Thomas Dingley facts for kids

Sir Thomas Dingley was an important English knight who lived a long time ago. He was a leader, called a prior, for a special group of knights known as the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. These knights were like a military and religious order. Sir Thomas Dingley is remembered as a Catholic martyr, meaning he died for his religious beliefs. He was executed on July 9 or 10, 1539.

Sir Thomas Dingley's Life

Sir Thomas Dingley was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. His father was John Dingley, and his mother was Mabel. She was the daughter of Edmund Weston.

Accusations and Execution

During the time of Henry VIII of England, Sir Thomas Dingley was accused of a serious crime called treason. Treason means trying to harm your country or its ruler. He was accused, along with another person named Robert Granceter, of talking to leaders in other countries. The accusation was that they were trying to get these foreign leaders to start a war with the King of England.

Sir Thomas Dingley did not have a trial. There was also no clear proof that he had done anything wrong. However, he was found guilty of treason on April 28, 1539. He was then executed by beheading on Tower Hill. Another knight, Sir Adrian Fortescue, was executed at the same time.

Historians have slightly different ideas about the exact date Sir Thomas was executed. Some old records say it was July 10, while others say July 9.

Connection to Malta

There is a village called Dingli on the island of Malta. It is thought that this village might have been named after Sir Thomas Dingley. This is because he used to own land in that area.