Thomas Wroth (died 1672) facts for kids

Sir Thomas Wroth (born 1584 – died 1672) was an English gentleman, poet, and politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of today's parliament, at different times between 1628 and 1660.

Sir Thomas was very active in setting up colonies in North America. He became a strong supporter of a republic, a government without a king, during the time of the Rump Parliament. However, he did not support the execution of the king.

Early Life and Learning

Thomas Wroth was born in London in 1584. His father was also named Thomas Wroth, and his mother was Joanna Bulman. He was christened on May 5, 1584.

His grandfather was Sir Thomas Wroth, who was an important person in the court of King Edward VI.

University Days

Thomas went to the University of Oxford in 1600. He was known for his love of poetry and for supporting other poets. A poet named Richard Niccols even dedicated a poem to him in 1607, calling him a "dear friend" and "Patron."

In 1606, Thomas also began studying law at the Inner Temple in London.

Family, Land, and Poems

Thomas Wroth was knighted in 1613, which means he received the title "Sir." He inherited a lot of money from his father. He used some of this money to buy large estates in Somerset. These lands included Petherton Park, which became his family home. From then on, he was involved in the politics of Somerset.

Marriage and Writings

Around 1614, Sir Thomas married Margaret Rich. She was a widow and his cousin. He was very devoted to her.

When he got married, he wrote and published a poem called The Husband: a poem expressed in a Compleat Man. Another poet, Richard Niccols, also wrote a poem praising Margaret.

Over the next five years, Sir Thomas translated a part of Virgil's famous poem, the Aeneid, into English. He called his translation The Destruction of Troy. This book was published in 1620, along with 100 of his own short poems. Some people think his translation of The Destruction of Troy was a way to connect the story of ancient Troy with the idea of creating new colonies in America.

Starting Colonies and Becoming a Politician

Sir Thomas Wroth and his wife's family, the Rich family, were connected through their support for the Protestant faith and for groups like the Puritans.

Colonial Ventures

Sir Thomas was interested in setting up colonies in America. He invested in the Virginia Company in 1609. He also became a member of the Company of the Somers Isles (Bermuda Company) in 1620 and the Plymouth Council for New England.

From 1621 to 1624, he worked closely with his brother-in-law, Sir Nathaniel Rich, in the Virginia Company. They were part of a group that disagreed with another leader, Sir Edwin Sandys.

Entering Parliament

Sir Thomas Wroth was a J.P. (a local judge) for Somerset from 1624 to 1625. He was against King Charles I. In 1628, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Bridgwater. He served until 1629, when King Charles I decided to rule without Parliament for eleven years.

Challenges and Personal Loss

In 1635, the government found a letter Sir Thomas had written where he expressed sadness about the state of the church and hinted at standing up against the government.

A month later, his wife, Dame Margaret, sadly died suddenly. She left instructions in her will for her niece's education and for charity work in London.

A Husband's Grief

Sir Thomas was heartbroken by Margaret's death. He wrote a prose piece called Declaracion of the life sicknes and death of his dearest and most beloved wife. He also wrote a long poem called Encomium for her. In his poem, he wrote, "To summe up all, this Woman, this my Wife, She was the Honour, Comfort of my Life." He never married again after her death.

Political Career and Views

Sir Thomas felt his wife's death was a sign of his own failings. The government's reaction to his letter made him even more determined in his beliefs.

He became the Recorder (a legal officer) of Bridgwater by 1636 and was a J.P. again from 1636 to 1640. He was also the Sheriff of Somerset from 1639 to 1640.

Speaking Out in Parliament

In 1642, Sir Thomas presented a petition to Parliament from the people of Somerset. This petition asked for changes to protect the rights of Parliament. He gave a speech saying that people were ready to defend their religion, the King, their country, and the rights of Parliament.

In 1646, he was again elected as a Member of Parliament for Bridgwater.

In 1648, he supported the idea of putting King Charles I under guard and removing him from power. He famously said, "I care not what form of government you set up, so it be not by Kings and devils."

He was chosen to be one of the judges to try the king, but he only attended one meeting. In 1649, Parliament thanked him for helping to stop a group called the Levellers in Somerset.

Later Years in Politics

In 1653, he was made a commissioner for the government of the Bermudas. He did not serve in Parliament for a few years. However, he performed many marriage ceremonies in his local parish between 1654 and 1657.

He was re-elected as an MP for Bridgwater in 1656 and again in 1659. In 1659, he spoke against the idea of bringing back a king or hereditary lords. He believed that people should be free, not slaves. He said, "Men are born to be subjects and not to be slaves. Either let us be slaves or freemen."

In 1660, he was elected for Bridgwater again in the Convention Parliament.

When the monarchy was restored in 1660, Sir Thomas Wroth was pardoned. However, he lost his positions as a J.P. and Recorder in 1662. He lived quietly until he died at Petherton Park on July 11, 1672, at the age of 88.

Family Legacy

Sir Thomas Wroth and his wife Margaret did not have any children together.

His estates, including Petherton Park, passed to the descendants of his brother, Sir Peter Wroth. The Alfred Jewel, a famous historical artifact, was discovered at Petherton Park in 1693, when it was owned by a later Sir Thomas Wroth, a relative.