Henry, Lord Norris

Soldier and Statesman

In the chapel of St Andrew, off the north transept of Westminster Abbey, is a very large monument, about 24 feet high, to the memory of Henry Norris (or Norreys), 1st Baron Norris of Rycote (c.1525-1601), and his wife Margaret (died December 1599), daughter of John (Williams), 1st Baron Williams of Thame.

His life

His mother was Mary (Fiennes) and his father Sir Henry was executed by Henry VIII in 1536 for allegedly being a lover of Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth I showed Henry and Margaret particular favour, appointing him ambassador to France 1566-71 and creating him Baron Norris in 1572. He was Member of Parliament for Berkshire and for Oxfordshire and Captain of light horse in the Queen's bodyguard. Margaret was a long standing friend of the Queen, who called her affectionately "My Crow" alluding to her dark complexion. Henry and Margaret are both buried at Rycote chapel in Oxfordshire, in the grounds of their house.

Monument

The monument of alabaster and marbles, by sculptor Isaac James (original surname Haastregt), has no inscription (although there are blank panels at the base which might have been intended for one). The date of erection of the monument is not clear but it was not mentioned in William Camden's guide to the monuments published in 1606. It was erected by Francis, Earl of Berkshire (son of William Norris).

The bearded recumbent effigy of Henry wears armour, with sword but no helmet, and an ermine-lined mantle. Lady Norris's dress is partly covered by her mantle. Both have their hands in prayer and wear neck ruffs. Their heads rest on cushions, with a crest at his feet and an eel basket at hers. Either side of their effigies kneel their six sons in armour and trunk breeches but without helmets. They also had a daughter Catherine who married Sir Anthony Poulett, Governor of Jersey.

Only their third son Sir Edward Norris, M.P. and Governor of Ostend, survived his father. He married Elizabeth Webb (heir of Sir John Norris of Fifield). They had no children and he died in 1603 and was buried at Englefield in Berkshire. His figure is shown looking upwards (not visible in the picture), whereas the other sons all have bowed heads and praying hands to indicate they died before their father.

William (d.1579), Marshal of Berwick and Captain of Horse in Ireland, died of fever in Newry. He had married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Richard Morrison, and his son Francis inherited his estates.

Sir John Norris (c. 1547-1597),was a celebrated military commander known as 'Black Jack'. He served in the Netherlands, Brittany and Ireland. He died unmarried at Norris Castle, Mallow, co. Cork in Ireland, the home of Sir Thomas, of gangrene.

Sir Henry Norris (1554-1599) was educated at Oxford university and was also a soldier and died of wounds.

Maximilian, who died of wounds in Brittany in 1593, was buried in St Helier town church, Jersey in the Channel Islands.

Sir Thomas Norris (1556-1599), President of Munster, married Bridget Kingsmill. They had a daughter Elizabeth who married Sir John Jephson. Sir Thomas died of wounds at his home in Ireland and was returned to Rycote for burial.

The heavy canopy is supported on eight Corinthian columns. The carved shield on the top section of the monument includes the coat of arms of Norris of Rycote, supported by two monkeys. The square top pedestal depicts military scenes on all four sides, and is surmounted by a small statue of Fame, which has lost its trumpet. The carved scene on the south is of cavalry in the field and can be seen from the chapel. The northern scene depicts infantry. A monochrome painted scene with military emblems can be glimpsed on the west side from the north transept. The east shows another battle scene. These reliefs could be by de Floris, a notable sculptor from the Low Countries.

Elizabeth, Baroness Norris

The family estates passed to Francis, son of William Norris and his wife Elizabeth. He was created 1st Earl of Berkshire and married Lady Bridget de Vere, daughter of Edward, 17th Earl of Oxford. He killed himself with a crossbow at Rycote in 1622. Their daughter Elizabeth, Baroness Norris was buried in St Nicholas' chapel in the Abbey on 28th November 1645. Her husband was Edward Wray, groom of the bedchamber to the King, whom she married at St Mary Aldermanbury church in London in 1622.

Buried with her is her daughter Bridget (born 1627), also Baroness Norris, who married Edward Sackville, son of the 4th Earl of Dorset. She married secondly (as his second wife) Montagu Bertie, 2nd Earl of Lindsey. She was buried as the Countess of Lindsey on 24th March 1657. Her son James Bertie became Lord Norris of Rycote and later Earl of Abingdon. Neither lady has a monument or inscribed stone.