Henry Lee and Thomas Wyatt the Younger played pivotal roles in shaping Tudor and Elizabethan history, leaving a legacy of rebellion, politics, and courtly influence.
As key figures in the tumultuous 16th century, Thomas Wyatt the Younger spearheaded the infamous Wyatt’s Rebellion in 1554, a bold yet doomed attempt to thwart Queen Mary I’s marriage to Philip of Spain, driven by fears of foreign domination and the return of Catholicism. His cousin, Sir Henry Lee, rose to prominence under Elizabeth I, serving as the Queen’s Champion and embodying chivalric ideals at court.
Together, these descendants of Sir Henry Wyatt and Thomas Wyatt the Elder represent the complex intersections of loyalty, defiance, and cultural impact that defined England’s transition from Tudor absolutism to Elizabethan stability.
Rough transcript of Episode 243 Wyatt’s Rebellion and the Wyatt Family Legacy: Intrigue, Politics, and Protest
So in this episode today, we are continuing our discussion of the Wyatt family, the key players in the tumultuous world of Tudor England. Two weeks ago, we delved into the life and legacy of Sir Henry Wyatt, who was the patriarch of the Wyatt family during this period, how he supported Henry VII, and then his son, Thomas Wyatt, and his daughter, Margaret Wyatt.
Introduction to the Wyatt Family Legacy
Today, we are going to talk about the next generation of the Wyatt family, focusing on the children of Thomas Wyatt the Elder, and Margaret Wyatt, his sister. This episode will highlight the lives and legacies of Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger, a rebellious figure who played a significant role in English politics, and Sir Henry Lee, a prominent courtier under Elizabeth I. Through their stories, we will continue to explore the enduring impact of the Wyatt family on Tudor and Elizabethan history.
So let’s get started with Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger. Born in 1521 to Thomas Wyatt the Elder, And Elizabeth Brooke. Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger grew up amidst the turbulent political landscape in Tudor England. His father, of course, was a famous poet and courtier. And he would have made sure that his son received only the best humanist education, typical of the English elite, including languages, literature, the arts, which would prepare him for a life of service.
Of course, when he was a teenager, his father was in prison, suspected of committing adultery with Anne Boleyn. His upbringing in a family closely tied to the Tudor court meant that he was well acquainted with all of the dangers of being very close to the Tudor court. This background would have set the stage for his later involvement in one of the most significant uprisings against the Tudor monarchy. As a young man, Wyatt served in the court of Edward VI. He began to establish himself as a capable and ambitious figure.
Wyatt’s Rebellion: A Fight Against Tyranny
However, his life took a dramatic turn with the accession of Queen Mary I. Deeply, deeply opposed to Mary’s plan to marry Philip of Spain, Wyatt viewed the marriage as a threat to England’s sovereignty and its Protestant faith. Let’s break that down for a second.
Wyatt was, of course, a Protestant, so he would have been wary of Mary in the first place. But people were very worried about Mary marrying Philip. Because, a woman, of course, had to obey, it was part of the marriage vows, had to obey her husband. So if Mary married Philip of Spain, she was queen, that would have essentially made him the king.
It wasn’t like with the Queen Elizabeth II, where Prince Philip was the Duke of Edinburgh and she was still, Elizabeth was still the queen. People were very worried that if Mary married Philip that Philip would become the king and Philip would be in charge of everything. Everybody was actually slightly alarmed about this and there was actually a lot of negotiation that went into the marriage.
People were worried what if she died during childbirth, for example? Did that mean Philip was king? So all of that had to be hammered out in the marriage negotiations. But Wyatt, Thomas Wyatt the Younger, took a leading role in what would become known as Wyatt’s Rebellion in 1554.
Calling it Wyatt’s Rebellion makes it sound really big when in fact, it was really only organized by about four men, including Wyatt the Younger. Apparently the lawyer at Wyatt’s arraignment called it Wyatt’s Rebellion, and that has stuck with it through the years. The other people participating, though, were Sir James Croft, Sir Peter Carew, and Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk.
Now, Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, is interesting that he participated because this is the father of Lady Jane Grey, who is currently being held in the Tower of London for having been the “Nine Days’ Queen”. So Mary hadn’t executed Lady Jane Grey yet by this point. In fact, she was trying to be merciful and was just holding her and Guildford Dudley realizing that they were just pawns in this larger rebellion against her.
But then Lady Jane Grey’s own father conspires with Thomas Wyatt, these other two men, to launch a rebellion. Just a note, if your daughter is being held in the Tower of London, you don’t go start another rebellion if you care about your daughter. So that all turned out very bad for Lady Jane Grey, of course.
So those are the people who were involved in the rebellion. Like I said, they were Protestants, they feared not just Philip taking over, but this is also during the period of the Spanish Inquisition. And they were very worried about the Spanish Inquisition coming to England.
Wyatt, at this point, was a significant landowner in Kent. Wyatt was known for being very impetuous, and he had previously spent time in the Tower of London for participating in a street riot. Now, Sir James Croft was from an influential Herefordshire family, and Sir Peter Carew was a Member of Parliament for Devon, and a maritime adventurer, they also joined the rebellion.
Both were motivated by concerns about their future financial well being and career prospects under Mary’s reign. Initially, the plan was set for simultaneous uprisings in different regions, Devon, led by Carew, Kent, led by Wyatt, the Midlands, led by Suffolk, and Wales, led by Croft. These forces were then to converge on London and replace Mary with Elizabeth, who would marry Courtenay. And they also hoped that the French would be able to prevent Philip’s arrival in England.
However, the plan had to be put together very quickly. It wasn’t well thought out or well planned out because, of course, they were worried that they were going to be discovered. Wyatt began the uprising on the 25th of January, 1554, by raising his standard at Maidstone Castle and rallying support in Kent.
Despite some initial successes, including the capture of several royal ships and the defection of the Whitecoats, who were the royal troops, to his side, Wyatt’s forces faced significant challenges. Carrow’s efforts in Devon were thwarted, leading him to flee to France. Suffolk was unable to garner enough support and was captured. And Croft raised forces in Wales, but was surrounded and forced to surrender.
Only Wyatt managed to press on, leading his forces to London. On the 1st of February, 1554, Wyatt’s forces reached Southwark, but found London Bridge closed and heavily defended. Undeterred, they moved to Kingston, crossing the river and advancing on London.
Despite significant attrition and desertions, Wyatt’s remaining forces reached Ludgate, but were repelled. Wyatt surrendered and was taken to the Tower of London.
The Aftermath of Wyatt’s Rebellion
Following the rebellion’s failure, Mary I’s response was severe. Hundreds of insurgents were arrested, about 150 were executed. Poor Lady Jane Grey and her husband also executed, despite their complete lack of involvement in the rebellion.
But I get it, right? As long as they’re alive, they’re going to be a figurehead for rebellion. And honestly, I don’t know what her father was thinking. I guess he had some idea that maybe it would work.
Wyatt himself was also executed. This is when we see Princess Elizabeth, being taken to the Tower under suspicion that she was involved in this. Wyatt cleared Elizabeth of any kind of complicity in the rebellion. Elizabeth was released two months after her imprisonment due to the lack of evidence against her.
So Wyatt was tried with charges of high treason. Despite having some sympathizers, he was of course found guilty, of course he was, and he was executed on April 11th, 1554.
He maintained his stance the entire time. He never expressed remorse. He expressed regret only for the fact that the rebellion failed, not for its cause, and he said he still was against the Spanish marriage. After his execution, Thomas Wyatt the Younger became a symbol of resistance against tyranny and foreign influence.
Contemporary and later historians viewed him through a complex lens. To some, he was a traitor who defied his sovereign. To others, he was a martyr for the Protestant cause and a patriot who sought to protect England from Spanish domination. Elizabeth, who succeeded Mary, had a more nuanced view of Wyatt.
Although she could not publicly condone his rebellion, she did recognize the validity of his concerns about Spanish influence. Of course, she herself never married. Her reign saw the establishment of Protestantism and a resistance to Spanish power and indirectly validated many of Wyatt’s fears and aspirations.
His name and actions were thus partially rehabilitated in the eyes of the English public. Wyatt’s rebellion had far reaching consequences for English politics. It underscored the deep divisions within the country over religious and political issues. The rebellion also highlighted the significant opposition to Mary’s marriage to Philip of Spain and the return to Catholicism.
The harsh response to the rebellion, including numerous executions, illustrated the Tudor regime’s determination to crush dissent. But it also galvanized Protestant opposition and laid the groundwork for future resistance movements. Wyatt’s call to defend English sovereignty and Protestantism resonated with many, contributing to the eventual establishment of Protestant England under Elizabeth I.
His legacy also extends beyond politics into literature and cultural memory. His rebellion and the dramatic events surrounding it have been the subject of numerous historical and literary works. The Rebellion is depicted as a tragic but heroic stand against tyranny, with Wyatt often portrayed as a noble, if flawed, character.
His father’s literary reputation also contributed to his enduring legacy. Thomas Wyatt the Elder’s poetry, which often reflected themes of political and personal turmoil, added a layer of literary gravitas to the younger Wyatt’s story. This connection between the personal and political, the poetic and the rebellious, has kept the memory of Thomas Wyatt the Younger alive in English cultural history.
Sir Henry Lee: The Queen’s Champion
Now let’s talk about Sir Henry Lee, who was Thomas Wyatt the Younger’s cousin. He was born in 1533 to Margaret Wyatt and Sir Anthony Lee. His mother, Margaret, was the sister to Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder, so she was the daughter of the original Patriarch Henry Lee. The association with the Wyatt family and the Boleyns, through his mother’s close ties to Anne Boleyn, provided Henry with a unique position within the Tudor court.
As Elizabeth I ascended the throne in 1558, Henry Lee began to rise in prominence at her court. He quickly became one of her most trusted courtiers. He was loyal and he had these advantages from his family’s connections. His most notable role was as the Queen’s Champion, a position he held for 31 years from 1559 to 1590.
This role involved participating in jousts and tournaments held on accession day, and to celebrate Elizabeth’s reign and publicly demonstrate his loyalty and martial prowess. As a Queen’s Champion, Lee was responsible for organizing and leading these elaborate ceremonies, which were crucial for reinforcing the monarchy’s image and stability.
His performances in the tilt yard, marked by chivalric displays and nightly honor, became iconic elements of Elizabethan culture. Lee’s dedication to the Queen was not merely ceremonial, he also played a significant role in court politics and served as an advisor to Elizabeth, influencing many of the decisions that shaped the period.
He was a patron of the arts, he supported poets, musicians, and artists, and his patronage helped to foster a vibrant artistic community. He was also a Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire in 1558, 59, 1571, and 72. So we’ve actually talked about Henry Lee a couple of weeks ago. I think it was a YouTube channel, a YouTube video I did on Anne Vavasour and Henry Lee.
Anne Vavasour had been a maid of honor with Elizabeth and in 1581 she got pregnant. The father was Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford. Of course, that was very bad for her and Oxford. But then, Anne found herself an unexpected protector in Henry Lee.
By this point in his life, Henry Lee was a widower. He had children. He was building up his estate at Ditchley. And he wanted to protect Anne. And they actually built for themselves, really one might call it progressive for the time. They never got married. There was a big age difference, but they seemed to really love each other. They entertained the Queen at Ditchley, which was Henry Lee’s main estate.
They just seemed happy, which is something you sadly don’t really see in marriages and relationships of the nobility. They read these names and you think about these people and you hear these stories often in a vacuum. And then you realize these parts that go together. Oh, that was Henry Lee, right? That’s the guy we’ve been talking about. He was Thomas Wyatt, the poet, Thomas Wyatt, the Elder’s nephew, right? That’s pretty neat to link them together.
So Henry Lee also commissioned the Ditchley portrait of Queen Elizabeth, which I also have done a portraits and propaganda episode on my YouTube channel. It shows Elizabeth standing. It’s the one of her that’s quite famous on one half is a sunny sky and on the other half is lightning and she’s standing over the British Isles and her feet are right at Ditchley showing, that this was going to hang in his home and it was to commemorate Elizabeth’s visit to Ditchley.
And even after Elizabeth died, Lee continued to serve the royalty. Anne of Denmark, who was James I‘s wife, visited Lee and was friends with Anne Vavasour, and actually even was at the point where she was sending gifts back and forth.
So Henry Lee remained a respected figure at court until 1611 when he passed away, having had a very long and productive life. None of his children lived that long. He had two sons with his first wife, Anne Paget, John Lee and Henry Lee, they both died young.
And then he had a daughter, Mary. Now, Mary supposedly eloped with a John Worsley in February of 1579, which is its own story. But Mary died in 1583. Sadly, Henry Lee, none of his children with Ann Paget lived.
But he definitely lived a colorful life. One might look at that and say that was a pretty satisfactory life. And he died, like I said, in 1611 and that will do it for our look at the Lee family now.
Related links: The Wyatt Family: Loyalty, Intrigue, and Literary Legacy in Tudor England
Heather Teysko is the creator, writer, and producer of The Renaissance English History Podcast, the original Tudor history podcast, started in 2009. She's been writing about history online for over 25 years, since her first site on Colonial American history became number one in history on Yahoo in 1998. In 2019 she created Tudorcon, which is now a yearly event, in addition to writing books, and running TudorFair.com - a whimsical Tudor Merch shop.
She has been passionate about Tudor England since she first read Alison Weir's The Six Wives of Henry VIII 30 years ago, and subsequently moved to London after college to spend her time immersed in Tudor history (how exciting when she got to interview Alison for the first time!). In addition to history, she is passionate about travel, and has lived in 3 countries and 4 states (not counting her perpetual state of confusion), and her family (who help her host her YouTube channel occasionally).
