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King Henry VIII
The king of England, Henry begins the play under the powerful influence of Cardinal Wolsey, who convinces him that his marriage to the queen is illegal. So, Henry divorces Katherine, intending to marry the beautiful Anne Bullen (the historical Anne Boleyn). He finally realizes that Wolsey is manipulating him, strips the cardinal of his title and wealth, then marries Anne. His triumph is secured at the play’s end, when Anne gives birth to a girl, the future Queen Elizabeth.
Read an in-depth analysis of King Henry VIII.
Cardinal Wolsey
The cardinal of York and the king’s right-hand man, Wolsey is a relentless schemer whose various political plots serve to enrich his coffers at the expense of nearly everyone else. He also undermines the king’s authority by making underhanded deals with other leaders and levying novel taxes in Henry’s name. Wolsey is directly involved in the downfall of both Buckingham and Katherine, but eventually the king intercepts documents that reveal his many evil dealings. Enraged at Wolsey’s betrayal, Henry strips the cardinal of everything. Wolsey repents his wrongdoing, and soon after he grows sick and dies.
Read an in-depth analysis of Cardinal Wolsey.
Queen Katherine
The queen of England, Katherine was originally married to Henry VIII’s brother. She married Henry after her first husband’s death, and it’s the terms of this remarriage that stand at the heart of the debate about her union with Henry. Though the divorce is ultimately sanctioned by the highest authorities, Katherine makes a fierce display of her honor and nobility. Demoted to her former status as princess dowager, Katherine grows sick and dies.
Read an in-depth analysis of Queen Katherine.
Buckingham
The duke Buckingham has just returned from France, where he has developed a grudge against Cardinal Wolsey. He complains that Wolsey unfairly influences the king. Wolsey orders him arrested. At his trial, Buckingham is convicted of having plotted to gain the throne, and he is sent off for execution.
Anne Bullen
Anne Bullen (the historical Anne Boleyn) is an unmarried lady when the king meets her at Cardinal Wolsey’s dinner party. He is much impressed with her and apparently has her in mind throughout his divorce proceedings. She later becomes queen, but her marriage and coronation both take place offstage—as does the birth of her daughter, Elizabeth. Her minimal presence in the play may reflect the fact that, historically, she was arrested and executed not long after the events depicted in the play.
Cranmer
The archbishop of Canterbury, Cranmer spends the first acts of the play offstage, traveling to colleges to ask scholars about the legality of the king’s divorce. As he travels, Gardiner spreads rumors about him and plots his demise. The king discovers this plot and intervenes to save Cranmer, ultimately employing him to baptize Elizabeth.
Cardinal Campeius
An emissary from the pope, Campeius has come to assess the situation of Henry’s divorce and give his decision about its legality. He carries papers from Rome that apparently grant the divorce, since Henry plans to carry it out. Campeius also collaborates with Wolsey in pressuring Katherine to agree to the divorce. Eventually, he flees to Rome after Wolsey’s wrongdoings are discovered.
Norfolk
A lord of the court, the duke of Norfolk initially urges Buckingham to refrain from criticizing Cardinal Wolsey. After Buckingham’s fall, Norfolk and other lords meet to scheme against the cardinal, helping to bring about his disgrace. Norfolk is later promoted and attends the baptism at the end of the play.
Suffolk
A lord of the court, the duke of Suffolk is present at many court scenes. After the fall of Cardinal Wolsey, Suffolk gets a promotion. He is a member of the Privy Council that tries Cranmer.
Lord Chamberlain
A lord of the court, Lord Chamberlain is present at many court scenes. He is a member of the Privy Council that tries Cranmer.
Lord Chancellor
A lord of the court, Lord Chancellor is present in many court scenes and presides over the Privy Council that tries Cranmer.
Cromwell
Friend of Cardinal Wolsey, Cromwell is devastated by Wolsey’s demise. Yet Wolsey encourages him to go back to the king and continue serving the state. Wolsey tells Cromwell to be honorable and humble, to not have ambition or do what Wolsey has done. Cromwell follows through soon thereafter, as one of Cranmer’s only supporters.
Sands
A lord of the court, Sands is present in many court scenes. Sands flirts with Anne Bullen at Wolsey’s dinner party before the king meets and marries her.
Lovell
A lord of the court, Lovell is present in many court scenes.
Gardiner
Formerly Cardinal Wolsey’s secretary, Wolsey assigns Gardiner to the king with the understanding that he will remain loyal to Wolsey. When Wolsey falls from grace, Gardiner is promoted to bishop of Winchester and becomes a member of the Privy Council. Gardiner accuses Archbishop Cranmer of being a Protestant and tries to bring him down. However, the king intervenes and chides Gardiner for being a cruel schemer.
Guilford
A lord of the court, Guilford announces the beginning of Wolsey’s dinner party.
Vaux
A lord of the court, Vaux escorts Buckingham to his death.
Surrey
The son-in-law of Buckingham, Surrey is a lord of the court. Because of Buckingham’s demise, Surrey is angry at Cardinal Wolsey and wants to engineer his fall.
Abergavenny
Buckingham’s friend, taken to the Tower at the same time Buckingham is arrested.
Brandon
Sergeant at arms, Brandon is sent to arrest Buckingham.
Denny
A lord of the court, Denny brings Cranmer to speak to the king.
Butts
The king’s doctor, Butts sees the Council is up to no good when they refuse Cranmer entrance to the Privy Council, of which he is a member. He watches the trial of Cranmer unobserved from above with the king.
Buckingham’s Surveyor
The Surveyor is brought in by Cardinal Wolsey to speak against Buckingham at his trial. The Surveyor managed Buckingham’s lands but was fired by Buckingham because of complaints against him from tenants. Hence, the Surveyor holds a grudge against Buckingham.
Old Lady
Anne Bullen’s attendant, she encourages Anne to agree to marry Henry.
Griffith
Queen Katherine’s attendant, Griffith speaks kindly of Cardinal Wolsey, thus, convincing Katherine to cease hating him.
Capuchius
An ambassador from the king of Spain in the English court, the king sends Capuchius to talk to Katherine. Katherine gives Capuchius a letter asking Henry to care for their child and her servants.
The Child
The offspring of Henry and Anne, christened Elizabeth, who will later become Queen Elizabeth.
Gentlemen
Several unnamed lords who meet in the street to discuss Buckingham’s sentencing and Anne’s coronation.
Porter
The porter and his man work to control the crowd that has shown up for the newborn princess’s baptism.
