Henry Fitzroy (1519-1536) - Find a Grave Memorial

English Aristocracy. Duke of Richmond. Born the illegitimate son of Henry VIII and his mistress Elizabeth Blount, during Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon. He was the only bastard child that Henry VIII ever acknowledged, and named Fitzroy, meaning 'son of the king.' He was brought up at Windsor, where his father greatly indulged him. The King created his son Knight of the Garter at the age of six, in April 1525. He was then advanced to Earl of Nottingham, and the same day, June 16, 1525, made Duke of Richmond. A month later he was created Admiral of England, Ireland, and Normandy. He was also made Lieutenant of Ireland and given other titles and an income which made him the richest person in the kingdom after the King. Some observers thought that Henry was going to name his son as heir apparent despite his bastardy. In 1531, he was formally betrothed to the Duke of Norfolk's daughter, Mary Howard, whom he married two years. The Duke of Richmond, died of consumption (TB) at St. James Palace July 1536 at the age of 17. The king entrusted his son's funeral arrangements to the Duke of Norfolk, Fitzroy's father-in-law, and gave orders that the body be wrapped in lead and taken in a closed cart for secret interment. In a grand error, or miscommunication, the corpse was borne in a wagon covered in straw, and the only mourners were two attendants who followed at a distance. The young Duke was originally interred at Thetford, but the Howards and the Dukes of Norfolk, lost their family mausoleum at Thetford Priory to the dissolution of the monasteries. His tomb is presently within the walls of St. Michael's Church, Framlingham, Suffolk.

Bio by: Iola