Francis Bryan

Sir Francis Bryan (about 1490 – 2 February 1550) was an English courtier and diplomat during the reign of Henry VIII. He was chief Gentleman of the Privy chamber and Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.Tudor Place website.] Unlike many of his contemporaries, Bryan always retained Henry's favour, achieving this by altering his opinions to conform to the king's.Weir, "Henry VIII", p. 183.] His lack of principle at the time of his cousin Anne Boleyn's downfall led to him earning the nickname "the Vicar of Hell".Weir, "Henry VIII", p. 379.]

Career

About 1490, Francis Bryan was born in Cheddington, England.Tudor Place website.] He was the son of Sir Thomas Bryan and Margaret Bourchier, and came to court at a young age. There he became, along with his brother-in-law Nicholas Carew, one of "the King's minions", a group of young gentlemen of the Privy chamber who held much sway with Henry and were known for their intemperate behaviour.Weir, "Henry VIII", p. 209.] In 1519, Bryan and Sir Edward Neville disgraced themselves in the eyes of the minions' detractors when, during a diplomatic mission to Paris, they threw eggs and stones at the common people.Weir, "Henry VIII", p. 217.]

Under the influence of Cardinal Wolsey, Sir Francis was removed from the Privy chamber in 1519, and again in 1526 as part of the Eltham ordinances.Weir, "Henry VIII", p. 259.] Shortly after this he lost an eye in a tournament at Greenwich, and had to wear an eye-patch from then on.Weir, "Henry VIII", p. 262.] Then in 1528, when Sir William Carey's death left a vacancy in the Privy chamber, Bryan returned to fill his place, possibly through the good offices of his cousin Anne Boleyn. From then on he was highly influential, becoming one of the king's most favoured companions,Weir, "Henry VIII", p. 286–7.] and a leading member of the faction who wished to break Wolsey's grip on power.Weir, "Henry VIII", p. 289.]

Bryan was a second cousin of both Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour. He remained a friend of the King, with Henry even ending his pursuit of a lady when he heard that Bryan was seriously interested in her. 'The Vicar of Hell', as Francis was known, was also a close ally of Nicholas Carew, the husband of Francis' sister, Elizabeth Carew. There are rumours that Elizabeth became Henry's mistress in 1514, when she would have been only around thirteen.

However, by 1536 Bryan was working with Thomas Cromwell to bring about his cousin's downfall as queen.Weir, "Henry VIII", p. 374.] It was at this time that Cromwell coined Sir Francis' unfortunate sobriquet in a letter to the Bishop of Winchester, referring to his abandonment of Anne. After Boleyn's death, Bryan became chief Gentleman of the Privy chamber,Weir, "Henry VIII", p. 382.] but was removed from this post in 1539 when Cromwell turned against his former allies.Weir, "Henry VIII", p. 417.] Sir Francis returned to favour following Cromwell's demise, becoming vice-admiral of the fleet, and then Lord Chief Justice of Ireland during the reign of Edward VI. He died suddenly at Clonmel, Ireland in 1550.

Character

Bryan was a distinguished diplomat, soldier, sailor, cipherer, man of letters, and poet. However, he had a life-long reputation as a rake and a libertine, and was a rumoured accomplice in the king's extramarital affairs. He was a trimmer, changing his views to suit Henry's current policy, but was also one of the few men who dared speak his mind to the king.

Unfortunately, no portrait of Sir Francis survives.

Notes

References

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* [http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/Bios/FrancisBryan(JusticeofIreland).htm Tudor Place website] , accessed 18 November, 2007.