View source for Thomas Wyatt the Younger

{{short description|English rebel leader during the reign of Queen Mary I (1521–1554)}}
{{Moresources|date=December 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix          = [[Sir]]
| name                      = Thomas Wyatt
| honorific_suffix          = 
| image                     = HolbeinThomasWyatt.jpg
| alt                       = 
| caption                   = Portrait of Thomas Wyatt the Younger circa 1540–42
| birth_name                = Thomas Wyatt the younger
| birth_date                = 1521
| birth_place               = [[Chatham, Kent|Chatham]], [[Kent]], England
| death_date                = 11 April {{Death year and age|1554|1521}}
| death_place               = [[Tower Hill]], London, England
| burial_place             = St Mary the Virgin and All Saints Churchyard, [[Boxley]], [[Kent]]
| occupation                = Politician and rebel leader 
| spouse                    = Jane Haute
| partner                   = 
| children                  = Francis<br />[[George Wyatt (writer)|George]]<br />Richard<br />Charles<br />Arthur<br />Henry<br />Joyce<br />Ursula<br />Anne<br />Jane
| parents                   = [[Thomas Wyatt (poet)|Sir Thomas Wyatt]]<br/>[[Elizabeth Brooke, Lady Wyatt|Elizabeth Brooke]]
}}

'''Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger''' (1521{{snd}}11 April 1554)<ref>"Wyatt, Sir Thomas." The Oxford Companion to British Literature. Ed. Cannon, John.1997. Print.</ref> was an English politician and rebel leader during the reign of [[Queen Mary I]]; his rising is traditionally called "[[Wyatt's rebellion]]". He was the son of the English poet and ambassador [[Thomas Wyatt (poet)|Sir Thomas Wyatt]].

==Origins==
He was the son of the poet Sir [[Thomas Wyatt (poet)|Thomas Wyatt]] who introduced the [[sonnet]] into English literature.<ref>Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger and Wyatt's Rebellion. Taylor, James D. Algora Publishing, New York, 2013; {{ISBN|978-1-62894-009-1}} Biography</ref> His mother was [[Elizabeth Brooke, Lady Wyatt|Elizabeth Brooke]], a daughter of [[Thomas Brooke, 8th Baron Cobham]], of [[Cobham, Kent|Cobham Hall]] and [[Cooling Castle]] both in Kent, by his wife, Dorothy Heydon, a daughter of Sir [[Henry Heydon]] and Elizabeth (or Anne) Boleyn, a daughter of [[Geoffrey Boleyn|Sir Geoffrey Boleyn]]. He was the grandson of Sir [[Henry Wyatt (courtier)|Henry Wyatt]] and Anne Skinner, a daughter of John Skinner of [[Reigate]], Surrey.<ref>{{Harvnb|Richardson IV|2011|pp=381–383}}</ref>

==Youth==
{{Moresources|section|date=December 2022}}
Born the eldest of four boys, Thomas Wyatt the Younger was raised a [[Roman Catholic]]. His godfather, [[Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk]] had a significant influence on Wyatt's upbringing. Throughout his childhood, Thomas accompanied his father on a delegation to Spain where the [[Spanish Inquisition|Inquisition]] began. Subsequently, at the young age of sixteen, Thomas was married to Jane Haute.

At his father's death in 1542, Thomas inherited [[Allington Castle]] and [[Boxley Abbey]] in Kent, but found both estates encumbered by debt. Further financial difficulties arose from the fact that, having been unfaithful to his wife (rumour had it that they were both unfaithful), the elder Wyatt separated from her. He had a child named Francis Darrell, whose mother was [[Elizabeth Darrell (maid-of-honour)|Elizabeth Darrell]], an unmarried daughter of Sir [[Edward Darrell (died 1530)|Edward Darrell]] of [[Littlecote House]] in [[Wiltshire]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=863}} The elder Sir Thomas left Elizabeth property in [[Dorset]], thus diminishing his son's inheritance. Nonetheless, the younger Thomas was evidently on friendly terms with his half-brother Francis, to whom he made a gift of his manor of Tarrant.

He was described as a young man of somewhat wild and impulsive temperament, and in 1543, along with other young noblemen, including [[Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey]], he was in trouble with the authorities for causing a serious public disturbance in London. In the autumn of 1543, Wyatt and Surrey joined a group of volunteers to take part in the [[Siege of Landrecies]].<ref name=two>{{cite DNB|wstitle=Wyatt, Thomas (1521?-1554)|volume=63}}</ref> Wyatt established himself as a prominent figure in the military and was praised by the professional soldier [[Thomas Churchyard]]. Next, Wyatt took part in the [[Sieges of Boulogne (1544–46)|Siege of Boulogne]] with a responsible command. 

In 1547, he was elected Member of Parliament for [[Kent (UK Parliament constituency)|Kent]]. In 1550, he was given the title of commissioner to delimit the English frontier in France but became ill and incapable of performing his duty.<ref name=two/> Later, Wyatt claimed to have assisted [[Queen Mary I]] against the [[John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland|Duke of Northumberland]] when the Duke claimed the throne for his daughter-in-law, [[Lady Jane Grey]].

==Wyatt's Rebellion==
Stemming from experiences with the [[Spanish Inquisition]] while accompanying his father, Wyatt developed an aversion to the Spanish government, which greatly affected him when he learned of Queen Mary's decision to marry [[Philip II of Spain|Philip of Spain]]. Thomas Wyatt viewed this decision as an injustice to the nation. According to Wyatt, he never planned on protesting against the [[Wedding of Mary I of England and Philip of Spain|Queen's marriage]] until he was approached by [[Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon]], who wished to prevent the Queen's plan.<ref>Alexander Samson, ''Mary and Philip: The marriage of Tudor England and Habsburg Spain'' (Manchester, 2020), pp. 82-98.</ref>
	
When the official marriage announcement was published on 15 January 1554, Wyatt and friends joined at [[Allington Castle]] to discuss plans of resistance.<ref name=two/> After several instigators were arrested, Wyatt became the leader of the rebellion. He then published a proclamation at [[Maidstone]] stating that his plan had been approved by "dyvers of the best shire". People were told to secure the advancements of "liberty and commonwealth" which were being threatened by "the Queen's determinate pleasure to marry with a stranger".
	
Wyatt proved himself to be a responsible leader, earning the praise of the French ambassador, [[Antoine de Noailles]]. Soon, Wyatt was responsible for commanding 1,500 men. He set up his command headquarters in [[Rochester, Kent|Rochester]] on 26 January.

Shortly after he had established his headquarters, Queen Mary was informed of Wyatt's plan. The Queen offered a pardon to followers of Wyatt who retreated peacefully to their homes within twenty-four hours. Despite this, Thomas Wyatt encouraged his followers to stay by falsely announcing imminent support from France and victorious uprisings in other areas. He was given a surprising advantage when the government instructed the Duke of Norfolk to approach Wyatt and his forces. The Duke's forces were inferior to Wyatt and the rebels. When the Duke came into contact with Wyatt, many of his own men joined the rebellion, which led the Duke to flee to [[Gravesend]].

Following these events, Wyatt and the four thousand men who accompanied him marched through Gravesend and [[Dartford]] to [[Blackheath, London|Blackheath]] in January 1553/54.<ref name=two/> Stow (1598) wrote: "in the year 1553, the 3rd February, Sir Thomas Wyat and the Kentish men marched from Depeford towards London... the draw-bridge was cut down, and the bridge gates shut."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stow |first=John |title=The Survey of London |publisher=[[J.M.Dent]] |year=1598 |location=London |publication-date=1912 |page=25 |language=English}}</ref>

The government addressed this issue with great seriousness. In an effort to gain time, the government offered Wyatt an opportunity to establish demands; however, this was only a formality. By this point, Wyatt had been deemed a disloyal adversary in the eyes of the monarchy. On 2 February 1554, over twenty thousand men volunteered to aid the Queen as defenders against Wyatt and his troops.<ref name="two" /> In addition to these precautions, other security measures were also taken. The court and the [[Tower of London]] were under especially heavy guard. Furthermore, a lucrative reward was offered in exchange for Wyatt's capture: a valuable sum of land would be awarded to anyone who handed Wyatt over as a captive.

During the negotiation, Wyatt had insisted that the Tower should be surrendered to him, and the queen put in his charge. Although the reformers in London had at first been in sympathy with him, these demands caused a negative reaction. Upon entering [[Southwark]], Wyatt and his companions soon discovered the high-security measures that had been implemented, and that [[London Bridge]] was fortified.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=863}} As a result, many of his followers abandoned him, forcing him to leave Southwark. He instead headed towards [[Kingston-on-Thames]], with new plans to surprise [[Ludgate]] and intentions to capture the Queen's refuge in [[St James's Palace]]. The government soon found out about his strategy, and responded by allowing him to progress into the city, only to corner him from all sides. After several skirmishes along the way, with the numbers of his followers dwindling continually, Wyatt eventually admitted defeat. He was arrested and taken to the Tower of London. On 15 March, after a trial which was little more than a formality, he was sentenced to death for [[high treason]].<ref name=two/> Sentence was delayed in hopes that he would place some blame on Mary's half-sister [[Elizabeth I|Elizabeth]], but he did not confess enough to put her in danger.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=863}}

==Execution==
On 11 April 1554, the scheduled date of his execution, Wyatt asked permission of [[John Brydges, 1st Baron Chandos]], the [[Lieutenant of the Tower of London]], to speak to [[Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon|Edward Courtenay, the Earl of Devon]].<ref name=two/> 

During their half-hour-long meeting, Wyatt knelt down before Courtenay and begged him "to confess the truth of himself", as Wyatt believed Courtenay was the original instigator of the crime. However, when on the scaffold, Wyatt confessed his own blame and was determined to exculpate Princess Elizabeth and Courtenay. After Wyatt was beheaded, his body was further punished according to the standards of treason. His head, before it was stolen on 17 April, was hung from a gallows. His limbs were then circulated among towns and also hung up for display.<ref name=two/>

==Marriage and issue==
In 1537, Wyatt married Jane Haute, the daughter of Sir William Haute (died 1539) of [[Bishopsbourne]], Kent, by Mary, the daughter of Sir [[Richard Guildford]].<ref name="Richardson IV 2011 382">{{Harvnb|Richardson IV|2011|p=382}}.</ref> They had six sons, [[George Wyatt (writer)|George]], Francis, Richard, Charles, Arthur and Henry, and four daughters, Joyce, Ursula, Anne, and Jane.<ref name="Richardson IV 2011 382"/> 

Three of their children married and continued the lineage. Anne married Roger Twysden, whose grandson was [[Sir Roger Twysden]]. Sir Roger inherited Wyatt the Younger's son George Wyatt's manuscript on [[Anne Boleyn]]'s life, entitled ''Extracts from the Life of Queen Anne Boleigne, by George Wyat. Written at the close of the XVIth century.''<ref name=two/>

His estates were afterwards partly restored to his son, [[George Wyatt (writer)|George]]. George's son, Sir [[Francis Wyatt]] (died 1644), was governor of [[Virginia]] in 1621–26 and 1639–42.<ref name=two/>

A great-grandson of note was explorer and interpreter, Captain Henry Fleete of Maryland and Virginia.

== In literature ==
Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger is a central character in the history play [[Sir Thomas Wyatt (play)|''Sir Thomas Wyatt'']] (published in 1607) by [[John Webster]] and [[Thomas Dekker (writer)|Thomas Dekker]].
==Footnotes==
{{reflist|30em}}

==References==
*{{Cite ODNB |title = Wyatt, Sir Thomas (c.1503–1542)
|last = Burrow
|first = Colin
|url = http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/30111
|access-date = 12 January 2013
|year = 2004
|doi = 10.1093/ref:odnb/30111
}} {{subscription required |date=January 2013}}
*{{Cite book |title = Sir Henry Lee; An Elizabethan Portrait
|last = Chambers
|first = E.K.
|location = Oxford
|publisher = Clarendon Press
|year = 1936
}}
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Wyat, Sir Thomas (conspirator)|display=Wyat, Sir Thomas|volume=28|pages=862–863}}
*{{Cite book |title = Magna Carta Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families, ed. Kimball G. Everingham
  |last = Richardson
  |first = Douglas
  |location = Salt Lake City
  |year = 2011
  |edition = 2nd
  |volume = IV
  |ref = {{sfnref|Richardson IV|2011}}|isbn =978-1460992708
}} 
*"Wyatt's Rebellion." Historical Dictionary of Tudor England 1485–1603 Ed. Fritze, Ronald H. 1991.Print.
*"Wyatt, Sir Thomas." The Dictionary of National Biography. Ed. Stephen, Sir Leslie, and Sidney, Sir Lee. 1917. Print.
*"Wyatt, Sir Thomas." The Oxford Companion to British Literature. Ed. Cannon, John.1997. Print.

==Further reading==
* Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger and Wyatt's Rebellion. Taylor, James D. Algora Publishing, New York, 2013. {{ISBN|978-1-62894-009-1}} Biography

==External links==
* {{Find a Grave|66119412}}
* {{cite book |last1=Hutchinson |first1=John |title=Men of Kent and Kentishmen |date=1892 |publisher=Cross & Jackman |location=Canterbury |page=148 |edition=Subscription  |chapter=[[s:Men of Kent and Kentishmen/Sir Thomas Wyatt, Insurgent Leader|Sir Thomas Wyatt]]}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wyatt, Thomas, The Younger}}
[[Category:1521 births]]
[[Category:1554 deaths]]
[[Category:English MPs 1547–1552]]
[[Category:Executed English people]]
[[Category:English rebels]]
[[Category:Executions at the Tower of London]]
[[Category:High sheriffs of Kent]]
[[Category:People executed by Tudor England by decapitation]]
[[Category:People executed under Mary I of England]]
[[Category:People executed under the Tudors for treason against England]]
[[Category:English politicians convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:People from Allington, Kent]]