Background
Carne was born around 1500 to Howell Carne of Cowbridge in Glamorgan, and his wife Cicily, the daughter of William Kemys. Carne was descended from Thomas Le Carne, who was the second son of Ithyn, King of Gwent.
Carne was born around 1500 to Howell Carne of Cowbridge in Glamorgan, and his wife Cicily, the daughter of William Kemys. Carne was descended from Thomas Le Carne, who was the second son of Ithyn, King of Gwent.
He was educated at Oxford University, and became principal of Greek Hall.
He was made Doctor of Civil Law in 1524. Carne became known as an erudite and eloquent speaker and became attached to the court of Henry VIII. In 1530 he was selected in a legal capacity to represent the embassy of the Earl of Wiltshire, Anne Boleyn"s father. Carne profited from the Dissolution of the Monasteries in Glamorgan, where he purchased Ewenny Priory.
In 1539 he obtained the lease of Gaunt"s Hospital, Bristol, and acted as its treasurer.
Bristol Corporation objected, and in 1540 the church was purchased by Bristol Corporation. He was appointed High Sheriff of Glamorgan for 1543 and 1554, Master of Requests from 1540 to 1554 and was elected knight of the shire (Member of Parliament) for Glamorgan in 1554.
During Queen Mary"s reign he served on embassies to Emperor Charles V and to Rome, where he chose to remain on the accession of Elizabeth I and was put in charge of the English hospital of Saint Thomas in the city. He is buried in the narthex of the Church of Saint Gregory on the Caelian Hill in Rome.