Thomas Carte
Encyclopedia
Thomas Carte (1686 – 2 April 1754) was an English
historian
.
). He matriculated at University College, Oxford
in 1698, and took his degree from Brasenose College, Oxford
in 1702, and an MA
from King's College, Cambridge
in 1706.
He was first brought into notice by his controversy with Dr Henry Chandler regarding the Irish massacre
of 1641, during the English Civil War
, in which he defended the late King Charles I
. His attachment to the Stuart
s also caused him to remain a non-juror. He was ordained
around 1714, and in that year refused to take the Oath of Allegiance
. On the discovery of the plot of Francis Atterbury
, whose secretary he was, he was accused of high treason
in 1722 and was forced to flee to France
adopting the name of Philips.
There he collected materials for an English edition of the works of Jacques August de Thou and Nicolas Rigault
, which were purchased and published by Dr Mead. He was recalled to England in 1728 through the influence of Queen Caroline
.
The first volume of his General History of England, which contains a vast and careful collection of facts, was published in 1747. By including in it the statement that the "King's Evil" had been cured by the Pretender
, Carte lost the favour of most of his patrons. He, however, continued to publish; and the 2nd volume appeared in 1750, the 3rd in 1752, the 4th in 1755.
He collected a large quantity of historical papers during his life. They became the property of the University of Oxford
, and were deposited in the Bodleian Library
, where they are known as the Carte Manuscripts
.
during the later part of his life, working on part of his "General History of England" while living there. He was buried in the church at Yattendon
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
.
Life
Carte was born near Clifton upon Dunsmore (itself near RugbyRugby, Warwickshire
Rugby is a market town in Warwickshire, England, located on the River Avon. The town has a population of 61,988 making it the second largest town in the county...
). He matriculated at University College, Oxford
University College, Oxford
.University College , is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2009 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £110m...
in 1698, and took his degree from Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, originally Brazen Nose College , is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. As of 2006, it has an estimated financial endowment of £98m...
in 1702, and an MA
Master of Arts (Oxbridge)
In the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin, Bachelors of Arts of these universities are admitted to the degree of Master of Arts or Master in Arts on application after six or seven years' seniority as members of the university .There is no examination or study required for the degree...
from King's College, Cambridge
King's College, Cambridge
King's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. The college's full name is "The King's College of our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge", but it is usually referred to simply as "King's" within the University....
in 1706.
He was first brought into notice by his controversy with Dr Henry Chandler regarding the Irish massacre
Irish Rebellion of 1641
The Irish Rebellion of 1641 began as an attempted coup d'état by Irish Catholic gentry, who tried to seize control of the English administration in Ireland to force concessions for the Catholics living under English rule...
of 1641, during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, in which he defended the late King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
. His attachment to the Stuart
House of Stuart
The House of Stuart is a European royal house. Founded by Robert II of Scotland, the Stewarts first became monarchs of the Kingdom of Scotland during the late 14th century, and subsequently held the position of the Kings of Great Britain and Ireland...
s also caused him to remain a non-juror. He was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
around 1714, and in that year refused to take the Oath of Allegiance
Oath of allegiance
An oath of allegiance is an oath whereby a subject or citizen acknowledges a duty of allegiance and swears loyalty to monarch or country. In republics, modern oaths specify allegiance to the country's constitution. For example, officials in the United States, a republic, take an oath of office that...
. On the discovery of the plot of Francis Atterbury
Francis Atterbury
Francis Atterbury was an English man of letters, politician and bishop.-Early life:He was born at Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, where his father was rector. He was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford, where he became a tutor...
, whose secretary he was, he was accused of high treason
High treason
High treason is criminal disloyalty to one's government. Participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state are perhaps...
in 1722 and was forced to flee to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
adopting the name of Philips.
There he collected materials for an English edition of the works of Jacques August de Thou and Nicolas Rigault
Nicolas Rigault
Nicolas Rigault was a French classical scholar.Born at Paris, he was educated by the Jesuits. He was successively councillor of the parlement of Metz, procurator general at Nancy, and intendant of the province of Toul....
, which were purchased and published by Dr Mead. He was recalled to England in 1728 through the influence of Queen Caroline
Caroline of Ansbach
Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach was the queen consort of King George II of Great Britain.Her father, John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, was the ruler of a small German state...
.
Works and collection
- Life of James Duke of OrmondeJames Butler, 1st Duke of OrmondeJames Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde PC was an Irish statesman and soldier. He was the second of the Kilcash branch of the family to inherit the earldom. He was the friend of Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, who appointeed him commander of the Cavalier forces in Ireland. From 1641 to 1647, he...
(3 vols., 1735–1736; new ed., in 6 vols., Oxford, 1851) - A General Account of the Necessary Materials for a History of England (1738)
- History of the Revolutions of Portugal, with letters of Sir Robert Southwell during his embassy there (London, 1740)
The first volume of his General History of England, which contains a vast and careful collection of facts, was published in 1747. By including in it the statement that the "King's Evil" had been cured by the Pretender
Pretender
A pretender is one who claims entitlement to an unavailable position of honour or rank. Most often it refers to a former monarch, or descendant thereof, whose throne is occupied or claimed by a rival, or has been abolished....
, Carte lost the favour of most of his patrons. He, however, continued to publish; and the 2nd volume appeared in 1750, the 3rd in 1752, the 4th in 1755.
He collected a large quantity of historical papers during his life. They became the property of the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, and were deposited in the Bodleian Library
Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Library , the main research library of the University of Oxford, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and in Britain is second in size only to the British Library...
, where they are known as the Carte Manuscripts
Carte Manuscripts
The Carte Manuscripts are archived historical papers collected by Thomas Carte . They are held in the Bodleian Library, at the University of Oxford, England.Among Carte's collection were many documents relating to the history of Ireland...
.
Later Life and Death
Carte held the rectory in YattendonYattendon
Yattendon is a village and civil parish northeast of Newbury, Berkshire. The M4 motorway passes about south of the village.-Geography:Yattendon stretches from Everington in the west to the hamlet of Burnt Hill in the east and the woodland just east of Yattendon Court, including Mumgrove Copse,...
during the later part of his life, working on part of his "General History of England" while living there. He was buried in the church at Yattendon
Yattendon
Yattendon is a village and civil parish northeast of Newbury, Berkshire. The M4 motorway passes about south of the village.-Geography:Yattendon stretches from Everington in the west to the hamlet of Burnt Hill in the east and the woodland just east of Yattendon Court, including Mumgrove Copse,...
.