Brian Tuke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Brian Tuke
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Brian Tuke portrait by Hans Holbein c. 1527
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| Died | 1545 |
Sir Brian Tuke (died 1545) was an important person in the court of Henry VIII, the famous English king. He worked as a secretary for both King Henry VIII and his powerful advisor, Cardinal Wolsey. Later, he became the treasurer of the king's household, which meant he managed the royal money.
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Who Was Sir Brian Tuke?
Sir Brian Tuke was likely the son of Richard Tuke and Agnes Bland. His family lived in Kent, a county in England. It's thought that his father or grandfather, also named Richard, taught Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk. This connection might have helped Brian Tuke get a job at the royal court.
Starting His Career
In 1508, Brian Tuke became the king's bailiff (a type of official) in Sandwich, Kent. A year later, in 1509, he was made a Clerk of the Signet. This was a job where he helped prepare official documents for the king. He also worked as a clerk for the council in Calais, a French city that was then part of England.
Working for the King
Brian Tuke traveled with King Henry VIII to Tournai in 1513. He also wrote letters with Richard Pace, who was Cardinal Wolsey's secretary. These letters shared important information about the Battle of Flodden, a big battle between England and Scotland.
Sir Brian Tuke's Important Jobs
Sir Brian Tuke held many important positions during his life. He was known for being very good at managing official communications and finances for the king.
Master of the Posts
One of his earliest big jobs was being the Master of the Posts. This meant he was in charge of the system for sending letters and messages across the country. He was officially given this role in 1517 by King Henry VIII. This job was a very early version of what we now call the Postmaster General.
Secretary and Clerk
In 1516, he became a knight, which was a special honor. He also worked as a secretary for Cardinal Wolsey. In 1522, he became the king's French secretary. This meant he handled many important letters and documents, especially those related to France. There are hundreds of mentions of him in the official records from Henry VIII's time.
Treasurer of the Household
In 1523, Tuke was given the job of Clerk of the Parliament. This role involved keeping records of what happened in Parliament. In 1528, he helped negotiate for peace with France. In the same year, he became the treasurer of the household. This was a very important job where he managed the king's money and expenses.
Later Life and Death
Brian Tuke continued to serve the king well. He was also the High Sheriff of Essex and High Sheriff of Hertfordshire in 1533. He received many rewards for his service, including land. He kept his important jobs until he died on October 26, 1545. He was buried with his wife in St Margaret Lothbury church.
Sir Brian Tuke's Family
Sir Brian Tuke married Grissell Boughton. They had three sons and three daughters. His sons, Maximilian and Charles, died before or soon after him. His third son, George Tuke, inherited his property.
His daughter, Elizabeth, married George Tuchet, 9th Baron Audley. His other daughter, Mary, married Sir Reginald Scott. Mary and Sir Reginald had several children, including Mary Scott. This Mary Scott later married Richard Argall and had five sons, including Sir Samuel Argall, who was an important explorer.
Sir Brian Tuke and the Arts
Sir Brian Tuke was not just a government official; he also supported artists and scholars. He was a patron of the famous artist Holbein, whose salary Tuke was responsible for paying.
The scholar John Leland praised Tuke for his speaking skills. Tuke also wrote the introduction for an important edition of Chaucer's works, published in 1532. He was a well-respected figure in both politics and the world of learning.
