Common questions about William Carey (courtier)

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When did William Carey die of the sweating sickness?

William Carey died of the sweating sickness on the 22nd of June 1528. This sudden end marked the abrupt conclusion of a life that had been defined by proximity to the most powerful man in England.

Who was William Carey married to and what was the outcome of their relationship?

William Carey married Mary Boleyn on the 4th of February 1520. Mary became the mistress of King Henry VIII shortly after their marriage, and Carey accepted this arrangement while profiting from the King's favor.

What was William Carey's relationship to King Henry VIII?

William Carey was a third cousin to Henry VIII through his mother Margaret Spencer. He served as a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber and an Esquire of the Body to King Henry VIII, placing him within the innermost circle of the monarch's daily life.

How did William Carey die and what was the reaction to his death?

William Carey died of the sweating sickness on the 22nd of June 1528 after contracting the mysterious and often fatal disease. Brian Tuke, Henry's secretary, wrote to Lord Legat the day after his passing describing the shock of the event.

Did William Carey have children with Mary Boleyn and were they Henry VIII's?

William Carey and Mary Boleyn had children named Catherine and Henry. Because of Mary's affair with King Henry VIII, it has been suggested that Catherine and Henry may have been instead Henry VIII's biological children.