Francis Bryan

Sir
Francis Bryan
Lord Justice of Ireland
Preceded byWilliam Brabazon
Succeeded byThomas Cusack
Personal details
Bornc. 1490
Buckinghamshire, England
Died2 February 1550
Clonmel, Ireland
Parents
Relatives
Jane Seymour (half second cousin)

Sir Francis Bryan (c. 1490 – 2 February 1550) was an English courtier and diplomat during the reign of Henry VIII. He was Chief Gentleman of the Privy chamber and Lord Justice of Ireland. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Bryan always retained Henry's favour, achieving this by altering his opinions to conform to the king's.[1] His rakish sexual life and his lack of principle at the time of his cousin Anne Boleyn's downfall led to his earning the nickname the Vicar of Hell.[2]

  1. ^ Weir, Henry VIII, p. 183.
  2. ^ Weir, Henry VIII, p. 379.