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Illegitimate son to Edward IV and the uncle of Henry VIII, Arthur Plantagenetâs life is an intriguing story. Raised in his fatherâs court, he then became a trusted member of Henry VIIâs household and after his death, was a prominent figure at the court of Henry VIII. Henry VIII treated his uncle well in the early years of his reign, making him vice-admiral and then Lord Deputy of Calais in 1533. Arthur did the best he could in his new position in Calais over seven years, including trying to maintain a relationship with Thomas Cromwell against a background of religious change, but there were numerous complaints about him and his paranoid nephewâs suspicions over his loyalty grew â culminating in Lisleâs arrest and imprisonment for two years with no legal reason. Arthur was released from the Tower in 1542, yet tragically died after receiving a diamond ring from his nephew. He was so excited that his heart â that âgentlest living heartâ â failed soon after. We owe much of what we know about Henry VIIIâs uncle to the seizure and preservation of the Lisle Letters, an impressive collection of correspondence obtained at his arrest that has miraculously survived. Not only do they give details of Arthurâs life, but they are an amazing insight into the religious, political, culture and social background of the 16th century. Placed as he was, Arthur Plantagenetâs story gives a whole new, fresh perspective on a turbulent yet vibrant period of history. |
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