William Boleyn
William Boleyn entered the world at Blickling Hall in Norfolk during 1451. He was the younger son of Sir Geoffrey Boleyn and Anne Hoo. His father served as Lord Mayor of London between 1457 and 1458. Sir Geoffrey purchased the Blickling estate in 1452 while working as a wealthy member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers. Anne Hoo was born around 1424 to Thomas Hoo, Baron Hoo and Hastings. Her mother Elizabeth Wychingham came from a family based in Norfolk. The elder brother Thomas inherited all estates when their father died testate in 1463.
Thomas Boleyn Esquire held the City of London estates until his death in 1471. William became heir apparent after his older brother passed away. Thomas requested burial beside his father in the Church of St Lawrence Old Jewry. Their monumental inscriptions were recorded by John Weever in 1631. William eventually succeeded to Blickling Hall and Hever Castle following these events. Thomas appointed his mother as executor of his will. She instructed her son to sell the manor of Ingham in Norfolk. This transfer allowed William to control multiple estates previously held by his sibling.
William joined the Mercers' Company in 1472 before entering Lincoln's Inn the following year. Richard III created him Knight of the Bath during his coronation in 1483. John Howard Duke of Norfolk appointed Sir William deputy for all coasts of Norfolk and Suffolk that same August. King Henry VII charged him with responsibility for beacons used to warn against attacks on English shores. He served as Sheriff of Kent in 1489 due to his seat at Hever Castle. His position at Blickling led to service as Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk in 1500. These roles demonstrated his standing among the gentry classes.
Margaret Butler died around March 1539 or 1540 after marrying William Boleyn before November 1469. She was the second daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Butler seventh Earl of Ormond. Her marriage settlement brought the manor of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire to her husband. Thomas Butler received royal licence to empark New Hall at Boreham in Essex during 1491. This property later passed through Margaret to the Boleyn family. Sir Thomas Boleyn sold New Hall to King Henry VIII in 1516 who rebuilt it as Palace of Beaulieu. Inquisition records from 1519 declared Margaret suffered periods of insanity making her incapable of managing estates.
William fathered six sons and four daughters with Margaret Butler. Anne Boleyn born the 18th of November 1475 died in infancy aged three years eleven months and thirteen days. Her monumental brass survives in Blickling Church showing a mature woman. Amy Boleyn married Sir Phillip Calthorpe who died circa 1552. Thomas Boleyn became first Earl of Wiltshire and married Elizabeth Howard. His daughter Queen Anne Boleyn wed King Henry VIII. John Anthony and James all predeceased their father or died young. Alice married Robert Clere while Margaret wed John Sackville. William Archdeacon of Winchester served until 1551. Anne Shelton survived until January 1555. Their kneeling effigies survive in Shelton Church east window.
Sir William Boleyn died on the tenth of October 1505. He requested burial in Norwich Cathedral beside his mother Ann Hoo. His will proved later that year bequeathed manors across Norfolk Bedfordshire Hertfordshire and Kent. He was considerable benefactor to fabric of Norwich Cathedral adorning arches in choir. Arms appeared in various places throughout the building including St Gregory's church. Blomefield saw ledger stone on south side presbytery steps during 1743. It bore inscription Hic jacet Corpus Willelmi Boleyn Militis qui obiit X Octobris Anno Domini MoCCCCCovo. Heraldry displayed argent chevron gules between three bulls heads sable armed or. The stone had been despoiled of its monumental brasses before modern times.
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Common questions
When and where was William Boleyn born?
William Boleyn entered the world at Blickling Hall in Norfolk during 1451. He was the younger son of Sir Geoffrey Boleyn and Anne Hoo.
What estates did William Boleyn inherit after his brother Thomas died?
William eventually succeeded to Blickling Hall and Hever Castle following these events. This transfer allowed him to control multiple estates previously held by his sibling.
Who appointed William Boleyn as deputy for all coasts of Norfolk and Suffolk?
John Howard Duke of Norfolk appointed Sir William deputy for all coasts of Norfolk and Suffolk that same August. Richard III created him Knight of the Bath during his coronation in 1483.
How many children did William Boleyn have with Margaret Butler?
William fathered six sons and four daughters with Margaret Butler. His daughter Queen Anne Boleyn wed King Henry VIII while other children like Amy married into families such as Calthorpe and Sackville.
When did Sir William Boleyn die and where is he buried?
Sir William Boleyn died on the tenth of October 1505. He requested burial in Norwich Cathedral beside his mother Ann Hoo.