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Questions about Richard Page (courtier)

Short answers, pulled from the story.

Why was Richard Page arrested in 1536?

Richard Page was arrested on the 8th of May 1536 on charges of treason and adultery with Queen Anne Boleyn. He was one of seven men taken to the Tower of London during the downfall of Anne Boleyn. Page and Thomas Wyatt were the only two of the group not convicted; both were released in June 1536 on the advice of Thomas Cromwell.

Who was Richard Page and what role did he have at Henry VIII's court?

Sir Richard Page was an English courtier who died in 1548. He served as a Gentleman of Henry VIII's Privy Chamber, as Captain of the King's Bodyguards, and later as Chamberlain to Prince Edward. He also served as vice-chamberlain in the household of Henry FitzRoy, Henry VIII's illegitimate son.

How did Richard Page survive the Anne Boleyn treason trials?

Richard Page and Thomas Wyatt were the only men among the seven arrested in May 1536 who were not executed. Both were released from the Tower in June 1536 on the advice of Thomas Cromwell. Page had been described by John Hussey, 1st Baron Hussey of Sleaford, as unlikely to face danger of life, though he was expected to be permanently banished from court.

What happened to Richard Page after he was banished from Henry VIII's court?

Despite being banished from court in disgrace after the 1536 arrests, Henry VIII later summoned Page back to royal service. Page was made High Sheriff of Surrey in 1537 and that same year was appointed Chamberlain to Prince Edward, the king's son.

Who was Richard Page's wife and why is she historically notable?

Richard Page married Elizabeth Bourchier in 1512. She was the daughter of Fulk Bourchier, 10th Baron FitzWarin. Through her earlier marriage to Sir Edward Stanhope, Elizabeth had a daughter, Anne Stanhope, who married Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector to King Edward VI, making Elizabeth the mother-in-law of the Protector Somerset.

How did Richard Page's career begin before he served Henry VIII?

Richard Page began his rise to prominence in the service of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, eventually becoming Wolsey's chamberlain. By 1516 he had been knighted and secured a position as a Gentleman of Henry VIII's Privy Chamber. His public alignment with Anne Boleyn against Wolsey in 1527 led directly to his appointment to the Privy Chamber that same year.