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Biography of Giles Heron 1504-1540

Before 1504 Giles Heron was born to John Heron (age 33).

In 1521 Giles Heron (age 17) became the ward of [his future father-in-law] Thomas More (age 42) whose daughter [his future wife] Cecily More (age 14) he subsequently married.

On 15th June 1522 [his father] John Heron (age 52) died.

In 1525 Giles Heron (age 21) and Cecily More (age 18) were married.

In 1529 Giles Heron (age 25) was elected MP Thetford.

Trial of Anne and George Boleyn

Letters and Papers. 15th May 1536. R. O. 876. Trial of Anne Boleyn (age 35) and Lord Rochford (age 33).

Record of pleas held at the Tower of London before Thomas Duke of Norfolk (age 63), treasurer and Earl marshal, lord high steward, citing:—

1. Patent appointing the said Duke steward of England hac vice for the trial of queen Anne and Lord Rochford. Westm., 12 May 28 Henry VIII.

2. Mandate to Sir John Baldewyn, Sir Richard Lister, Sir John Porte, Sir John Spelman, Sir Walter Luke, Sir Anth. Fitzherbert, Sir Thos. Englefeld, and Sir William Shelley, special commissioners of Oyer and Terminer for Middlesex, to return all indictments found against queen Anne and Lord Rochford. Westm., 13 May 28 Henry VIII.

3. Similar mandate to Sir John Baldewyn, Sir Walter Luke, Sir Anth. Fitzherbert, and Sir William Shelley, special commissioners for Kent. Westm., 13 May 28 Henry VIII.

4. Mandate to Sir William Kyngestone, constable of the Tower, to bring queen Anne and Lord Rochford before the Lord High Steward when required. Westm., 13 May 28 Henry VIII.

5. The Lord High Steward issued his precept, 13 May, to Sir John Baldewyn and his fellows in Middlesex, to return the indictments at the Tower before him on Monday, 15 May, and a similar precept to Sir J. Baldewyn, Luke, and his fellows in Kent; a third precept to the constable of the Tower to bring queen Anne and Lord Rochford that day before him; and a fourth to Ralph Felmyngham, serjeant-at-arms, to summon such and so many lords of the kingdom, peers of the said queen Anne and Lord Rochford, by whom the truth may appear.

6. Pleas held before the Duke of Norfolk, steward of England, at the Tower, on Monday, 15 May 28 Henry VIII.

The justices bring in the indictments for Middlesex and Kent, Sir William Kingston (age 60) produces the prisoners, and Ralph Felmyngham declares that he has summoned the peers. Proclamation being then made, the peers answer to their names; viz., Charles Duke of Suffolk (age 52), Henry marquis of Exeter, William Earl of Arundel, John Earl of Oxford (age 65), Henry Earl of Northumberland (age 34), Ralph Earl of Westmoreland (age 38), Edward Earl of Derby (age 27), Henry Earl of Worcester, Thomas Earl of Rutland (age 44), Rob. Earl of Sussex, George Earl of Huntingdon, John lord Audeley, Thos. lord La Ware, Henry lord Mountague, Henry lord Morley, Thos. lord Dacre, George lord Cobham, Henry lord Maltravers, Edward lord Powes, Thos. lord Mount Egle, Edward lord Clynton, William lord Sandes, Andrew lord Wyndesore, Thos. lord Wentworth, Thos. lord Burgh, and John lord Mordaunt.

7. Indictment found at Westminster on Wednesday next after three weeks of Easter, 28 Henry VIII.1 before Sir John Baldwin, &c., by the oaths of Giles Heron (age 32), Roger More, Richard Awnsham, Thos. Byllyngton, Gregory Lovell, Jo. Worsop, William Goddard, William Blakwall, Jo. Wylford, William Berd, Henry Hubbylthorn, William Hunyng, Rob. Walys, John England, Henry Lodysman, and John Averey; who present that whereas queen Anne has been the wife of Henry VIII. for three years and more, she, despising her marriage, and entertaining malice against the King, and following daily her frail and carnal lust, did falsely and traitorously procure by base conversations and kisses, touchings, gifts, and other infamous incitations, divers of the King's daily and familiar servants to be her adulterers and concubines, so that several of the King's servants yielded to her vile provocations; viz., on 6th Oct. 25 Henry VIII., at Westminster, and divers days before and after, she procured, by sweet words, kisses, touches, and otherwise, Henry Noreys, of Westminster, gentle man of the privy chamber, to violate her, by reason whereof he did so at Westminster on the 12th Oct. 25 Henry VIII.; and they had illicit intercourse at various other times, both before and after, sometimes by his procurement, and sometimes by that of the Queen. Also the Queen, 2 Nov. 27 Henry VIII. and several times before and after, at Westminster, procured and incited her own natural brother, George Boleyn, Lord Rochford, gentleman of the privy chamber, to violate her, alluring him with her tongue in the said George's mouth, and the said George's tongue in hers, and also with kisses, presents, and jewels; whereby he, despising the commands of God, and all human laws, 5 Nov. 27 Henry VIII., violated and carnally knew the said Queen, his own sister, at Westminster; which he also did on divers other days before and after at the same place, sometimes by his own procurement and sometimes by the Queen's. Also the Queen, 3 Dec. 25 Henry VIII., and divers days before and after, at Westminster, procured one William Bryerton, late of Westminster, gentleman of the privy chamber, to violate her, whereby he did so on 8 Dec. 25 Henry VIII., at Hampton Court, in the parish of Lytel Hampton, and on several other days before and after, sometimes by his own procurement and sometimes by the Queen's. Also the Queen, 8 May 26 Henry VIII., and at other times before and since, procured Sir Fras. Weston, of Westminster, gentleman of the privy chamber, &c., whereby he did so on the 20 May, &c. Also the Queen, 12 April 26 Henry VIII., and divers days before and since, at Westminster, procured Mark Smeton (age 24), groom of the privy chamber, to violate her, whereby he did so at Westminster, 26 April 27 Henry VIII.

Moreover, the said Lord Rochford, Norreys, Bryerton, Weston, and Smeton, being thus inflamed with carnal love of the Queen, and having become very jealous of each other, gave her secret gifts and pledges while carrying on this illicit intercourse; and the Queen, on her part, could not endure any of them to converse with any other woman, without showing great displeasure; and on the 27 Nov. 27 Henry VIII., and other days before and after, at Westminster, she gave them great gifts to encourage them in their crimes. And further the said Queen and these other traitors, 31 Oct. 27 Henry VIII., at Westminster, conspired the death and destruction of the King, the Queen often saying she would marry one of them as soon as the King died, and affirming that she would never love the King in her heart. And the King having a short time since become aware of the said abominable crimes and treasons against himself, took such inward displeasure and heaviness, especially from his said Queen's malice and adultery, that certain harms and perils have befallen his royal body.

And thus the said Queen and the other traitors aforesaid have committed their treasons in contempt of the Crown, and of the issue and heirs of the said King and Queen.

8. Record of indictment and process before Baldewyn, Luke, and others, in co. Kent.

The indictment found at Deptford, on Thursday, 11 May 28 Henry VIII., is precisely similar in character to the Middlesex indictment, except as regards times and places; viz., that the Queen at Estgrenewyche, 12 Nov. 25 Henry VIII., and divers days before and since, allured one Henry Noreys, late of Est Grenewyche, to violate her, whereby he did so on the 19 Nov., &c.; that on 22 Dec. 27 Henry VIII., and divers other days, at Eltham, she allured George Boleyn, Lord Rochford, &c., whereby he did so, 29 Dec., &c.; that on the 16 Nov. 25 Henry VIII., and divers, &c., at Est Grenewyche, she allured one William Bryerton, late of Est Grenewyche, &c., whereby he did so, 27 Nov., &c.; that on the 6 June 26 Henry VIII., &c., at Est Grenewyche, she allured Sir Fras. Weston, &c., whereby he did so, 20 June, &c.; that on the 13 May 26 Henry VIII. &c., at Est Grenewyche, she allured Mark Smeton, &c., whereby he did so, 19 May 26 Henry VIII.

And further that the said Boleyn, &c. grew jealous of each other; and the Queen, to encourage them, at Eltham, 31 Dec. 27 Henry VIII., and divers times before and since, made them presents, &c.; that the Queen and the others, 8 Jan. 27 Henry VIII., conspired the King's death, &c., and that she promised to marry one of the traitors whenever the King was dead, affirming she would never love him, &c.

And afterwards, Monday, 15 May, queen Anne comes to the bar before the Lord High Steward in the Tower, in the custody of Sir William Kingston, pleads not guilty, and puts herself on her peers; whereupon the said Duke of Suffolk, marquis of Exeter, and other peers, are charged by the High Steward to say the truth; and being examined from the lowest peer to the highest, each of them severally saith that she is guilty.

Judgment:—To be taken to prison in the Tower, and then, at the King's command, to the Green within the Tower, and there to be burned or beheaded as shall please the King.

The same day, Lord Rochford is brought before the High Steward in the custody of Sir William Kingston, and pleads not guilty. The peers are charged, with the exception of the Earl of Northumberland, who was suddenly taken ill, and each of them severally saith that he is guilty.

Judgment:—To be taken to prison in the Tower, and then drawn through the city of London, to the gallows at Tyburn, &c., as usual in high treason.

R. O. 2. Originals of the above indictments, commission to the Lord High Steward, mandates and precept, with the original panel of peers. Several of these documents are a good deal injured.

Note 1. See Report III. of Dep. Keeper of the Pub. Records, App. ii. 243. The whole of the proceedings are printed by Mr. Hamilton in the Appendix to Vol. I. of Wriothesley's Chronicle.

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In August 1540 Giles Heron (age 36) was hanged at Tyburn [Map] for treason; not clear what his crime was?.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 4th August 1540. And the 4th day of August was drawn from the Tower to Tyburn, Gyllys Horne (deceased) gentleman, Clement Phylpot, Edmonde Bromhame, Derby Kenhame, William Horne, Robert Byrde, Jarvys Garrow, and there hanged, headed, and quartered, and their qwarters with their heddes sett up abowte the citte.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 4th August 1540. This yeare, the fowerth daie of Awgust, were drawen from the Tower of London to Tiburne [Map], Giles Heron (deceased), gentleman, Clement Philpott, gentleman, late of Callis, and servant to the Lord Lile (age 76)e, Darbie Gynning, Edrnonde Bryndholme, priest, William Horn, late a lay brother of the Charter Howse of London, and another,f with six persons more, were there hanged drawen, and quartered, and one Charles Carow, gentleman, was that daie hanged for robbing of my Ladie Carowe, all which persons were attaynted by the whole Parliament for treason.

Note e. Arthur Plantagenet, Viscount Lisle, was Deputy of Calais from 1533 to 1540, when he was recalled, and died a prisoner in the Tower 1542.

Note f. These names differ considerably from those given in Stow, viz. Giles Home, gentleman, Clement Phillip, gentleman, of Calais, and servant to the Lord Lisle, Darby Gening, Edmond Bromholme, priest, chaplain to the Lord Lisle, William Home, Laurence Cooke, Prior of Doncaster, and Bobert Bird.

Holinshed's Chronicle [1525-1582]. 4th August 1540. The fourth of August, Thomas Empson sometime a moonke of Westminster, which had béene in prison for treason in Newgate now for the space of thrée yeares and more, came before the iustices of gaole deliuerie at Newgate, and for that he would not aske the kings pardon, nor be sworne to be true to him, his moonks garment was plucked from his backe, and he repriued, till the king were informed of his malicious obstinacie: and this was the last moonke that was séene in his clothing in England till queene Maries daies. The fourth of August were drawne from the Tower of London to Tiburne, Giles Heron (deceased) gentleman, Clement Philpot gentleman, late of Calis, and seruant to the lord Lisle, Darbie Genning, Edmund Brindholme priest, chapleine to the said lord Lisle, William Horne late a laie brother of the Charterhouse of London, and an other offendor: which six persons were there hanged and quartered, and had beene atteinted of treason by parlement. The same daie also was one Charles Carew gentleman hanged for robbing of the ladie Carew.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 10 May, 28. Hen 8. (M.7). Original indictment found at Westminster by the Grand Jury, Giles Heron, &c. against Anne Boleyn and the rest, as copied from the enrolment. At the foot of this document, which is much rubbed, is written "Billa vera," and a memorandum in the margin that the same indictment is sent before Thomas Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal and High Steward of England [see Pouch IX.], to do all matters concerning the Queen and the Lord Rochford, on Monday, the 15th day of May, 1536, at the Tower.

The indictment has been already given from the enrolment, but the memorandum in the margin is as follows:

Mittitur coram Thoma duce Norfoiciæ, Thesaurario ac Comite Marescallo Angliæ, necnon Senescallo Angliæ hac vice, quo ad omnia quæ ad reginam et dominum Rocheford tangentia die lunse 15 die Maii anno regni domini regis nunc 28 apud Turrim Londoniæ virtute brevis dicti domini regis Johanni Baldewyn, militi, et sociis suis justiciariis, etc. ad inquirendum de quibuscumque proditionibus, &c. infra comitatum Middlesexise perpetratis audiendum et terminandum assignatis ac virtute præcepti dicti Senescalli dictis justiciariis scilicet directis terminand', &c.

It is sent before Thomas, duke of Norfolk, Treasurer and Earl Marshal of England, as well as the Seneschal of England in this turn, to all that touching the queen and lord Rocheford on Monday, the 15th day of May in the year of the reign of the lord the king now 28 at the Tower of London by virtue of the brief of the said lord John Baldewyn, the soldier, and his associates, the justiciaries, etc. to inquire into any treasons, &c. below the county of Middlesexis assigned to hear and terminate the committed, and by virtue of the order of the said Senescal to the said justiciaries, namely direct termination, &c.

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Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1540. II. Acts printed in the Statutes at Large, but not entered on the Parliament Roll:-.

Cap. 49 original no. [The number of the original Act as preserved in the Parliament Office. 46]. The King's general pardon.

Exception is made of heretical opinions touching the sacrament, treason, murder, and some other crimes. It is not to extend to the following persons:-Cromwell, Marg. Countess of Salisbury, Arthur Lord Lisle, and Honor his wife, Leonard lord Gray, Walter lord Hungerford, Richard Bishop of Chichester, Edward Courteney son to the late marquis of Exeter, Henry Pole son of Lord Montagew, Nich. Wilson, priest, William Byrde vicar of Bradforde, Giles Heron, Marg. wife of William Tyrrell, Richard Fetherston, Thomas Abell, Edward Powell, priest, Laur. Coke late prior of Dancaster, William Horne late lay brother of the Charterhouse, Chr. Joy, Clement Philpot, John Wollar, Edward Corbet now prisoner, John Browne his servant, Edm. Bryndeholme, priest, Thomas Tytchet, William Stevens, William Hawkyns late of Calais, Robert Barnes, priest, Thomas Garrard parson of Hony Lane, William Jerome, priest. Richard Manchester, priest, William More, harper, Darby Gynnyng, Edm. Sexton, Charles Carowe, Ant. Bowgegood, Adam Damplyp, Henry Goderyk parson of Hothefeld in Kent, and all persons who have been attainted by Act of Parliament, or excepted by name out of previous pardons, or have fled the realm for treason, and also John Gynden. A proviso is added excepting all treasons committed beyond sea and the following heresies: (1) that infants ought not to be baptised or should be re-baptised on reaching lawful age, (2) that a Christian may not bear rule in the commonwealth, (3) "that no man's laws ought to be obeyed," (4) that a Christian may not take oath before a judge, (5) "that Christ took no bodily substance of our blessed Lady," (6) "that sinners after baptism cannot be restored by repentance," (7) that every man's death is predetermined by God, so that neither prince's sword nor man's own wilfulness can change it, (8) "that all things be common and nothing several"; and also excepting Gregory Buttolph, priest, Richard Farmour of Eston, Ntht. [Northamptonshire], and Robert Jewet late keeper of Newgate. [This Act was concluded on 16 July.-See Lords' Journals.]

C. 50 [o. n. 78]. The Bill for the Subsidy.

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