Thomas Parr, loyal subject of 10 English monarchs
Posted in Historical articles, Oddities on Thursday, 29 September 2011
This edited article about Old Parr originally appeared in Look and Learn issue number 827 published on 19 November 1977.
Thomas Parr was remarkable for just one reason. He lived through the reigns of 10 English monarchs in his 152 years of life. Predictably he was given the nickname of “Old Parr”.
He was born at Winnington, near Alderbury, Shropshire in 1483. In the year 1500, he left home to become a servant, returning 18 years later to inherit his father’s smallholding. Here he remained for over a century.
His life went peacefully by. He was said to be a hard worker with temperate habits. At the age of 80, he married for the first time, and lived with his wife until her death 32 years later. His second marriage, to a widow, took place when he was 120.
News of this remarkable old man reached the ears of the Earl of Arundel, who was so intrigued that he went to see “Old Parr”. He also conducted investigations which satisfied him that Parr really had been born in 1483.
The Earl decided that Old Parr was such a curiosity that he should go to the Court in London so that King Charles I could see him. A special litter was constructed so that he would not be tired by the journey. In London he met the King and became a person of great interest at court. People flocked to see him and to talk to him about things which had happened during his long lifetime.
It was this attention, coupled with the change of air and diet, which brought his life to an end. On 14th November 1635, Old Parr died at the Earl of Arundel’s house.