The life and political significance of Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond, 1525-1536
This thesis aims to examine Richmond's life in the context of his role as a magnate, a courtier, and the king's only son. As a much neglected subject this includes a good deal of biographical material, in order to present the duke within the context in which he lived. This also allows a re-assessment of his part in the succession crisis, with particular reference to the significance of his elevation in 1525, and the speculation regarding the king's intentions, as represented in the Succession Act of 1536. An examination of his responsibilities, not least as Lord Lieutenant in the north, of Ireland and as Lord Admiral, queries how far his extreme youth and his illegitimacy inhibited or facilitated the role Henry VIII wished him to fulfil. In tandem with this, a special study of the duke as a landlord looks at the relationship between the authority bestowed upon Richmond and the actual freedom of action allowed to the child. A view of his political importance, in matters such as marriage alliances and diplomacy, is considered alongside an appraisal of the personal standing of the duke, both in England and abroad. In order to provide a complete picture of Richmond's circumstances, there is also an account of
Murphy, Beverley Anne
History ; Henry VIII ; Succession
The life and political significance of Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond, 1525-1536. This thesis aims to examine Richmond's life in the context of his role as a magnate, a courtier, and the king's only son. As a much neglected subject this includes a good deal of biographical material, in order to present the duke within the context in which he lived. This also allows a re-assessment of his part in the succession crisis, with particular reference to the significance of his elevation in 1525, and the speculation regarding the king's intentions, as represented in the Succession Act of 1536. An examination of his responsibilities, not least as Lord Lieutenant in the north, of Ireland and as Lord Admiral, queries how far his extreme youth and his illegitimacy inhibited or facilitated the role Henry VIII wished him to fulfil. In tandem with this, a special study of the duke as a landlord looks at the relationship between the authority bestowed upon Richmond and the actual freedom of action allowed to the child. A view of his political importance, in matters such as marriage alliances and diplomacy, is considered alongside an appraisal of the personal standing of the duke, both in England and abroad. In order to provide a complete picture of Richmond's circumstances, there is also an account of
life political_significance henry duke richmond aim_examine richmond life context role magnate courtier king son much_neglect subject include good deal biographical material order present duke within_context live also_allow re_assessment part succession crisis particular_reference significance elevation speculation regard king intention represent succession act examination responsibility least lord north ireland lord query far extreme youth illegitimacy inhibit facilitated role henry_viii wish fulfil tandem special study duke landlord look relationship authority bestow upon richmond actual freedom action allow child view political importance matter marriage alliance diplomacy consider alongside appraisal personal standing duke england abroad order_provide complete_picture richmond circumstance also account