On This Day in Tudor History:

On October 6, 1542, Sir Thomas Wyatt died around the age of 39.

Outlining Wyatt's fascinating life and career is a task to which I am not equal tonight. I will, however, state that it was my personal belief that although Thomas certainly seemed to have nursed a fairly intense crush on Anne Boleyn, I do not believe that were was ever more than a flirtation and that it was primarily one-sided. Despite it being one of my favorite and one of the sexiest scenes in episode one of Season 2 of The Tudors, I do not believe there was ever a physical relationship between Wyatt and Anne. But Wyatt's passion for her certainly inspired some amazing writing.

My favorite Wyatt poem, believed to be written about Anne Boleyn:


WHOSO LIST TO HUNT

Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind!
But as for me, alas, I may no more;
The vain travail hath wearied me so sore,
I am of them that furthest come behind.
Yet may I by no means my wearied mind
Draw from the deer, but as she fleeth afore
Fainting I follow; I leave off therefore,
Since in a net I seek to hold the wind.
Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt,
As well as I, may spend his time in vain.
And graven with diamonds in letters plain,
There is written her fair neck round about,
"Noli me tangere, for Caesar's I am,
And wild for to hold, though I seem tame."