Thomas Lucy

Sir Thomas Lucy (24 April 1532 – 7 July 1600) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1571 and 1585. He was a magistrate in Warwickshire, but is best known for his links to William Shakespeare. As a Protestant activist he came into conflict with Shakespeare's Catholic relatives, and there are stories that the young Shakespeare himself had clashes with him.

Early life

Thomas Lucy was the eldest son and heir of William Lucy (d.1551) of Charlecote near Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, and Anne Fermer, the daughter of Richard Fermer of Easton Neston, Northamptonshire. His paternal grandparents were Sir Thomas Lucy (d.1525) and Anne Empson, the daughter of Richard Empson, one of Henry VII's chief ministers. The family were descended from the Norman de Lucys.

Lucy rebuilt the house of Charlecote Park in red brick in 1558. In 1565 he was knighted by the queen's favourite, Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. In 1571, Lucy was elected Member of Parliament for Warwickshire.Queen Elizabeth herself visited Charlecote Park in 1572.

Thomas Lucy (died 1640)

Sir Thomas Lucy (1583/86 – 8 December 1640) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1614 and 1640.

Life

Lucy was the son of Thomas Lucy of Charlecote Park and his wife Constance Kingsmill daughter of Sir Richard Kingsmill of High Clere, Hampshire. His grandfather Sir Thomas Lucy was an MP and is noted for prosecuting William Shakespeare.

In 1614, Lucy was elected Member of Parliament for Warwickshire. He held the seat through several elections until 1629 when King Charles decided to rule without parliament. In April 1640, he was re-elected MP for Warwickshire in the Short Parliament. In November 1640 he was elected MP for Warwick in the Long Parliament but died in December.

Lucy died after falling from his horse and was buried at St Leonard's Church, Charlecote. It was said of him that "his tables were ever open to the learned and his gates never fast to the poor".

Lucy married Alice Spencer, daughter of Thomas Spencer of Claverden, Warwickshire. Alice was known an archetypal gentlewoman known for her charity and piety.

Thomas Lucy (disambiguation)

Thomas Lucy (1532–1600) was an English politician.

Thomas Lucy may also refer to: