Anne Gainsford
Encyclopedia
Anne Gainsford, Lady Zouche (died c.1590) was a lady-in-waiting
to Queen consort Anne Boleyn
.
She was in the household of Anne Boleyn
, as early as 1528 before the latter became the second wife of Henry VIII of England
five years later. She served Anne Boleyn before and after her own marriage to Sir George Zouche of Codnor. It was Anne to whom Anne Boleyn lent her proscribed copy of William Tyndale
's The Obedience of a Christian Man
. After it was stolen in jest by her bethrothed, George Zouche, it fell into the hands of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. After its return, Anne Boleyn persuaded the King to read the book.
Following Anne Boleyn's marriage to the King in 1533, Anne remained in her service as her lady-in-waiting
. In May 1536, she was obliged to testify against Queen Anne at her trial.
George Wyatt
, the first biographer of Anne Boleyn, compiled his book on the Queen largely based on information provided by the reminiscences of Anne Gainsford.
, England, a daughter of John Gainsford by his second wife, Anne Hawte. She had a sister, Mary.
Sometime before 1528, she entered the household of Anne Boleyn, who was being courted by King Henry VIII. She served as Anne Boleyn's waiting-woman,, and was referred to by her mistress as Nan, which was the popular diminutive of the name Anne in the 16th century.
In 1528, an incident occurred at Court in which Anne Boleyn lent Anne her copy of William Tyndale's The Obedience of a Christian Man, a book that Cardinal Wolsey had proscribed. When it was taken from her hands in jest by her betrothed Sir George Zouche, it was later discovered in the latter's possession by Richard Sampson, Dean of the Chapel Royal, who promptly took it to his master, Cardinal Wolsey. When Anne Boleyn was informed of this, instead of being angry with Anne Gainsford for allowing it to fall into Wolsey's hands, she remarked that it would be "the dearest book that ever dean or cardinal took away",, and swiftly sought out the King and complained about its confiscation by Wolsey. As soon as the book was returned to her, by the King's orders, Anne Boleyn persuaded the King "most tenderly" to read the book himself, which he did and was duly impressed. He described it as a book "for me and all kings to read". It was therefore through the carelessness of Anne Gainsford that Henry VIII managed to read Tyndale's banned book which denounced papal power in favour of that of secular rulers.
There was another incident at Court in which Anne Gainsford played a part-albeit minor. In 1530, a book of ancient prophecies appeared in Anne Boleyn's apartments, which when opened showed three crude drawings representing the King, Catherine of Aragon
, and Anne Boleyn. The figure of Anne lacked a head. When Anne Gainsford was shown the book with its drawings by her mistress, she allegedly remarked, "If I thought it true, though he were an emperor, I would not myself marry him". Whereas Anne Boleyn, according to Anne, dismissed the book as a bauble.
In 1533, Anne's mistress became Queen of England and she remained a part of Anne Boleyn's household as one of her ladies-in-waiting. That same year she married Sir George Zouche, who became a gentleman pensioner to the King. Three years later in 1536, Anne Gainsford was required to testify against Queen Anne, who was being charged with High Treason
and adultery. Following the Queen's execution, she went on the serve the latter's successor, Jane Seymour
in the same capacity as lady-in-waiting.
, Derbyshire
and they allegedly had eight children. Bess of Hardwick
was raised by Anne in her household.
Sir George died in 1557.
At the end of the 16th century, George Wyatt, grandson of poet Sir Thomas Wyatt
, and one of Anne Boleyn's first biographers, compiled his work largely from the reminiscences of Anne Gainsford. It was she who related to him the incident about Tyndale's book.
Anne Gainsford died in about 1590.
Lady-in-waiting
A lady-in-waiting is a female personal assistant at a royal court, attending on a queen, a princess, or a high-ranking noblewoman. Historically, in Europe a lady-in-waiting was often a noblewoman from a family highly thought of in good society, but was of lower rank than the woman on whom she...
to Queen consort Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn ;c.1501/1507 – 19 May 1536) was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536 as the second wife of Henry VIII of England and Marquess of Pembroke in her own right. Henry's marriage to Anne, and her subsequent execution, made her a key figure in the political and religious upheaval that was the...
.
She was in the household of Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn ;c.1501/1507 – 19 May 1536) was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536 as the second wife of Henry VIII of England and Marquess of Pembroke in her own right. Henry's marriage to Anne, and her subsequent execution, made her a key figure in the political and religious upheaval that was the...
, as early as 1528 before the latter became the second wife of Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
five years later. She served Anne Boleyn before and after her own marriage to Sir George Zouche of Codnor. It was Anne to whom Anne Boleyn lent her proscribed copy of William Tyndale
William Tyndale
William Tyndale was an English scholar and translator who became a leading figure in Protestant reformism towards the end of his life. He was influenced by the work of Desiderius Erasmus, who made the Greek New Testament available in Europe, and by Martin Luther...
's The Obedience of a Christian Man
The Obedience of a Christian Man
The Obedience of a Christen man, and how Christen rulers ought to govern, wherein also thou shalt find eyes to perceive the crafty convience of all iugglers. is a 1528 book by the English Protestant author William Tyndale. Its title is now commonly modernised in its spelling and abbreviated to The...
. After it was stolen in jest by her bethrothed, George Zouche, it fell into the hands of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. After its return, Anne Boleyn persuaded the King to read the book.
Following Anne Boleyn's marriage to the King in 1533, Anne remained in her service as her lady-in-waiting
Lady-in-waiting
A lady-in-waiting is a female personal assistant at a royal court, attending on a queen, a princess, or a high-ranking noblewoman. Historically, in Europe a lady-in-waiting was often a noblewoman from a family highly thought of in good society, but was of lower rank than the woman on whom she...
. In May 1536, she was obliged to testify against Queen Anne at her trial.
George Wyatt
George Wyatt
George Wyatt may refer to:*George Wyatt , writer on Anne Boleyn, son of rebel Thomas Wyatt* George Harry Wyatt, VC recipient* Greg Wyatt, American sculptor...
, the first biographer of Anne Boleyn, compiled his book on the Queen largely based on information provided by the reminiscences of Anne Gainsford.
Anne Boleyn's household
Anne Gainsford was born on an unknown date in Crowhurst, SurreyCrowhurst, Surrey
Crowhurst is a civil parish in the Tandridge borough of Surrey. It has a population of 349.The parish church is dedicated to St George. Crowhurst Place, a Grade 1 Listed Building, is a moated manor house dating back to circa 1450....
, England, a daughter of John Gainsford by his second wife, Anne Hawte. She had a sister, Mary.
Sometime before 1528, she entered the household of Anne Boleyn, who was being courted by King Henry VIII. She served as Anne Boleyn's waiting-woman,, and was referred to by her mistress as Nan, which was the popular diminutive of the name Anne in the 16th century.
In 1528, an incident occurred at Court in which Anne Boleyn lent Anne her copy of William Tyndale's The Obedience of a Christian Man, a book that Cardinal Wolsey had proscribed. When it was taken from her hands in jest by her betrothed Sir George Zouche, it was later discovered in the latter's possession by Richard Sampson, Dean of the Chapel Royal, who promptly took it to his master, Cardinal Wolsey. When Anne Boleyn was informed of this, instead of being angry with Anne Gainsford for allowing it to fall into Wolsey's hands, she remarked that it would be "the dearest book that ever dean or cardinal took away",, and swiftly sought out the King and complained about its confiscation by Wolsey. As soon as the book was returned to her, by the King's orders, Anne Boleyn persuaded the King "most tenderly" to read the book himself, which he did and was duly impressed. He described it as a book "for me and all kings to read". It was therefore through the carelessness of Anne Gainsford that Henry VIII managed to read Tyndale's banned book which denounced papal power in favour of that of secular rulers.
There was another incident at Court in which Anne Gainsford played a part-albeit minor. In 1530, a book of ancient prophecies appeared in Anne Boleyn's apartments, which when opened showed three crude drawings representing the King, Catherine of Aragon
Catherine of Aragon
Catherine of Aragon , also known as Katherine or Katharine, was Queen consort of England as the first wife of King Henry VIII of England and Princess of Wales as the wife to Arthur, Prince of Wales...
, and Anne Boleyn. The figure of Anne lacked a head. When Anne Gainsford was shown the book with its drawings by her mistress, she allegedly remarked, "If I thought it true, though he were an emperor, I would not myself marry him". Whereas Anne Boleyn, according to Anne, dismissed the book as a bauble.
In 1533, Anne's mistress became Queen of England and she remained a part of Anne Boleyn's household as one of her ladies-in-waiting. That same year she married Sir George Zouche, who became a gentleman pensioner to the King. Three years later in 1536, Anne Gainsford was required to testify against Queen Anne, who was being charged with High Treason
High treason
High treason is criminal disloyalty to one's government. Participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state are perhaps...
and adultery. Following the Queen's execution, she went on the serve the latter's successor, Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour was Queen of England as the third wife of King Henry VIII. She succeeded Anne Boleyn as queen consort following the latter's execution for trumped up charges of high treason, incest and adultery in May 1536. She died of postnatal complications less than two weeks after the birth of...
in the same capacity as lady-in-waiting.
Later years
Anne and Sir George made their principal home at Codnor CastleCodnor Castle
Codnor Castle is a ruined thirteenth-century castle in Derbyshire, England. The land around Codnor came under the jurisdiction of William Peverel after the Norman conquest. Although registered as a Scheduled Ancient Monument the site is officially, as at 2008, a Building at Risk.The castle is a...
, Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
and they allegedly had eight children. Bess of Hardwick
Bess of Hardwick
Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury (c. 1521 – 13 February 1608, known as Bess of Hardwick, was the daughter of John Hardwick, of Derbyshire and Elizabeth Leeke, daughter of Thomas Leeke and Margaret Fox...
was raised by Anne in her household.
Sir George died in 1557.
At the end of the 16th century, George Wyatt, grandson of poet Sir Thomas Wyatt
Thomas Wyatt
Thomas Wyatt may refer to:* Thomas Wyatt , English poet* Thomas Wyatt the younger , rebel leader* Thomas Henry Wyatt , British architect...
, and one of Anne Boleyn's first biographers, compiled his work largely from the reminiscences of Anne Gainsford. It was she who related to him the incident about Tyndale's book.
Anne Gainsford died in about 1590.