Anthony Knyvett (Black Rod)

Sir Anthony Knyvett (circa 1486 to 1549) held the office of Black Rod in the English parliament from 1536 to 1543.

He was described as a gentleman usher of the privy chamber to Henry VIII, with Roger Ratcliffe, in the Eltham Ordinance of 1526.

Anthony was knighted after 15 November 1538, while serving as Porter of Calais.

Knyvett was Lieutenant of the Tower of London and is mentioned in Foxe's Book of Martyrs for refusing to continue torturing the Protestant Anne Askew on the rack. He was made Governor of Portsmouth in 1544 and oversaw the building of Southsea Castle in that year.