Thomas Clere facts for kids

Sir Thomas Clere (died 14 April 1545) was an English poet who lived during the time of King Henry VIII. He was known for his writing and was a friend of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, another famous poet.

Who Was Sir Thomas Clere?

Sir Thomas Clere was a talented poet who worked at the royal court of King Henry VIII. He was highly regarded by his friends and fellow writers.

Early Life and Family

Thomas Clere was the third son of Sir Robert Clere from Ormesby St. Margaret in Norfolk. His mother, Alice, had important family connections. Her father was Sir William Boleyn. This made Alice the sister of Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire.

This means that Sir Thomas Clere was the first cousin of Anne Boleyn, who became King Henry VIII's second Queen. This connection placed him close to the royal family.

A Poet at Court

Sir Thomas Clere was a successful poet. He was part of the vibrant cultural scene at King Henry VIII's court. His work was admired, and he was remembered in poems by his close friend, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. Their friendship was very strong and important to both poets.

Friendship and Engagement

Sir Thomas Clere and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, shared a deep friendship. The Earl of Surrey even wrote poems that honored Sir Thomas Clere.

In 1545, Sir Thomas Clere became engaged to Mary Shelton. However, he sadly passed away on April 14, 1545, before they could get married.

His Legacy

Sir Thomas Clere was buried in the Church of St Mary at Lambeth in Surrey. You can still see a special brass memorial there that marks his burial place. His brother, Edward Clere, later died in 1547 during the Battle of Pinkie.