What Happened To Henry VIII’s Illegitimate Children?

The King With Six Wives

Henry VIII is famous. Not for his ability to rule, but rather his ability to hold down a wife—or have children. However, it seemed having children wasn’t the problem. It was just having children with his wives that he struggled with.

Henry FitzRoy

Born in 1519, Henry FitzRoy is the only one of Henry’s illegitimate children that Henry laid claim to. He was the son of Henry and his mistress Elizabeth Blout.

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Henry FitzRoy

Henry VIII was known for his wives and for his affairs. However, few of his affairs lasted as long nor were as acknowledged as his affair with FitzRoy’s mother, Elizabeth Blout.

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Henry FitzRoy

Blout was the lady-in-waiting to Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, meaning that she was constantly in the presence of either Henry or his wife. To make matters worse, Blout and Catherine were pregnant at the same time.

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Henry FitzRoy

When FitzRoy was born, Catherine of Aragon was in the final stages of her pregnancy. Unfortunately for Aragon, and perhaps Henry as well, his legitimate child was both female and stillborn.

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Henry FitzRoy

Unlike the children that would follow, Henry proudly announced that FitzRoy was his son. Some believe it was to prove his “manhood”, as his wife had yet to produce any living male heirs. Regardless of the reasons, FitzRoy received many advantages throughout life as Henry’s illegitimate son, including a title.

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Thomas Stukeley

There is not much known about Thomas Stukeley. Even the spelling of his name differs depending on the sources. Between himself and his father, it has been spelled Stukeley, Stukley, and Stucley. Though, it never really was his name, was it?

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Thomas Stukeley

Officially, Thomas Stukeley was recorded as the younger son of Sir Hugh Stukeley and Jane Pollard. He would live his life with this story. However, unofficially, people had their doubts.

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Thomas Stukeley

His father was a Knight of the Body to Henry VIII. This meant that he was a personal attendant to the king and would often bring his family to court. Allegedly, Henry VIII, not Stukeley, was Thomas’s father. Though, Henry never claimed Stukeley.

Joos van Cleve, Wikimedia Commons

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Thomas Stukeley

Without Henry’s official support, Stukeley was left to make his way in life. Unlike FitzRoy, he had to make his name for himself, and separate from the monarchy. Thomas did just that.

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Thomas Stukeley

Thomas Stukeley became an English mercenary who distinguished himself in battle. He fought on several fronts, even rebelling against his possible half-sister, Elizabeth I, before being dispatched to the Battle of Lepanto.

Giorgio Vasari, Wikimedia Commons

Richard Edwardes

There is not much known about Richard Edwardes. He is said to have been born to Mrs Agnes Edwardes in 1525. His father is not listed in records, though history has its theories.

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Richard Edwardes

At this time, Henry VIII was still married to Catherine of Argon and had two recognized children, the legitimate Mary and illegitimate Henry FitzRoy. He potently also had Thomas Stukeley born five years earlier. Some believed Richard should be added to that list.

National Portrait Gallery, Wikimedia Commons

Richard Edwardes

Henry never claimed another illegitimate child after FitzRoy. However, the list of suspects continued to grow. Without the advantages of a royal patronage, and parents that seem lost to history, Richard truly had to make his name.

Hans Holbein the Younger, Wikimedia Commons

Richard Edwardes

Richard Edwardes distinguished himself with the written word. He became a playwright, composer, and poet. He gained a fair amount of recognition among his contemporaries. He was also never far from his possible half-siblings.

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Richard Edwardes

Richard wrote several verses describing his (possible) elder sister Mary I’s ladies-in-waiting. Later, his play Palamon and Arcite was performed in front of his (possible) younger sister, Elizabeth I.

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Catherine Carey

Before Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn, he had taken up with her sister, Mary. Mary was married to William Carey at the time. Mary and William had two children—or did they?

Columbia, The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

Catherine Carey

The eldest child of William Carey and Mary Boleyn was Catherine Carey. It is often claimed that she and/or her brother were the children of Henry, not William. Regardless of the validity, they were close to the crown.

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Catherine Carey

Henry VII never claimed either Catherine or her brother. However, they did not need it. Through their mother, they were still close to the throne, and their “Aunt Anne” (Queen Anne Boleyn).

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Catherine Carey

A popular rumor is that Catherine was left in the Tower of London overnight to entertain her aunt before she lost her head the next day. That, however, has been debunked; however, she is said to have witnessed the execution.

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Catherine Carey

Even once Anne was gone, Catherine was close to the throne. She was appointed “Maid of Honor” (A junior attendant in court) to both of Henry’s next two wives, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard, before she married.

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Henry Carey

As the older child, Catherine received most of the rumors revolving around their father. However, Henry Carey was not immune. He is also often said to have been sired by Henry VIII. His court life likely did not help.

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Henry Carey

Both he and his sister were given to their Aunt Anne (engaged to Henry at the time) for a wardship. Carey, in particular, received special attention from the future Queen of England.

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Henry Carey

Anne became Carey’s patron and ensured that he had the best education that could be provided for. At least, she did until it was no longer in her power to do anything for anyone.

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Henry Carey

Carey was 10 years old when his aunt lost her head. His mother passed seven years later. However, Carey made his way easily enough, serving as a member of Parliament twice before his passing.

Columbia, The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

Henry Carey

The question of who the father of the Careys was has sparked many imaginations. The Boleyn family was not well received. Their alleged parentage could’ve been a nasty rumor spread by their enemies, including the abandoned Catherine of Aragon. Yet, so long as there is doubt, people will continue to wonder.

Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, Wikimedia Commons

Ethelreda Malte

Ethelreda Malte is one of Henry’s more interesting illegitimate children. There is little known about her, and Henry never laid claim to her. However, he made some interesting exchanges during her life.

Hans Holbein the Younger, Wikimedia Commons

Ethelreda Malte

There is little known about Ethelreda’s mother. She has been identified as Joan Dingley with an alias of Dobson. She would have been a member of lesser nobility. She did not have connections at court if she had connections at all.

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Ethelreda Malte

A popular speculation is that Malte’s mother was a laundress, which would give her little standing at all. Henry VIII never claimed her as his, however he did something interesting when another man did.

Hans Holbein the Younger, Wikimedia Commons

Ethelreda Malte

Ethelreda Malte was claimed by John Malte, Henry VIII’s tailor. This should have ended there. However, when Malte claimed the girl, Henry proceeded to give Malte land and properties, including a secluded manor house in Bath.

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Ethelreda Malte

Regardless of whether she was a child of Henry VIII or not, she was present at court, accompanying Elizabeth I to the tower, and she was present at Elizabeth’s coronation as well.

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John Perrot

John Perrot was born in 1528. He was the child of Thomas Perrot and Mary Berkeley. He was the pair’s first son. However, he was their third child.

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John Perrot

Perrot was said to bear a striking resemblance to Henry VIII in several areas. He had a similar temperament to the king and his physical appearance. He was also often at court.

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John Perrot

Perrot was a man of determination and great power. He held a lot of authority, particularly under the reign of Elizabeth I. It was during this time he was Lord Deputy of Ireland.

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John Perrot

It is believed that the rumor that Perrot was one of Henry’s illegitimate children started after he was a grown man. It’s said to have come from his granddaughter’s husband, Robert Naunton, who likely wanted to raise his prestige.

Simon van de Passe, Wikimedia Commons

John Perrot

Most modern historians agree that it is highly unlikely that Perrot was Henry’s son. Perrot was Berkeley’s third child, and more importantly, there is no evidence she and the King spent any significant time together nine months before Perrot was born.

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Elizabeth Tailboys

Elizabeth Tailboys was the daughter of Gilbert Tailboys and Elizabeth Blout. If you think that name sounds familiar you are right. She is the half-sister of Henry FitzRoy.

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Elizabeth Tailboys

Henry FitzRoy and Elizabeth’s mother’s long acknowledged affair with Henry VIII are among the reasons that Elizabeth is also often thought to be Henry’s daughter. FitzRoy, who Henry acknowledged as his, was born in 1519, and Elizabeth is thought to have been born only a year or so later.

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Elizabeth Tailboys

The other piece of evidence for Elizabeth’s true father is the timeline between her mother’s marriage to Tailboys and Elizabeth’s birth. Tailboys and Blout married in March 1520, and Elizabeth is said to have followed a little too quickly.

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Elizabeth Tailboys

Although Henry claimed her half-brother (or possibly her full brother), he never claimed Elizabeth. She lived out her life as the daughter of Gilbert Tailboys, though Henry seemed inclined to favor Elizabeth.

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Elizabeth Tailboys

Following the passing of her father and her two brothers, Elizabeth was given her father’s title. When Elizabeth’s husband (who Elizabeth did not like) petitioned to be named “Lord Tailboys”, Henry sided with Elizabeth who opposed the action.

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