Henry Norris (courtier)

Sir Henry Norris was a Groom of the Stool in the privy chamber of King Henry VIII. While a close servant of the King, he also supported the faction in court led by Queen Anne Boleyn, and when Anne fell out of favour, he was among those accused of treason and adultery with her. He was found guilty and executed, together with the Queens brother, George Boleyn , Sir Francis Weston, William Brereton and Mark Smeaton. Most historical authorities argue that the accusations were untrue and part of a plot to get rid of Anne.

Many sources state that Henry was the second son of Sir Edward Norris of Yattendon Castle in Berkshire, by his wife Lady Frideswide Lovell, daughter of John Lovel, 8th Baron Lovel and 5th Baron Holand of Titchmarsh, Northamptonshire and his wife Joan de Beaumont of Edenham. Some of these also state that Edward Norris died in 1487. So the birth date of 1482 for Henry would be consistent with this. However, Eric Ives , says that Henry was younger, born in the 1490s, and says that he was apparently the second son of Richard Norris. Richard was Edwards younger brother, but according to the Heralds Visitations of Berkshire , he was the father of only a single daughter, Anne. This is consistent with the descent of his manor of Great Shefford which she inherited around 1522, before Henrys execution in 1536. Had he been Richards son and not Sir Edwards, he would have inherited the manor. Therefore, it is likely, in this instance, that Ives is incorrect.

Source: Wikipedia