# Gardiner — Henry VIII character guide

> Gardiner in Henry VIII by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Gardiner, Gardiner Dread sovereign, Gardiner Good master secretary

**First appearance:** 0019-act-v-scene-i

## Snapshot

The Bishop of Winchester, a patient and venomous plotter who works by night to root out Cranmer, Cromwell, and the queen they serve.

## Who they are

Gardiner is a man of the old order, courteous on the surface and ruthless underneath, who greets Sir Thomas Lovell at one in the morning with talk of rooting out 'rank weeds.' He admits he has already incensed the council against Cranmer and arranged for the archbishop to be convented before the king. His whispered conspiracies give the play its sense of a court where doctrine and self-interest are inseparable, and where the Reformation's future hangs on who reaches the king first.

## Relationships

### [Cardinal Wolsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/cardinal_wolsey)

_professional_

Gardiner is Wolsey's secretary and protégé, but later betrays him to side with the king.

### [Duke of Buckingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/duke_of_buckingham)

_rivalry_

Gardiner is aligned with Wolsey against Buckingham, contributing to his downfall.

### [King Henry VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/king_henry_viii)

_professional_

Gardiner serves Henry as a bishop and advisor, rising in power after betraying Wolsey.

### [King Henry VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/king_henry_viii)

_professional_

Gardiner serves Henry as a bishop and advisor, rising in power after betraying Wolsey.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Appointed as the king's new secretary, acknowledging Wolsey's role in his rise.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Bishop of Winchester, newly preferred from the king's secretary, and noted as no great lover of Cranmer.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Bishop of Winchester, conspiring against Cranmer and Cromwell, reveals his plot to Lovell.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii)

Leads the charge against Cranmer, accusing him of heresy and advocating for harsh treatment, but is rebuked by the king.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/gardiner
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters