About Thomas Arden
Lived 1508 – 1550 (aged 41–42). Thomas Arden was an English politician.
Arden's house on Abbey Street, Faversham is still standing. It was built by Arden in c. 1538–1540 and uses parts of the former abbey gatehouse. Thomas Arden (1508–1550) was Mayor of Faversham, Kent, England.
He was murdered by his wife, Alice, and her lover, Richard Moseby. This would inspire the Elizabethan play, Arden of Faversham, which in turn was the basis of the opera Arden Must Die (1967).
Between 1610 and 1638, a broadside ballad was additionally published about the murder.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Thomas Arden's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Thomas Arden?
Mayor of Faversham, Kent, England, and murder victim
When was Thomas Arden born?
Thomas Arden was born in 1508.
When did Thomas Arden die?
Thomas Arden died in 1550.
What was Thomas Arden's occupation?
Thomas Arden was a politician.
What nationality was Thomas Arden?
Thomas Arden was English.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Thomas Arden. https://biography.guide/thomas-arden/
MLA: "Thomas Arden." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/thomas-arden/.
Chicago: "Thomas Arden." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/thomas-arden/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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