I am currently reading Alison Weir’s new book on Mary Boleyn and was intrigued by some information concerning one of Mary, Anne and George’s male siblings.
I had read on many occasions that only three of Elizabeth and Thomas’ children had survived to adulthood, the three that would make their mark on history – Mary Boleyn, Anne Boleyn and George Boleyn.
By Thomas Boleyn’s own words, penned in a letter to Cromwell after the deaths of Anne and George, we know that his early years of marriage had been financially straining, he complained:
“When I married I had only £50 a year to live on for me and my wife, so long as my father lived, and yet she brought me every year a child” (Fraser, Pg. 119).
Although the exact date of Thomas and Elizabeth’s marriage is unknown, most historians agree that it took place around 1498-99 and so if we accept Thomas’ words, this means a child in 1499, 1500 and so on until the death of Thomas’ father in 1505.
Joanna Denny in her biography of Anne Boleyn infers that,
‘As they were married in 1498 or 1499 it is probable that by the date of Thomas’s father’s death Elizabeth had perhaps borne five children, of whom only three survived: Mary, Anne and George.’ (Pg. 27)
Eric Ives in his monumental biography on Anne Boleyn states ‘Anne, Mary and George were the only children of Thomas Boleyn to survive to maturity’ (Pg. 14).
David Starkey also states that, ‘Thomas and Elizabeth were married in about 1500 and had their three surviving children in quick succession’ (Pg. 258).
Josephine Wilkinson asserts that the Boleyns welcomed at least three sons, ‘Henry, Thomas and George, although only George would survive to adulthood’ (Pg. 9).
Elizabeth Norton when speaking of Thomas and Elizabeth’s children also affirms, ‘that a number of children died in infancy and the couple’s two eldest sons, Thomas and Henry, certainly died as babies’ (Pg. 11).
Imagine my surprise to read Alison’s claim that ‘four of the children survived infancy’ (Pg. 12) and that ‘Thomas Boleyn’s heir and namesake lived until 1520’ (Pg. 19).
Penshurst Church, Kent
According to Alison Weir, ‘Thomas Bullayne’ is buried in Penshurst Church in Kent and a cross and the date 1520 mark his grave (Pg. 12).
Alison believes that since he was named after his father and grandfather, the Earl of Surrey, he was almost certainly the eldest son (Pg. 19).
There were other children that did not survive infancy although we only know the name of one, Henry Boleyn. He is buried near his father’s tomb in Hever Church; a small brass marks his grave. Alison Weir believe that he probably died young and is likely to have been,
St. Peter's church Hever
“Still alive when he [George] was born in 1502-3; had he not been, this third son might also have been named after the King.” (Pg. 19)
From this information we can conclude that if Thomas Boleyn was older than George he must have been, depending on whether George was born in 1502-03, around 18yrs old at his death.
So why then has he never been mentioned as reaching maturity before now?
If he was Thomas’ eldest son and heir, where was he educated?
So many questions now come to mind and so I will continue to pursue this. I have already contacted Penshurst Church in Kent to see if they have any further information on young Thomas Boleyn.
I would be delighted to hear from anyone that might have visited Penshurst Church and have seen the brass or who might have a photo to share.
It seems we have another Tudor mystery on our hands…
Penshurst Church Image Source References Denny, J. Anne Boleyn: A New Life of England’s Tragic Queen, 2004. Fraser, A. The Six Wives of Henry VIII, 1999. Ives, E. The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, 2004. Norton, E. Anne Boleyn: Henry VIII’s Obsession, 2009. Starkey, D. Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII, 2003. Wilkinson, J. The Early Loves of Anne Boleyn, 2009. Weir, A. Mary Boleyn: The Great and Infamous Whore, 2011.
Another mystery?! I love it!!
I love a good Tudor mystery! 🙂
Intriguing! I’m yet to read the new Mary Boleyn book, and now I’m really dying to. I’d certainly never heard of a fourth child surviving childhood; keep us updated with your findings! 🙂
Will do Jessica!
Hi Natalie,
I have seen the Thomas Boleyn brass in Penshurst Church. It is rather small and very similar to the brass for Henry Boleyn in St Peter’s Church Hever.
I have a photo of both which I could e mail to you , if you wish.
Yes please!!! 🙂
Source notes from Alison Weir? Can imagine she used Eric Ives and David Starkey, but neither of them came right out and stated there was a son who lived until the age of 18.
Perhaps because he did die young he wasn’t important to the political life of the family? You’d think that with the death of George in 1536, there would be some record of Mr. and Mrs. Boleyn bemoaning the ending of their direct family line (not including that with Mary’s children or Anne’s daughter).
Can’t wait to see read what Penshurst Church has to say.
Hi
I was wondering if there was more information on this? Also I was wondering about the dates. Ives puts Anne’s birth at 1501 as many do but in other articles it is any where from 1502-1507.
I have also read in Tracy Borman’s book that Mary Boleyn Carey’s son was mentally disabled. Any truth to this?
Cindy
Hi Cindy, I had never read that about Mary’s son. I will let you know what I find out. I have written two articles summarising the arguments for a 1501 birth date and for a 1507 birth date. You can read them here:
https://onthetudortrail.com/Blog/2011/02/25/in-what-year-was-anne-boleyn-born-part-1/
https://onthetudortrail.com/Blog/2011/03/04/in-what-year-was-anne-boleyn-born-part-2/
I am still more comfortable with a 1501 date for Anne’s birth. Enjoy!
Of all the periods in history, it seems to be that the Tudor era is the one with the most mysteries! I hope to hear more on this – you’ve got me hooked now! Love it! 🙂
More to come very soon Michaela!
I can’t wait to read Mary Boleyn and this is interesting info…it does make one wonder why there is not more info about this oldest son, if he did live that long. And no marrieage plans? Thanks!
Fascinating isn’t it Anne! I have a little more information that I will be posting soon so watch this space 🙂
Surely with the Boleyn family on the up and up, and being at the centre of the kingdom for a long time that their would have been some record of another son living to adulthood. I just can’t see how he would be missed. Maybe when he died they couldn’t afford to mark his grave and did it when they could hence the date 1520. Or do you think it is possible that Elizabeth Boleyn had a late pregnancy, I know for that time she was ‘getting on a bit’, it may have been rare but not unheard of, as Katherine of Aragons last pregnancy was about 38/39 years of age (I think). Hope you find out something exciting, good luck