Thomas Norton facts for kids

Thomas Norton (born 1532, died March 10, 1584) was an English lawyer, politician, and writer. He was known for his work in the government and for helping to write one of the first English plays.

Early Life and Career

Thomas Norton was born in London, England. He studied at the University of Cambridge. After his studies, he worked for Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, an important figure in the government at the time. In 1555, he began studying law at the Inner Temple, which is a place where lawyers are trained.

Norton married Margery Cranmer, who was the daughter of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. They did not have children, and Margery passed away before 1568. Later, Thomas married Alice Cranmer, who was the niece of Archbishop Cranmer. They had children together.

Serving in Parliament

Thomas Norton became a member of Parliament, representing areas like Gatton and Berwick. He was very active in politics. He even became an unofficial leader for a group of about fifty members in the House of Commons. Some historians see this group as an early form of political opposition in Parliament.

Norton was deeply influenced by the religious ideas of his father-in-law, Thomas Cranmer. He helped publish some of Cranmer's writings on church law in 1571. He also traveled to Rome for legal work in 1579. From 1580 to 1583, he often visited the Channel Islands to check on their status as English possessions.

City of London Role

From 1570 until his death in 1584, Norton held an important position in the City of London. He was the first "Remembrancer," a role that involved keeping track of the city's rights and traditions and representing it to the Crown and Parliament.

Later Years and Challenges

As he got older, Norton's religious beliefs, known as Calvinism and Puritanism, became very strong. He was known for his strict methods when questioning people, especially those who were Catholic, as he was an official censor from 1581. Because of his strictness, he was sometimes called "Rackmaster-General" or "Rackmaster Norton."

His strong Puritan views caused problems with the English bishops. He was removed from his job and even put in the Tower of London. Francis Walsingham, another important figure, helped him get released. However, Norton's health had suffered, and he passed away in March 1584 at his home in Sharpenhoe, Bedfordshire.

Literary Contributions

Thomas Norton started writing poetry when he was eighteen. He wrote sonnets and contributed to a famous collection of poems called Tottel's Miscellany.

His most famous work was a play called Gorboduc. He wrote this play with Thomas Sackville in 1560. It was the very first English tragedy ever written. The play was performed for Queen Elizabeth I on January 18, 1561, at the Inner Temple. Gorboduc was later revised in 1570 and renamed The Tragedy of Ferrex and Porrex.

Norton also wrote many pamphlets against the Catholic Church. He translated important religious texts, including Calvin's Institutes in 1561 and Alexander Nowell's Catechism in 1570.