Skip to content

Questions about Thomas North

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was Thomas North born and where did he arrive?

Thomas North entered the world between 9 and 10 o'clock at night on Friday, the 28th of May 1535. He arrived in the parish of St Alban, Wood Street, within the City of London.

What diplomatic missions did Thomas North undertake during Queen Mary's reign?

In 1555, Thomas North traveled to Rome as part of an embassy led by Thomas Thirlby, Bishop of Ely. Their mission sought to reconcile England with the Pope while other members included Anthony Browne, Sir Edward Carne, and Viscount Montague.

Which translations by Thomas North influenced Shakespearean plays?

North published his translation of Plutarch in 1580 which formed the source for Julius Caesar, Coriolanus, Timon of Athens, and Antony and Cleopatra. Whole speeches in Antony and Cleopatra came directly from North's text and phrases from the Dial also appear in Hamlet.

How much pension did Queen Elizabeth grant Thomas North in 1601?

Queen Elizabeth granted him a pension of £40 per year that same year after he received a reward of £25 for suppressing Essex's Rebellion. This financial support followed his role in helping quell Tyrone's Rebellion when he returned to Ireland in 1596.

Who called Thomas North the first master of English prose?

The Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition called him the first master of English prose. Critics stated it was almost impossible to overestimate his influence on contemporary writers and his vigorous English shaped the direction of Tudor literature.