John Thynne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Thynne
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Portrait of Thynne in 1566
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| Born | c. 1515 Church Stretton, Shropshire
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| Died | 21 May 1580 Longleat, Wiltshire
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| Resting place | Longbridge Deverill |
| Nationality | English |
| Other names | John Boteville |
| Occupation | Steward |
| Employer | Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset |
| Spouse(s) | (1) Christiana Gresham, daughter of Sir Richard Gresham, Lord Mayor of London (2) Dorothy Wroughton, daughter of Sir William Wroughton, of Broad Hinton, Wiltshire |
| Children | John, Dorothy, Anne, Francis, Thomas, Elizabeth, Catherine, Frances, Maria, Egremont, Henry, Charles, Edward, and William |
| Parent(s) | Thomas Thynne (alias Botteville) and Margaret Eynns, daughter of Thomas Eynns |
Sir John Thynne (born around 1515 – died May 21, 1580) was an important English official. He worked as a steward for Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset. Sir John was also a member of Parliament. He is most famous for building the amazing Longleat House. His family later became the Marquesses of Bath.
Contents
Early Life and Family History
John Thynne's family also used the name Boteville. So, he was often called Thynne alias Boteville.
He was born in Church Stretton, Shropshire, in 1515. John was the oldest son of Thomas Thynne and Margaret Eynns. His uncle, William Thynne, worked for King Henry VIII. William was also a writer and editor.
We don't have much information about John Thynne's early life. But his uncle's connection to the royal court might have influenced him.
Sir John Thynne's Career and Public Service
The first time we hear about John Thynne is in 1535. He was working for Lord Vaux of Harrowden. Records show he was part of Lord Vaux's household.
Later, in 1536, Thynne became a steward for Edward Seymour. Seymour's sister, Jane Seymour, became Queen to King Henry VIII. Thynne stayed as Seymour's steward until 1552.
Working for Edward Seymour
Edward Seymour became very powerful. He was made Lord Protector of England in 1547. This happened when his nephew, Edward VI, became king. Seymour gained many lands and properties.
John Thynne was a very hard-working servant. He also became successful as his master's power grew.
Thynne joined Seymour on military trips in 1542 and 1544. He was likely at the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542. He was made a knight after the victory at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547.
In 1547, Thynne also became a freeman of the City of London. He joined the Worshipful Company of Mercers, a powerful trade group.
Building His Own Estates
Even while working for Seymour, Thynne started buying his own lands. He bought property in western England and Oxfordshire. In 1539, he leased land in Devon.
His most important purchase was the land of the former Carthusian Longleat Priory. He bought this land in 1540. More lands from other priories were given to Seymour by the Crown. Seymour then sold these to Thynne in 1541. This gave Thynne a large estate near Seymour's own lands.
Starting in 1546, Thynne spent over 35 years building a grand house at Longleat.
Serving in Parliament
Thynne became a member of parliament for Marlborough in 1545. He also represented Salisbury in 1547. Some historians believe he was an MP for Marlborough even earlier.
He also served as sheriff of Somerset and Dorset from 1548 to 1549.
In 1549, he made a good marriage to Christian Gresham. She was the daughter of Sir Richard Gresham.
Challenges and Return to Power
The Duke of Somerset lost his power in 1549. John Thynne was put in the Tower of London twice. He was first arrested in October 1549. He was described as one of the Duke's main helpers.
In August 1550, he was pardoned and got his property back. But he was sent to the Tower again in October 1551. After Somerset was executed, Thynne lost his jobs and much of his land. He also had to pay a large fine. He then went to live a quiet life at Longleat.
When Queen Mary became queen in 1553, Thynne announced her as queen in Warminster. He continued to live in Wiltshire during her rule.
When Queen Elizabeth I became queen, many of Thynne's friends returned to power. He was able to get back some of his old jobs and expand his lands again.
Thynne served as a member of parliament again. He represented Wiltshire in 1559 and 1571. He was also an MP for Great Bedwyn in 1563 and Heytesbury in 1572.
He was High Sheriff of Wiltshire from 1568 to 1569. He also served as a Justice of Peace for Wiltshire until his death.
When he died in 1580, Thynne owned lands in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Oxfordshire. He also had property in London, Westminster, and Bristol. He was buried in the church at Longbridge Deverill, Wiltshire. His funeral was very grand, with many people attending.
Building Longleat House
John Thynne helped Seymour plan a large house at Great Bedwyn. This house was not finished when Seymour lost power. But letters show Thynne was in charge of the plans. He also helped build Seymour's Somerset House in London.
At Longleat, Thynne spent 37 years designing and building his own grand house. It had four sides and followed a new style called neo-classical. He used the best builders and artists. These included the English master builder Robert Smythson and the French builder Alan Maynard.
In 1567, there was a big fire at the house. But Thynne kept working on it. Longleat became a model for new buildings. Robert Smythson later designed other famous houses like Hardwick Hall and Wollaton Hall. He is known as a very important architect from that time.
Marriages and Children
Sir John Thynne was married twice.
- First, in 1549, he married Christiana Gresham. She was the daughter of Sir Richard Gresham. Her brother, Sir Thomas Gresham, started the Royal Exchange. John and Christiana had three sons and six daughters:
- John Thynne (died 1604) was their oldest son. He was made a knight by King James I. He married Joan Hayward. She brought new lands to the Thynne family.
- Dorothy Thynne (died 1592) married Sir John Strangways.
- Anne Thynne married John Cole.
- Francis Thynne married Alice Knocker.
- Thomas Thynne married Emily Bembridge.
- Elizabeth Thynne married John Chamberlayne.
- Catherine Thynne married Walter Long and later Hugh Fox.
- Frances Thynne.
- Maria Thynne.
- Second, around 1566, after his first wife died, he married Dorothy Wroughton. She was the daughter of Sir William Wroughton. Dorothy later married Carew Raleigh, who was the brother of Sir Walter Raleigh. John and Dorothy had five more sons:
- Egremont Thynne married Barbara Calthorpe.
- Henry Thynne married Elizabeth Chudleigh.
- Charles Thynne.
- Edward Thynne married Theodosia Manners.
- William Thynne married Alice Talbot.
Later Generations of the Thynne Family
John Thynne's great-grandson, Henry Frederick Thynne, became a baronet in 1641. Later, in 1682, Henry's son, Sir Thomas Thynne, became Viscount Weymouth.
In 1789, Thomas Thynne, 3rd Viscount Weymouth, became the first Marquess of Bath. This title continues to the present day with Ceawlin Thynn, 8th Marquess of Bath.
Family Coat of Arms
The Thynne family of Longleat has a special coat of arms. It is described as: "Quarterly, 1st and 4th: Barry of ten or and sable (Botteville); 2nd and 3rd: Argent, a lion rampant tail nowed and erect gules (Thynne)". This means it has four sections. The first and fourth sections have ten gold and black stripes. The second and third sections have a silver background with a red lion standing on its hind legs, with its tail knotted and pointing upwards.
