Thomas Berthelet (died 1555) was a London printer, probably from France. His surname was also variously spelt ''Berthelot'' and ''Berthelett''. Berthelet was to become

King's Printer The King's Printer (known as the Queen's Printer during the reign of a female monarch) is typically a bureau of the national, state, or provincial government responsible for producing official documents issued by the King-in-Council, Ministers o ...

and King's Bookbinder for Henry VIII. His name was Englished as "Bartlett". Printer Device from

Background

Berthelet was of French descent though very little is known about his background before he established himself as a printer in London. He is thought to have been apprenticed to London printer Pynson, and some historians have suggested he may have been known as Thomas Bercula previously.

Career

Berthelet is recorded, in an application for a marriage licence of 23 August 1524, as being resident in the London parish of St Dunstan in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

's famous printing quarter, Fleet Street. He was a member of the

Stationers' Company The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers (until 1937 the Worshipful Company of Stationers), usually known as the Stationers' Company, is one of the livery companies of the City of London. The Stationers' Company was formed in ...

. On 27 September 1524 Berthelet printed his first book ''Opus sane de deorum dearumque gentilium genealogia'', a small tract by the monk Galfredus Petrus of Bayeux, which was printed in his premises in Fleet Street. In 1528 he printed a translation by Thomas Paynell of the '' Regimen sanitatis Salerni''. This became one of the most popular medical books of the time. By 22 February 1530, Berthelet held the office of

under Henry VIII. As holder of that post he received an annuity of £4. Berthelet remained in the position until Henry's death. As holder, he printed the king's statutes and proclamations, and also such important works as ''The Bishops' Book'' and ''The King's Book''. Henry died in 1547, after which time Berthelet relinquished the post (succeeded by

Richard Grafton Richard Grafton (c. 1506/7 or 1511 – 1573) was King's Printer under Henry VIII and Edward VI. He was a member of the Grocers' Company and MP for Coventry elected 1562-63. Under Henry VIII With Edward Whitchurch, a member of the Haberdashe ...

), and he was granted a coat of arms in 1549. Berthelet printed many Humanist texts important to his age. Among them are the English Bible of

Richard Taverner Richard Taverner (1505 – 14 July 1575) was an English author and religious reformer. He is best known for his Bible translation, commonly known as Taverner's Bible, but originally titled . Life and works Taverner was born at Brisley (a ...

; the original works and translations of Sir

Thomas Elyot Sir Thomas Elyot (c. 149626 March 1546) was an English diplomat and scholar. He is best known as one of the first proponents of the use of the English language for literary purposes. Early life Thomas was the child of Sir Richard Elyot's firs ...

; Thomas Lupset's ''Counsels of Saint Isidore of Seville'', his ''Treatise of Charity'', his ''Sermon of St Chrysostom'', his ''Exhortation to Young Men'', his ''Treatise on the Art of Dying well'', and his edition of Dr Colet's sermon delivered at the convocation at St Paul's; Sir Thomas Chaloner's translation of ''The Praise of Folly'' by

Erasmus Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus (; ; English: Erasmus of Rotterdam or Erasmus;''Erasmus'' was his baptismal name, given after St. Erasmus of Formiae. ''Desiderius'' was an adopted additional name, which he used from 1496. The ''Roterodamus'' w ...

, and several other works of Erasmus translated by Thomas Paynell. In 1545 he was appointed by the Common Council to a committee for poor-relief in the City, together with Humfrey Pakington, Stephen Kirton, Augustine Hynde,

William Garrard This Profile Is Managed By / Garrett(-Garwood), Garrard, Gerard, FitzGerald, FitzWalter, FitzOtho, Gherardini Family Tree Research/Redesign Plan 2022/23. Family Tree Link : https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/184159457?dtid=100 Sir W ...

, Thomas Bacon and others, assisting the Lord Mayor and four aldermen in the work of receiving the Hospitals (dissolved religious houses) from the King and devising ordinances for their future management. In 1548, with regard to

St Bartholomew's Hospital St Bartholomew's Hospital, commonly known as Barts, is a teaching hospital located in the City of London. It was founded in 1123 and is currently run by Barts Health NHS Trust. History Early history Barts was founded in 1123 by Rahere (die ...

, in view of their painstaking work on the orders and constitutions, and their especial diligence, they (including Berthelet) were reappointed for one further year to continue their governance of the refounded institution.F.J. Furnivall and P. Furnivall (eds), ''The Anatomie of the Bodie of Man, by Thomas Vicary'' Part I (Early English Text Society, London 1888), Appendix III
p. 127
& pp. 133-35.

Private life

Berthelet died in London on 26 September 1555. He was succeeded by his second wife, Margaret, and two sons. Berthelet's funeral was held before 26 January 1556 and the mourners included priests, clerks and fellow craftsmen from the book trades.
Historiated initials owned by Thomas Berthelet

Background

Career

Private life

References

Further reading