Today is the birthday, in 1526, of Henry Carey, the son of William Carey and his wife Mary Boleyn. The fact that Mary had a romantic relationship with Henry VIII before marrying William has led to speculation that Henry might be the father of her children.
In 1528 William Carey died from the sweating sickness, and Henry became the ward of Anne Boleyn. Anne made sure he had a good education, and he later became a member of Parliament. He is buried in Westminster Abbey with his sister Catherine, who has a much stronger claim to being Henry VIII’s daughter.
That’s your Tudor Minute for today. Remember you can dive deeper into life in 16th-century England through the Renaissance English History Podcast at englandcast.com where there is an interview with Christine Morgan on Catherine Carey, and Mary Boleyn.
Suggested links:
Spring 2019 Tudor Summit: Christine Morgan on Mary Boleyn
Spring 2018 Tudor Summit: Claire Ridgway on the Boleyns