SIR THOMAS BULLEN

SIR THOMAS BULLEN, Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, 1538

Located in the St. Peter's Church at Hever Castle, Kent, this life size brass effigy is laid atop a black marble tomb.
It is one of only a few monuments depicting the knight in the full insignia of the order of the garter, at his feet a griffin.
His head on which is a jeweled coronet, rests upon a helmet having for crest a demi-eagle.

Thomas Bullen, the father of Anne Boleyn was held in great esteem by Henry VIII for many years before the marriage. He was made knight of the King's body, treasurer of the household, and repeatedly employed at embassies to Emperor Maximilian and to the courts of France and Germany.

His titles include Viscount of Rochford, earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, and lord privy seal. 

When his daughter Anne was charged with adultery he did little to help her, and he died two years after her execution.

The titles he had acquired were given back to their original owners.

He survived the ill fate of his daughter and her brother by two years.

The monumental brass was probably made in Belgium, where many examples similar in style are found. 

The inscription reads:
" Here lieth Sr Thomas Bullen Knight of the Order of te Garter Erle of Wilscher and 

Erle of Ormunde wiche decessed the 12 dai of Marche in the iere of our Lorde 1538"

The brass rubbing was done on a black background using gold, silver and copper waxes.

Using three colors helps to define all the elaborate details of this brass. 

It may be ordered at the Wachs Brass Rubbing Centre as shown or in a single color.