Sir Francis Bryan

Anne Boleyn’s Dog Purkoy: Where Did He Come From?

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You may already be aware that Anne Boleyn was very fond of her lap dog, Purkoy...but are you aware that he was originally a gift to Sir Francis Bryan from Lady Lisle? I was recently going through my "Lisle Letters" book and came across a letter that made me aware of the situation. I'll be honest, I knew very little of Purkoy except for his tragic end. This adorable little dog, as I already stated, was originally given to Anne Boleyn's cousin (Sir Francis Bryan) by [More]

Men Behaving Badly: Lord Lisle and Sir Francis Bryan

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Sometimes while doing research you will come across a little treasure that you never knew existed. This has happened to me quite often but this time what I found truly caught me by surprise, made me blush and left me wondering what the event or events were that provoked this letter. I can figure out the rough year of this letter by the mention of the marriage of the Duke of Orleans and the niece of the Pope, which references the future Henri II of France and Catherine de [More]

Sir Francis Bryan: Vicar of Hell

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Born about 1490 to Margaret Bourchier and Thomas Bryan, Francis was the oldest of two surviving children. His sister, Elizabeth was married Nicholas Carew. Through his mother he was related to Anne Boleyn and this is most likely why he helped to promote Henry's matrimonial causes with the French and papal courts. His mother, Margaret Bourchier was half-sister with Elizabeth Boleyn (née Howard) - mother to Anne and wife to Thomas Boleyn. Francis Bryan: Timeline In 1513, a [More]

Lady Margaret Bryan: Governess of Prince Edward

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Lady Margaret Bryan is best known as Governess to Princess Mary, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Edward. She was given a very important charge - the care of three future monarchs. In this article we are looking at who Margaret Bryan was and letters from her time as Governess of Prince Edward. Lady Margaret Bryan Born Margaret Bourchier, about 1468, in Yorkshire, she was the daughter of Elizabeth Tilney and Sir Humphrey Bourchier who was killed at the Battle of Barnet. The [More]