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 141 - 150 of 291
Poem Post datesort descending Rating Comments
All heavy minds 19 May 2014
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And if an eye may save or slay 19 May 2014
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The Answer that ye made to me, my dear 19 May 2014
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At last withdraw your cruelty 19 May 2014
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My Lute and I 19 May 2014
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Behold, love, thy power how she despiseth! 19 May 2014
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Bicause I have the still kept fro lyes and blame 19 May 2014
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Farewell, love, and all thy laws forever 19 May 2014
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Comparison of Love to a Streame Falling from the Alpes 19 May 2014
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The Fruit of all the service that I serve 19 May 2014
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