Sir Francis Weston and William Brereton: Victims of Intrigue

Welcome to day 4 of Anne Boleyn Week! Today, join me as I delve into the tragic lives of two courtiers, Sir Francis Weston and William Brereton, who became ensnared in the downfall of Anne Boleyn in 1536, ultimately leading to their untimely deaths.
Discover the intriguing backgrounds of Sir Francis Weston, a royal favorite and skilled courtier, and William Brereton, a powerful figure in Cheshire and North Wales. Explore how their connections to Anne Boleyn and the court entangled them in a web of political intrigue and betrayal.
Learn about the events that sealed their fates, from Anne Boleyn's ramblings about Weston to their harrowing trial before a hostile jury. Uncover the role of Thomas Cromwell in their downfall and the circumstances that led to their executions.
Join me as I explore the tragic ends of Sir Francis Weston and William Brereton, along with the stories of others impacted by the turbulent events of May 1536. Don't miss out on this captivating chapter of Tudor history!
For more insights into Anne Boleyn and exclusive expert talks, visit ClaireRidgway.com. Subscribe for daily updates during Anne Boleyn Week and immerse yourself in the captivating world of Tudor England.
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[@thehistory_student]

Whilst I find the stories of all five men wrongly convicted alongside Anne tragic, Francis Weston’s story has always stood out to me as particularly sad. The thought of his parents offering money in a desperate last attempt to save their son is truly heartbreaking. The fact that he was so young, mid twenties I think, only adds to it 😢

[@carag2567]

Would I be a nerd if I said I've been loitering around KZbin for an hour or so waiting for this notification and slapped it so hard when it finally arrived that I might have injured my thumb? 😅

[@Traciclayton90]

It's fine. I say History nerds unite!!!

[@giraffequeen9437]

Seeing this video literally made my whole day better 💜 Love these history videos! Claire rocks!

[@Sabeaa]

Oh well 😊

[@theresalaux5655]

It made my day better too!❤

[@twiley3530]

Silly human! 😆😆

[@alancumming6407]

Thank you Claire for this memorial broadcast. I often wonder how the families were able to cope.

[@pollydolly9723]

I sincerely wish there were authenticated contemporary portraits of each man. It would be so interesting to know what they looked like and make their stories even more compelling.

[@BeeKool__113]

Right?!! I often wonder what they look like.

[@JaneEasterbrook-bn3ux]

When Sutton Place was open 1983 I visited and saw a portrait of Francis. He had red hair and a beard. You can see a b and w photo of the portrait in Alison Weir's book The Lady in the Tower.

[@jackietowner7169]

Me too Pollydolly

[@Aroseisarose15]

There is a Holbein sketch, I believe, of George Boleyn.

[@elanabethfariss117]

Claire, I love how you bring all the characters to life, so much that you can empathize with their situation. Interesting how Henry winds up being viewed as merciful because he allowed them to be beheaded instead of drawn and quartered, disemboweled, etc, Henry was awful.

[@sierranyokka8435]

Henry was horrible. However, its prudent to remember that his behavior became violent and erratic after he suffered the jousting injury. He most likely had a sever brain trauma and his leg remained infected the rest of his life. His behavior may be explained by these injuries. Not justifying his behavior just explaining what may have caused it to spiral out of control the way it did.

[@miladyblue5077]

This is the first time I have ever viewed more than just the names of Francis Weston and William Brereton. They seem to be the two more "obscure" of Henry's victims in this case. Whatever the case may be, they were no less victims of an outrageous and infuriating miscarriage of justice. I agree with the other posters - it would be nice to see properly authenticated portraits of all of these men, so we can look on their faces. So that any descendants they may have can look upon their ancestors, and know that while they faced a horribly unfair fate, they did so with great dignity and courage. I would also like to think that in the Afterlife, Mark Smeaton knelt before Anne, and apologized for his "confession," forced upon him by Cromwell and Henry.

[@lynnekern3998]

Wow! Cromwell got to remove all the men that were a problem in his book. Cromwell's nastiness and Henry's indifference takes my breath away. Thank you for a concise analysis of what happened. Totally heartbreaking for all the innocent people involved.

[@michellerhodes9910]

The tragedy of all this never loses its resonance. Beautifully presented as ever, Claire.

[@Shane-Flanagan]

Thanks so much Claire 🌹 This was the one I was most interested in as of the 5 men, Weston appears to be the least known or talked about. The fact he shares this video with Brereton shows how little there is to go on regarding Weston. Another young man cut down, one who had a wife and child at home. Interesting that like Smeaton and Norris, Weston was also admonished by Anne on an occasion close to the fateful month of May l. Seems a bit foolish what Weston said to Anne even if courtly love was encouraged but then again no one could've predicted what was to come. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

[@user-ti7of1om3u]

Delightful series covering this rather intense period of history! Oh, and due to my ancestor Rhode Island's Jeremy Clarke, I am also an descendant of his maternal grandfather Sir Jerome Weston, Baron of the Exchequer. So - it was a rather well-connected family tree at court.

[@darrylclark563]

I enjoy your channel very much, thank you for providing it. I am curious as to why no women were accused of being part of Anne’s downfall? I know Jane Parker Boleyn was executed with Katherine Howard for her part in Katherine’s fall. Should some of Anne’s ladies have found themselves accused considering if any of the accusations been credible would they not have at least been aware?

[@katemaloney4296]

It sounds as though when the King's men planned to take down Anne, they decided to also throw in some house cleaning.

[@christinestudley3982]

Hi Claire, I didn’t know that about Brereton . Weston always breaks my heart, young, a young wife and child and family trying to save him. What courage that must have took! I was wondering if there ever was a book written about Madge Shelton, she was right in the in the think of it, it would be interesting to hear things from her perspective, but there’s probably not much available. Thanks from the States! ❤

[@wednesdayschild3627]

Very unfair. I think they were at the jousting accident and knew about Henry's ed. It is normal to slow down as we age. Henry freaked out about it. Hmm madge, the king's leftovers.

[@carolynnr.6409]

So Anne had spies around her. Cromwell, slowly but surely, remove more men that Henry trusted.

[@carolrondou6161]

I love your channel and I loved your book too. I recommend it to everyone who is interested in the Tudor period.

[@AndriaBieberDesigns]

Poor Anne and everyone 😢

[@mariahunter9882]

I have an impression that Madge Shelton must have been exceptionally pretty.

[@alwina2452]

This series is so interesting, I woke up early and watched this before starting my day. Absolutely fascinating xx

[@darlenefarmer5921]

Amazing! Thank you.

[@wednesdayschild3627]

Huh, maybe they were all witnesses to the marriage with queen Anne. Imo Norfolk could not have done otherwise.

[@katherinecollins4685]

Really interesting

[@Modguy61]

It certainly seems as though these two men were chosen by Cromwell in order to remove them from interfering with his influence with Henry VIII. Tragic!

[@twiley3530]

Love your t-shirt matches your tatoo! Cute! Thanks Gor the good story

[@Heceh13]

Huge fan and after Hilary Mantel trilogy. I can’t wait for my trip to England

[@pbohearn]

Cromwell was very cold blooded using the “investigation” of Anne’s infidelity to frame some of his enemies and get rid of them. You say one was likely a murderer. So was Cromwell!

[@christinestudley3982]

Yes, Cromwell had a ton of blood 🩸 on his hands. I wonder if all his victims greeted him after his botched beheading 😳