Earl of Wiltshire and Ormonde

Thomas Boleyn could trace his ancestry only to the 13th century. His family was originally from Norfolk where they lived as tenant farmers. In 1457, a Sir Geoffrey Boleyn was serving as Lord Mayor of London. He wed Anne, heiress of Lord Hoo and Hastings, and - through her - acquired Hever Castle in Kent and Blickling Hall in Norfolk. His son became a knight under Richard III and a baron under Henry VII. He married a great heiress as well; she was Margaret, daughter of Thomas Butler, 7th earl of Ormond. He was incredibly wealthy and bequeathed Margaret 36 manors. Their eldest child was Thomas Boleyn, Mary's father. Thomas had married Elizabeth Howard by 1501. Their three surviving children were born within the next 10 years.566