Henry Jerningham KB (1512–1572) was an English courtier during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I. He served as Vice-Chamberlain of the Household and Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard.
He was the son of Sir Edward Jerningham of Cotesby Hall, Bolton, Yorkshire, and Mary Scrope. His stepfather was Sir William Kingston, lieutenant of the Tower of London. He was born in Wingfield Castle, Suffolk. He was a prominent supporter of Mary Tudor and rebelled against the accession of Lady Jane Grey. Jerningham's mother and stepfather had been the gaolers of Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I's mother and the second wife of Henry VIII.
When Mary took the Throne in 1553 she appointed him her vice-chamberlain and captain of the guard. In 1553 he was sworn of the Privy Council, and at Mary's coronation was created a Knight of the Bath.[1] In 1556 he was promoted to Master of the Horse, a senior post in the royal household.
He was a Member of Parliament throughout Mary I's reign, four times for Suffolk between 1553 and 1555 and then for Gloucestershire in 1558.[1]
Jerningham's Catholic beliefs led him to retire from politics during Elizabeth I's reign.[1] He died on 7 September 1572, in Painswick, Gloucestershire. He had married Frances, the daughter of Sir George Baynham of Clearwell, Gloucestershire, with whom he had three sons and two daughters. He left his estate to be divided betweeh his two surviving sons, Henry and William, on the death of his wife.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir John Gates |
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household 1553–1557 |
Succeeded by Sir Henry Bedingfeld |
| Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard 1553–1558 |
Succeeded by Sir William St Loe |
|