Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.

Ever since Showtime aired THE TUDORS, I've been fascinated with Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, descended from English kings on both sides of his family and condemned to death by Henry VIII on trumped up charges of treason (by the way, I think Henry VIII was a fat fucking asshole).

Anyway, David O'Hara portrayed Henry Howard in THE TUTORS and he was magnificent. After doing some research, I come to find that Howard, along with Sir Thomas Wyatt, are considered the "Fathers of the English Sonnet".

Indeed! Here's one of Howard's sonnets:

"The Means to attain Happy Life"
by Henry Howard (1516 – 1547)

 

Martial, the things that do attain

The happy life be these, I find:—

The richesse left, not got with pain;

The fruitful ground, the quiet mind;

The equal friend; no grudge, no strife;

No charge of rule, nor governance;

Without disease, the healthful life;

The household of continuance;

The mean diet, no delicate fare;

True wisdom join'd with simpleness;

The night dischargèd of all care,

Where wine the wit may not oppress.

The faithful wife, without debate;

Such sleeps as may beguile the night:

Contented with thine own estate

Ne wish for death, ne fear his might.

 

 

Check out my favorite scene with O'Hara as Henry Howard in THE TUDORS. Henry tried to escape from the Tower of London where he was being held on suspician of treason. Begin viewing at the 4:07 mark through the end. These two scenes....they are passionate and if I could be any tragic historical figure it would be Henry Howard.