Thomas Wentworth Biography and Timeline

Calais Surrendered

Wentworth surrenders Calais after French forces overwhelm the town

Role range: 1551-1559 – 1557-1558

Birth of Thomas Wentworth

Thomas Wentworth was born into a prominent Yorkshire landowning family.

Admission to Inner Temple

Wentworth entered the Inner Temple as part of his preparation for public life.

Education at Cambridge

Wentworth studied at St John's College, Cambridge, before continuing his legal education.

Knighthood

Wentworth received a knighthood during the early reign of James I.

Marriage to Margaret Clifford

Wentworth married Margaret Clifford, daughter of the Earl of Cumberland.

Addled Parliament

Wentworth sat in the short and unproductive Parliament later called the Addled Parliament.

Role range: 1614-1614

Election to Parliament

Wentworth was first elected to the House of Commons as a Yorkshire representative.

Role range: 1614-1614

Inheritance of Baronetcy

Wentworth inherited his father's baronetcy and extensive Yorkshire estates.

Role range: 1614-1628

Foreign Policy Debate

Wentworth supported a cautious foreign policy and opposed costly continental warfare.

Role range: 1621-1622

Re-election to Parliament

Wentworth returned to Parliament as one of Yorkshire's knights of the shire.

Role range: 1621-1622

Election for Pontefract

Wentworth entered the Commons for Pontefract during the final Parliament of James I.

Role range: 1624-1625

Election to First Parliament of Charles I

Wentworth represented Yorkshire in the first Parliament summoned by Charles I.

Role range: 1625-1625

Marriage to Arabella Holles

Wentworth married Arabella Holles, sister of future parliamentary leader Denzil Holles.

Role range: 1614-1628

High Sheriff of Yorkshire

The Crown appointed Wentworth sheriff, preventing him from sitting in the 1626 Parliament.

Role range: 1626-1627

Refusal of Forced Loan

Wentworth refused to contribute to the forced loan imposed without parliamentary consent.

Role range: 1626-1627

Imprisonment for Forced Loan

The government imprisoned Wentworth after he refused to pay the forced loan.

Role range: 1627-1628

Created Baron Wentworth

Charles I raised Wentworth to the peerage as Baron Wentworth.

Role range: 1628-1640

Lord President of the North

Wentworth became lord president of the Council of the North and governed northern England.

Role range: 1628-1641

Created Viscount Wentworth

Charles I advanced Wentworth to the rank of viscount.

Role range: 1628-1640

Petition of Right Negotiations

Wentworth promoted a constitutional compromise that contributed to the Petition of Right.

Role range: 1628-1628

Release from Imprisonment

Wentworth was released before the opening of the 1628 Parliament.

Role range: 1628-1628

Appointment to Privy Council

Wentworth joined the Privy Council and became a central supporter of royal government.

Role range: 1629-1641

Council of North Administration

Wentworth strengthened the Council of the North and enforced royal authority across the region.

Role range: 1628-1641

Death of Arabella Wentworth

Arabella Wentworth died, leaving Wentworth with their young children.

Role range: 1628-1640

Appointment as Lord Deputy of Ireland

Charles I appointed Wentworth lord deputy of Ireland.

Role range: 1632-1640

Preparation for Irish Government

Wentworth secured safeguards intended to prevent courtiers from undermining his Irish authority.

Role range: 1632-1640

Marriage to Elizabeth Rhodes

Wentworth married Elizabeth Rhodes before beginning his Irish administration.

Role range: 1628-1640

Arrival in Dublin

Wentworth arrived in Dublin and assumed personal control of the Irish administration.

Role range: 1632-1640

Residence at Dublin Castle

Wentworth established his household and government at Dublin Castle.

Role range: 1632-1640

Opening of Irish Parliament

Wentworth opened the Irish Parliament and demanded financial support for the Crown.

Role range: 1632-1640

Irish Subsidies

Wentworth secured substantial subsidies intended to remove the Irish government's financial deficit.

Role range: 1632-1640

Management of Irish Parliament

Wentworth balanced Protestant officials and Catholic members to obtain the legislation he required.

Role range: 1632-1640

Royal Revenue Reform

Wentworth reorganised customs, taxation, and expenditure to increase the Crown's Irish revenue.

Role range: 1632-1640

Mountnorris Prosecution

Wentworth used military proceedings to remove Mountnorris from influence in the Irish administration.

Role range: 1632-1640

Connacht Plantation Policy

Wentworth pursued a plantation scheme based on disputed royal claims to land in Connacht.

Role range: 1632-1640

Galway Jury Proceedings

Wentworth punished jurors who rejected the Crown's title claims during the Connacht inquiry.

Role range: 1632-1640

Castle Chamber Enforcement

Wentworth used Castle Chamber to discipline officials and landowners who resisted royal policy.

Role range: 1632-1640

Irish Army Discipline

Wentworth improved pay, equipment, and discipline within the standing forces maintained in Ireland.

Role range: 1632-1640

Recovery of Church Lands

Wentworth supported efforts to restore property and income claimed by the established Church.

Role range: 1632-1640