Arthur Plantagenet

Henry VIII's Illegitimate Uncle

Sarah-Beth Watkins

• Publisher: Pen and Sword History
• Year: 2022
• Topic: History
• eBook ISBN:
  9781399000628
• Subtopic: Historical Biographies
• Index: History

Illegitimate son to Edward IV and the uncle of Henry VIII, Arthur Plantagenet's life is an intriguing story. Raised in his father's court, he then became a trusted member of Henry VII's household and after his death, was a prominent figure at the court of Henry VIII. Henry VIII treated his uncle well in the early years of his reign, making him vice-admiral and then Lord Deputy of Calais in 1533. Arthur did the best he could in his new position in Calais over seven years, including trying to maintain a relationship with Thomas Cromwell against a background of religious change, but there were numerous complaints about him and his paranoid nephew's suspicions over his loyalty grew – culminating in Lisle's arrest and imprisonment for two years with no legal reason. Arthur was released from the Tower in 1542, yet tragically died after receiving a diamond ring from his nephew. He was so excited that his heart – that 'gentlest living heart' – failed soon after. We owe much of what we know about Henry VIII's uncle to the seizure and preservation of the Lisle Letters, an impressive collection of correspondence obtained at his arrest that has miraculously survived. Not only do they give details of Arthur's life, but they are an amazing insight into the religious, political, culture and social background of the 16th century. Placed as he was, Arthur Plantagenet's story gives a whole new, fresh perspective on a turbulent yet vibrant period of history.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Dramatis Personae
• Introduction
• Chapter 1. The Early Years 1461–1509
• Chapter 2. The King’s Uncle 1510–1532
• Chapter 3. To Calais 1533
• Chapter 4. Life as Lord Deputy 1534
• Chapter 5. The Trouble with Calais 1535
• Chapter 6. The Year of Three Queens 1536
• Chapter 7. The Problem of Pole 1537
• Chapter 8. Feeling Forsaken 1538
• Chapter 9. Suspected Sacramentaries 1539
• Chapter 10. Commission and Conspiracy 1540–1542
• Epilogue
• References
• Bibliography
• Plate section