The Tudor Society

Bessie Blount and Henry Fitzroy

In this week's video, author Sarah Bryson talks about Henry VIII's mistress, Elizabeth (Bessie) Blount and the son she had by the king, Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond and Somerset.

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  1. M

    I cannot imagine how the queen felt about all the money and titles given to Henry’s illegitimate son. Surprisingly enough, I don’t think I’ve ever read anything about how Anne Boleyn felt about Bessie and Henry Fitzroy.
    Thanks for the video. It makes me want to do more research on the topic. I can imagine Katherine turning her head, but I can’t imagine Anne not voicing an opinion.

  2. C

    Margaret, Henry Fitzroy was married to Anne’s cousin Mary Howard in November 1533. It has been suggested that Anne herself played a role in the matchmaking. This would make sense since, if Fitzroy were to marry one of the Howards, it might neutralise any threat that he was thought to pose to Anne’s position. We must also remember that, in 1533, Fitzroy was a bastard and it was confidently expected that Anne would give birth to a son. Of course, by 1536, the situation had changed; Anne was executed, her daughter branded illegitimate, and there were rumours that Fitzroy was being considered as Henry’s heir, since all three of the king’s children were now illegitimate. Of course, Fitzroy’s death that summer put paid to any such talk.

  3. C

    What is the song played @ the end? I remember Glenda Jackson playing on the virginals in Elizabeth R 1971.
    Thanks

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Bessie Blount and Henry Fitzroy