Thomas Tresham (speaker) facts for kids

Sir Thomas Tresham (died May 6, 1471) was an important figure in British history. He was a politician, a soldier, and a government official during a very exciting and often difficult time in England.

Who Was Sir Thomas Tresham?

Sir Thomas Tresham was the son of Sir William Tresham and Isabel de Vaux. His father was also a well-known person, and he helped Thomas start his career.

Early Life and Career

In 1443, when Thomas was still young, he and his father were given important jobs. They became managers for the King's lands, known as the Duchy of Lancaster, in several areas like Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Huntingdonshire.

By 1446, Thomas was working directly for King Henry VI. He was an "esquire," which meant he was a knight's assistant or a gentleman attending a person of rank. Later, in 1455, he became an "usher" in the king's own room, which was a trusted position.

Thomas also served as a Justice of the Peace for Huntingdonshire, helping to keep law and order. He was elected to Parliament, representing Buckinghamshire in 1447 and Huntingdonshire in 1449.

A Difficult Time

Even though the Tresham family was close to the King, they also had good connections with Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York. In 1450, when the Duke of York returned from Ireland, Thomas and his father went to meet him.

Sadly, on their way, they were attacked by a group of men. This attack was due to a disagreement over land that his father was involved in. During the attack, William Tresham, Thomas's father, was killed, and Thomas himself was injured.

A Growing Career

After he recovered from his injuries, Thomas continued his work in government. He became the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire between 1451 and 1452. A High Sheriff was a very important local official, responsible for law enforcement and collecting taxes. He also continued as a Justice of the Peace for Northamptonshire and was elected as a Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire in 1453.

Thomas remained in favor with the King even during some troubled times in 1456. He served as High Sheriff again for Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, and then for Sussex and Surrey.

In 1459, he was elected to Parliament for Northamptonshire once more. This Parliament was made up of people who were against the Duke of York. They chose Thomas Tresham to be the Speaker of the House of Commons. This meant he was in charge of leading the discussions in Parliament. After Parliament ended, he was given more important jobs, including Comptroller of the Household in 1460, which meant he managed the King's household expenses.

Loyalty and Challenges

England was going through a period of civil war called the Wars of the Roses, where two families, the Lancastrians (who supported King Henry VI) and the Yorkists (who supported the Duke of York), fought for the throne.

Thomas Tresham was loyal to the Lancastrian side. He fought in the Battle of Northampton in 1460. In January 1461, he joined Margaret of Anjou, King Henry VI's wife, and fought in the Second Battle of St Albans. After this battle, he was made a knight.

He also fought in the Battle of Towton, which was a major battle. He was captured there. Even though Edward IV, who was now the Yorkist king, had offered a large reward for his capture, Thomas only lost his lands and possessions.

He managed to get a pardon in 1464, which meant he was forgiven. He even represented Northamptonshire in Parliament again in 1467. However, he couldn't get his lands and property back. Because of this, he became involved in plans against King Edward IV. He was put in the Tower of London in 1468 and stayed there until King Henry VI briefly regained the throne in 1470. During this time, Thomas was rewarded for his loyalty with various grants, including control of Huntingdon Castle for seven years.

Final Years and Legacy

After the Battle of Barnet, another important battle, Thomas Tresham tried to escape and meet with Margaret of Anjou. However, he was captured and sadly executed on May 6, 1471.

Thomas Tresham had children with his wife, Mary, who was the daughter of William, Lord Zouche of Harringworth. His son, John, was born in 1462. After Thomas's death, John eventually got his father's estates back in 1485, thanks to Henry VII. John's son also became a famous Sir Thomas Tresham (died 1559). Thomas also had a daughter named Isabella, born in 1460, who married Sir Henry de Vere, and their family line continued for many years.