Death of Sir Nicholas Throckmorton

Death of Sir Nicholas Throckmorton

Sir Nicholas Throckmorton is not a name we routinely see amid the titans of Elizabethan England.

Yet, his importance to Elizabeth in the first decade of her reign often gets disregarded.
He was intimately connected with Elizabeth’s circle long before her coronation in 1558, a man at the heart of the ‘Elizabeth cause’

Fiercely intelligent, witty, handsome and ambitious, Sir Nicholas Thockmorton was a man who made an impression.

He was reported to be dangerously clever, and considered ‘a man of intelligence.
Robert Dudley was widely believed to be controlled by him.

Even William Cecil held a healthy respect for Throckmorton’s capabilities.
In 1560 Cecil said he would only resign if he could be assured Throckmorton would replace him.

Born in 1515, Nicholas was the son of Sir George Throckmorton of Coughton, Warwickshire.

He was brought up in the households of members of the Parr family, including that of his cousin Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII.

He was a member of Parliament from 1545 to 1567. During the reign of Edward VI, for which he was knighted.

On the death of Edward, an attempt was made to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne instead of Mary Tudor.

Throckmorton contrived to appear the friend of both parties, but on Mary’s accession he was cleverly able to secure her favour.

He was, however, suspected of complicity in the rebellion of Sir Thomas Wyatt, but acquitted at his trial.

Throckmorton married Anne Carew, and they had 10 sons and three daughters.

Their daughter Elizabeth became the wife of Sir Walter Raleigh.

Under Elizabeth I, he became chamberlain of the exchequer, and from May 1559 to April 1564 he was ambassador in France.

During these years in France, Throckmorton became acquainted with Mary, Queen of Scots.
He became her close friend, willing to assist her and do her personal favours.

It was said that Throckmorton had worked hard to organise a meeting between the two queens, which never took place.

After Throckmorton’s return to England, Queen Elizabeth sent him as an ambassador to Scotland.

His mission was to prevent the marriage of Queen Mary and Henry, Lord Darnley.
A mission he failed, the marriage went ahead.

In 1569, he fell under suspicion for his involvement in the plot to marry Thomas Howard, 4th duke of Norfolk, to Mary Queen of Scots.
For this he was imprisoned for a time at Windsor Castle.

According to rumour, he had been motivated by rewards of “great silver pots and other plate” given to him by Mary, Queen of Scots.

Throckmorton died on 12th February 1571, aged 56.
He is buried in St Katharine Cree parish church, Leadenhall Street, London.

? Sir Nicholas Throckmorton c.1562.
Unknown artist
National Portrait Gallery
London.
NPG 3800