Thomas Culpeper (1514-10 December 1541) was a courtier and close friend of King Henry VIII. He was beheaded for treason for having intimate relations with Queen Catherine Howard.
Biography[]
Thomas Culpeper was born in Bedgebury, Kent, England in 1514, and he was a distant cousin of Catherine Howard's mother. His family became influential under Cardinal Thomas Wolsey due to his brother's client status under the Cardinal, and he later became a favorite of King Henry VIII. In 1539, he was accused of raping a park-keeper's wife and then murdering a villager, but he was pardoned by the King. He eventually became gentleman to the King's privy chamber, and he became Keeper of the Manor at Penshurst Palace and owner of property in Kent, Essex, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire.
Downfall[]
Culpeper's beheading
In 1540, Culpeper caught the attention of Henry's teenage bride Catherine Howard, and they began to spend time together, alone and late at night, and abetted by Howard's lady-in-waiting Jane Boleyn. The two started a love affair, which Culpeper also hoped would boost his standing at the court. However, the King discovered Catherine's infidelity and had both Thomas and Catherine arrested. They were both charged with treason, and Culpeper was beheaded at Tyburn on 10 December 1541, Catherine on 13 February 1542.