Sir Anthony Wingfield, of Letheringham ^{1 3 4 5 6}

  General Notes:

This information comes from J Craig Canada's Family Tree

Sir Anthony Wingfield was Esquire to the Body to the King; was knighted by his royal master, Henry VIII; later made comptroller of the household, and installed at Windsor, a Knight of the Garter on May 3, 1541. Sir Anthony was Captain of the Yeoman of the Guard and placed several people in the Tower of London, including Thomas Cromwell and the Earl of Surrey.

In 1513 he was knighted by Henry VIII in Tourraine. He served with distinction in the campaign in France. After Henry VIII routed the French at Guinegate at the Battle of the Spurs and thereby captured Tourraine (Therouane) and Tournai. He was knighted in Tourraine for his bravery in that campaign.

In 1516 He accompanied Charles Somerset abroad. (1520-1522). He also accompanied Henry VIII to the Field of the Cloth of Gold in France (with his wife and five other Wingfields) and to subsequent meetings with Emperor Charles V.

In 1523 he served in France.

He served in France (where his uncle, Sir Richard Wingfield of Kimbolton Castle, Knight of the Garter, the famous diplomat, grandfather of Captain Edward-Marie Wingfield, founding father of Jamestown, VA, was a general).

In 1536 he again served in France.

In 1539 he was appointed Vice-Chamberlain to Henry VIII and Privy Councellor.

On 9 Mar 1539 he was appointed Captain of the Yeoman of the Guard.

In 1540 he was One of the King's Justices at the arraignment of Sir Edward Knevett for 'striking in the Court and so continued Captain of the King's Bodyguard until 1551-2(Edward VI succeeding in 1547) when advanced to Comptroller.

In 1540 he was at the entrance of Anne of Cleves at Deal, Kent.

As Captain of the King's Guard he was at the entrance of Anne of Cleves', Henry's 4th Queen (into the country at Deal, Kent and journeying to court via Blackheath). Thomas Wingfield, eldest son of Sir Henry Wingfield, Governor of Orford Castle, was then the 1st Governor of Deal Castle.

In 1540 he arrested Thomas Cromwell at The Council Board.

On 23 Apr 1541 he was awarded The Badge of the Garter at The Palace of Westminster.

On April 23 at 2nd Vespers at the Palace of Westminister he was, with the Duke of Norfolk and others, honored with the Badge of the Garter, and installed as a Knight of the Garter at Windsor Castle, with the Earl of Surrey on May 22nd.

On 12 Dec 1546, after arresting him earlier that year, he conducted The Earl of Surrey to The Tower of London.

In 1547 he was Captain of the Guard at Henry VIII's funeral at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. He was also an executor of the King's will. King Henry left him £200.

On 11 Oct 1549 he arrested the Protector Somerset, the Regent for Edward VI at Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, England and conveyed him with a huge escort back to London, then through the streets to the Tower on October 14^th. ^{3 7 8 9}

  Medical Notes:

He died August 21st at young Sir John Gates' place in Bethnal Green, just north of London. He was buried in great state with a grand procession and a huge feast 'for all comers' in Stepney, just east of the Tower. His great house (one of many) was near St. Anne's, Limehouse Church and was still known as 'Wingfield's Rents' in 1781.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Comptroller of King's Household, Vice Chamberlain of Household for Henry VII. ¹

• Occupation: Privy Councillor, executor of the King. ¹

• Knighthood: Knighted by Henry VIII for bravery at Battle of Spurs., 16 Aug 1513. ¹

• Title: Installed Knight of the Garter of Leatheringham, 8 May 1541. ^{2 8}

Anthony married Elizabeth de Vere, daughter of Sir George de Vere and Margaret Stafford.^{1 2} (Elizabeth de Vere was born about 1480 ² and died in Nov 1559 ^{1 10}.)