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George Boleyn
George Boleyn, 2nd Viscount Rochford as played by Padraic Delaney
Ambassador, Courtier and Poet
UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTER QUOTES
DEFINING EPISODES | MEMORABLE SCENES
PHOTOS
See also :
Ambassador, Courtier and Poet
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| Character's backstory: Attended Oxford University & began his career at Court as a Page and later as a Squire. He was first mentioned in court records when he played a part in the 1514-1515 Christmas revels. George was assigned to the household of Cardinal Wolsey and held a post in the Privy Chamber. He married Jane Parker circa 1524/5 just before the King started to actively court his sister Anne. In December 1529, he was sent on a diplomatic mission to France which it is thought his sister Anne had secured for him as he was so young, although he had clearly demonstrated an ability to undertake the role. The French ambassador, du Bellay, commented that he was considerably younger than many of the other foreign diplomats. On 8th December 1529 he was created Viscount Rochford. In May 1535 he was an envoy to Calais in the negotiations for a marriage between the Princess Elizabeth Tudor & the Duke of Angoulême. After he was arrested & sent to the Tower, Sir William Kingston reported that he became agitated & said :"When shall I come before the King's Council? I think I shall not come forth till I come to my judgement", and burst into tears. He did however accept his fate with dignity and after he was found guilty, said that after all, all men were sinners and deserving of death, but was concerned about those who owed him money, fearing that they would be ruined. Gentility: Son of Sir Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Wiltshire & Ormonde and Lady Elizabeth Howard, sister of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk Position: made the King's cupbearer in 1526 and Gentleman of the King's Privy chamber (Esquire of the body) in 1528, Master of the Buckhounds, Knighted in October 1529 and created Viscount Rochford on 8th December 1529. Also performed diplomatic duties in France like his father before him. Appointed to Parliament in February 1533. Took an active role in the Reformation Parliament from 1530 until his death. Appointed Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover Castle in June 1534. Personality type: Gifted, handsome and a powerful erudite political figure. Bright, witty, intelligent & a very popular member of the Tudor Court. Described by David Starkey as having "some of Anne's talents and all of her pride". He was very devoted to the new religion and always spoke up for persecuted men, as had his sister Anne. He read the bible and believed everyone should be able to read it in english and make peace with their God. Signature look: self-assured Endearing trait(s): very close with his sister Anne. Annoying trait(s): had a reputation as a womanizer (as per Cavendish's "Metrical Visions" ) *The series portrays him as having a homosexual affair with Mark Smeaton. Historian Eric Ives states that there is not one "scintilla" of evidence to support George as being a homosexual. In fact since the Buggery Act (outlawing sod*my) had been enacted in 1533, it is unlikely that Cromwell would not have invoked it as a cause for his arrest as he didn't balk at the incest charge. Religion : An enthusiastic patron of Reformist philosophers, according to Fish's wife, he suggested to Anne that she show the copy of Fish's A Supplication for the Beggars to the King that she had been sent. In fact Imperial Ambassador Chapuys complained that one could never dine with him without being subjected to some sort of theological debate. |
"Masters all, I am come hither not to preach a sermon but to die, as the law hath found me, and to the law I submit me" ~ George Boleyn's Last words " Some say, 'Rochford, haddest thou been not so proud, For thy great wit each man would thee bemoan, Since as it is so, many cry aloud It is great loss that thou art dead and gone." ~ A verse from Sir Thomas Wyatt's eulogy poem written after the executions of George & the 4 other men. Anne Boleyn is not mentioned in the poem.
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CHARACTER CONNECTIONSFamily members: Father - Sir Thomas Boleyn Mother - Lady Elizabeth Howard Sister - Anne Boleyn Sister - Mary Boleyn Marriage : Jane Parker daughter of Sir Henry Parker, Lord Morley (a conservative catholic supporter of Katherine of Aragon and Princess Mary Tudor) and Alice St. John, daughter of Sir John St. John. Most historians consider it to have been an unhappy marriage, since his wife made a statement to Cromwell stating that Anne had told her the King was impotent. The implication of this comment being used as evidence against George must either have been that George was being accused of spreading the rumour or that it was being used as a motive for Anne'a alleged behaviour. Lady Rochford has also been accused of raising the incest allegation, although there is disagreement between historians as the precise nature of her evidence. *The series depicts George raping his wife on their wedding night. There is NO known historical record for this and George did not have a reputation for being a violent man. Any animosity which may have existed between them more than likely stemmed from their different religious beliefs or maybe jealousy on Jane's part for George and Anne's close relationship . | Children : George Boleyn was rumoured to have had one son called George Boleyn, who became Dean of Lichfield in the reign of Elizabeth I. However, since Mary Boleyn's children inherited what was left of the Boleyn estate and titles. it is highly unlikely and more probable that The Dean of Lichfield was a distant cousin. (Alison Weir is under the impression he maybe his illegitimate son without any proof or source for this conclusion.) Check this link - regarding a possible son named George? Friends: Thomas Wyatt Francis Weston William Brereton Henry Norris Mark Smeaton Thomas Cranmer Hugh Latimer Enemies: Catholic Faction sympathetic to Katherine of Aragon & Princess Mary. Seymour Faction interested in supplanting Anne with Jane Seymour. |
UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTER QUOTES
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DEFINING EPISODES | MEMORABLE SCENES
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PHOTOS
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 King Henry, Sir Thomas Boleyn & his son, George Boleyn |  George & his sister, Anne Boleyn |
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See also :
- George Boleyn - Photo Gallery
- George Boleyn - Historical Profile
- Executions during Henry's reign as shown on the Tudors
Neta07 |
Latest page update: made by Neta07
, Mar 16 2012, 6:51 PM EDT
(about this update
About This Update
Edited by Neta07
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Keyword tags:
anne boleyn
george boleyn
henry viii
jonathan rhys meyers
mark smeaton
natalie dormer
padraic delaney
showtime the tudors
the tudors
tudors characters
More Info: links to this page
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| MarinadeChampagne | George's sexual orientation | 19 | Jul 3 2012, 5:29 AM EDT by theanneboleynfiles | ||
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Thread started: Nov 1 2011, 7:27 AM EDT
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For the little I know about Georgre Boleyn, there is a clear opposition. Some say he was a womanizer, others say he was gay. Hirst showed us those two sides of George but then, I can't help but wondering. Gay? Heterosexual? Bi?
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| MarinadeChampagne | A good brother? | 5 | Nov 26 2011, 12:24 PM EST by theanneboleynfiles | ||
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Thread started: Nov 1 2011, 7:28 AM EDT
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Padraic portrayed a caring and loving brother to Anne Boleyn. They look close. What do you think about this relationship?
Do you find this valuable?
Keyword tags:
anne boleyn
george boleyn
natalie dormer
padraic delaney
tudors characters
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| MsSquirrly | Did George Boleyn have a son? (page: 1 2) | 30 | Jun 7 2011, 3:00 PM EDT by MsSquirrly | ||
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Thread started: May 16 2011, 4:12 PM EDT
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Most historians believe he didn't have a son because his titles were not passed on. However check out this page : http://www.thestandingstone.ie/2009/10/clonony-castle-co-offaly.html regarding Clonony Castle, Co. Offaly. It says :
"The history of this castle is equally as interesting as the building itself. It was built by the MacCoughlan clan the late 15th century and was the first place in Ireland to practice musketry but was then ceded to Henry VIII in the mid 16th century. The castle passed into the hands of the Boleyn family. It was given as a gift to Thomas Boleyn by Henry as he wanted to marry Anne Boleyn. In fact, cousins of Anne are buried in the grounds underneath a hawthorn three. The writing on the stone has eroded away but may still be recovered with a rubbing. The inscription reads: "Here under leys Mary and Elizabeth Bullen, daughters of Thomas Bullen, son of George Bullen, son of Thomas Bullen, Earl of Ormond and Viscount of Rochford." Luckily this castle escaped the campaign of Cromwell and is in relatively good condition. The castle did become ruined but the excellent renovation work of the present owner is slowly restoring this castle to its former glory." There is also an interesting thread on the Anne Boleyn Files forums where someone went to the castle and they believe that there was an illegitimate son named George and speculate that is possibly the reason George's wife Jane Rochford gave her damaging testimony. http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/forum/anne-boleyn-forum/annes-cousins-at-clonony-castle-in-ireland/ |
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