# Griffith — Henry VIII character guide

> Griffith in Henry VIII by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Griffith, good Griffith, Griffith Noble madam, Griffith Madam

**First appearance:** 0017-act-iv-scene-ii

## Snapshot

Queen Katherine's gentleman usher, whose quiet loyalty outlasts her crown and follows her all the way to her deathbed at Kimbolton.

## Who they are

Griffith moves through Katherine's household as its steady, reverent center, correcting a messenger's rudeness and standing by a queen who has lost everything but her dignity. He is the witness to her decline, present when her face grows pale and her dreams turn strange, and he carries her last petitions to the king. His constancy makes Katherine's fall feel not abstract but intimate, a household's grief rather than a court's transaction.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Griffith is a gentleman usher to Queen Katherine, serving the king indirectly with loyalty.

### [Queen Katherine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/queen_katherine)

_friendship_

Griffith is a faithful servant and friend to Katherine, defending her honor and offering comfort.

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

_rivalry_

Griffith is loyal to Katherine and critical of Wolsey, creating an adversarial dynamic.

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

_rivalry_

Griffith is loyal to Katherine and critical of Wolsey, creating an adversarial dynamic.

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

_professional_

Griffith is a gentleman usher to Queen Katherine, serving the king indirectly with loyalty.

### [Queen Katherine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/queen_katherine)

_friendship_

Griffith is a faithful servant and friend to Katherine, defending her honor and offering comfort.

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

_rivalry_

Griffith is loyal to Katherine and critical of Wolsey, creating an adversarial dynamic.

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

_professional_

Griffith is a gentleman usher to Queen Katherine, serving the king indirectly with loyalty.

## In the story

### [Scene IV: The Divorce Trial at Blackfriars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv)

Attends Queen Katherine and informs her that she is called back to court.

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

Katherine's gentleman usher, who recounts Wolsey's death and defends his virtues, and attends her in her final moments.

## Links

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