George Carew (English admiral)

Admiral Sir George Carew
by Hans Holbein the Younger, Royal Collection, Windsor Castle
Born	c. 1504 Preston, Devon
Died	19 July 1545(1545-07-19), aged c. 41 Portsmouth harbour, Battle of the Solent
Allegiance
Service/branch	Army, Navy

Sir George Carew (c. 1504 – 19 July 1545) was an English soldier, admiral and adventurer during the reign of King Henry VIII who died in the sinking of the Royal Navy flagship Mary Rose at the Battle of the Solent during an attempted French invasion in the Italian War of 1542–1546. Scion of a controversial and dramatic family, Carew had a wild youth and explored widely, being arrested several times of associating with rebellious vassals of the king. Carew successfully tamed this nature in his later years, during which he became a trusted advisor and military officer in the King's service.

He was the son and heir of Sir William Carew (died 1538) of Mohuns Ottery near Luppitt in Devon by his wife Joane Courtenay, second daughter of Sir William I Courtenay (died 1485) of Powderham, Sheriff of Devon in 1488. The exact date of George Carew's birth is unknown, but it is thought to have occurred between 1497 and 1504.

George and his brother Peter Carew were sent to be educated in the household of their mother's cousin Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter. There they learned from adventurous relatives like their uncle Gawen Carew and kinsman Nicholas Carew, the latter of whom was later arrested and executed for treason.

Carew trained in the law, but swiftly became bored and in 1526 was in Blois, France, seeking service with Louise of Savoy, the French Regent. This attempt to serve a foreign power came to nothing, and was pardoned by King Henry VIII in November of the same year. The King also overlooked his youthful indiscretions with the followers of Elizabeth Barton and encouraged responsible behaviour in the young man.