Background
Thomas Chaloner was the son of Roger Chaloner, mercer of London, a descendant of the Denbighshire Chaloners.
Thomas Chaloner was the son of Roger Chaloner, mercer of London, a descendant of the Denbighshire Chaloners.
Thomas Chaloner was educated at both Oxford and Cambridge.
In 1540 Thomas Chaloner went, as secretary to Sir Henry Knyvett, to the court of Charles V, whom he accompanied in his expedition against Algiers in 1541, and was wrecked on the Barbary coast.
In 1549 he was a witness against Dr Bonner, bishop of London; in 1551 against Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester; in the spring of the latter year he was sent as a commissioner to Scotland, and again in March 1552.
In 1553 he went with Sir Nicholas Wotton and Sir William Pickering on an embassy to France, but was recalled by Queen Mary on her accession.
He acquired during his years of service three estates, Guisborough in Yorkshire, Steeple Claydon in Buckinghamshire, and St Bees in Cumberland.
1 of Joseph Haslewood's edition of 1815), has sometimes been attributed to Thomas Churchyard.
Chaloner's epigrams and epitaphs were also added to the volume, as well as In laudem Henrici octavi carmen Panegericum, first printed in 1560.
His letters are full of complaints of his treatment there, but it was not till 1564, when in failing health, that he was allowed to return home. He died at his house in Clerkenwell on the 14th of October 1565. He acquired during his years of service three estates, Guisborough in Yorkshire, Steeple Claydon in Buckinghamshire, and St Bees in Cumberland. He marriedJoan, widow of Sir Thomas Leigh; and(2) Etheldreda, daughter of Edward Frodsham, of Elton, Cheshire, by whom he had one son, Sir Thomas Chaloner (1561 - 1615), the naturalist.
Chaloner was the intimate of most of the learned men of his day, and with Lord Burghley he had a life-long friendship. Throughout his busy official life he occupied himself with literature, his Latin verses and his pastoral poems being much admired by his contemporaries.
Thonas Chaloner married Joan, widow of Sir Thomas Leigh, by whom he had one son, Sir Thomas Chaloner (1559–1615).
