He was born circa 1528. The place of birth is unknown. He was the fourth son of John III Killigrew (d. 1567) of Arwenack, the first Governor of Pendennis Castle, of an old Cornish family, by his wife Elizabeth Trewenard, second daughter of James Trewenard of Trewenard.
He was probably educated at Cambridge, but there is no definite information on the point.
He became member of parliament for Launceston in 1553. He assisted Sir Peter Carew in escaping to the continent in January 1554, and during the remainder of Queen Mary of England's reign appears to have been in exile. Killigrew was at Paris in July 1556. In August 1557, Henry was present at the Battle of St. Quentin. Killigrew was recalled to England on the accession of Elizabeth, and she employed him on various diplomatic missions, including one to Germany in connection with negotiations for a defensive league. In July 1559 he went for a short time to assist Nicholas Throckmorton in France.
In June 1566 he was sent on a mission from Elizabeth to Mary, Queen of Scots, for the 'declaration of sundry things necessary to be reformed between them for the preservation of their amity'. He returned in the following July, and after the murder of Darnley was again sent to Scotland with a special message to the Queen of Scots, which he delivered to her 'in a dark chamber. ' In June 1566 he was sent on a mission from Elizabeth to Mary, Queen of Scots, for the 'declaration of sundry things necessary to be reformed between them for the preservation of their amity'.
He returned in the following July, and after the murder of Darnley was again sent to Scotland with a special message to the Queen of Scots, which he delivered to her 'in a dark chamber. '
Quotes from others about the person
David Lloyd praises Killigrew in his Worthies for "his learning and his artistic accomplishments. He states that, while a good musician, he was especially skilled as a painter".
On 4 November 1566 Killigrew married in the church of St Peter Le Poer, London, Catherine, fourth daughter of Sir Anthony Cooke. His wife died in 1583, and on 7 November 1590 he was married in the same church to Jaél de Peigne.
By his first wife, Killigrew had four daughters. By his second wife, he had a daughter and two sons.
married to Sir Reginald Mohun
married to Sir Edward Seymour
married first to Sir Henry Neville, and secondly to George Carleton, bishop of Chichester
married first to Sir Jonathan Trelawny, secondly to Sir Thomas Reynell, and thirdly to Sir Thomas Lower
