Thomas Knyvett facts for kids
Sir Thomas Knyvett (born around 1485 – died August 10, 1512) was a young English nobleman. He was a close friend of King Henry VIII soon after Henry became king. Thomas Knyvett was often part of the exciting jousts (mock battles on horseback) and grand events at the king's court. In 1510, he was given an important job as the King's Master of the Horse, which meant he was in charge of the king's horses and stables.
Who Was Sir Thomas Knyvett's Family?
Sir Thomas Knyvett was the son of Sir Edmund Knyvett and Eleanor Tyrrell. His grandfather was Sir William Knyvett.
Thomas Knyvett married Muriel Howard before 1506. Muriel was the daughter of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, a very important person at the time. This marriage connected Sir Thomas to many powerful families in England. For example, Muriel's brother was Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, who was the father of Queen Anne Boleyn and grandfather of Queen Elizabeth I.
Sir Thomas and Muriel had five children: three sons named Edmund, Ferdinand, and Henry, and two daughters named Katherine and Anne. Sadly, Muriel died in childbirth just a few months after Sir Thomas passed away in 1512. Their children were then raised by their grandmother, Eleanor Knyvett.
Interestingly, the actress Sally Knyvette, known for her role in the TV show Blake's 7, is a direct descendant of Sir Thomas Knyvett.
How Did Sir Thomas Knyvett Die?
In 1512, King Henry VIII declared war on France. Sir Thomas Knyvett was given command of the main royal warship, called the Regent. He sailed with a small fleet of English ships towards the coast of Brittany, France.
On August 10, 1512, the English fleet met a French fleet. A fierce battle, known as the Battle of St. Mathieu, happened near Brest. Sir Thomas Knyvett's ship, the Regent, fought closely with the main Breton (French) ship, the Cordelière. The English sailors tried to board the French ship. During this intense fight, the Cordelière's gunpowder storage exploded. Some people believe it was set on fire on purpose. Both the Regent and the Cordelière burst into flames.
Sir Thomas Knyvett died in this terrible explosion, along with the French captain and more than 1,700 English and French sailors.
Sir Thomas Knyvett in Stories
A character named Sir Anthony Knivert in the TV series The Tudors is based on Sir Thomas Knyvett. This character was played by actor Callum Blue.
