Biography of Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton 1505-1550
Paternal Family Tree: Wriothesley
1546 Arrest of Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk and his son Henry
1546 Henry VIII Revises his Will
Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton educated at St Paul's School.
Before 1505 [his father] William Wriothesley (age 16) and [his mother] Agnes Drayton of London were married.
On 21 Dec 1505 Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton was born to William Wriothesley (age 16) and Agnes Drayton of London.
Before 26 Apr 1513 [his father] William Wriothesley (age 24) died.
In 1522 Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton (age 16) admitted at Trinity College, Cambridge University [Map].
In 1533 Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton (age 27) and Jane Cheney Countess Southampton (age 24) were married.
Around 1535 [his daughter] Elizabeth Wriothesley was born to Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton (age 29) and [his wife] Jane Cheney Countess Southampton (age 26).
Around 1535 Hans Holbein The Younger (age 38). Portrait of Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton (age 29).
1537. During the Suppression of the Monasteries Titchfield Abbey, Hampshire [Map] was given to Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton (age 31). He converted the main buildings into Place House.
Around 1543 [his daughter] Mabel Wriothesley was born to Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton (age 37) and [his wife] Jane Cheney Countess Southampton (age 34).
In 1545 Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton (age 39) was appointed 317th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 53).
On 24 Apr 1545 [his son] Henry Wriothesley 2nd Earl of Southampton was born to Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton (age 39) and [his wife] Jane Cheney Countess Southampton (age 36).
On 09 May 1546 George Blagge (age 34) was induced to deny the efficacy of the Mass, by trickery he alleged, while walking home after church. He was immediately summoned by Thomas Wriothesley (age 40), the Lord Chancellor, and sent to Newgate Prison [Map]. At his trial at the Guildhall [Map], the main witnesses for the prosecution were Littleton (age 41) and Sir Hugh Calverley (age 42), MP for Cheshire. On their evidence, Blagge (age 34) was sentenced to be burned for heresy the following Wednesday. Fortunately for him, the Lord Privy Seal, John Russell (age 61), appealed on his behalf to the king (age 54), who had not heard of the proceedings to that point. Henry (age 54) immediately pardoned Blagge and ordered Wriothesley to release him.
The History of England under Henry VIII 1546. 02 Dec 1546. The first that manifested himself was Sir Richard Southwel (age 43), who (Dec. 2.) said that he knew certain things of the earl, that touched his fidelity to the king: the earl, before the Lord Chancellor Wriothesley (age 40), the Lord St. John, the Earl of Hertford, and others, vehemently (Dec. 2.) affirmed himself a true man, desiring to be try'd by justice, or else offering himself to fight in his shirt with Southwel: but the lords for the present only committed them. The duke this while, hearing his son was in trouble, sends (Dec. 3. 4.) to divers of his friends to know the cause, and particularly to the Bishop of Winchester: those letters yet (it is probable) fell into the king's council's hands; but could not preserve him from being involved in his son's fortune: so that (Dec. 12.) he was sent for, and the same day, not long after his son, committed to the Tower. Divers persons also were examined concerning his affairs. Mrs. Elizabeth Holland being disposed, confess'd, that the duke had told her, that none of the king's council loved him, because they were no noblemen born themselves; as also because he believ'd too truly in the sacrament of the altar. Moreover, that the king loved him not, because he was too much lov'd in his country; but that he would follow his father's lesson, which was. that the less others set by him, the more he would set by himself. As also, that the duke complain'd that he was not of the most secret (or, as it is there term'd, the privy) council. And that the king was much grown of his body, and that he could not go up and down the stairs, but was let up and down by a device. And that his majesty was sickly, and could not long endure; and the rea.lm like to be in an ill case thro' diversity of opinions. And that if he were a young man, and the realm in quiet, he would ask leave to see the vernacle; which he said, was the picture of Christ given to women by himself as he went to death. As touching his arms, that she had not heard the duke speak of his own, but of his son's, that he liked them not, and that he had gather'd them, himself knew not from whence; and that he placed the Norfolk's arms wrong, and had found fault with him: and therefore that she should take no pattern of his son's arms to work them with her needle in his house, but as he gave them. Furthermore, she confess'd that the Earl of Surrey lov'd her not, nor the Dutchess of Richmond him; and that she addicted herself much to the said dutchess.
Mary Dutchess of Richmond being examin'd, confess'd that the duke her father wou'd have had her marry Sir Thomas Seymour, brother to the Earl of Hertford, which her brother also desir'd, wishing her withal to endear her self so into the king's favour, as she might the better rule here as others had done; and that she refused: and that her father would have had the Earl of Surrey to have matched with the Earl of Hertford's daughter, which her brother likewise heard of (and that this was the cause of his father's displeasure) as taking Hertford to be his enemy. And that her brother was so much incens'd against the said earl, as the duke his father said thereupon, his son would lose as much as he had gather'd together.
On 30 Dec 1546 Henry VIII (age 55) made his last revision to his will signed using the Dry Stamp that was used increasingly commonly. The will confirmed the succession as King Edward VI of England and Ireland (age 9), Queen Mary I of England and Ireland (age 30) and Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 13).
The will appointed sixteen executors: Anthony Browne (age 46), Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (age 57), Anthony Denny (age 45), John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland (age 42), William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke (age 45), Edward Montagu (age 61), Edward North 1st Baron North (age 50), William Paget 1st Baron Paget Beaudasert (age 40), William Paulet 1st Marquess Winchester (age 63), John Russell 1st Earl Bedford (age 61), Edward Seymour 1st Duke Somerset (age 46), Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall (age 72) and Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton (age 41).
Annales of England by John Stow. 28 Jan 1547. Edward (age 9) the first borne at Hampton court [Map] (by the decease of k. Henry (age 55) his father) began his raigne the 28 of January, and was proclaimed k. of England, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, and of the churches of England and also of Ireland the supreme head immedlatly in earth under God, & on the last day of January, in the yere of Christ after the Church of England 1546 but after the accompt of them that begin the yere at Chatfimas 1547 being then of the age of nine yéeres. And the same day in the afternoone the saide young king came to the tower of London [Map] from Hertford, and rode into the City at Aldgate, and so along the wall by the crossed Friars [Map] to the Tower hill, & entred at the red bulwarke [Map], where be was received by sir John Gage (age 67) constable of the tower, and the lieutenant on horseback, the Earle of Hertford (age 47) riding before the king, and sir Anthony Browne (age 47) riding after him: and on the bridge next the warde gate, the archbishop of Canterbury (age 57), the lorde Chancellor (age 41), with other great lords of the Councell received him, and so brought him to his chamber of pretence, there they were sworne to his majesty.
Diary of Edward VI. 31 Jan 1547. The next day, being the [31st] of [January], he was brought to the towre of London, whear he taried th'espace of three wekes; and in the mean season the counsel sat every day for the performaunce of the will1, and at length thought best that the erle of Hartford shuld be made Due of Somerset, sir Thomas Seimour Lord Sudley, the erle of Essex Marquis of Northampton (age 35), and divers knights should be mad Barons, as the lord Sheffield (age 25), with divers other.2 Also thei thought best to chose the duke of Somerset to be Protectour of the realm and Governour of the Kinges person during his minorite, to which al the gentlemen and lordes did agre becaus he was the Kinges oncle on his mother's side.3 Also in this time the late King was buried at Windsor with much solemnite, and th' officers broke their staves, hurling them into the grave.4 But thei were restored to them again when thei come to the towre.
Note 1. The Will of Henry the Eighth was printed at length in 4to. 1793. The proceedings of the privy council with regard to its execution will be found in the Appendix.
Note 2. The creations were:
1. The protector to be Duke of Somerset;
2. The earl of Essex (age 35) (brother to the queen dowager) to be Marquess of Northampton;
3. The lord Lisle (age 43) to be Earl of Warwick;
4. the lord chancellor Wriothesley (age 41) to be Earl of Southampton;
5. sir Thomas Seymour (age 39) to be Lord Seymour of Sudeley;
6. sir Richard Rich (age 50) to be Lord Rich of Leez;
7. sir William Willoughby (age 32) to be Lord Willoughby of Parham; and
8. sir Edmund Sheffield (age 25) to be Lord Sheffield of Butterwick. The ceremonial of their creations will be found in the Appendix.
Note 3. On the subject of the Protectorate the reader is referred to the Appendix. The duke was also constituted Lord Treasurer on the 10th of February, and the next day sworn in to that office before the lord chancellor in Westminster hall. He further became Earl Marshal (see the next page), both these high offices being vacated by the attainder of the duke of Norfolk.
Note 4. The ceremonial of the Funeral of Henry the Eighth is printed at length in Strype's Eccles. Memorials, vol. ii. Appx. A. The interment was accomplished on the 14th Feb.
On 16 Feb 1547, three weeks's after the death of King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (deceased), the new Council promoted themselves ...
Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton (age 41) was created 1st Earl of Southampton in accordance with Henry VIII's (deceased) will for which he was nominated executor. [his wife] Jane Cheney Countess Southampton (age 38) by marriage Countess of Southampton.
Edward Seymour 1st Duke Somerset (age 47), the King's uncle, was created 1st Duke Somerset. Since he was Protector and head of the Privy Council at the time he effectively created himself Duke. Anne Stanhope Duchess Somerset (age 50) by marriage Duchess Somerset.
William Willoughby 1st Baron Willoughby of Parham (age 32) was created 1st Baron Willoughby Parham. Elizabeth Heneage Baroness Willoughby Parham (age 29) by marriage Baroness Willoughby Parham.
Wriothesley's Chronicle 1547. The sixth daie of March the great scale of England was taken Lord Sir Thomas Wrythesley, Earle of Southampton (age 41) and Chauncelor of office, of Englande, which daie was the second Soundaie of Lente, and so was brought to my Lord Protecter (age 47), and on the morrowe it was delivered to my Lord Sainct John (age 64), my gret mastera, to keepe as conservator of the same till the counsell had sett further order therin.
Wriothesley's Chronicle 1547. The 23rd dale of October Sir William [Paulet], Lord Sainct John (age 64), and Lord Great Master of the Kinges howse, delivered the Great Seale of England to the Kinges Majestie (age 10) and my Lord Protector, which he had bene custos of synce the dismission of my Lord Wriothesley (age 41), late Chauncelor; and the same daie Sir Richard Rich (age 50), Lord Rich, was chosen Lord Chauncelor, and the Kinges great scale delivered unto him; and the 26th daie of October he was sworne Lord Chauncelor in the Chauncerie in Westminster Hall.
Annales of England by John Stow. 02 Feb 1550. On Candlemas day, William L. Saint-John earle of Wiltshire (age 67), L. great master, and president of the Counsell, was made Lord Treasurer: John Dudley earle of Warwike (age 46), lord great chamberlaine, was made lorde great master; William Parre Marques of Northhampton (age 38), was made Lorde great Chamberlaine: Lord Wentworth (age 49) was made L. chamberlaine of houshold: Sir Anthony Wingfield (age 63) captaine of the guard, was made comptroller of the kings house; and Thomas Darcy (age 43) knight, was made viz chamberlaine, and captaine of the Guard: and the earle of Arundel late lord Chamberlaine, with the Earle of Southampton (age 44), were put of the counsell, and commanded to heepe their houses in London.
The submission of the D. of Somerset (age 50) prisoner in the tower, made the 2, of Febuary.
On 30 Jul 1550 Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton (age 44) died. He was buried on 04 Aug 1550 at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map]. His son [his son] Henry Wriothesley 2nd Earl of Southampton (age 5) succeeded 2nd Earl of Southampton.
Diary of Edward VI. 31 Jul 1550. Th'erl of Southampton (deceased)5 died.
Note 5. Thomas Wriothesley (deceased), formerly lord chancellor (see before, p. 211). See a description of his funeral in Machyn's Diary, p. 1; and the note, p. 313. Mr. J. Payne Collier has an old copy of his will, which was made 21 July, 4 Edw. VI. and proved 14 May, 1551, by Jane (age 41) his widow and sir Edmund Peckham (age 55). In early life he had been clerk to Peckham, then cofferer of the household (21 Hen. VII.). Trevelyan Papers, p. 168.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 04 Aug 1550. The imperfect paragraph with which the Manuscript now begins relates to the funeral of Sir Thomas Wriothesley (deceased), Earl of Southampton, K,G. who died on the 31st July 1550, and was buried on the 4th of August at St. Andrew's, Holborn [Map], Sir John Hoper, priest, preaching at his funeral, - Strype, Memorials, fol. 1721, ii<. (283).
Note. Thomas Wriothesley, earl of Southampton. The first person noticed by our funereal chronicler was one of the most remarkable men of his age: one who had attained the summit of the law, and who was aspiring to the summit of the state. The historian Carte attributes his death to mortified ambition, and so does Lord Campbell in his recent Lives of the Chancellors: on this part of his history see the Archaeologia, vol. xxx. p. 468.
It should be remarked that, though the body of the earl of Southampton was at first buried in Saint Andrew's Holborn, it was afterwards removed to Tichfield [Map] in Hampshire, where a sumptuous monument with his effigy still exists. There is a fine portrait of him in Chamberlain's Holbein Heads.
On 15 Sep 1574 [his former wife] Jane Cheney Countess Southampton (age 65) died.
[his daughter] Katherine Wriothesley was born to Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton and Jane Cheney Countess Southampton.
[his daughter] Anne Wriothesley was born to Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton and Jane Cheney Countess Southampton.
St Peter's Church, Titchfield [Map]. The monuments to the Wriothesley family in Titchfield.The three main effigies are to Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton, his wife Jane Cheney Countess Southampton and [his son] Henry Wriothesley 2nd Earl of Southampton.
[his daughter] Mary Wriothesley was born to Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton and Jane Cheney Countess Southampton.
[his son] Anthony Wriothesley was born to Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton and Jane Cheney Countess Southampton.
[his son] William Wriothesley was born to Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton and Jane Cheney Countess Southampton.
GrandFather: John Writhe
Father: William Wriothesley
Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton
Mother: Agnes Drayton of London
