New Perspectives on 'Black Tom'? The Female Relationships of Sir Thomas Wentworth, 1593-1641

Thomas Wentworth, the first Earl of Strafford, has been portrayed as either a ruthless tyrant or the first martyr of Parliament, and his political career has been meticulously studied by historians since his execution in 1641. Though Wentworth did have an important political career, it is his home life that this thesis looks to focus on. During his lifetime, Wentworth had three wives and four surviving children. Yet, Wentworth's wives have often been overlooked by historians, so much so that no letter from or to any of his wives made it into William Knowler's publication of Strafford's letters in 1739.

It is the aim of this thesis to highlight the importance of women in their own right during the Early Modern period. By using what remains of Wentworth's letters and first-hand accounts of the Wentworth's close friends and family, this thesis uncovers the lives of each of these women and highlights the influence they may have had over Thomas Wentworth and his career. The research suggests that Wentworth was a kind and loving husband and father, and that his career was at least partially motivated by his family and his drive to give them a better life. This thesis begins by looking at Wentworth's family background in order to understand Wentworth's relationship with his parents and how their marriage affected Wentworth's own relationships with his wives and family. It then looks at each of Wentworth's wives: Margaret Clifford, Arabella Holles and Elizabeth Rhodes respectively; not only does this focus allow us to better understand the lives each of these women experienced, but from this we are able to compare each of the marriages to see how Wentworth's approach to his relationships changed over time.

The outcome of this research highlights the significance of women and their role as wives of important political figures during this period; if Wentworth could be shaped by the women in his life, it is possible to argue that other key political figures may have been too.