John Luttrell (soldier) facts for kids
Sir John Luttrell (born around 1518 or 1519 – died July 10, 1551) was an important English soldier and diplomat. He was also a courtier, meaning he served in the royal court. Sir John lived during the reigns of King Henry VIII and his son, King Edward VI. He came from Dunster Castle in Somerset.
Sir John Luttrell worked closely with Edward Seymour, who was first the Earl of Hertford and later became the Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector (like a regent for the young king). Luttrell fought in battles in Scotland and France. His bravery and service are remembered in a special painting by Hans Eworth.
Contents
Life as a Soldier and Diplomat
Early Life and Family
John Luttrell was the oldest son of Sir Andrew Luttrell. His mother was Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Wyndham. John married Mary, who was the daughter of Sir Griffith Ryce. They had three daughters named Catherine, Dorothy, and Mary.
When John was a boy, he and his younger brother served as pages (assistants) in the household of Cardinal Wolsey. This was during Wolsey's trip to France in July 1527. John's uncle, Thomas Wyndham, also served there.
Fighting in Scotland: The Rough Wooing
John Luttrell joined Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, in military trips to Scotland. These trips were part of a conflict called the Rough Wooing. This was when England tried to force Scotland to agree to a marriage between young King Edward VI of England and Mary, Queen of Scots.
Luttrell was there when the English army captured Edinburgh and Leith. He was made a knight at Leith on May 11, 1544. This happened right after Edinburgh was captured and burned.
Battles in France
In 1546, the wars in Scotland were still going on. Luttrell went with Hertford to France. Hertford was in charge of the English forces at the captured port of Boulogne.
Luttrell led 100 soldiers for five months. They took part in many "fast moving raids, vicious skirmishes, and ambushes" against the French army.
Return to Scotland and the Battle of Pinkie
After King Henry VIII died in January 1547, Hertford became the Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector. He continued Henry's plan to make Scotland an ally of England. This was still part of the "Rough Wooing."
In September 1547, Luttrell went with Somerset's army back into Scotland. He led the front group of 300 men at the Battle of Pinkie. The Scottish forces were strongly defeated in this battle.
Leading English Bases
After the Battle of Pinkie, Luttrell became the captain of the English base at Inchcolm Abbey. This abbey was on an island in the Firth of Forth. From there, he tried to stop Scottish ships, but he didn't have much success. His uncle, Thomas Wyndham, visited him in December with two warships.
On December 28, 1547, Luttrell raided Burntisland. He burned ships and buildings at the pier. Rossend Castle also surrendered to him. Eventually, the English left Inchcolm.
In March 1548, Luttrell was sent north to be captain of Broughty Castle. This castle was important because it controlled the Tay and the city of Dundee.
Challenges and Diplomacy
In August 1548, Luttrell heard rumors that he had not managed royal money well. He said that even though he wasn't as rich as others, he was a loyal subject to the King. One of Luttrell's brothers was killed in Dundee in November 1548.
In early 1549, Spanish soldiers led by Pedro de Negro joined Luttrell at Broughty. Luttrell was also trusted as a diplomat. In March 1549, he was chosen as one of two English representatives. Their job was to talk with Scottish leaders about getting the French (who were allied with Scotland) out of Scotland. They also hoped to arrange a marriage between King Edward and Mary, Queen of Scots. However, these talks did not succeed.
Some of Luttrell's letters from this time were captured by the French. One interesting letter was his "letter of defiance" to James Doig of Dunrobin. Doig was besieging Luttrell at Broughty Castle in November 1548.
The war was starting to turn in Scotland's favor. On February 12, 1550, Luttrell and his soldiers at Broughty surrendered to a combined French and Scottish force.
Prisoner and Release
Luttrell was held for ransom by James Doig of Dunrobin. On March 29, 1550, the Treaty of Boulogne was announced in England. This treaty officially ended the war. Thomas Wyndham was sent to Scotland to exchange five Scottish hostages for Luttrell.
On May 16, 1550, Archbishop Hamilton arranged for Luttrell's ransom of £1000 to be paid. This was in exchange for the sons of George Douglas of Pittendreich and the Master of Semple. George Douglas's son later became Regent Morton, who ruled Scotland.
Luttrell was then arrested for a debt he owed to a merchant in Dundee. Regent Arran paid this debt of £19-11s in September 1550.
Back in England, Luttrell was rewarded with land in July 1550. This gift came from John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, who had taken control of the King's Council.
Sir John Luttrell died on July 10, 1551, from a widespread illness called the sweating sickness. He was getting ready for a trip to Morocco with his uncle, Thomas Wyndham, at the time. His three daughters inherited part of his lands. The rest went to his next brother, Thomas Luttrell.
The Famous Portrait
A special painting of John Luttrell is called an allegorical portrait. It shows him with goddesses like Pax (peace), Venus (love), Minerva (wisdom and war), and the Three Graces (beauty and charm). This painting by Hans Eworth is believed to celebrate Luttrell's military service. It also marks the Treaty of Boulogne from March 24, 1550, which ended the long war between England, Scotland, and France. John was still a prisoner in Scotland after the treaty until his debts and ransom were paid in September 1550.
The painting has many hidden meanings about Luttrell's military service. It also hints at the importance of sea power in the war. A famous scholar named Dame Frances Yates explained these meanings in 1967.
An inscription on a rock in the front of the painting says:
More than the Rock Amydys the Raging Seas,
The Constant Hert no Danger Dreddys nor Fearys
S. I. L. (Sir John Luttrell), 1550 HE (Hans Eworth)"
This means that a brave heart fears no danger, just like a rock in a stormy sea.
His right bracelet says, "Nec Fregit Lucrum 1550," which seems to mean "Not for Cold Profit." The left bracelet says, "Nec Fingit Discrimen," which might mean "Not to Discriminate." These phrases may come from the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, an ancient Roman emperor and philosopher.
The original painting, signed with Eworth's "HE" symbol, was given to the Courtauld Institute of Art in 1932. It was in "badly damaged" condition but has since been carefully fixed. A well-preserved copy was made by George Luttrell in 1591. This copy now hangs at Dunster Castle and helped Dame Frances Yates with her research.
Images for kids
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Arms of Luttrell: Or, a bend between six martlets sable
