William Kingston
William Kingston appeared as a yeoman of the guard before June 1509. He served under Sir Richard Wingfield at the French court early in 1520. The Dauphin took a shine to him during that time. Kingston fought at the battle of Flodden and was knighted in 1513. He became sewer to the king and later carver in 1521. Henry VIII presented him with a valuable horse for his service. He joined Dacre on the disturbed northern frontier in April 1523. On the 18th of May he participated in the capture of Cessford Castle. He returned to London and became captain of the guard shortly after.
On the 28th of May 1524, William Kingston became constable of the Tower at a salary of £100. He managed high-profile prisoners including Cardinal Wolsey. In November 1530 Kingston went down to Sheffield Park to take charge of Thomas Wolsey. The cardinal was alarmed because it had been foretold he should meet his death at Kingston. Kingston tried to reassure him while riding to London. He signed the petition to Pope Clement VII for the hastening of the king's divorce on the 13th of July 1530. He landed at Calais with Henry on the 11th of October 1532. He took an official part in the coronation of Anne Boleyn on the 29th of May 1533.
He received Anne Boleyn on the 2nd of May 1536 when she committed a prisoner to the Tower. With his wife Mary, he took charge of her and reported conversations to Thomas Cromwell. To him, Anne made sardonic jokes about their situation. The information he passed on to the King helped seal the fate of the Queen. It also sealed the fate of the five men accused with her. Kingston's dispatches are today held as one of the most important pieces of proof that Anne was entirely innocent. His reports influenced how history viewed the trial and execution of the queen.
Kingston was elected MP for Gloucestershire in 1529 and again in 1539. He became controller of the household on the 9th of March 1539. He received knight of the Garter status on the 24th of April following that appointment. He had many small grants throughout his career. On the dissolution of monasteries he received the site of Flaxley Abbey in Gloucestershire. These land acquisitions reflected his growing influence within the Tudor administration. He continued to serve despite appearing prematurely aged during these later years.
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Common questions
When did William Kingston become constable of the Tower?
William Kingston became constable of the Tower on the 28th of May 1524. He received a salary of £100 for this position and managed high-profile prisoners including Cardinal Wolsey.
What role did William Kingston play in the death of Anne Boleyn?
William Kingston received Anne Boleyn as a prisoner at the Tower on the 2nd of May 1536. He reported her conversations to Thomas Cromwell, which helped seal the fate of the Queen and five men accused with her.
Which battles did William Kingston fight in during his military career?
William Kingston fought at the battle of Flodden where he was knighted in 1513. He also joined Dacre on the disturbed northern frontier in April 1523 and participated in the capture of Cessford Castle on the 18th of May.
How many times was William Kingston elected MP for Gloucestershire?
William Kingston was elected MP for Gloucestershire twice, first in 1529 and again in 1539. He later became controller of the household on the 9th of March 1539.
When did William Kingston receive knight of the Garter status?
William Kingston received knight of the Garter status on the 24th of April following his appointment as controller of the household in 1539. This honor came after he had already served as an English courtier and soldier since before June 1509.