Sir Thomas Wyatt

Thomas Wyatt was born in 1503 in Kent. His father was a privy councillor to Henry VII and Henry VIII. Wyatt attended St. John’s College, Cambridge, and married Elizabeth Brooke in 1520. Although they had two children, they separated shortly after marriage and did not reconcile until 1541.

Wyatt, like his father, worked in the Henry VIII’s court. He was regarded as handsome and was skilled in music, jousting, and languages. Though he held minor positions he became established in the king’s favour. By 1527, he began a diplomatic career, posted to France and Rome, where he became familiar with the French and Italian literature that influenced his own writings.

Around this time Wyatt became acquainted with Anne Boleyn, the king’s mistress and future wife. It is thought he may have been Anne’s lover, but evidence is inconclusive, though ‘Whose List to Hunt’ gives possible pointers. In 1536, Wyatt was arrested shortly after five men alleged to have been Boleyn’s lovers were imprisoned. Boleyn herself was imprisoned and executed for adultery. Wyatt spent only one month in the Tower and shortly afterwards regained Henry’s favour.

He filled various posts, serving Henry VIII, for the remainder of his life, and seems to have been an accomplished diplomat.

Although Wyatt’s poems circulated among members of Henry’s court, they weren’t printed until 1557, after his death.

His love lyrics, many based loosely on the Petrarchan sonnet, deal with courtly love and ill treatment at the hands of his lovers. Among his most famous poems are “Whoso List to Hunt" and “They Flee From Me.“ He died on October 11, 1542.