 30, 1566.
Lisle Letters
Honor Grenville is famous today because of her many letters that still exist. These letters describe what life was like in the royal court during the 1500s. They have been published as the Lisle Letters.
These letters show that Honor was a strong person. She had a lot of influence over her husband. Even Thomas Cromwell, a powerful advisor to the King, had to politely tell Viscount Lisle that a government official couldn't always do what his wife wanted. The letters also give us details about how their family lands were managed. They also show how they bought land from the dissolved Frithelstock Priory.
