Gervase Helwys

Sir Gervase Helwys
Born1 September 1561
Died20 November 1615
(aged 54)
Tower Hill, London, England
Cause of deathHanging
Resting placeThe Tower of London, Westminster
NationalityEnglish
Other namesGervase Helwysse
Jervis Yelwys
EducationMiddle Temple
Alma materNew Inn
OccupationLieutenant of the Tower of London
EmployerHenry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton
Known forComplicity in murder of Sir Thomas Overbury
TitleSir
Opponents
SpouseMary Brooke
ChildrenWilliam
Thomas
Nathaniel Gervase John
Elizabeth Bridget
Maria
Jane
Anna
Francesca
Parent(s)John Helwys
Mary Blagden
RelativesThomas Helwys

Sir Gervase Helwys (1 September 1561 – 20 November 1615), also known as Jervis Yelwys, was a Lieutenant of the Tower of London found guilty of complicity in the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury and hanged in 1615. The scandal provoked much public and literary conjecture and irreparably tarnished King James I's court with an image of corruption and depravity. There are variations in the spelling of Helwys: Helwis, Helwiss, Helewyse, Helwysse, Yelwys, Ellowis, Elwys, Elwis, Elvis, Elwes, and Elwaies.[1]

  1. ^ "Nottinghamshire history > Articles > Broxtowe Hall". nottshistory.org.uk.