Thomas Tresham II
Encyclopedia
Sir Thomas Tresham was a Catholic recusant politician at the end of the Tudor dynasty
and the start of the Stuart dynasty in England
.
Inheriting large estates at the age of 15 from his grandfather, Thomas Tresham I
, he had a privileged start to adult life. He was widely regarded as a clever and well educated man, moving in the highest social circles. He was acquainted with William Cecil
, the Secretary of State
to Queen Elizabeth
, and Sir Christopher Hatton
, the Lord Chancellor
.
Thomas Tresham served as High Sheriff of Northamptonshire
for 1573 and was knighted at the Queen's Royal Progress at Kenilworth
in 1575. Sir Thomas enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, and frequently entertained large numbers of friends and acquaintances. His Catholic religion burdened him frequently with debt and fines. At a time when Queen Elizabeth was anxious about the Catholic threat posed by Spain and by her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, nonconformists were targets for persecution. Between 1581 and 1605, Tresham paid penalties totalling just under £8,000. (£ as of ),. These heavy financial demands created spiralling debts, with borrowing as his only resource. Tresham's credit never fully recovered. For a landowner who sought personally to direct all matters of estate management, his effective status as a hostage, seized by the government whenever Catholic nations sought to menace the kingdom, was a severe imposition.
He left three notable buildings in Northamptonshire, the extraordinary Rushton Triangular Lodge
and the unfinished Lyveden New Bield
, both of which have designs based on complicated religious symbolism as well being practical buildings. The triangular shape of the lodge and the profusion of other aspects of the building using the number three both refer to the Christian Trinity
and play on the name Tresham. It is presumed that Tresham was himself largely responsible for these elements of the designs. He also started in 1577 the market house in Rothwell
, which was not completed for some three centuries. Sir Thomas was a considerable landowner at his death in 1605, but his estate had £11,000 of debt(£ as of ),.
and Elizabeth Hussey. The Throckmorton family was a wealthy Catholic family from Coughton Court
in Warwickshire
.
Thomas and Muriel had eleven children, including;
His elder son, Francis
, inherited the titles, estate, and debt, and became embroiled in the Gunpowder Plot
later that year along with his cousins Robert Catesby
and Thomas Wintour
. Imprisoned for his actions, Francis met an early death in
December, 1605.
Tudor dynasty
The Tudor dynasty or House of Tudor was a European royal house of Welsh origin that ruled the Kingdom of England and its realms, including the Lordship of Ireland, later the Kingdom of Ireland, from 1485 until 1603. Its first monarch was Henry Tudor, a descendant through his mother of a legitimised...
and the start of the Stuart dynasty in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Inheriting large estates at the age of 15 from his grandfather, Thomas Tresham I
Thomas Tresham I
Sir Thomas Tresham was a leading Catholic politician during the middle of the Tudor dynasty in England.The eldest son of John Tresham of Rushton, Northamptonshire, and Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Harrington, of Hornby, Lancashire, he married Mary Parr, youngest daughter and co-heir of William...
, he had a privileged start to adult life. He was widely regarded as a clever and well educated man, moving in the highest social circles. He was acquainted with William Cecil
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley , KG was an English statesman, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State and Lord High Treasurer from 1572...
, the Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
to Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, and Sir Christopher Hatton
Christopher Hatton
Sir Christopher Hatton was an English politician, Lord Chancellor of England and a favourite of Elizabeth I of England.-Early days:...
, the Lord Chancellor
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
.
Thomas Tresham served as High Sheriff of Northamptonshire
High Sheriff of Northamptonshire
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of Northamptonshire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been...
for 1573 and was knighted at the Queen's Royal Progress at Kenilworth
Kenilworth
Kenilworth is a town in central Warwickshire, England. In 2001 the town had a population of 22,582 . It is situated south of Coventry, north of Warwick and northwest of London....
in 1575. Sir Thomas enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, and frequently entertained large numbers of friends and acquaintances. His Catholic religion burdened him frequently with debt and fines. At a time when Queen Elizabeth was anxious about the Catholic threat posed by Spain and by her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, nonconformists were targets for persecution. Between 1581 and 1605, Tresham paid penalties totalling just under £8,000. (£ as of ),. These heavy financial demands created spiralling debts, with borrowing as his only resource. Tresham's credit never fully recovered. For a landowner who sought personally to direct all matters of estate management, his effective status as a hostage, seized by the government whenever Catholic nations sought to menace the kingdom, was a severe imposition.
He left three notable buildings in Northamptonshire, the extraordinary Rushton Triangular Lodge
Rushton Triangular Lodge
The Triangular Lodge is a folly, designed and constructed between 1593 and 1597 by Sir Thomas Tresham near Rushton, Northamptonshire, England. It is now in the care of English Heritage...
and the unfinished Lyveden New Bield
Lyveden New Bield
Lyveden New Bield is an unfinished summer house in the parish of Aldwinkle St Peter in the county of Northamptonshire, England.-Construction:...
, both of which have designs based on complicated religious symbolism as well being practical buildings. The triangular shape of the lodge and the profusion of other aspects of the building using the number three both refer to the Christian Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
and play on the name Tresham. It is presumed that Tresham was himself largely responsible for these elements of the designs. He also started in 1577 the market house in Rothwell
Rothwell, Northamptonshire
Rothwell is a market town in the Kettering district of Northamptonshire, England. It is located south of Desborough, southeast of Market Harborough, southwest of Corby and northwest of the larger town of Kettering. It is twinned with the French town of Droué...
, which was not completed for some three centuries. Sir Thomas was a considerable landowner at his death in 1605, but his estate had £11,000 of debt(£ as of ),.
Marriage and children
In 1566, he married Muriel, a daughter of Sir Robert ThrockmortonRobert Throckmorton
Sir Robert Throckmorton of Coughton Court, MP, KG was a distinguished English Tudor courtier.-Overview:...
and Elizabeth Hussey. The Throckmorton family was a wealthy Catholic family from Coughton Court
Coughton Court
Coughton Court is an English Tudor country house, situated on the main road between Studley and Alcester in Warwickshire. It is a Grade I listed building....
in Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
.
Thomas and Muriel had eleven children, including;
- Sir FrancisFrancis TreshamFrancis Tresham , eldest son of Sir Thomas Tresham and Merial Throckmorton, was a member of the group of English provincial catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a conspiracy to assassinate King James I of England...
(d. December 1605) - Mary (d. 13 October 1664); married the 1st Earl of CardiganEarl of CardiganEarl of Cardigan is a title in the Peerage of England, currently held by the Marquesses of Ailesbury, and used as a courtesy title by the heir apparent to that Marquessate, currently David Brudenell-Bruce, son of the 8th Marquess.-History of the title:...
- Elizabeth; married the 4th Baron MonteagleWilliam Parker, 4th Baron MonteagleWilliam Parker, 13th Baron Morley, 4th Baron Monteagle was an English peer, Lord of Morley, Hingham, Hockering, &c., in Norfolk, the eldest son of Edward Parker, 12th Baron Morley , and of Elizabeth Stanley, daughter and heiress of William Stanley, 3rd Baron Monteagle .When quite a youth he...
. - Frances; married the 10th Baron StourtonEdward Stourton, 10th Baron StourtonEdward Stourton, 10th Baron Stourton was a younger son of Charles Stourton, 8th Baron Stourton. He succeeded his brother John in 1588....
.
His elder son, Francis
Francis Tresham
Francis Tresham , eldest son of Sir Thomas Tresham and Merial Throckmorton, was a member of the group of English provincial catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a conspiracy to assassinate King James I of England...
, inherited the titles, estate, and debt, and became embroiled in the Gunpowder Plot
Gunpowder Plot
The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in earlier centuries often called the Gunpowder Treason Plot or the Jesuit Treason, was a failed assassination attempt against King James I of England and VI of Scotland by a group of provincial English Catholics led by Robert Catesby.The plan was to blow up the House of...
later that year along with his cousins Robert Catesby
Robert Catesby
Robert Catesby , was the leader of a group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605....
and Thomas Wintour
Thomas Wintour
Robert Wintour and Thomas Wintour , also spelt Winter, were members of the Gunpowder Plot, a failed conspiracy to assassinate King James I. Both were related to other conspirators, such as their cousin, Robert Catesby, and a half-brother, John Wintour, also joined them following the plot's failure...
. Imprisoned for his actions, Francis met an early death in
December, 1605.