Thomas Knyvet, 1st Baron Knyvet facts for kids

Thomas Knyvet, 1st Baron Knyvet (pronounced niv-it; 1545 – 27 July 1622) was an English courtier and a Member of Parliament. He played a very important role in stopping the famous Gunpowder Plot.

Thomas Knyvet's Early Life and Family

Thomas Knyvet was born in 1545. His father was Sir Henry Knyvet, from a place called Charlton in Wiltshire. His mother was Anne Pickering.

On 21 July 1597, Thomas Knyvet married Elizabeth Hayward. She was the daughter of Sir Rowland Hayward.

Thomas Knyvet's Career and Roles

Thomas Knyvet went to Jesus College at the University of Cambridge.

He worked for Queen Elizabeth I as a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber. This was an important role close to the Queen. In 1592, he became the Master at Arms.

In 1601, he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Thetford. He also managed the Royal Mint, which made coins, from 1599 to 1621. In 1603, he was given the land of Stanwell. He was made a knight in 1604.

Stopping the Gunpowder Plot

Thomas Knyvet was key in stopping the Gunpowder Plot. This was a plan to blow up the Parliament building.

On the evening of 26 October 1605, a Catholic nobleman named Lord Monteagle received a mysterious letter. The letter warned him to stay away from Parliament. It said there would be a "terrible blowe" during the Parliament opening.

Lord Monteagle showed this letter to King James. The King then ordered Knyvet to search the cellars under Parliament. Knyvet did this search with Edmund Doubleday. They searched in the early hours of 5 November.

Just after midnight, Knyvet arrested Guy Fawkes as he was leaving the cellar. Inside the cellar, they found barrels of gunpowder. These were hidden under piles of firewood and coal. Knyvet's quick actions saved Parliament and the King.

Later Life and Legacy

After stopping the plot, Knyvet was put in charge of educating Princess Mary. She was the King's daughter.

In 1607, King James made him a Baron. He became Baron Knyvet of Escrick, Yorkshire. This meant he could join the House of Lords. He also became a Privy Councillor and a member of the council for Queen Anne. He continued as the Warden of the Mint. In 1613, he was given the land of Staines.

When Lord Knyvet passed away in July 1622, his will helped create a free school in Stanwell. This school, now known as Lord Knyvet School, opened in 1624. There is a statue of him and his wife in the chancel of Stanwell's St Mary's parish church.

Knyvet House

Knyvet lived in a large house in London. This house was on the same spot where 10 Downing Street is today. 10 Downing Street is now the home of the British Prime Minister.

Queen Elizabeth I first rented this house to him in 1581. It became known as Knyvet House. In 1604, his lease was extended to his family after him.

In 1650, the house was described as a large building. It was made of brick and timber. It had a big hall, two living rooms, a buttery, a cellar, and a large kitchen. Upstairs, there was a spacious dining room and six other rooms. There were also three closets and four attics on the second floor.

In 1605, Knyvet built new rooms for the women who worked for Princess Mary. He also helped improve St James's Park.

The house later went to his niece, Elizabeth Hampden. It was then called Hampden House. After the lease ended in 1682, George Downing rebuilt the area.

Images for kids

• 

  Latin words on the monument to Thomas Knyvet in Stanwell Church.

• 

  The founder's plaque and coat of arms above the entrance to Lord Knyvett's Free School in Stanwell.