Thomas Wyatt

Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503–1542) was an English poet, diplomat, and courtier during the reign of King Henry VIII. He is best known for introducing the sonnet form to English literature, adapting the Italian style of Petrarch into English.

Early Life and Education

• Born: 1503, at Allington Castle in Kent, England.

• Family: Son of Sir Henry Wyatt, a prominent courtier and advisor to Henry VII and Henry VIII.

• Education: Attended St John's College, Cambridge, where he received a comprehensive education typical for the sons of the nobility, focusing on languages, literature, and the arts.

Career

• Courtier and Diplomat: Wyatt served in various diplomatic missions for Henry VIII, including trips to France, Italy, and Spain. His diplomatic career gave him access to the Renaissance culture of Europe, which significantly influenced his poetic style.

• Imprisonment: Wyatt was imprisoned twice during his career, most notably in 1536 due to his rumored romantic involvement with Anne Boleyn, although he was later released and restored to favor.

Contributions to Literature

• Pioneer of the English Sonnet: Wyatt is credited with introducing the Petrarchan sonnet form to England, transforming it into what would become the English or Shakespearean sonnet form.

• Themes: His poetry often explored themes of love, desire, betrayal, and the complexities of courtly life. His works reflect his personal experiences and the tumultuous political landscape of Henry VIII's court.

• Notable Works:

  1. The Long Love, That in My Thought doth Harbour

  2. “Whoso List to Hunt,"

  3. “My Galley”

  4. "They Flee from Me,"

  5. “Patience, Thought I Have Not”

  6. "My Lute, Awake!"

  7. Is It Possible

  8. Forget Not Yet

  9. Blame Not My Lute

  10. What Should I Say

  11. Lucks, My Fair Falcon

  12. Stand Whoso List

  13. Mine Own John Points

• Influence: Wyatt's adaptation of the sonnet and other poetic forms laid the groundwork for later English poets, such as Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare. He is also considered one of the earliest poets to reflect a distinctively modern English voice, blending the traditions of medieval courtly love with a new introspective style.

Personal Life

• Marriage: Married Elizabeth Brooke in 1520, but their marriage was troubled, and they eventually separated.

• Death: Wyatt died on October 11, 1542, at the age of 39, likely due to a fever, while on a diplomatic mission in Dorset, England.

Legacy

Thomas Wyatt is remembered as a pivotal figure in the development of English Renaissance poetry. His introduction of new poetic forms and styles helped to shape the evolution of English literature, influencing generations of poets who followed. His works continue to be studied for their innovative use of language and their reflection of the political and personal tensions of his time.

External Links:

• "Archival material relating to Thomas Wyatt". UK National Archives.

• Works by or about Thomas Wyatt at the Internet Archive

• Works by Thomas Wyatt at LibriVox (public domain audiobooks)

• Life and works

• Modern English translation of "Whoso List to Hunt"

• Portraits of Sir Thomas Wyatt at the National Portrait Gallery, London

• WYATT, Sir Thomas I (by 1504–42), of Allington Castle, Kent. History of Parliament Online

• Hutchinson, John (1892). "Sir Thomas Wyatt" . Men of Kent and Kentishmen (Subscription ed.). Canterbury: Cross & Jackman. p. 147.