Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy of Chiche

Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy of Chiche (4 December 1506 – 28 June 1558) was an English courtier during the reign of Edward VI. He served as Vice-Chamberlain of the Household and Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard between 1550 and 1551 before his appointment as Lord Chamberlain of the Household. He was placed under house arrest for his support of Lady Jane Grey as Edward's successor.

Early and family life Thomas Darcy, born in 1506, was the only son and heir of Roger Darcy (d. 30 September 1508) by Elizabeth Wentworth, the daughter of Sir Henry Wentworth, and aunt of Queen Jane Seymour.

After the death of Roger Darcy, Elizabeth (née Wentworth) married secondly, as his second wife, Sir Thomas Wyndham (d. 1522) of Felbrigg, Norfolk, by whom she was the mother of Vice-Admiral Thomas Wyndham. She married thirdly, as his third wife, John Bourchier, 1st Earl of Bath.

Through his mother he was the first cousin not only of Henry VIII's Queen for a short time, and the mother of his heir, and her siblings, but of also Thomas Wentworth, 1st Baron Wentworth.

After his father's death, Thomas Darcy became the ward of Sir John Raynsford. He married Raynsford's daughter Audrey in 1521. She died childless in 1527 and he later married Elizabeth, daughter of John de Vere, 15th Earl of Oxford and Elizabeth Trussell. They had five children, including John, who succeeded as 2nd Baron Darcy of Chiche. He married Frances, daughter of Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich, and they had issue, including Thomas, 3rd Baron and 1st Earl Rivers.

Political career

He was knighted by Henry VIII at Calais in November 1532. Darcy sat in parliament for Essex in 1539, 1545 and 1547, and possibly in 1536. He was appointed a Carver of the King's Table in 1540, a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber by 1544, and a Principal Gentleman of the Privy Chamber in 1549. He was sworn of the Privy Council on 24 January 1550, and on 2 February he was appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Household and Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard.

On 5 April 1551, he was created Baron Darcy of Chiche to serve as Lord Chamberlain of the Household, and in this role, he led a commission to reform the revenue courts. He was elected to the Order of the Garter on 6 October. He was pardoned, but lost his offices and council membership.

He died on 28 June 1558 at Wivenhoe in Essex and was buried at St Osyth's Priory. He was succeeded by his eldest son John as 2nd Baron Darcy of Chiche.