Biography of Mary Boleyn 1499-1543

In 1498 [her father] Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 21) and [her mother] Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 18) were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 55) and [her grandmother] Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey. They were fourth cousins.

Around 1499 Mary Boleyn was born to Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 22) and Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 19). She was probably their eldest child based on her being the first to be married, and Anne being referred to as "one of the daughters of Thomas Boleyn" rather then the "eldest" when she was created Marquis of Pembroke. Little is known about her early education.

Letters and Papers. 12 Oct 1514. Vitell. C. XI., 155. B.M. Lett, de Rois, II., 547. (Documents Inédits.) 3357. [5484.] Mary Queen of France.

Names of the gentlemen and ladies retained by the King (Louis XII.) to do service to the Queen, viz.:—

"Le conte de Nonshere," Dr. Denton, almoner, Mr. Richard Blounte, "escuyer descuyerie," the sons of Lord Roos, Lord Cobham, and Mr. Seymour, "enfans d'honneur"; Evrard, brother of the Marquis, Arthur Polle (age 12), brother of Lord Montague, Le Poulayn, "pannetiers échansons et valetz trenchans"; Francis Buddis, usher of the chamber, Maistre Guillaume, physician, Henry Calays, "varlet des robes," Rob. Wast. Mesdemoiselles Grey (age 17) (sister of the Marquis), Mary Finis (age 19) (daughter of Lord Dacres (age 42)), Elizabeth (sister of Lord Grey), Madamoyselle Boleyne, Maistres Anne Jenyngham (age 10), "femme de chambre," and Jeanne Barnesse, "chamberiere." Signed by Louis XII.

Fr., pp. 2.

Note. The "Madamoyselle Boleyne" may be a reference to either Mary Boleyn (age 15) or [her sister] Queen Anne Boleyn of England (age 13).

Around 1515 Elizabeth "Bessie" Blount Baroness Clinton and Tailboys (age 17) became the mistress of King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 23). Their relationship continued until around 1520, possibly longer, when she was replaced by Mary Boleyn (age 16).

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1519. Oct 1519. R. O. Liveries in the Royal Household.

Daily liveries in the King's household, Oct. 11 Hen. VIII., at Greenwich.

Breakfasts.—The King; the Queen; the French queen; the Princess, 1; my lord Cardinal, 1; duke of Suffolk, 1; duke of Norfolk,—; earls of Surrey, 1, and Devonshire, 1; the King's chamberlain, 1; lord and lady Hastings, 1; the Queen's chamberlain, 1; my lord Steward, my lord Marquis, Mr. Treasurer, Mr. Comptroller, lord Burgeny, Mr. Marney, and Mr. Secretary, 1; Mr. More and Mr. Clerk, 1; Sir Hen. and Lady Guilford, 1; Mr. Norres, 1; Mr. Brian, 1; Mr. Karewe, 1; Mr. Compton, 1; Mr. Poynys, 1, and Kary, 1; lady Salisbury, 1; lady Bullayn [either [her sister] Anne Boleyn (age 18) or Mary Boleyn (age 20)], 1; my lady Willoughby, 1; lady Parre, 1; lady Gray and the Queen's maidens, 1; the "henxmen," 1; the King's and Queen's watches, 1; the young minstrels, 1; Mr. Cofferer, 1. Total, 37.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1519. Nov 1519. The Royal Household.

"Liveries with the King, the Queen, the French queen, the Princess and whole household, in the month of November, anno xjo regis Henr. viijvi," under the heads of Breakfasts, in the King's, Queen's and Princess's chambers.

The lord Cardinal, the dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, the lord Marquis, the earls of Surrey and Devonshire, the King and Queen's lord Chamberlains the lords Hastings, Bergavenny and Ferrers, Master Treasurer, Mr. Marnay, Mr. Secretary, Sir. Th. Nevyll, Mr. More and Mr. Clirke, the Master of the Horses, Mr. Cofferer, Messrs. Carowe, Norres, Poyntes, and Cary, the "henxmen," the children of the chapel, the King's boys, the lady mistress, the ladies Bullain [both [her sister] Anne Boleyn (age 18) and Mary Boleyn (age 20)?], Willoughby, Parre, Gray, and the Queen's maids, Master Compton, and the King and Queen's watches.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1520. Sep 1520. Lamb. 602. f. 71. St. P. II. 51. 1004. [Henry VIII. to Surrey, in Ireland.]

Has received his reports by Sir John Wallop, and letters in August and 23–25 September. Is highly satisfied with his conduct. As O'Nele has come in, thinks that by policy the rest will be brought to obedience, but it must be by sober ways and persuasions, founded in law and reason, and not by violence. Thinks it expedient that when any assemblies are made, the council should point out to what decay the land is brought through disorder and wilfulness; that though the King is above the laws he will not take anything from them, and that they should pay his dues. It is requisite that every reasonable creature should be governed by law. If they complain that the laws are rigorous, Surrey is to enquire by what laws they will be governed. Had sent 3,300l. 15s. 11d. for the first half year's payment. Has now sent 4,000l. Surrey is to look carefully to the King's revenue. Gives him authority to discharge such of the retinue of Sir John Bulmer as are unsuitable, and empowers him to confer knighthood and pass sentence of death. Sends a collar of gold for O'Nele. Would be glad if Surrey could induce him to visit England. The King has liberated Kildare under surety not to leave England. Desires that Surrey will continue in office there. He is to ascertain whether the earl of Ormond is minded to marry his son to the daughter [either [her sister] Anne Boleyn (age 19) or Mary Boleyn (age 21)] of Sir [her father] Thomas Boleyn (age 43). The King will advance the matter with Sir Thomas.

Minute, corrected by Ruthal.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1520. 06 Oct 1520. 1011. Surrey and the Council of Ireland to Wolsey.

On the 2nd arrived at Clonmel; and yesterday came the earl of Desmond. Tomorrow they go to Waterford. Sent for the kinsmen and adherents to reconcile the two Earls. Desmond and Ormond are both conformable. Hope that the variance between the towns of Waterford and Ross will be brought to an end. Think it would be advantageous if a marriage were solemnised between the earl of Ormond's son, now in England, and Sir [her father] Thomas Boleyn's (age 43) daughter [either [her sister] Anne Boleyn (age 19) or Mary Boleyn (age 21)]. Clonemel, 6 Oct. Signed.

Add.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1521. Nov 1521. Galba, B. VII. 45. Calig. D. VIII. 143, 149. B. M. St. P. I. 84. 1762. [WOLSEY to HENRY VIII.]

Thinks the request made to the King in Sir Piers butler's letter very reasonable. He would do the King great service in that land, considering the towardness of his son, who is right active and discreet. Yet it would be well to see how the said Sir Piers shall acquit himself in the authority lately committed to him; no doubt, his son being in England, he will do all the better in order to get him home the sooner. On my return I will talk with you how to bring about the marriage between his son and Sir [her father] Thos. Boleyn's (age 44) daughter [either [her sister] Anne Boleyn (age 20) or Mary Boleyn (age 22)], which will be a good pretext for delaying to send his son over.

Draft corrected by Ruthal, mutilated, pp. 7.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1522 January. Jan 1522. Calig. D. VIII. 180. B. M. [FRANCIS I.] to LA BATIE and POILLOT.

I trust that the suspicions mentioned in your instructions, which I might have against him, are unfounded; yet I think it very strange that this treaty of Bruges was concealed from me, and also the powder and balls which are going to Antwerp;—that his subjects go and take the Emperor's pay;—that the English scholars at Paris have returned home, and also the daughter [[her sister] Anne Boleyn (age 21) or Mary Boleyn (age 23)] of [her father] Mr. Boullan (age 45), while ships were being made at Dover, and musters taken in England, the rumor being that it was to make war on France. Nevertheless, if Henry desire it, I will do what I can to withdraw the duke of Albany, and we will renew our treaties by chapters and oaths; and if he desire to add an article for offensive war upon just quarrel, according to the power shown by the Cardinal to my Chancellor at Calais, I will agree, either with a general reservation of allies, or specifically against his enemies and mine.

Around 1524 [her daughter] Catherine Carey was born to [her husband] William Carey (age 24) and Mary Boleyn (age 25). There is speculation among historians that her father may actually have been Henry VIII (age 32) who was known to have had an affair with Mary Boleyn although the precise dates are unknown.

On 04 Mar 1526 [her son] Henry Carey 1st Baron Hunsdon was born to [her husband] William Carey (age 26) and Mary Boleyn (age 27). There is speculation among historians that his father may actually have been Henry VIII (age 34) who was known to have had an affair with Mary Boleyn although the precise dates are unknown.

The History of Reginald Pole. [Around 1530]. He Henry VIII (age 38) then goes on to show, "how inexcusable the King was in pretending that a dispensation to marry his Brother's Widow was invalid, at the same time that he was suing for One, which would enable him to marry a [her sister] person (age 29), whose sister (age 31) he had corrupted, provided the nullity of his former marriage could be proved". This in a treatise inscribed to the King [See Defense of the Unity of the Church Book III], and delivered to him on the part of the noble Author, by one of his Gentlemen. He asserts it as a known truth; and, indeed, had such an imputation been slander, or even of doubtful report, it would have been utterly unworthy and inconsistent with his character who relates it; and must have raised the clamour not only of the English, but of all foreigners against him. It ought, at the same time, to be remarked, that as he gives not the least insinuation of any looseness of the behaviour in Anne Bullen, before Henry's passion for her, or of a criminal commerce between her Mother and the King, of which she has been said to be the fruit, these reports are to be looked on as destitute of foundaton. Had the facts been real, they would not have escaped the knowledge of One so well informed; nor been overlooked in a work, where every aggravation. which regards this article is set forth in all its iniquity, and heightened with all the colouring that indignation and eloquence can give. All be says of her amounts to a sarcasm, that me must needs be chaste, as the choice to be the King's wife, rather than his Mistress; but that she might have learnt, how soon he was sated with those who had belonged to him in the latter quality and, if other examples were wanting, that his own sister was enough¹."

Concubina enim tua fieri pudica mulier nolebak, uxor volebat: Didicerat, opinor, si nullâ aliâ ex re, vel Sororis suæ exemplo, quam cito te concubinarum tuatum fatietas caperet.

For the chaste woman did not want to become your concubine, she wanted to be a wife: I think she had learned, if nothing else from the matter, or from the example of her sister, how quickly she was satisfied with your concubines.

In 1534 William Stafford (age 26) and Mary Boleyn (age 35) were married in secret. The marriage was discovered when she, Mary, attended Court, when pregnant, angering both the King (age 42) and her sister the Queen (age 33). They was banished from Court. She the daughter of Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 57) and Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 54).

After 1534 [her husband] William Stafford (age 26) and Mary Boleyn (age 35) lived at Rochford Hall.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535 April. 20 Apr 1535. R. O. 567. [John Hale, Vicar of Isleworth, to the Council.]

I fell and hurt my leg at Wyngham, at Allhallowtide was twelvemonth, and remained till about Candlemas next. On Saturday after Ash Wednesday I fell into a fervent ague. How long I continued, with various relapses, the parishioners of Isleworth know, so that I took not my journey through whole five weeks before Michaelmas last, and lost "our Lady's quarter" ended the Midsummer before that by my sickness. I had several falls from my horse, from one of which I was troubled in my wits, as also by age and lack of memory. Will nevertheless report, as well as I can, with whom I talked, and in what manner, of the King's grace. I remember, about two years ago, the fellow of Bristow showed, both to me and others of Syon, the prophecies of Marlyon; for, by my truth, Master Skydmore showed me also the same, with whom I had several conversations concerning the King's marriage and other behaviours of his bodily lust. Once Cownsell the porter "sayd that our suffren had a short of maydons over oon of his chambyres at Farnam while he was with the oold lord of Wynchester." Had also conversations with Skydmore, with Sir Thomas my priest, and with Master Leeke; and once, I think, about two years ago, of the Acts of Parliament made against churchmen, with the prior of Hounslow, who offered to show me a prophecy; but we had no leisure to speak together further, for we only met at the new inn, where Mr. Yowng, Awnsam and his wife, and others, dined with us. Skydmore also used to speak of young Sir Rice, saying that Welshmen and priests were sore disdained nowadays. As to Mr. Ferne, my wits were so troubled with sickness that I cannot perfectly remember what he rehearsed; but by Mr. Bydyll's rehearsal, Mr. Steward of Syon told me it was likely to be enacted that no more tithe corn should be made. I was sick long after, and, being aged and oblivious, did not see him till we met at the Secretary's at the Rolls. Also Mr. Waren, old surveyor, and the master of Ashford, in Kent, sometime steward to the bp. of Canterbury, spoke in the churchyard of Istleworth of the hard statutes made and to be made against the Church. Finally, I confess the four bills by Mr. Feerne, Mr. Leeke, Mr. Skydmore, and Sir Thomas Mody to be true, and that by such seditious ways I have maliciously slandered the King and Queen and their Council; for which I ask forgiveness of God, king Henry VIII., and queen Anne, and shall continue sorrowful during my life, which stands only in the King's William "Moreover, Mr. Skydmore dyd show to me yongge [her son] Master Care (age 9), saying that he was our suffren Lord the Kynge's son by our suffren Lady the [her sister] Qwyen's (age 34) syster (age 36), whom the Qwyen's grace myght not suffer to be yn the Cowrte."

Pp.3. Headed: Jhus Salvator Mundi, miserere mei quia timor mortis conturbat me. Endd.:

Defense of the Unity of the Church Book III. If you abandoned your wife because the law persuaded you that it was necessary to pronounce such a marriage abominable, should you not take the greatest care not to contaminate yourself again with a similar marriage? Should you not abstain absolutely from such persons who were in a similar or even worse condition than your first wife was? Surely you cannot act otherwise if the reason of a law is to influence you in any way. They who suggested such a marriage to you or who mentioned it in any way should be objects of hatred to you. For what kind of a woman [[her sister] Queen Anne Boleyn of England (age 34)] is this one with whom you are now associating in place of your repudiated wife? Is she not the sister of the girl [Mary Boleyn (age 36)] whom you first violated and whom you kept with you for a long time afterward as a concubine?² How, therefore, do you inform us you are seeking refuge from an illicit marriage? Are you here ignorant of the law that no less explicitly forbids you to marry the sister of her with whom you have been made one body, than it forbids you to marry her who has been made one body with your brother? If one is to be abominated, so is the other. Do you not know this law? But you do know it best of all! How do I know this? Because at the same time you rejected the dispensation of the pontiff to marry the wife of your brother, you were striving with great effort to obtain from this same pontiff permission to marry the of her who had been your concubine.3 Could you have so made this petition, if previously it was not established that the pontiff had the right of giving a dispensation in the first case? Therefore, does not this woman whom you now consider your wife, show most clearly what your intentions were? Does not God, by her character alone even if she were silent, make it certain to all that you mentioned this law not to be restrained by the mandate of God but to honor your own passionate longing?

Note 2. This inconsistency in Henry VIIl's "divorce" plea arose from the fact that on his own admission he had previously had illicit relations with Anne Boleyn's sister Mary. On the basis of grounds that Henry was using in his request to Pope Clement VII, Henry VIIl was actually asking Pope Clement to admit that Pope Julius Il had no authority for granting the very same request that Henry was asking Pope Clement to grant.

Defense of the Unity of the Church Book III. You, a man of your age and with such experience, are miserably burning with passion for the love of a girl [[her sister] Queen Anne Boleyn of England (age 34)]. She, indeed, has said that she will make herself available to you on one condition alone. You must reject your wife whose place she desires to hold. This modest woman does not want to be your concubine! She wants to be your wife. I believe that she learned from the example of her sister [Mary Boleyn (age 36)] if in no other way, how quickly you can have your fill of concubines. She, however, was anxious to surpass her sister by retaining you as a lover. This woman, pleasing to the one by whom she appeared to be so ardently loved, desired to be joined to you by an indissoluble bond. She desired to remain with you perpetually. And in this passionate longing you responded mutually. In fact you actually surpassed her so that you thought it would be the greatest achievement of your fortunes, the height of happiness, if your legitimate and just wife were cast out of your marriage and it were permitted you to be united with this woman in matrimony and to live with her forever.

Defense of the Unity of the Church Book III. But there is something else that makes your intention here all the more clear. For this matter concerning your brother's wife is much less important! Why is this so? Because, although you married your wife whose nakedness the law forbade you to uncover before the sight and eyes of the Church, nevertheless she came to you as a virgin. I do not think that you will say that the sister [Mary Boleyn (age 36)] of this woman [[her sister] Queen Anne Boleyn of England (age 34)] whom you now possess was left a virgin by you. Now whatever the law might seem to do regarding your first wife, it has no effect at all if it can be established that your first wife was untouched by your brother. For that law forbids you to uncover the nakedness of your brother. This precept applies to a situation where the bodies were joined in the marriage act. Therefore, by the words "uncover the nakedness of your brother" it was forbidden that she should be your wife. But where there were not bodies joined in the marriage act, there was no nakedness of your brother that might be uncovered. Here the prohibition of the law does not hold. But how greatly it does hold in the case of her whose sister you clearly violated!

Letters and Paper. 19 May [1536]. Vienna Archives. Chapuys (age 46) to Granvelle.

Refers him for the news to his letter to the Emperor. Hopes to make amends for his present brevity by writing to him the history of the conduct of this English Messalina or Agrippina during her imprisonment. The woman who has her in charge will not conceal anything from Chapuys. She has already sent to tell him some news, among others that the said Messalina could not imagine that anyone but Chapuys had got her in disgrace with the King, for ever since he came to Court the King has regarded her with an evil eye. It is well for Chapuys she did not escape, because with her humanity she would have given him to the dogs to eat. There are still two English gentlemen¹ detained on her account, and it is suspected that there will be many more, because the King has said he believed that more than 100 had to do with her. You never saw prince nor man who made greater show of his horns or bore them more pleasantly. I leave you to imagine the cause.

Owing to my illness, and to await the last act of the story, besides that George must have informed you what was to follow, I have not hastened to write sooner. London, 18 May 1536.

Yesterday the archbishop of Canterbury declared by sentence that the Concubine's daughter was the bastard of Mr. Norris (deceased), and not the King's daughter. This already removes an obstacle in the way of the Princess, who, I hope, whatever difficulty the King has made hitherto, will be declared true heiress of the kingdom, not as born of lawful marriage, but as legitimate propter bonam fidem parentum. Others tell me that the said Archbishop had pronounced the marriage of the King and [her sister] Concubine (age 35) invalid on account of the King having had connection with her sister (age 37), and that, as both parties knew of this, the good faith of the parents cannot make the said bastard legitimate. Although the matter is not much to be relied on, many think that most of the new bishops "ont davoir leur Sainct Marten," because, having persuaded the Concubine that she had no need to confess, she grew more audacious in vice; and, moreover, they persuaded her that according to the said sect it was lawful to seek aid elsewhere, even from her own relations, when her husband was not capable of satisfying her. The Concubine, before her marriage with the King, said, to increase his love, that there was a prophecy that about this time a Queen of England would be burnt, but, to please the King, she did not care. After her marriage she boasted that the previous events mentioned in the prophecy had already been accomplished, and yet she was not condemned. But they might well have said to her, as was said to Cæsar, "the Ides have come, but not gone." Has no doubt that if the Emperor intends to negociate with the English he will send some one to give greater weight to the affair, according to the letters of his Majesty; and if the said personage could negociate before the conclusion of Parliament, it would be very advantageous both for the interests of the Princess and for the rest. If he come about St. John's Day, he will probably assist at the new marriage and coronation, in which the King intends to do wonders. He has already given orders to build a vessel like the "Busentaure de Venice," to carry the lady from Greenwich hither. London, 19 May. Fr., from a modern copy, pp. 3.

Note 1. The mutilations in the original are supplied from Burnet. Compare also Herbert, who abridges.

On 03 Apr 1538 [her mother] Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 58) died. She was buried at St Mary at Lambeth Church, Surrey [Map].

On 12 Mar 1539 [her father] Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 62) died. He was buried at St Peter's Church, Hever. His monument has a brass. He is depicted dressed in full robes wearing the insignia of a Knight of the Garter, with the Badge on his left breast and the Garter around his left knee. His head rests on a helm surmounted by a crest of a falcon displayed (his daughter's heraldic badge) and his feet rest on a griffin. The inscription reads: Here lieth Sir Thomas Bullen, Knight of the Order of the Garter, Erle of Wilscher and Erle or Ormunde, which decessed the 12th dai of Marche in the iere of our Lorde 1538. Earl Wiltshire, Earl Ormonde and Viscount Rochford extinct. His brother [her uncle] James Boleyn (age 46) inherited Hever Castle, Kent [Map].

On 26 Apr 1540 [her son-in-law] Francis Knollys (age 28) and [her daughter] Catherine Carey (age 16) were married. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 19 Jul 1543 Mary Boleyn (age 44) died. Her considerable wealth and properties were inherited by her two children from her first marriage [her daughter] Catherine Carey (age 19) and [her son] Henry Carey 1st Baron Hunsdon (age 17), and her second husband [her husband] William Stafford (age 35).

In 1545 [her former husband] William Stafford (age 37) and Dorothy Stafford (age 18) were married. They were third cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 05 May 1556 [her former husband] William Stafford (age 48) died at Geneva. Calvin claimed the custody of his son John and forbade his widow (age 29) to leave with him. She appealed to Stafford's younger brother and the threat to invoke French aid persuaded Calvin to yield. She then moved to Basle, remaining there until January 1559.

The Martyrdom of the King of Scotland. Since that time those of the house of Boullen became great courtiers, well honored and respected by everyone, because of the good face the King wore to them. And among other ladies of the court, Marie Boullen, [her sister] Anne's uterine sister, was then so much in the good grace of the King that in the end he abused her as he had done the mother.

Depuis ce temps là ceux de la maifon de Boullen devindrent grands courtisens, bien honorez et respectez d'un chacun, à cause du bon visàge le Roy leur portoit. Et entre autres damesde la cour, Marie Boullen souer uterine d'icelle Anne citoit lors tant en la bonne grace du Roy qu'en fin il abusa d’elle comme il avoit faite la mere.