Thomas Broke

Who is Thomas Broke?

Thomas Broke or Brooke, translator, was an alderman of Calais, the chief clerk of the exchequer and customer there at the time when the preaching of William Smith at Our Lady's Church in that town led many persons, and Broke among them, to adopt 'reformed' opinions.

Broke was a member of parliament, sitting for Calais, and in July 1539 spoke strongly against the Six Articles Bill, though Cromwell sent to warn him to forbear doing so as he loved his life. Part of his speech is preserved by Foxe. He was roughly answered by Sir William Kingston, comptroller of the king's household, who was reproved by the speaker for his attempt to interfere with the freedom of debate.

The next month, at the trial of Hare, a soldier of Calais, for heresy, Broke interfered on the prisoner's behalf, and was rebuked by the Dean of Arches. Half an hour later he found himself accused of the same crime on the information of the council of Calais, and on 10 Aug. was committed to the Fleet Prison along with John Butler, a priest of the same town, who was also a 'sacramentary.' As, however, the Calais witnesses could prove nothing against him, he was released.