Thomas Usk facts for kids

Thomas Usk (died March 4, 1388) was a man who worked for the government in London during the time of King Richard II. He was appointed as a special officer, called an under-sheriff, in 1387. His time in this job was very short, and he sadly died the next year.

Who Was Thomas Usk?

Thomas Usk was born in London. He worked as a government helper, a writer, and someone who copied important documents. A historical record called The Westminster Chronicle tells us about his sad end.

A Writer's Connection

Usk wrote a book called The Testament of Love. For a long time, people thought the famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer had written it.

Usk also worked as a "Collector of Customs" from 1381 to 1384. This meant he helped collect taxes on goods coming into the country. During some of this time, Geoffrey Chaucer was the "Comptroller of Customs." He oversaw the collection of these taxes.

Even if they weren't close friends, Usk certainly knew Chaucer's poems. In his book, The Testament of Love, Usk has a character praise "my own true servant, the noble philosophical poet in English." This poet had written a poem about a character named Troilus, which was clearly a reference to Chaucer.

A Difficult Choice

Thomas Usk used to work for John Northampton. Northampton was the Lord Mayor of London from 1381 to 1383.

In 1384, Usk was arrested. He was released because he agreed to share information about Northampton. He said he didn't want to be "a stinking martyr," meaning he didn't want to die for his beliefs. This decision made some powerful people angry, especially a group led by the Duke of Gloucester.

His Final Days

Later, the Duke of Gloucester's group gained power. This happened during a time known as the Merciless Parliament. In 1388, Usk was put on trial. He was sentenced to be hanged and beheaded. His head was then put on display over Newgate, a gate in London.

While he was in prison, Usk wrote The Testament of Love. It was an allegorical story, meaning it used symbols to tell a deeper message. He wrote it to try and get help. A scholar named Walter Skeat discovered a hidden message in the book. The first letters of some sections spelled out "MARGARET OF VIRTU HAVE MERCI ON TSKNVI." When decoded, the last word meant "Thine Usk," or "your Usk."

Usk had been part of a religious group called the Lollards. However, while he was in prison, he returned to the Roman Catholic Church. He was hanged in March 1388. After his body was taken down, his head was cut off.