George Carey, 2nd Baron Hunsdon

He was the grandson of Mary Boleyn, the husband of Elizabeth Spencer, and a trusted courtier of Elizabeth I. But George Carey, 2nd Baron Hunsdon, wasn’t just another nobleman, he was a key figure in the world of Elizabethan theatre, a patron of Shakespeare’s acting company, and a man who rose to one of the most powerful positions at court.

Today, let’s dive into the fascinating life of George Carey, 2nd Baron Hunsdon; his Boleyn connections, his military career, and his role in shaping the golden age of Elizabethan theatre.

George Carey was born on 26th February 1548, in the reign of Edward VI. He was the eldest son of Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon, and Anne Morgan.
But his royal connections went far beyond his father’s noble status. His paternal grandmother was Mary Boleyn, the sister of Queen Anne Boleyn—which meant that George was a first cousin once removed to Queen Elizabeth I.

His father, Henry Carey, was a trusted companion of the queen, a man some believe to be Henry VIII’s illegitimate son. Whether that was true or not, the Carey family enjoyed royal favour, and this undoubtedly helped George’s rise in court.

Like many noblemen, he was well-educated, attending Trinity College, Cambridge, where he honed his skills in classics, philosophy, and governance—all of which would serve him well in his later roles.

George Carey wasn’t just a courtier—he was a soldier and a statesman.

• In 1570, he was knighted for his bravery in the Northern Rebellion, a Catholic uprising against Elizabeth I’s Protestant rule.
• In 1578, he was made Marshal of the Household, a prestigious position overseeing the royal court’s operations.
• In 1583, he became Constable of Bamburgh Castle and Captain of the Isle of Wight, playing a crucial role in defending England’s coast.
• In the 1570s, he served as a Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire, Canterbury, and Hampshire. And served as a Justice of the Peace for Hertfordshire in the 1580s, and then as the county’s Lord Lieutenant in the 1590s.
• In 1578, Elizabeth I sent him on a diplomatic mission to the Low Countries, and then in 1582 to Scotland, showing the level of trust she placed in him.
• And in 1597, he was elected to the Order of the Garter, one of the highest honours in England.

His military experience and political acumen earned him the queen’s confidence, and when his father died in 1596, George inherited the title of 2nd Baron Hunsdon, but more importantly, he took on his father’s powerful court positions, including captain of the queen’s gentleman pensioners and lord chamberlain, as well as joining the queen’s privy council.

But one of George Carey’s greatest contributions to history wasn’t on the battlefield or in the royal court—it was on the stage.

Like his father, George became a major patron of the arts, particularly the theatre. He supported The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a company of actors founded under the patronage of his father that included none other than William Shakespeare and Richard Burbage.

During Carey’s tenure as Lord Chamberlain, this acting company thrived. In fact, many of Shakespeare’s greatest plays—including Henry IV, Part 1 & Part 2, Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, and Twelfth Night—were performed under his patronage.

Why was this so important?

• The patronage of an influential nobleman protected actors and playwrights in an era when theatre was often viewed with suspicion.
• It gave Shakespeare and his company access to court performances, securing royal favour.
• It helped finance new productions, allowing for bigger and better plays to be staged.

It’s thanks to men like George Carey that Shakespeare’s works survived and flourished during the Elizabethan era.

George Carey married Elizabeth Spencer, a wealthy and highly cultured noblewoman. If you’ve watched my previous video, you’ll know that Elizabeth was a major patron of literature and music—so their marriage was something of a power couple of the arts!

They had one daughter, but no surviving male heir, which meant that after George’s death, the Hunsdon title passed to his younger brother, John Carey.

George spent his later years in declining health. By May 1603, he’d stepped down as Lord Chamberlain, and on 8th September 1603, just months after Elizabeth I’s death, he passed away.

George Carey may not be a household name, but his impact on English history was significant.

• He was a loyal courtier and cousin to Elizabeth I.
• He played a key role in military defences and diplomatic missions.
• And most importantly, he helped shape the world of Elizabethan theatre, ensuring that Shakespeare and his contemporaries thrived under noble protection.