Birth date: 
1503
Death date: 
1542
Birth town: 
Kent
Country: 
England

Thomas Wyatt was born at Allington Castle in Kent, and educated at St John's College, Cambridge. While travelling as a diplomat for Henry VIII he developed his interest in Continental poetry; he was the first English poet to use the Italian forms of the sonnet and terza rima, and the French rondeau. His translation of the Penitential Psalms is based on a version by the Italian poet Pietro Aretino.

In the course of his career Wyatt served his King Henry in a variety of offices, including those of Marshal of Calais, Sheriff of Kent and Ambassador to Spain, and he was also jailed several times. His first imprisonment, in 1534, was for brawling; two years later his relationship with the disgraced Anne Boleyn resulted in a short spell in the Tower of London. Thomas and Anne had been lovers before her marriage to Henry, and his sense of loss at their separation forms the subject of the famous sonnet 'Whoso List To Hunt'.

Wyatt was restored to favour and knighted in 1537, and spent the next two years on his embassy to the court of Charles V of Spain. In 1540 however, his trusted patron Thomas Cromwell was executed, leaving him without an ally at court. The following year Wyatt was accused of treason by his enemies and imprisoned in the Tower once more. He managed to secure his own release but died of a fever soon afterwards.

Poems by this Poet

Displaying 251 - 260 of 291
Poem Post date Rating Commentssort descending
Alas, poor man, what hap have I 19 May 2014
0
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Farewell, the reign of cruelty! 29 November 2013
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Whoso hath seen the sick in his fever 5 September 2014
0
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When that I call unto my mind 19 May 2014
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If thou wilt mighty be, flee from the rage 19 May 2014
0
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If waker care, if sudden pale color 19 May 2014
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
0
Dido am I, the founder first of Carthage 29 November 2013
4
Average: 4 (2 votes)
0
Alone musing, / Remembering 19 May 2014
0
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Hap happeth oft unlooked for 29 November 2013
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My Lute Awake 3 June 2013
0
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