Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon
Encyclopedia
Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon, KG
(1514 – 20 June 1561) was the eldest son of George Hastings, 1st Earl of Huntingdon
and Anne Stafford, Countess of Huntingdon, the ex-mistress of Henry VIII
.
His maternal first cousins included Henry Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford
and Henry Radclyffe, 2nd Earl of Sussex
.
He was born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch
, Leicestershire. He was tutored by John Leland during his youth. His mother, Anne Stafford, Countess of Huntingdon had an affair with Henry VIII
in 1510, the discovery of which led her husband to remove her to a convent and her brother to leave court in a rage, refusing to stay under Henry's roof. As late as 1513, Anne was the courtier who received the second most expensive New Year's gift from Henry, indicating that their relationship continued until then. However, there are no contemporary references to the possibility of Francis being an illegitimate son of the Tudor
monarch.
His father was created the first Earl of Huntingdon
by Henry VIII of England
on 3 November 1529. He was awarded stewardship over two abbey
s in 1530.
and Margaret Fenne. They had eleven children:
in 1533. His father died on 24 March 1544 and Francis succeeded as the 2nd Earl of Huntingdon. At the coronation of Edward VI of England
on 20 February 1547, Huntingdon St. Edward's staff and took a prominent part in the jousting
competition held in celebration of the event.
He was a political supporter of John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland
during the service of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset
as Lord Protector
. He was the one to lead Somerset to the Tower of London
for his imprisonment on 13 October 1549. He was rewarded with a creation as a Knight of the Garter before the end of that day, alongside George Brooke, 9th Baron Cobham
, Thomas West, 9th Baron De La Warr
and William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke
.
The Kingdom of England
was at this point at war with Scotland
and France, under Mary, Queen of Scots and King Henry II
, respectively. Huntingdon was named Lieutenant General
of the army and Chief Captain of the fleet in a campaign against Boulogne-sur-Mer
. His complaining about the lack of sufficient funding and equipment for his campaign was probably justified. The campaign led however to the signing of the Peace of Boulogne
. According to its terms all English claims were forfeit in exchange for 400,000 crowns. The British forces accordingly withdrew from Boulogne and all hostilities ceased for a time.
After this reasonable success for Huntingdon, Northumberland was able to provide his supporter with a membership in the Privy council
. He accompanied Edward VI in 1552 and Northumberland in 1553 during their respective travels in English territory away from London. He probably enjoyed the trust of both men at the time.
In 1553, Huntingdon was further awarded with several estates in Leicestershire
which were previously held by John Beaumont. Beaumont had been attended and was by then deceased. Huntingdon generously allowed the widow of Beaumont to keep their family manor in Grace-Dieu
where further members of this family would survive.
On 21 May 1553, his eldest son Henry married Catherine Dudley, one of the daughters of their ally John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland. Huntingdon was among the nobles signing on the document proclaiming Lady Jane Grey
to be the heir of Edward VI. Jane was married to Lord Guildford Dudley
, son to Northumberland and brother-in-law of Henry Hastings. Huntingdon probably held high hopes for his son under the new reign.
He was among the supporters of Jane in her brief reign (10 – 19 July 1553) but this reign ended in revolt in favour of her cousin Mary I of England
. Huntingdon was arrested and incarcerated in the Tower of London.
He was released in January 1554 and immediately assigned to locate and arrest the rebellious Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk
, father of Jane Grey. He was successful and led Suffolk to the Tower for his incarceration. He was present for the execution of Thomas Wyatt the younger
(on 11 April 1554).
He was a nephew by marriage of Cardinal
Reginald Pole who was a favourite of Mary I and briefly Archbishop of Canterbury
(1557–1558). This connection allowed him to avoid persecution for his Protestantism. Mary would die in 1558 and be succeeded by her younger half-sister Elizabeth I of England
.
He died in 1562 and was buried in St Helen's Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch
where his alabaster monument still exists in the Hastings Chapel. He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son Henry
two years later.
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
(1514 – 20 June 1561) was the eldest son of George Hastings, 1st Earl of Huntingdon
George Hastings, 1st Earl of Huntingdon
George Hastings, 1st Earl of Huntingdon was born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, the son of Edward Hastings, 2nd Baron Hastings and Mary Hungerford. George Hastings was created the first Earl of Huntingdon by Henry VIII of England on 3 November 1529. On the same day his son Francis gained a seat at the...
and Anne Stafford, Countess of Huntingdon, the ex-mistress of Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
.
His maternal first cousins included Henry Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford
Henry Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford
Henry Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford was born in Penshurst, Kent, England the eldest son of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham and Eleanor Percy, Duchess of Buckingham. Eleanor was the daughter of Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland and Maud Herbert, Countess of Northumberland...
and Henry Radclyffe, 2nd Earl of Sussex
Henry Radclyffe, 2nd Earl of Sussex
Henry Radclyffe, 2nd Earl of Sussex was a son of Robert Radclyffe, 1st Earl of Sussex and his wife Elizabeth Stafford, Countess of Sussex....
.
He was born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, — Zouch being pronounced "Zoosh" — often shortened to Ashby, is a small market town and civil parish in North West Leicestershire, England, within the National Forest. It is twinned with Pithiviers in north-central France....
, Leicestershire. He was tutored by John Leland during his youth. His mother, Anne Stafford, Countess of Huntingdon had an affair with Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
in 1510, the discovery of which led her husband to remove her to a convent and her brother to leave court in a rage, refusing to stay under Henry's roof. As late as 1513, Anne was the courtier who received the second most expensive New Year's gift from Henry, indicating that their relationship continued until then. However, there are no contemporary references to the possibility of Francis being an illegitimate son of the Tudor
Tudor dynasty
The Tudor dynasty or House of Tudor was a European royal house of Welsh origin that ruled the Kingdom of England and its realms, including the Lordship of Ireland, later the Kingdom of Ireland, from 1485 until 1603. Its first monarch was Henry Tudor, a descendant through his mother of a legitimised...
monarch.
His father was created the first Earl of Huntingdon
Earl of Huntingdon
Earl of Huntingdon is a title which has been created several times in the Peerage of England. The title is associated with the ruling house of Scotland, and latterly with the Hastings family.-Early history:...
by Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
on 3 November 1529. He was awarded stewardship over two abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
s in 1530.
Marriage and children
Francis married Catherine Pole on 25 June 1532. She was a daughter of Henry Pole, 11th Baron Montacute and Jane Neville. Jane was in turn a daughter of George Nevill, 4th Baron BergavennyGeorge Nevill, 4th Baron Bergavenny
Sir George Nevill, 4th and de jure 2nd Baron Bergavenny was an English nobleman.George was the son of Edward Nevill, 3rd Baron Bergavenny and Elizabeth de Beauchamp, Lady of Abergavenny. He was knighted by Edward IV on 9 May 1471, after fighting for the King at the Battle of Tewkesbury...
and Margaret Fenne. They had eleven children:
- Frances Anne Hastings (1533–1574). Married Henry Compton, 1st Baron ComptonHenry Compton, 1st Baron ComptonHenry Compton, 1st Baron Compton was an English peer.Compton was the son of Peter Compton and his wife Anne, daughter of George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury, and a relative of Sir William Compton. In 1572 he was summoned to the House of Lords as Baron Compton, of Compton in the County of Warwick...
and was mother of William Compton, 1st Earl of NorthamptonWilliam Compton, 1st Earl of NorthamptonWilliam Compton, 1st Earl of Northampton, KG , known as 2nd Baron Compton from 1589 to 1618, was an English peer.Northampton was the son of Henry Compton, 1st Baron Compton, and Frances Hastings. His maternal grandparents were Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon and Catherine Pole...
. - Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of HuntingdonHenry Hastings, 3rd Earl of HuntingdonSir Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon, KG KB was the eldest son of Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon and Catherine Pole.-Ancestry:...
(1536 – 14 December 1595). - William Hastings (b. 1537).
- George Hastings, 4th Earl of HuntingdonGeorge Hastings, 4th Earl of HuntingdonSir George Hastings, 4th Earl of Huntingdon was an English nobleman.He was a son of Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon and Catherine Pole. He was a younger brother of Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon and older brother of Francis Hastings...
(1540 – 3 December 1604). - Sir Edward Hastings (1541 – 1603?). Married Barbara Deveraux, daughter of Sir William Deveraux and Jane Sccudamore. Her paternal grandfather was Walter Devereux, 1st Viscount HerefordWalter Devereux, 1st Viscount HerefordWalter Devereux, 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley, created 1st Viscount Hereford was an English Peer.-Family:...
. She was the sole heir of both her father and her previous husband Edward Cayce. Her considerable inheritance included Leicester AbbeyLeicester AbbeyLeicester Abbey, the Abbey of Saint Mary de Pratis , standing about a mile north of the city of Leicester in the riverside meadows on the west bank of the River Soar, was built under the patronage of Robert le Bossu, Earl of Leicester. It was founded as a community of Augustinian Canons, the...
. - Catherine Hastings (11 August 1542 – 22 September 1576). Married Henry Clinton, 2nd Earl of LincolnHenry Clinton, 2nd Earl of LincolnHenry Clinton or Fiennes, 2nd Earl of Lincoln, KB was an English peer, styled 10th Baron Clinton from 1572 to 1585.-Life:...
and was mother of Thomas Clinton, 3rd Earl of LincolnThomas Clinton, 3rd Earl of LincolnThomas Clinton, 3rd Earl of Lincoln was an English peer, styled 11th Baron Clinton from 1585 to 1616.He was educated at Oxford University, from which he had his MA in 1588, and represented the constituencies of Lincolnshire in 1601 and Great Grimsby from 1604 to 1610...
. - Walter Hastings (1544 – 20 August 1616). Married Joyce Roper.
- Elizabeth Hastings (c. 1546 – 24 August 1621). Married Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of WorcesterEdward Somerset, 4th Earl of WorcesterEdward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester, KG, Earl Marshal was an English aristocrat. He was an important advisor to King James I, serving as Lord Privy Seal....
. - Anne Hastings (b. 1548).
- Francis HastingsFrancis Hastings (died 1610)Sir Francis Hastings was an English Puritan politician.He was the fifth and youngest son of the 2nd Earl of Huntingdon. His older brothers were Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon and George Hastings, 4th Earl of Huntingdon....
(c. 1550 – 26 September 1610). Married Maud Longdord. - Mary Hastings (b. 1552).
Political career
He seems to have gained some favour and was created a Knight of the BathOrder of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
in 1533. His father died on 24 March 1544 and Francis succeeded as the 2nd Earl of Huntingdon. At the coronation of Edward VI of England
Edward VI of England
Edward VI was the King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death. He was crowned on 20 February at the age of nine. The son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Edward was the third monarch of the Tudor dynasty and England's first monarch who was raised as a Protestant...
on 20 February 1547, Huntingdon St. Edward's staff and took a prominent part in the jousting
Jousting
Jousting is a martial game or hastilude between two knights mounted on horses and using lances, often as part of a tournament.Jousting emerged in the High Middle Ages based on the military use of the lance by heavy cavalry. The first camels tournament was staged in 1066, but jousting itself did not...
competition held in celebration of the event.
He was a political supporter of John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland
John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland
John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, KG was an English general, admiral, and politician, who led the government of the young King Edward VI from 1550 until 1553, and unsuccessfully tried to install Lady Jane Grey on the English throne after the King's death...
during the service of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset
Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset
Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, 1st Earl of Hertford, 1st Viscount Beauchamp of Hache, KG, Earl Marshal was Lord Protector of England in the period between the death of Henry VIII in 1547 and his own indictment in 1549....
as Lord Protector
Lord Protector
Lord Protector is a title used in British constitutional law for certain heads of state at different periods of history. It is also a particular title for the British Heads of State in respect to the established church...
. He was the one to lead Somerset to the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
for his imprisonment on 13 October 1549. He was rewarded with a creation as a Knight of the Garter before the end of that day, alongside George Brooke, 9th Baron Cobham
George Brooke, 9th Baron Cobham
George Brooke, 9th Baron Cobham was an aristocrat during the early Tudor dynasty in England. A soldier and magnate, he participated in the English wars of his days and in the political turmoil following the death of Henry VIII....
, Thomas West, 9th Baron De La Warr
Thomas West, 9th Baron De La Warr
Thomas West, 9th Baron De La Warr and 6th Baron West, KG succeeded to his titles at the age of 50. He was the son of Thomas West, 8th Baron De La Warr and Lady Elizabeth Morton, daughter of Sir George Morton, of Lechlade....
and William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke
William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1506-1570)
William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke, 1st Baron Herbert of Cardiff, KG was a Tudor period noble and courtier.Herbert was the son of Sir Richard Herbert and Margaret Cradock...
.
The Kingdom of England
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
was at this point at war with Scotland
Kingdom of Scotland
The Kingdom of Scotland was a Sovereign state in North-West Europe that existed from 843 until 1707. It occupied the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shared a land border to the south with the Kingdom of England...
and France, under Mary, Queen of Scots and King Henry II
Henry II of France
Henry II was King of France from 31 March 1547 until his death in 1559.-Early years:Henry was born in the royal Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, the son of Francis I and Claude, Duchess of Brittany .His father was captured at the Battle of Pavia in 1525 by his sworn enemy,...
, respectively. Huntingdon was named Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
of the army and Chief Captain of the fleet in a campaign against Boulogne-sur-Mer
Boulogne-sur-Mer
-Road:* Metropolitan bus services are operated by the TCRB* Coach services to Calais and Dunkerque* A16 motorway-Rail:* The main railway station is Gare de Boulogne-Ville and located in the south of the city....
. His complaining about the lack of sufficient funding and equipment for his campaign was probably justified. The campaign led however to the signing of the Peace of Boulogne
Peace of Boulogne
The Peace of Boulogne may refer to:* The 1550 treaty between France, England, and Scotland, to end the War of the Rough Wooing* The 1573 Edict of Boulogne...
. According to its terms all English claims were forfeit in exchange for 400,000 crowns. The British forces accordingly withdrew from Boulogne and all hostilities ceased for a time.
After this reasonable success for Huntingdon, Northumberland was able to provide his supporter with a membership in the Privy council
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
. He accompanied Edward VI in 1552 and Northumberland in 1553 during their respective travels in English territory away from London. He probably enjoyed the trust of both men at the time.
In 1553, Huntingdon was further awarded with several estates in Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
which were previously held by John Beaumont. Beaumont had been attended and was by then deceased. Huntingdon generously allowed the widow of Beaumont to keep their family manor in Grace-Dieu
Grace-Dieu
Grace-Dieu is a placename of Leicestershire, England, named after Grace Dieu Priory. It is near to Thringstone.Gracedieu Vineyard is south facing and was established in 1991 in Charnwood Forest. Its 'Green Man' wine based on the Madeleine Angevine grape is known for its floral bouquet....
where further members of this family would survive.
On 21 May 1553, his eldest son Henry married Catherine Dudley, one of the daughters of their ally John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland. Huntingdon was among the nobles signing on the document proclaiming Lady Jane Grey
Lady Jane Grey
Lady Jane Grey , also known as The Nine Days' Queen, was an English noblewoman who was de facto monarch of England from 10 July until 19 July 1553 and was subsequently executed...
to be the heir of Edward VI. Jane was married to Lord Guildford Dudley
Lord Guildford Dudley
Lord Guildford Dudley was the husband of Lady Jane Grey who, declared as his heir by King Edward VI, occupied the English throne from 6/10 July till 19 July 1553. Guildford Dudley enjoyed a humanist education and was married to Jane in a magnificent celebration about six weeks before...
, son to Northumberland and brother-in-law of Henry Hastings. Huntingdon probably held high hopes for his son under the new reign.
He was among the supporters of Jane in her brief reign (10 – 19 July 1553) but this reign ended in revolt in favour of her cousin Mary I of England
Mary I of England
Mary I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from July 1553 until her death.She was the only surviving child born of the ill-fated marriage of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Her younger half-brother, Edward VI, succeeded Henry in 1547...
. Huntingdon was arrested and incarcerated in the Tower of London.
He was released in January 1554 and immediately assigned to locate and arrest the rebellious Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk
Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk
Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk, 3rd Marquess of Dorset, KG was an English nobleman of the Tudor period and the father of Lady Jane Grey.-Henry VIII's reign:...
, father of Jane Grey. He was successful and led Suffolk to the Tower for his incarceration. He was present for the execution of Thomas Wyatt the younger
Thomas Wyatt the younger
Sir Thomas Wyatt the younger was a rebel leader during the reign of Queen Mary I of England; his rising is traditionally called "Wyatt's rebellion".-Birth and career:...
(on 11 April 1554).
He was a nephew by marriage of Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Reginald Pole who was a favourite of Mary I and briefly Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
(1557–1558). This connection allowed him to avoid persecution for his Protestantism. Mary would die in 1558 and be succeeded by her younger half-sister Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
.
He died in 1562 and was buried in St Helen's Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch
St Helen's Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch
St. Helen's Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, is a parish church in the Church of England in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.-Description:The church is largely fourteenth century but was rebuilt in 1878 by James Piers St Aubyn with the addition of outer nave aisles...
where his alabaster monument still exists in the Hastings Chapel. He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son Henry
Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon
Sir Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon, KG KB was the eldest son of Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon and Catherine Pole.-Ancestry:...
two years later.