Helmet.—That of an Esquire.
[Short Introduction to Latin Grammar. London, 1609.]
Thomas Smith (born 23rd December 1513, died 12th August 1577) was the second son of John Smith of Saffron Walden, and Agnes Charnock.
He was educated at Cambridge, where he attracted attention by his ability and was given a special scholarship by Henry VIII. In 1531 Smith was made a Fellow of his College, and shortly afterwards University Orator. In 1544 he was made Regius Professor of Civil Law. He was Provost of Eton and Dean of Carlisle. Although in Orders, Smith presently came to Court and became Clerk of the Privy Council, and in 1548 he was made one of the Secretaries to the King, and shortly afterwards received the honour of Knighthood. He went as Ambassador to the Emperor Charles V., and with an Embassy to France in 1551.
On the accession of Queen Mary, Smith changed his crest, and adopted that of a salamander living in the midst of flames, alluding perhaps to the fact that he escaped free from the dangers of the time, he being a strong Protestant. The Smith crest before this had been an eagle holding a pen in his claw. Queen Elizabeth in turn favoured Sir Thomas, and made him Chancellor of the Order of the Garter, and soon afterwards Secretary of State. Sir Thomas Smith had a large library of books, which he bequeathed to one or other of the Colleges at Cambridge, or among private friends. He wrote several works, mostly political.
SMYTHE, THOMAS, VISCOUNT STRANGFORD
Arms.—Quartered.
1. Az., a chevron engrailed between 3 lions passant or. Smythe.