Thomas Parr (courtier) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Thomas Parr
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Close-up of Thomas in a sketch of the Parr tomb at St. Anne's, Blackfriars Church.
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| Born | c. 1478 Kendal Castle, Kendal, Westmorland, England |
| Died | 12 November 1517 Blackfriars, London |
| Buried | Blackfriars Church, London, England |
| Spouse(s) | Maud Green, Lady Parr |
| Issue | Catherine, Queen of England and Ireland William Parr, 1st Marquess of Northampton Anne Parr, Countess of Pembroke |
| Father | Sir William Parr |
| Mother | Elizabeth FitzHugh |
Sir Thomas Parr (born around 1478 – died 11 November 1517) was an important person in the English court. He is most famous for being the father of Queen Catherine Parr. Catherine was the sixth and last wife of King Henry VIII. Thomas Parr came from Kendal in Westmorland, which is now part of Cumbria, England.
Contents
Sir Thomas Parr's Early Life
Thomas was the oldest son of Sir William Parr and Elizabeth FitzHugh. His family had royal connections. Through his mother, Elizabeth, he was a descendant of King Edward III of England. His grandparents on his father's side were Sir Thomas Parr of Kendal and Alice Tunstall.
His mother's parents were Sir Henry FitzHugh, 5th Baron FitzHugh, and Lady Alice Neville. Lady Alice was the daughter of Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury. This Earl of Salisbury was the father of "Warwick, the Kingmaker". Warwick was a very powerful figure during the War of the Roses.
His Family and Siblings
Thomas had three full siblings. He also had three half-siblings from his mother's second marriage.
His full siblings were:
- Anne Parr (died 1513). She married Sir Thomas Cheney.
- William Parr, 1st Baron Parr of Horton (around 1483 – 1547). He was knighted in 1513. He became a sheriff and later a Baron. He was also the chamberlain for his niece, Queen Catherine Parr.
- John Parr (died 1508). He married Constance Vere but had no children.
After Thomas's father died, his mother married Sir Nicholas Vaux. Their children, Thomas's half-siblings, were:
- Katherine Vaux (around 1490 – around 1571). She married Sir George Throckmorton.
- Alice Vaux (died 1543). She married Sir Richard Sapcote.
- Anne Vaux. She married Sir Thomas Lestrange.
Education and Career
The Parr family of Kendal was a well-known family in northern England. They owned a lot of land. Since 1381, they had been very important in southern Westmorland. Thomas's mother and grandmother had both served as ladies-in-waiting to queens. This helped Thomas get a good education at the English court.
Thomas likely studied with Maurice Westbury of Oxford. He learned classical Greek and Latin, as well as modern languages. Westbury was a teacher at Lady Margaret Beaufort's estate in Collyweston, Northamptonshire.
At Collyweston, young gentlemen received an education. They also made important political connections. These connections were very helpful for their future careers. Thomas's family had close ties to Lady Margaret Beaufort.
Sir Thomas More was a relative of Sir Thomas Parr through marriage. Parr liked More and respected his intelligence. He also supported the ideas of his cousin, Sir Cuthbert Tunstall. Tunstall's teachings included mathematics. Thomas's daughter, Catherine, used these math skills later in her life.
Sir Thomas Parr's Rise to Power
Under King Henry VIII, the Parr family became very successful. As Thomas's career grew, his family's influence, money, and titles increased.
He became a Master of the Wards. He was also appointed Master of the Guards. He served as the Comptroller to the King. He was knighted and became High Sheriff of Northamptonshire in 1509. He was also Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1510.
His wife, Maud, became a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine of Aragon. Before their first surviving child, Catherine, was born, the couple bought a house in Blackfriars, London. Sir Thomas was well-liked by King Henry. Even though he was rich and owned land, Sir Thomas never became a baron.
Marriage and Children
In 1508, Thomas Parr married Maud Green (born 1492 – died 1531). Before their most famous child, Catherine, was born, Maud had a son. Sadly, this baby did not survive long after birth, and his name is unknown.
After their fourth child, Anne, was born, Maud became pregnant again around 1517. This was the same year her husband died. Sadly, this child also did not survive. This was a very difficult time for Maud, as her husband died, and she had to manage his estate.
The children of Sir Thomas and Maud who survived were:
- Catherine Parr (1512–1548). She became Queen Consort of England and Ireland. She married four times:
- Sir Edward Burgh in 1529.
- John Nevill, 3rd Baron Latimer in 1534.
- King Henry VIII in 1543.
- Sir Thomas Seymour in 1547. They had one daughter, Mary Seymour.
- William Parr, 1st Marquess of Northampton (around 1513–1571). He married three times but had no children.
- Anne Parr, Countess of Pembroke (around 1515–1552). She married William Herbert in 1538. They had two sons and one daughter.
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Catherine Parr, the sixth Queen of Henry VIII.
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Anne Parr, Countess of Pembroke.
Sir Thomas Parr's Death
Sir Thomas became very ill in November 1517. He wrote his will to make sure his wife and children were provided for. His two daughters were to receive dowries (money or property given by a bride's family). His only son, William, was to inherit most of his estate.
Because Sir Thomas died before his children were adults, Maud became an executor of his will. She worked with Sir Cuthbert Tunstall, Sir William Parr (the children's uncle), and a Dr. Melton.
Sir Thomas died at his home in Blackfriars, London, on 11 November 1517. He was buried in St Anne's Church, Blackfriars. His tomb was very detailed. His wife, Maud, was later buried next to him.
