Gregory Cromwell

Gregory Cromwell
Unknown youth, possibly Gregory Cromwell, circa 1535–1540, Hans Holbein the Younger
Born	c. 1520 London
Died	4 July 1551 (aged 30–31) Launde Abbey, Leicestershire, England
Cause of death	Sweating sickness
Resting place	Launde Abbey Chapel 52°37′52″N 0°49′23″W / 52.631111°N 0.823056°W / 52.631111; -0.823056
Title	Baron Cromwell
Tenure	1540–1551
Known for	Son of Henry VIII's chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex
Nationality	English
Residence	Launde Abbey
Locality	Leicestershire
Successor	Henry Cromwell, 2nd Baron Cromwell
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Seymour
Issue	Henry Cromwell, 2nd Baron Cromwell Edward Cromwell Catherine Cromwell Frances Cromwell Thomas Cromwell
Parents	Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex Elizabeth Wyckes

Gregory Cromwell, 1st Baron Cromwell, KB (c. 1520 – 4 July 1551) was an English Peer. He was the only son of the Tudor statesman Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex (c. 1485 – 1540) and his wife Elizabeth Wyckes (c. 1489 – c. 1528).

Gregory's father Thomas Cromwell rose from obscurity to become the chief minister of Henry VIII, who attempted to modernize government at the expense of the privileges of the nobility and church. He used his office to promote religious reform and was one of the strongest advocates of the English Reformation.

In 1537, Gregory married Elizabeth, Lady Ughtred, widow of Sir Anthony Ughtred, sister to Jane Seymour and therefore became brother-in-law to Henry VIII and uncle to Edward VI. Gregory survived the dramatic fall from royal favour and subsequent execution of his father in 1540, as well as the ousting of his brother-in-law and patron, Edward Seymour in 1549. He became a wealthy landowner, owning land and property in several counties in England, mainly in Rutland and Leicestershire.

Gregory's family connections had provided him with wealth, property and privileges; however, it was through his own intelligence and ability, combined with the remarkable education and training provided by his father, that he was able to benefit from them, leaving his wife and family well provided for at his death. Gregory was succeeded by his eldest son, and heir, Henry.

Gregory Cromwell died in July 1551, the same month as Henry Brandon, the young Duke of Suffolk and his brother Charles. There does not appear to be a surviving portrait of Gregory Cromwell; however, given Thomas Cromwell's patronage of Hans Holbein the Younger, it would be surprising if no portrait was painted during his youth or at the time of his marriage.