Henry VIII · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Henry VIII by William Shakespeare.
King Henry VIII
major
Also known as King, Ha
The king of England, central to the plot involving his divorce from Katherine and marriage to Anne.
Cardinal Wolsey
major
Also known as Wolsey, Sir Thomas Lovell, Lovell, Wolsey Sir Thomas Lovell, Wolsey Sir, Sir Thomas More, Wolsey That, Sir Thomas, Wolsey Madam, Cardinal Wolsey, the Cardinal, Wolsey It, Wolsey All goodness, Wolsey Cromwell, Wolsey The Duke of Buckingham, worthy Wolsey, Wolsey Good lord chamberlain
The powerful Lord Chancellor who falls from favor after failing to secure the king's divorce.
Queen Katherine
major
Also known as Queen Katherine, Queen Katherine My learn'd lord cardinal, Katharine, Queen Katherine Lord cardinal, Kate, Katherine, Katherine O Griffith, Katherine O, Queen Katherine Aside, Katherine Sir
King Henry's first wife, who defends her marriage and dignity before being divorced.
Anne Bullen
major
Also known as Anne, Lady Anne Bullen, the Lady Anne, The Lady Anne
The woman King Henry marries after divorcing Katherine, later crowned queen.
Cranmer
supporting
Also known as Cromwell That Cranmer, The virtuous Cranmer, Cranmer Ah, Cranmer, Cranmer Kneeling, Cranmer Elizabeth
The Archbishop of Canterbury who supports the king's divorce and later faces conspiracy.
Duke of Buckingham
supporting
Also known as Buckingham O, Buckingham, poor Buckingham, Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on, By darkening my clear sun, Buckingham Sir, Buckingham Sir Thomas Lovell, the great Duke of Buckingham, Duke of Buckingham, the Duke of Buckingham, Buckingham The devil, My lord the Duke of Buckingham, and Earl Of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton, Buckingham Lo, Lo, Henry of Buckingham
A nobleman executed for treason after being betrayed by his surveyor and Wolsey.
Cromwell
supporting
Also known as Cromwell, Third Gentleman Thomas Cromwell
Wolsey's loyal servant who later serves the king and supports Cranmer.
Griffith
supporting
Also known as Griffith, good Griffith, Griffith Noble madam, Griffith Madam
Queen Katherine's gentleman usher who remains loyal to her until her death.
Lord Chamberlain
supporting
Also known as the Lord Chamberlain, Chamberlain, Lord Chamberlain, Exit Lord Chamberlain, Chamberlain Sir Thomas, good Sir Thomas, We shall be late else, which I would not be, Thomas, Chamberlain Death, Chamberlain Heaven
A court official who arranges events and interacts with nobles and the king.
Gardiner
supporting
Also known as Gardiner, Gardiner Dread sovereign, Gardiner Good master secretary
The Bishop of Winchester who conspires against Cranmer and the Reformation.
Duke of Norfolk
supporting
Also known as the Duke of Norfolk, Norfolk One, the Duke of Norfolk, and the Duke of Suffolk, Norfolk, Duke of Suffolk, Suffolk
A nobleman who opposes Wolsey and later helps bring about his downfall.
Cardinal Campeius
minor
Also known as Cardinal Campeius, Campeius
A papal legate sent to hear the king's divorce case alongside Wolsey.
Brandon
minor
Also known as Brandon
A nobleman who arrests the Duke of Buckingham for treason.
Lord Sands
minor
Also known as Sands Sir Thomas Lovell, Sands, Sands The, Lord Sands, Sands O
A jovial courtier who attends Wolsey's party and later the coronation.
Old Lady
minor
Also known as Old Lady, Old Lady Ay
An attendant to Anne Bullen who comments on court life and marriage.
First Gentleman
minor
Also known as First Gentleman, First Gentleman 'Tis, First Gentleman Marquess Dorset
A spectator who describes the coronation and other court events.
Second Gentleman
minor
Also known as Second Gentleman, Second Gentleman He of Winchester
A spectator who discusses court gossip and the coronation.
Porter
minor
Also known as Enter Porter, Porter
The gatekeeper who struggles to control the crowd at the coronation.
Capucius
minor
Also known as Capucius, Capucius Madam
Ambassador from Emperor Charles V who visits Queen Katherine in her illness.
Denny
minor
Also known as Denny Ay, Denny, Denny Sir
A courtier who brings Cranmer to the king during the conspiracy.
Doctor Butts
minor
Also known as Tis Butts, Butts, Enter Doctor Butts, Doctor Butts
The king's physician who alerts him to the council's mistreatment of Cranmer.
Nicholas Hopkins
minor
Also known as Nicholas Hopkins, Hopkins, that Hopkins
A monk who prophesies Buckingham's rise to power, leading to his arrest.
Sir Nicholas Vaux
minor
Also known as Sir Nicholas Vaux, Vaux, Sir Nicholas
A courtier who oversees preparations for Anne's coronation.
Sir Henry Guildford
minor
Also known as Sir Henry Guildford, Sir Harry Guildford, Sir Harry
A courtier who appears at Wolsey's party and in court scenes.
Patience
minor
Also known as Patience, Patience Heaven, Heaven
Queen Katherine's servant who attends her in her final illness.
Surveyor
minor
Also known as Surveyor, Surveyor Sir
Buckingham's former servant who testifies against him at his trial.
Earl Surrey
minor
Also known as Earl Surrey, Surrey Aside, Surrey
Buckingham's son-in-law who later helps bring down Wolsey.
John de la Car
minor
Also known as John de la Car, John Car
A character mentioned in the context of Buckingham's conspiracy.
Sir William Blomer
minor
Also known as Sir William Blomer
A minor character referenced in the play's historical background.
Mary
minor
Also known as Mary
A servant or attendant mentioned briefly in the play.
