Wednesday's Royal Who?

Who am I?

I was born in 1503 at Allington Castle, Maidstone, Kent. My father Henry was a member of King Henry VIII Privy Councillors. I was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge University. In 1521 I married Elizabeth Brooke and had two children. It was a loveless marriage and by 1524 I sued for divorce on the grounds of adultery. I was soon after part of King Henry VIII court as an Ambassador at home and abroad.

It was during this time at court that I met and fell madly in love with Anne Boleyn.
I wrote several poems for my beautiful Anne the most famous was:

Whoso list to hunt

Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind,
But as for me, alas, I may no more,
The vain travail hath wearied me so sore.
I am of them that farthest cometh behind;
Yet may I by no means my wearied mind
Draw from the Deer: but as she fleeth afore,
Fainting I follow. I leave off therefore,
Since in a net I seek to hold the wind.
Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt,
As well as I may spend his time in vain:
And, graven with diamonds, in letters plain
There is written her fair neck round about:
Noli me tangere for Caesar’s I am.

There was much gossip around court that Anne and I were lovers, but I will remain discreet. However, if you read closely, Whoso list to hunt, you may find some interesting metaphors such as hind, deer, she fleeth, fainting I follow, and she wears the necklace proclaiming Caesar's I am, therefore poor me I can no longer be apart of Anne's life for Henry's she is.

I was charged with treason several times in my life and thrown in the tower, but I always was pardoned. The hardest and most ridiculous charge was that I had been Queen Anne's lover while she was wed to the King. I will go to my death proclaiming my innocence and hers of all counts of treason.

While I was in the tower I witnessed Anne's execution and I wrote this poem:

V. Innocenti Veritas Viat Fides Circumdederunt me inimici mei;.latin for 'my enemies surround my innocent, truthful, faithful soul'.

Who list his wealth and ease retain,
Himself let him unknown contain.
Press not too fast in at that gate
Where the return stands by disdain,
For sure, circa Regna tonat.
The high mountains are blasted oft
When the low valley is mild and soft.
Fortune with Health stands at debate.
The fall is grievous from aloft.
And sure, circa Regna tonat

These bloody days have broken my heart.
My lust, my youth did them depart,
And blind desire of estate.
Who hastes to climb seeks to revert.
Of truth, circa Regna tonat

The bell tower showed me such sight
That in my head sticks day and night.
There did I learn out of a grate,
For all favour, glory, or might,
That yet circa Regna tonat

By proof, I say, there did I learn:
Wit helpeth not defence too yerne,
Of innocency to plead or prate.
Bear low, therefore, give God the stern,
For sure, circa Regna tonat.

I will die 11 October 1542 in my own bed at the age of 39. While I was alive none of my poems were published. I will be remembered in history as one of the father's of the English Sonnet. I am buried in Sherborne Abbey, in Dorset.

Who am I?