A brief history of the
life of Sir Thomas Wyatt
Thomas Wyatt was born in Kent, in
1503 to Henry and Anne Wyatt. Not much is known about Wyatt's childhood
education however it is known that he attended St. John's College, University of
Cambridge in 1516. In about 1520, Wyatt married Elizabeth Brooke, the daughter
of Lord Cobham; they had a son in 1521 and named him Thomas Wyatt Jr. At this
point in time Wyatt would have only been 17-18, a very young age for a boy to
marry and have a child. (DNB, pg 1099) In 1525 Wyatt separated from his wife as
he believed that she was committing adultery. (www.tudorplace.com)
At this period in time it is believed that Wyatt developed an interest in Anne
Boleyn.
Wyatt went on a diplomatic mission to France in 1526; and to Venice and the
papal court in Rome in 1527. He received the title of High Marshal of Calais
(1528-1530) and Commissioner of the Peace of Essex in 1532. Wyatt also
accompanied King Henry and Anne Boleyn (the King's mistress) on their visit to
Calais. (www.netpoets.com)
Wyatt was
knighted in 1535; however soon after in 1536 Wyatt was imprisoned in the Tower
for arguing with the Duke of Suffolk. The real reason he was imprisoned was
probably because he was suspected of having an affair with Anne Boleyn. During
his time of imprisonment Wyatt witnessed the execution of his beloved Anne and
from the tower he wrote
V. Innocentia Veritas Viat Fides
Circumdederunt me inimici mei. Wyatt was let go sometime after
May 19th 1536, and returned to favor. (http://en.wikipedia.org)
In 1536 after he was pardoned, Wyatt was knighted. He then worked for a period
as a sheriff in 1537. (DNB, pg 1099)
In 1541, Wyatt was charged with treason and again imprisoned in Bell tower.
During his imprisonment he wrote 'Defense'. Yet again Wyatt was given a royal
pardon this time by Queen Catherine Howard. Not long after his pardon and
release Wyatt fell ill and died at Sherborne on October 11th 1542.
Wyatt and Surry were two of the first poets to introduce the sonnet into
English. Wyatt is often referred to as the "father of the English sonnet". Wyatt
also wrote “extraordinarily accomplished imitations of Petrarch's sonnets,
including 'I
find no peace' ('Pace non trovo') and 'Whoso
List to Hunt'”. (www.luminarium.org)
The “deer with a jeweled collar” (www.luminarium.org)
in the latter sonnet is most likely referring to Anne Boleyn.
Sites that offer more information on the life of Sir Thomas Wyatt
http://www.netpoets.com/classic/biographies/075000.htm
http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/Bios/ThomasWyatt(Sir)1.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Thomas_Wyatt
Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 21. Pg 1098-1100. London: Oxford University Press, 1909.
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