Robert Tyrwhitt (courtier) facts for kids

Sir Robert Tyrwhitt (born by 1504 – died May 10, 1572) was an important person in England during the time of King Henry VIII and his children. He worked for the royal family and was also a politician. He was the second son in his family and grew up at the royal court. This means he lived and worked near the King and Queen.

Sir Robert became an Esquire of the Body. This was a special job where he was a personal attendant to the King. He also became very wealthy and owned a lot of land. In 1543, he was made a knight, which was a great honor.

Sir Robert's Career and Royal Service

Working for the Queen

In 1544, Sir Robert Tyrwhitt had an important job as the Master of the Horse for Catherine Parr, who was King Henry VIII's last wife. In this role, he was in charge of all the Queen's horses and stables. He also helped with military campaigns. During a war in France, he was responsible for moving weapons and supplies for the army.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

Sir Robert was also a Member (MP). An MP is a person chosen to represent an area in the English Parliament. The Parliament was a group of people who helped make laws for the country. Sir Robert was an MP for Lincolnshire in 1545. Later, he represented Huntingdonshire in 1554 and again in 1559.

Local Leadership Roles

Besides his work in Parliament, Sir Robert also held important local jobs. He was appointed High Sheriff of Lincolnshire for the year 1540 to 1541. A High Sheriff was a very important official who helped keep law and order in their county. He was also the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire from 1557 to 1558.

Homes and Family Life

His Main Home

In 1548, Sir Robert bought a large estate called the manor of Leighton Bromswold in Huntingdonshire. This beautiful place became his main home. He also had a house in Mortlake, Surrey, where he and his wife sometimes lived. His wife was also a courtier, meaning she worked at the royal court too.

His Marriages

Sir Robert Tyrwhitt was married two times. His first wife was Bridget. She was the daughter of Sir John Wiltshire. His second wife was Elizabeth. She was the daughter of Sir Goddard Oxenbridge.

A Note on Similar Names

Sometimes, Sir Robert Tyrwhitt is confused with his nephew, who was also named Robert Tyrwhitt. This can be tricky because both men were Members of Parliament and both married women named Elizabeth Oxenbridge!