# Henry VIII — Character guide

> Key figures in Henry VIII by William Shakespeare.

- [King Henry VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/king_henry_viii.md): The king of England, central to the plot involving his divorce from Katherine and marriage to Anne.
- [Cardinal Wolsey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/cardinal_wolsey.md): The powerful Lord Chancellor who falls from favor after failing to secure the king's divorce.
- [Queen Katherine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/queen_katherine.md): King Henry's first wife, who defends her marriage and dignity before being divorced.
- [Anne Bullen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/anne_bullen.md): The woman King Henry marries after divorcing Katherine, later crowned queen.
- [Cranmer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/cranmer.md): The Archbishop of Canterbury who supports the king's divorce and later faces conspiracy.
- [Duke of Buckingham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/duke_of_buckingham.md): A nobleman executed for treason after being betrayed by his surveyor and Wolsey.
- [Cromwell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/cromwell.md): Wolsey's loyal servant who later serves the king and supports Cranmer.
- [Griffith](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/griffith.md): Queen Katherine's gentleman usher who remains loyal to her until her death.
- [Lord Chamberlain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/lord_chamberlain.md): A court official who arranges events and interacts with nobles and the king.
- [Gardiner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/gardiner.md): The Bishop of Winchester who conspires against Cranmer and the Reformation.
- [Duke of Norfolk](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/duke_of_norfolk.md): A nobleman who opposes Wolsey and later helps bring about his downfall.
- [Cardinal Campeius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/cardinal_campeius.md): A papal legate sent to hear the king's divorce case alongside Wolsey.
- [Brandon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/brandon.md): A nobleman who arrests the Duke of Buckingham for treason.
- [Lord Sands](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/lord_sands.md): A jovial courtier who attends Wolsey's party and later the coronation.
- [Old Lady](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/old_lady.md): An attendant to Anne Bullen who comments on court life and marriage.
- [First Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/first_gentleman.md): A spectator who describes the coronation and other court events.
- [Second Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/second_gentleman.md): A spectator who discusses court gossip and the coronation.
- [Porter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/porter.md): The gatekeeper who struggles to control the crowd at the coronation.
- [Capucius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/capucius.md): Ambassador from Emperor Charles V who visits Queen Katherine in her illness.
- [Denny](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/denny.md): A courtier who brings Cranmer to the king during the conspiracy.
- [Doctor Butts](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/doctor_butts.md): The king's physician who alerts him to the council's mistreatment of Cranmer.
- [Nicholas Hopkins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/nicholas_hopkins.md): A monk who prophesies Buckingham's rise to power, leading to his arrest.
- [Sir Nicholas Vaux](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/sir_nicholas_vaux.md): A courtier who oversees preparations for Anne's coronation.
- [Sir Henry Guildford](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/sir_henry_guildford.md): A courtier who appears at Wolsey's party and in court scenes.
- [Patience](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/patience.md): Queen Katherine's servant who attends her in her final illness.
- [Surveyor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/surveyor.md): Buckingham's former servant who testifies against him at his trial.
- [Earl Surrey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/earl_surrey.md): Buckingham's son-in-law who later helps bring down Wolsey.
- [John de la Car](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/john_de_la_car.md): A character mentioned in the context of Buckingham's conspiracy.
- [Sir William Blomer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/sir_william_blomer.md): A minor character referenced in the play's historical background.
- [Mary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/mary.md): A servant or attendant mentioned briefly in the play.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/characters