Thomas Chaucer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thomas Chaucer (c. 136718 November 1434), was the Speaker of the British House of Commons on three occasions and son of Geoffrey Chaucer and Philippa (de) Roet.

Thomas seems to have done well from his father's standing as both a poet and also an administrator. This is despite suggestions that Geoffrey Chaucer had fallen out of favour with Henry IV who had recently seized power.

He was Chief Butler of England for almost thirty years, attended fifteen parliaments and was Speaker of the House five times, a feat not surpassed until the 18th century. He married heiress Maud Burghersh around 1395 and was able to buy Donnington Castle for his only daughter Alice. In 1399, Henry IV gave him Wallingford Castle and the honour of Wallingford for life. Thomas Chaucer died at Ewelme on 18 November 1434.

Alice married William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk and her grandson John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln was the designated heir of Richard III. John and several of his brothers were later executed when Richard lost power. They left descendents, however, who included the Earls of Rutland and Portmore, William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle, who foiled the Gunpowder Plot and Sir Francis Sacheverel Darwin (through his mother, Elizabeth Collier, natural daughter of the Earl of Portmore).


[edit] References

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Sir John Tiptoft
Speaker of the House of Commons
14071411
Succeeded by
unknown, later William Stourton
Preceded by
Walter Hungerford, 1st Baron Hungerford
Speaker of the House of Commons
14141415
Succeeded by
Richard Redman
Preceded by
Roger Hunt
Speaker of the House of Commons
1421
Succeeded by
Richard Baynard


Persondata
NAME Chaucer, Thomas
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Speaker of the British House of Commons
DATE OF BIRTH 1367
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH 18 November 1434
PLACE OF DEATH