CHURCHYARD, Thomas, a poet who flourished in the reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI. Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth, was born at Shrewsbury; and inherited a fortune, which he soon exhausted in a fruitless attendance on the court, by which he only gained the favour of being retained a domestic in the family of Lord Surrey; when, by his lordship's encouragement, he commenced poet. Upon his patron's death, he betook himself to arms; was in many engagements; was frequently wounded, and was twice made prisoner. He published 12 pieces, which he afterwards printed together in one volume, under the title of Churchyard's Chorus; and also the tragedy of Thomas Mowbray duke of Norfolk. He died in 1570.