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Thomas Hamilton
Thomas hamilton
'
Vital statistics
Title Politician
Gender Male
Status Alive
Ships Unknown
Relationships Alfred Hamilton (Father; deceased)
Miranda Barlow (Wife; deceased)
James Flint (Lover)
Appearances First Appearance: IV. (seen in painting)
First Appearance: IX.
Last Appearance: XXXVIII.
Portrayed by Rupert Penry-Jones

Lord Thomas Hamilton is an English nobleman, and the former husband of Miranda Barlow. His forward thinking ideas of pardoning pirates to restore Nassau to English governance horrified those in power and eventually led to his downfall. It is revealed that he was also the lover of James Flint.

Biography[]

Background[]

Thomas Hamilton is the eldest son of the former Lord Proprietor of the Bahamas, Alfred Hamilton. His wife was Lady Hamilton, later known as Miranda Barlow. According to gossip in London, Miranda was frequently unfaithful or "of the cheating sort"[1].

In 1705, Thomas was tasked by his father, Alfred Hamilton, one of the Lords Proprietor of Carolina and the Bahamas, to formulate a plan to restore commerce to the Bahamas which had become a pirate nest. Thomas is given the assistance of the Royal Navy to do so, in particular James McGraw of the Royal Navy as his liasion to the Admiralty. The two first meet at Whitehall where Thomas explains how the pirate problem in Nassau started. He says that Captain Henry Avery bribed the colonial governor to look past his crimes and allow his crew to set up camp on the island, which he did, leading to other pirates establishing themselves on the island. Thomas wonders aloud where and when it will end before saying that is where they will hopefully come into play. Thomas says that he is sure McGraw knows that Lord Alfred holds great sway amongst his peers in Whitehall, and has asked for the assistance of Her Majesty's Navy in clearing out the pirates, a request he considers of the utmost importance. 

Having explained this, Thomas asks why the Admiralty sent McGraw to aid him. Thomas says that a number of McGraw's superiors were schoolmates of his, and he canvassed them about McGraw's reputation. Despite having no record of formal schooling, he finds that McGraw is more well read than any three boys he knew at Eton College. By all accounts McGraw is a rising star in the Admiralty, which gives Thomas reason to be concerned about why he has been assigned to him. McGraw answers that it doesn't know, glibly suggesting that perhaps his lack of education is showing. Thomas then tells McGraw frankly that he intends to accomplish something by saving Nassau before it is lost forever and that he cannot do that with a partner more concerned with advancing their career than realizing that goal. McGraw then asks Thomas if he wants to save Nassau, to which he answers very much. McGraw then says that perhaps it will be his job to make sure Thomas knows what he is getting into. 

McGraw takes Hamilton to the hanging of a pirate in Wapping. Thomas questions what the purpose of this visit is, and McGraw says it is to help him understand why piracy flourishes in the West Indies. McGraw then asks if Thomas has ever attended a hanging, to which he answers no before asking who is being hanged. McGraw responds that it is "Davey something or other" and that he has been accused of treason and high seas piracy. The pirate on trial is asked whether or not he wants to beg for forgiveness in the eyes of God and Queen Anne before he is hanged to the delight of the crowd. Thomas guesses that the lesson McGraw wanted to teach him is that the pirates of New Providence are unrepentant, dedicated to wreaking havoc and that Thomas' efforts are doomed to fail. But McGraw answers that it is the crowd that he wants Thomas to see. "Civilization needs its monsters", he explains simply, and "a man trying to change the world fails for one simple and unavoidable reason, everyone else." Afterwards, Lady Miranda arrives and observes with Lieutenant McGraw Thomas giving a poor woman and child some money. Miranda describes her husband to the Lieutenant as a "great man," due to his relentless pursuit of a better world[2].

From the start of their partnership the two prove to be good for one another. Thomas is idealistic, principled, and determined, almost to a point of naivete, while McGraw is practical, experienced in dealing with piracy, and outwardly skeptical of Thomas' ability to make a difference in Nassau. At first McGraw encouraged Thomas to look at his goals for Nassau with managed expectations, only working towards what can be achieved. McGraw explains the impossibility of making Nassau an inhabitable place, even apart from the pirate issue, because of the need for farmers and crops, magistrates to maintain order, carpenters to raise buildings, clergy to raise spirits, food to sustain the population for six months to a year, three ships to bring all the people and supplies, sailors to sail them, and an honest governor to reside over all of it. In short, he claims, Thomas would need to assemble a colony to make Nassau a place of order. Unfazed by these seemingly insurmountable problems, Thomas believes that he and McGraw can make a plan that will work because they see the world in very different ways. The hope and optimism of Thomas softens McGraw's resolve and the two begin working together towards a common goal.

One night, while in a tavern drinking with other naval men, McGraw is approached by an officer who snidely remarks that although McGraw was given the prestigious position of working alongside Thomas Hamilton, he was not the most qualified for it. He claims to understand why the position must be so important to him, however, as given his low birth and station as the son of a carpenter, he never ordinarily would have been able to socialise with a Lord. He continues by saying that there must be endless benefits to befriending Thomas Hamilton, including employment for life, increased status, and even the chance to "fuck his wife". At this, McGraw punches the man and begins a fight. After Admiral Hennessy McGraw is later questioned by his commanding officer, a man he sees as a father, about his judgement remaining unclouded during his task of assisting Thomas Hamilton. Although McGraw claims it is, he clearly was not in control during the fight and his commanding officer speaks to the danger he feels will befall McGraw if he continues to act so passionately[3].

As Thomas Hamilton and James McGraw begin working together they develop a close friendship. They discuss books, philosophy, and the ideas which rule society as well as speaking openly and honestly about their task at hand. They develop a light rapport while also continuing to challenge each other regarding the the colonisation of Nassau. At one point, Thomas' wife Miranda gives McGraw a copy of Don Quixote, claiming it may be helpful in dealing with her husband. One morning, while McGraw is not yet dressed, Miranda surprises him and asks him to join her as her guest in viewing a large collection of Egyptian artifacts owned by the Duke and Duchess of Surrey. He responds that people would likely draw the wrong conclusion, and although this bothers him it does not bother Miranda who responds that she is aware of the whispers of infidelity which are associated with her, as is her husband, but it does not bother them. Once inside her carriage, McGraw informs Lady Hamilton that he will not go to see the artifacts with her, rather he is escorting her home. She muses about what type of person he is, guessing that he is the type of the man who cares very much about how he is perceived, but not about the actions he carries out in private. The two kiss, and begin an affair[4].

One day, McGraw is called urgently to Thomas Hamilton's house where he is informed that Thomas' father, the 4th Earl of Ashbourne, Lord Alfred Hamilton, will be arriving in two hours to look over Thomas' proposed plans for Nassau. Thomas claims that he is concerned over only one part of the plan, the part which he and McGraw have failed to discuss- pirates. Thomas asks for his friends help, informing McGraw that instead of persecuting and killing the pirates, he plans to pardon them and make them citizens of Nassau, and that he wishes to be talked out of it.

McGraw is taken aback at this proposal, suggesting a more traditional plan of hanging several of the pirate ringleaders and establishing a governor of their choosing in order to not betray the crown. He argues that no one wants to be labelled a coward, and that Thomas will be if he pardons people understood to be traitors. McGraw encourages his friend to beware of his fathers immense power within government, reminding him that if he does propose this plan, his father will certainly distance himself from it and become an enemy. As his Liasion to the Admiralty, McGraw advises Thomas that what he proposes must be approached with the utmost caution. As his friend, McGraw advises him to forget he ever even thought of it.

In spite of this, at dinner Thomas presents the plan to his father. He is initially impressed with what has been detailed in the report, but then asks what Thomas plans to do about the pirates. When Thomas responds that he intends to pardon all of the pirates of Nassau and put them to work, Lord Alfred Hamilton becomes enraged. Putting McGraw on the spot, Lord Hamilton accuses his silence of meaning he is in agreement with his Thomas' plan. McGraw responds that he does support it. Standing, he passionately says that he finds Thomas' argument to be persuasive and his intentions good and true while he find's the Lord's to be wanting. McGraw then asks Lord Hamilton to leave his own house, which he does, intent on making sure their plan never sees the light of day. When asked by a surprised and amused Thomas if he had really just asked his father to leave the house, McGraw emotionally replies that "people can say what they like about you. But you are a good man. More people should say that, and someone should be willing to defend it".[5]

Realising what this exclamation means, Thomas stands and approaches his friend, placing his hand on his shoulder. Suddenly a gesture of appreciation turns into something more when Thomas places both of his hands on McGraw's shoulders and leans towards him. Drawing back at first, McGraw appears torn and confused, but then the two lean in and kiss one another, acknowledging the feelings which have been developing for months. The two then begin a loving romantic relationship together. Thomas gifts Flint his copy of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, with the inscription on the inside cover "James, my truest love, know no shame. - T. H."

The two continues to work together in order to have their vision for Nassau granted. They meet with several of Thomas' friends, and people within government to try and convince them, yet the only one who is moved by the proposal is Peter Ashe, a member of parliament who is sympathetic towards the idea of pardoning the pirates. This is significant, as Ashe is known for his political acumen and ability to push an agenda within parliament. He advises Thomas to drop the pardons as this is the only part of the plan that members of parliament have an issue with. Thomas insists, however, that the pardons are the most important part and is unwilling to yield on this point.

After three months spent in Nassau gathering information, McGraw returns with dire news. The governor Robert Thompson had been in a dispute with pirates over a bribe he felt he was owed, leading to the murder of his wife and son in the streets. Thompson was allowed to live in order to tell his tale which illustrated who was truly in charge of Nassau, causing great problems for Thomas and his plan to pardon such men. Although Thomas argues that those men should be punished but they should not condemn the rest, Ashe informs him his plan is, politically-speaking, dead. McGraw argues that it isn't as long as the Navy makes a case, but Ashe says that the Navy will not go against parliament.

However, unbeknownst to the Hamiltons and McGraw, Ashe was blackmailed into betraying his friends by Alfred Hamilton when Hamilton allegedly threatened to harm his family. As part of the betrayal, Ashe testified to the homosexual relationship taking place between Thomas and McGraw. With this testimony, Alfred Hamilton uses his connections within the Royal Navy to have McGraw dismissed on the spot. Thomas is swiftly taken away to the Bethlem Royal Hospital, a mental asylum, but quickly makes Miranda promise that she and McGraw will leave and begin a life with each other for support. Grief-stricken and in shock, McGraw agrees and leaves to go into exile with Miranda. Ashe offers places with friends in different parts of Europe but McGraw is set on the fact that he and Miranda will go to Nassau to try and carry on Thomas' mission[6].

Rumours of what had happened to Thomas reach McGraw and Miranda with him apparently having committed suicide when he realised his dreams for Nassau were no more. The loss of Thomas serves as the primary catalyst for James McGraw becoming Captain Flint. His profound grief manifests as rage, sparking a determination to see Nassau return to a state of self governance without the intervention of England. Within ten years Flint become one of the most feared pirate captains in Nassau, determined to make the whole of England pay for the treatment Thomas received[7].

Season One[]

Years after Thomas' assumed death, Richard Guthrie discovered a painting in Miranda Barlow's house on New Providence Island, of her and Thomas Hamilton. From this he is able to piece together that she is actually Lady Hamilton from the inscription on the painting. Based on the rumours he's heard from London, Thomas Hamilton died in an asylum, while his wife and her lover fled London[1].

Season Two[]

Miranda Barlow approaches James Flint in The Tavern and attempts to dissuade him from continuing down his path of violence with the Assault on Fort Nassau. She tries to get him to agree to a plan where he returns Abigail to her father without conditions and then convince him to advocate for the pardon of the pirates and reconciliation of Nassau with the British Empire. Miranda says that Peter almost succeeded despite the war with Spain and Alfred Hamilton, two obstacles that are no longer in their way. Flint says that Peter has changed in the decade since they saw him last, and that six months ago he hanged four men in his harbor possession of pirated goods, clearly a man that Flint cannot negotiate with. Miranda says that he will have returned his only daughter to him safe and unharmed, without conditions, and to remind him of the principles they all spoke of in Thomas' salon years ago. Flint refuses, and insists that the path towards a sustainable and self governing Nassau is capturing the Spanish gold.

Miranda then tells Flint that he may profess to be fighting for the sake of Nassau, his men, Thomas and his memory, but the truth is that Flint is merely fighting for the sake of fighting, because it is the only way he can function. This is because it is the only way to silence the voice in his head that tells him to be ashamed over having loved Thomas. Flint had loved Thomas, but was told that it was shameful and part of him believed it. Miranda acknowledges that while she and Thomas loved each other, he had something entirely different with Flint, and it is time for Flint to accept that. Flint replies that the only thing he is ashamed of is not having tried to rescue Thomas when he had the chance[6].

Hamilton Clock

The Hamilton's Clock in Charles Town.

Flint goes to Charles Town to meet with his old friend Peter Ashe, now Governor of Carolina, to persuade him to support reconciliation between the pirates and England again. During their negotiations, they explain that they were driven to murder Alfred Hamilton out of grief after hearing of Thomas's purported suicide in the asylum. However, they are dedicated to the principles they fought for with Thomas all those years ago, and cite the fact that they convinced over 70 men from Flint's original crew of 100 that this plan had merit. Peter agrees to help them, but on the condition that Flint sail with him to London and reveal the full story, including his relationship with Thomas, to Parliament, thereby unmasking the monster and revealing a flawed man begging forgiveness, which would convince the proud men in Whitehall to agree. However, Miranda notices that the clock looks just like the one she and Thomas used to have in their parlor, and Peter says it was a gift from Lord Alfred. After being pressed on the issue, Peter reveals that it was a gift and that he had betrayed Thomas and Flint to Lord Alfred and Admiral Hennessey. Miranda begins to excoriate him for ruining their lives and trying to have Flint humiliate himself while doing nothing about his own numerous sins. Peter retorts that they know nothing of his own sins and that none of them were there when Lord Alfred threatened Peter's family's standing, nor when he visited Thomas in the asylum and begged for and received his forgiveness. As they continue to argue, Colonel William Rhett enters and shoots Miranda, and his men apprehend Flint[7].

Season Three[]

After making landfall at the Maroon Island, Captain Flint and his quartermaster, John Silver, discuss how Flint believes that the offer of pardons would eliminate resistance to British rule in Nassau. Flint explains that a decade ago, he, Miranda Barlow, her husband and Lord Peter Ashe worked together to obtain a universal pardon as a means of reasserting English rule in Nassau[8].

In his meeting with Captain Flint, Governor Woodes Rogers tries to appeal to Flint's past, saying he is finishing what Thomas Hamilton had started. Flint is visibly shaken at the mere mention of his name, but argues that he went to Charles Town to make peace with England, and Miranda Barlow was killed for it, as Thomas was in London all those years ago. Flint further argues that Thomas argued for the pardons to prove a point and reform England, while Rogers is just doing it for his own purposes[9]

Before the Battle of the Maroon Island, John Silver asks Flint about the man "in whose name this war is to be fought", and Flint tells him about his past with Thomas Hamilton. Flint explains that "madness" is a difficult thing to define, which is why it is so easy to use it as a label against one's enemies. After it had been applied to Thomas, and his relationship with Flint had been exposed and scandalized, everything fell apart. There were times afterwards that Flint had been tempted to seek peace with England, but that day he knew that England was broken and someone needed to resist it. Silver tells Flint he is genuinely sorry about all this, but expresses concern that the people closest to Flint, a group that now includes Silver, seem to have a pattern of dying[10].

Season Four[]

Before Silver exchanges Max for the twenty captured pirates, Silver asks her what she would have done with him when she tried to detain him. Max tells him of a place her spies found in Savannah where the English aristocracy send troublesome family members to be incarcerated and cared for in secret; the allusion to Thomas Hamilton being alive is clear. However, when Silver asks Flint if he would end his war against England, if he could have Thomas back, Flint just responds in platitudes, and says that the question is irrelevant as there is no way he is still alive[11].

In a series of flashbacks to several weeks prior to the Invasion of Nassau, Flint trains Silver in sword fighting. At one point, he remarks that Silver knows all about Thomas and Miranda, but Flint does not know anything about Silver's real past, for all the stories he's told about his background are a falsified combination of other crew-mates' stories. Silver later remarks to Madi that he has earned Flint's friendship after all the tragedies he has suffered, and he vows to give Flint his[12].

XXXVIII-13

After the battle at Skeleton Island, Flint and Silver are seen talking, Silver's gun pointed at his chest. A noise is then heard by the three waiting men who turn at the sound of some noise which scares several birds, leaving it unknown whether or not Silver killed Flint. Silver then returns to the Maroon Island and offers all the assembled Maroons and pirates a treaty where if they surrender, they will be left in peace. Madi is infuriated by the deal, but the pirates and Maroons accept it. The story is spread that Flint chose to walk away from the war and live in peace. Silver later tries to talk to Madi. She remarks that he killed Flint even though he was Silver's friend. Silver says he didn't kill Flint, he unmade him. After apprehending him on Skeleton Island, he took Flint to Savannah, where he was to be humanely interned. Upon arrival at the estate, Flint sees Thomas working in a cane field, and the two kiss and reunite. However, the possibility is left open that this was all simply another tale spun by Silver[13].

Quotes[]

By Thomas Hamilton[]

"I intend to save Nassau before she's lost forever."

Thomas to Lieutenant McGraw in IX.

"And God said, "Let there be light," and then there was light. And He saw that it was good, and He separated the land from the water, and He called the water the Seas. And He said, "Let the sea bring forth life abundantly." And He blessed it, and He said that it was good. And He formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed life into his nostrils and man became a living soul. And He beheld all He had created, and He said it was very good. But the Lord beheld the man made in his likeness and He beheld his solitude... and He said, 'It is not good that he is alone.' And the moral of the story... everybody needs a partner." 

- Thomas to McGraw in X.

About Thomas Hamilton[]

"The portrait in your room depicts you alongside Lord Thomas Hamilton, son of Alfred Hamilton, the lord proprietor of these Bahama Islands. Forgive me. I must have gotten disoriented and wandered. You see, I've had extensive dealings with the earl over the years, and so I'd long heard of the tragedy that befell his eldest son. But Thomas's wife, long rumored to be the cheating sort, had begun a torrid affair with her husband's closest friend, a promising young officer in His Majesty's Navy. And upon discovering the affair, Thomas went mad with grief. His despair so great, even the asylum couldn't protect him from himself. As for Thomas's wife, she's said to have fled London along with her lover. Partly out of shame, partly to escape retribution. Given the facts at hand, I am forced to assume that the lover is none other than our friend Captain Flint."

Richard Guthrie to Miranda Barlow in IV.

"People can say what they like about you. But you're a good man. More people should say that. And someone should be willing to defend it."

James McGraw to Thomas in XII.

Trivia[]

  • There was a real Thomas Hamilton, who lived from 1860-1735. He was a Scottish politician and nobleman who held the title 6th Earl of Haddington.
  • Rupert Penry-Jones has some of the fewest episode appearances of any main character. He appears in five episodes in Season Two and then only in the Season Four finale, although he is still credited as a main cast member for that episode.

Gallery[]

Appearances[]

Season One
I. II. III.* IV.*
V. VI. VII. VIII.

*In a painting, uncredited

Season Two
IX. X. XI. XII. XIII.
XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII.
Season Four
XXIX. XXX. XXXI. XXXII. XXXIII.
XXXIV. XXXV. XXXVI. XXXVII. XXXVIII.

References[]

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