Thomas Holcroft (politician) facts for kids

Sir Thomas Holcroft (1505 – 31 July 1558) was an important English figure in the 1500s. He was a soldier, a politician, and a landowner who worked closely with the royal court.

Holcroft became very wealthy by buying properties that used to belong to monasteries. He also gained fame as a soldier during the wars between England and Scotland. He was a strong supporter of Lord Protector Somerset, who was a powerful leader at the time. Sir Thomas also served as a representative in the English Parliament for three different areas.

Early Life and Family Background

Thomas Holcroft was born in 1505 at Holcroft Hall in Culcheth, Lancashire. His parents were John Holcroft and Margaret Massey. His family, the Holcrofts, were minor gentry, meaning they owned land but were not as powerful as nobles. They had lived at Holcroft Hall for a long time.

Thomas was a younger son, so he wasn't expected to inherit the family lands. However, his older brother, John, had no children who lived to adulthood. This meant that the Holcroft family estates would eventually pass to Sir Thomas's children. Thomas also had two sisters who married into other local landowning families. These marriages helped the Holcrofts make important connections.

Thomas Holcroft married Juliane Jennings. She was the only child of Nicholas Jennings, who owned land in Preston, Lancashire, and in London. This marriage helped Thomas begin to build his own wealth. Thomas and Juliane had two children: a son named Thomas and a daughter named Isabel. Isabel later married Edward Manners, 3rd Earl of Rutland, a very important noble.

Sir Thomas Holcroft grew his fortune in several ways. He served as a soldier, used his connections at the royal court, got well-paying jobs in the government, bought land from dissolved monasteries, and worked as a member of parliament.

Soldier, Diplomat, and Courtier

The 3rd Earl of Derby, a powerful leader in Lancashire, supported Holcroft throughout his life.

When he was young, Holcroft became a close ally of Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby. The Earl of Derby was the most powerful person in Lancashire. This connection helped Holcroft get noticed by Thomas Cromwell, who was King Henry VIII's chief minister. Most of Holcroft's later success came from his good service to the King and Cromwell.

In 1535, Holcroft was given an important job. He was sent to James V of Scotland to try and create an alliance between England and Scotland. He also explained King Henry's plan to break away from the Pope and take wealth from monasteries. In 1536, Holcroft delivered messages to Queen Margaret, Henry's sister and James's mother. However, these efforts didn't stop the two countries from heading towards war.

In 1542, Holcroft was sent north to prepare for conflict. Scottish forces attacked but were badly defeated at the Battle of Solway Moss. After this, attempts were made to end the war, but they failed.

War started again in 1543. Holcroft was sent to negotiate with Sir Norman Leslie, who was against Cardinal Beaton in Scotland. Holcroft then served in the campaign that led to the Burning of Edinburgh. In May 1544, he was made a knight by Edward Seymour for his bravery.

Holcroft also received important jobs in the Royal Household of England. He became Sewer of the Chamber in 1536 and Esquire of the Body in 1540. He also held other profitable positions, like Bailiff for the Duchy of Lancaster and receiver for Lancashire and Cheshire. These jobs gave him many useful connections.

The Siege of Haddington

Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, was Holcroft's main supporter during the reign of Edward VI.

During the reign of Edward VI of England, Holcroft gained even more power. In 1548–1549, he led the English spy network in Scotland. He even spent over £400 of his own money on this work. The English commander, Grey de Wilton, praised Holcroft's hard work and courage.

Holcroft became famous during the Siege of Haddington. The English soldiers at Haddington were surrounded by Scottish and French armies. Thomas Fisher wrote that Haddington would have fallen to the French if not for "Master Holcroft," who served wonderfully and with great generosity. King Edward VI himself noted Holcroft's efforts in his journal for bringing food to the besieged soldiers.

Somerset's Downfall

Holcroft became very close to Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who was the chief regent for the young King Edward VI. When the wars ended, Holcroft was given £100 a year for his service. However, Somerset lost power in October 1549. Although he was later released, his final downfall came in October 1551. This led to the arrest of many of his supporters, including Holcroft.

Holcroft was held in the Tower of London until June 1552. He also temporarily lost his job as receiver of the Duchy of Lancaster. However, he was able to continue his work after his release.

When Mary I became Queen, Holcroft, like many others who had supported Somerset, was back in favor. He was made Knight Marshal, an important position in the royal household, from 1556 to 1558. When war with Scotland threatened again, Holcroft was suggested as a military advisor because of his experience.

Parliamentary Career

Holcroft was first elected to Parliament in 1545 as a representative for Lancashire. By this time, he was already wealthy and had been knighted for his military achievements. The Earl of Derby, a major landowner, had a lot of influence in Lancashire elections. Holcroft, being a government official and a client of Derby, was a natural choice for Parliament.

This Parliament dealt with the wars with France and Scotland and the closing down of chantries (religious foundations). Even though Holcroft was an expert in these areas, there is no record of him speaking much in Parliament.

Holcroft was not elected to Parliament in 1547. However, he was appointed Vice-Admiral of the Coast for Cheshire and Lancashire. He was elected to Parliament again in 1553, after being released from prison.

In 1553, Holcroft was elected to represent Cheshire. Cheshire had only recently been given the right to send representatives to Parliament. Holcroft had strong connections with important landowners in Cheshire, which helped him get elected. He also likely used his good relationship with William Cecil to show his loyalty to the government.

Holcroft successfully switched his loyalty to Queen Mary without any problems. He was re-elected for Cheshire in Mary's first Parliament in 1553. This Parliament reversed many of the changes made during Edward VI's reign and brought back the Latin Mass. Holcroft was not listed as someone who supported Protestantism during this time.

In April 1554, Holcroft represented Arundel in Parliament. This area was controlled by Henry FitzAlan, 19th Earl of Arundel, another former supporter of Somerset who now supported Queen Mary. Holcroft helped Arundel with the negotiations for Queen Mary's marriage to Philip II of Spain. His election to Parliament was likely a thank you from Arundel. This Parliament lasted only one month, and Holcroft never served in Parliament again.

Landowner and Official

Holcroft gained control of many small properties through his marriage, including valuable business places in London. He used these properties to get money when needed. He and his wife Juliana sold London properties during Edward VI's reign. They also sold a larger group of properties in London, Essex, and Bedfordshire to a group that included Gilbert Gerard, Holcroft's nephew, who was a rising lawyer.

Holcroft made most of his money by buying and selling land that used to belong to monasteries. He was first appointed by Thomas Cromwell to help with the Dissolution of the monasteries in Lancashire. He then became a receiver of monastic estates, meaning he managed them. After that, he started leasing, buying, developing, and reselling these lands. He spent a total of £3,798 on monastic estates. As more religious foundations were dissolved, Holcroft served as a commissioner for them in Cheshire, Lancashire, and Chester.

He was involved in the dissolution of several monastic houses:

Holcroft gained a reputation for being very determined in acquiring monastic lands. One official reported that Holcroft was "diligent" and would take any good fee, even if his job was just to tear down the church.

The dissolution of some larger monasteries where Holcroft was involved was difficult. The Pilgrimage of Grace, a rebellion in the north, caused delays. At Cartmel, some religious canons rebelled, possibly because of Holcroft. Some of them were later executed. At Lenton and Whalley, abbots and monks were accused of treason and executed. The monks of Furness were involved in the revolt but surrendered without harm.

Vale Royal Abbey had problems even before it was dissolved. Holcroft accepted its surrender in 1538. However, the abbot then challenged Holcroft's authority. Holcroft accused the abbot of trying to keep abbey property for himself and ruining the estate. The abbot and monks were forced to leave. Holcroft first leased the property and then bought it in 1544. He tore down the church and built a large home for his family on the site. Vale Royal became the center of his landholdings.

Holcroft was very clever with his lands. He bought three friaries for £126 in 1540. Just one of them sold for the same amount three years later, and he kept the building stone for himself. At Cartmel, he tripled the rents and made £250 just from rents.

As a powerful landowner, Holcroft became High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1546. He was also Custos Rotulorum of Cheshire from 1548 to 1558, which was the most important civil administration job in the county.

Later Years and Death

Even though he didn't openly support Protestantism in Parliament, there is evidence that Holcroft used his position as knight marshal to help Protestants during Queen Mary's reign.

John Strype, a historian, wrote that Sir Thomas Holcroft and his staff were secretly friends with Protestants. They would often warn Protestants when searches were planned, so they could hide. When good people were in prison, Holcroft and his staff would try to help them as much as they safely could.

Another official, Sir John Bourne, said that Edwin Sandys, a Protestant bishop, escaped from prison with the help of Sir Thomas Holcroft or his servant. While Sandys didn't fully confirm this, another Protestant minister, Thomas Mountain, said Holcroft's secretary warned him to leave London.

Holcroft's own religious views are not entirely clear. He seemed to have a practical view of religious institutions. However, he did fall out of favor with Queen Mary's government in his last months. He was replaced as knight marshal in early 1558.

When Holcroft wrote his will on July 25, 1558, he was at the home of Michael Wentworth in Suffolk. It's possible he had been arrested and placed under Wentworth's care. He named his wife, Juliana, as the person who would manage his will and left her all his goods and leases. His brother, John Holcroft, and his nephew, Gilbert Gerard, were named as supervisors. Sir Thomas Holcroft died on July 31, 1558.

Marriage and Family

Thomas Holcroft married Juliane Jennings, the daughter of Nicholas Jennings. She was a businesswoman and landowner from Preston, Lancashire, and London. She was much younger than Thomas and lived until 1595. Their children were still young when Thomas died in 1558. He asked Juliana to raise them well.

Their children were:

• Thomas Holcroft (1557–1620): He faced financial difficulties because his mother controlled all the family property. He was known for being argumentative and was involved in duels. He died after falling down stairs. He first married Elizabeth Fitton, and after she died, he married Elizabeth Rayner.
  • His son, Thomas Holcroft, married Mary Talbot.
• Isabel: She married Edward Manners, 3rd Earl of Rutland.
  • They had a daughter, Elizabeth Manners, who married William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Exeter.

Images for kids

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  Thomas Cromwell, King Henry VIII's chief minister. He helped Holcroft gain important opportunities.

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  An unknown nobleman, possibly Lord Grey de Wilton, who praised Holcroft's actions at the Siege of Haddington.

See also

• List of monastic houses in Lancashire
• List of monastic houses in Cheshire