Thomas Iden

Sir Thomas Iden (c. 1453 – 1512/1513) of Westwell was an English knight who served as the High Sheriff of Kent in 1500 as well as the Governor of Rochester Castle in the late 15th-century. He was the son of former High Sheriff and capturer of Jack Cade, Alexander Iden.

Very little is known of Thomas' early years. However, it is known that he was born to Alexander Iden of Westwell and his mother Elizabeth Fiennes, daughter of James Fiennes, 1st Baron Saye and Sele, in 1453.^[1][2] This would be Elizabeth's second marriage as her father and husband William Cromer were both executed when Jack Cade's Rebellion broke out in 1450. Thomas was the brother of Joan Iden, born at an unknown date. His father would die shortly after his birth in 1457. His mother would remarry for the third time to future High Sheriff of Essex and Wiltshire Lawrence Raynsford in 1458. They would have a child named John in 1461, Thomas’ younger brother-in-law.^[3]

The facts surrounding Thomas’ immediate family are fragmented. However he is believed to have married a woman named Alicia, born c. 1450. With her he had five children, four boys and a girl. The eldest, born c. 1475, Thomas named after his father. Despite this, Thomas was possibly never married and Alicia may have been wed to a man named Thomas Shedd, also born in 1453. Alicia is thought to have died in 1504, and a third theory is that she had divorced Thomas Iden and later remarried.

Thomas would hold a handful of positions throughout his life as a strong Lancastrian ally. Including being the High Sheriff of Kent in the sixthteenth year of Henry VII reign.^[4] In addition to the Governor of Rochester Castle by 1486 until the near end or end of his life. Likely made possible by his father previously being the keeper of said castle.