That feeling when you discover that your Great x12 Uncle was Henry VIII’s royal bum wiper. Genealogy is not for wimps.
While I haven’t researched the connection to the degree required by the Genealogical Proof Standard, Michael Heneage (1540–1600) was my Gx12 Grandfather. Among other things, Michael was a Member of Parliament during the latter part of the reign of Elizabeth I, from 1571 to 1593. Michael represented several different constituencies over the years: Arundel, East Grinstead, Tavistock, and Wigan.
One of Michael’s other roles was Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London. (Sounds like a job for a genealogist!). He was appointed to the position in 1576, jointly with his older brother, Sir Thomas Heneage (1532-1595). Like Michael, Sir Thomas also served as Member of Parliament, from 1553 to 1593. He too held different parliamentary seats over the years: Arundel, Boston, Lincolnshire, and Essex.
Sir Thomas had considerable power and influence over his lifetime. He was educated at Cambridge and had many important connections. Sir Thomas served in the courts of both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Among other things, he served as Elizabeth’s Gentleman of the Privy Chamber around 1565 and later as the Treasurer of the Queen’s Privy Chamber. Sir Thomas ultimately became a member of the Privy Council in 1587.
Speaking of privy, Sir Thomas held a number of significant posts during Henry VIII’s reign. This included the office of Groom of the Stool for the King, from 1536 to 1546. Yes, he was the royal bum wiper. That duty of the office, which lasted until the death of Queen Victoria, fell away over the centuries.
The job came with other significant responsibilities and privileges (I’d hope so!), plus the office holder learned a lot of important information. Records of testimonials show that Henry complained to Sir Thomas about his wives, particularly Anne of Cleves. It was extremely important for the Groom of the Stool to be trustworthy and able to exercise utmost discretion. While it would have been detrimental for any of the Grooms to breach that trust, the fact they even had that information gave them tremendous influence.
My wife’s response when I told her about this ancestor? “No wonder you were so good at changing diapers!”
A Deck of Ancestors 