Thomas Finch (soldier)

Arms of Finch: *Argent, a chevron between three griffins passant sable*

Sir Thomas Finch (d. 1563) was an English nobleman, knight, soldier, and military commander.

Life and family

Finch was the second son of Sir William Finch, who was knighted for his services at the siege of Therouanne in 1513, and attended Henry VIII with a great retinue in 1520. His mother, his father's first wife, was Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Cromer of Tunstall, Kent, and widow of Sir Richard Lovelace. An elder brother, Lawrence, who married Mary Kempe, died without issue, and Thomas succeeded to his father's property. He was trained as a soldier, and in 1554 was engaged in suppressing Wyatt's rebellion in Kent. On the day after Mary's coronation (2 October 1553) he was knighted.^[1]

Soon after Elizabeth's accession (1559),

Ambrose Dudley, earl of Warwick. When nearing Havre the ship was driven back by contrary winds towards Rye. Finch and his friends induced the captain - 'a very good seaman,' says Stow - 'to thrust into the haven before the tide,' and 'so they all perished' with the exception of 'seven of the meaner sort' (19 March). The news reached the court two days later, and produced great consternation.^[2] A ballad commemorating the misfortune was licensed to Richard Griffith at the time.^[3] Finch was buried at Eastwell, Kent

.

Marriage and Family

Finch married Catherine, daughter and coheiress of Sir

Cardinal Pole's secretary, requested Cecil to direct Finch to allow the officers of the cardinal, then just dead, to dispose of oxen, hay, wood, and deer belonging to their late master in St. Augustine's Park, Canterbury.^[4]

His widow remarried

Copt Hall, Essex; inherited Eastwell on his mother's death in 1587; obtained a license to enclose one thousand acres of land there, and to embattle his house, 18 January 1589, and died 14 December 1614. His widow was created, in consideration of her father's services, Viscountess Maidstone, 8 July 1623, and Countess of Winchilsea, 12 July 1628, both titles being granted with limitation to heirs male. She died and was buried at Eastwell in 1633. Her eldest son, Thomas, succeeded her as Earl of Winchilsea. Her fourth son, Sir Heneage Finch

, was speaker of the House of Commons, 1626–31.

References

^ W. A. Shaw, The Knights of England, 2 (London, 1906), p. 68
^ Cecil to Sir Thomas Smith in Wright, Queen Elizabeth, i. 133
^ Collier, Stationers' Registers, 1557-70, Shakespeare Soc. 73
^ Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1547-80, p. 116

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Finch, Thomas". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

[1] W. A. Shaw, The Knights of England, 2 (London, 1906), p. 68

[2] Cecil to Sir Thomas Smith in Wright, Queen Elizabeth, i. 133

[3] Collier, Stationers' Registers, 1557-70, Shakespeare Soc. 73

[4] Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1547-80, p. 116

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