Nicholas Carew (courtier)
Nicholas Carew entered the household of the future King Henry VIII at six years old. He shared his education with the boy who would become England's most famous monarch. By 1515, Carew had earned a reputation for fearlessness in the lists. The King provided him with his own tiltyard at Greenwich to practice his skills. His fame grew so rapidly that he became a central figure in court entertainment. He was knighted sometime before 1517 and held multiple high offices including Master of the Horse. This early prominence set the stage for his later political influence.
Sir Nicholas Carew traveled to France twice during the 1520s as part of official diplomatic missions. His first journey occurred in January 1521 when he was reputedly well received by King Francis I of France. A second mission took place in 1524 to ensure English presence at peace talks between Francis and Charles V. Francis I developed such high regard for Carew that he urged Henry to advance his career further. These embassies transformed the self-avowed reprobate into a sober politician recognized abroad. The King chose Carew to fill a vacancy in the Order of the Garter in 1536 fulfilling a promise made to Francis I.
Cardinal Wolsey believed Carew had too much influence over the young King Henry VIII. In 1518 Wolsey managed to have Carew sent away from court replacing him with Richard Pace. Carew soon returned but was removed again to Ruysbank Tower Calais in 1519. He served as High Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex during this period of exile. Wolsey finally engineered Carew's dismissal from the Privy chamber through the Eltham ordinances of 1526. This power struggle marked the beginning of Carew's volatile relationship with the dominant minister.
Ambassador Eustace Chapuys perceived that the real cause of Carew's downfall involved championing Princess Mary. Cromwell presented apparently treasonous letters which Carew had written to King Henry VIII. The King believed Carew had been involved in the Exeter Conspiracy to depose him. The plot aimed to place Cardinal Reginald Pole on the throne instead of Henry. Questionable historians suggest Ambassador Chapuys saw the true motive behind the accusations against Carew. These letters formed the basis for his arrest and subsequent trial proceedings.
Carew stood trial on the 14th of February 1539 and was found guilty of high treason. Sir Nicholas Carew was beheaded on the 3rd of March 1539 at Tower Hill. A letter by John Butler recorded the last words of Carew as he was led to execution. He exhorted all to study evangelical books stating he had fallen by hatred to the Gospel. His estate at Beddington including Carew Manor was granted after his execution to Walter Gorges. Thomas Darcy later received the property following Gorges' death.
Queen Mary I granted the Coulsdon estate to Carew's son in her first year of reign. The estate was held in chief by the service of one-fortieth part of a knight's fee. Sir Francis Carew managed to attain a reversal of his father's attainder but did not receive his estates. He purchased the Beddington estate from Lord Darcy instead. Queen Elizabeth I granted the Coulsdon estate to Carew's grandson Edward Darcy in 1589. Beddington Park continued to be owned by the Carew family into the 20th century.
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Common questions
When was Nicholas Carew knighted and what offices did he hold?
Nicholas Carew was knighted sometime before 1517 and held multiple high offices including Master of the Horse. He also received a vacancy in the Order of the Garter in 1536 fulfilling a promise made to Francis I.
Why was Cardinal Wolsey removed from court during the early years of Henry VIII's reign?
Cardinal Wolsey believed Nicholas Carew had too much influence over the young King Henry VIII. Wolsey managed to have Carew sent away from court replacing him with Richard Pace and later engineered his dismissal through the Eltham ordinances of 1526.
What treasonous plot led to the execution of Sir Nicholas Carew on Tower Hill?
The King believed Nicholas Carew had been involved in the Exeter Conspiracy to depose him and place Cardinal Reginald Pole on the throne instead of Henry. Carew stood trial on the 14th of February 1539 and was found guilty of high treason before being beheaded on the 3rd of March 1539 at Tower Hill.
How did Queen Mary I restore property rights to the family of Nicholas Carew after his death?
Queen Mary I granted the Coulsdon estate to Carew's son in her first year of reign. The estate was held in chief by the service of one-fortieth part of a knight's fee while Sir Francis Carew attained a reversal of his father's attainder but did not receive his estates.