BoAr: Bourne People: William Cecil
http://boar.org.uk/abiwxo1Marrat’sCecil.htm Latest edit 10 Dec 2007
Web page © R.J.PENHEY 2007
The Bourne Archive.
Marrat’s Biographies: William Cecil, First Baron Burghley.
From the Bourne entry in volume III of William Marrat’s History of Lincolnshire.
The copy used here was lent
by the Willoughby Memorial Library, to the trustees of which
I offer my thanks.
Transcript
(pp. 109 – 115)
William Cecil lord Burleigh, an eminent English
statesman, son of Richard Cecil, master of the robes to Henry VIII., was born
in 1520, at Bourn in Lincolnshire.
He studied at St. John’s College, Cambridge, and was thence removed to
Gray’s-Inn for the purpose of entering on the profession of law- But the credit
he acquired in a dispute concerning the power of the Pope, with two Irish
priests, having introduced him to the knowledge of the king, he had the
reversion of the place of custos brevium conferred upon him, and was encouraged
to push his fortun at court. He married for his first wife the sister of Sir
John Cheke, and was by his brother-in-law recommended to the favour of the earl
of Hertford, so powerful in the reign of Edward VI. under
the title of duke of Somerset.
Soon after the commencement of that reign, Cecil, who had lost his first wife,
took for a second the daughter of Sir Anthony Cook, director of the king’s
studies, and herself a lady of great learning. Thus supported, he rose in 1547
to the post of master of requests, and in 1548 to that of secretary. In
consequence of a court intrigue, he lost his place, and, with others of the
duke of Somerset’s
friends was committed to the Tower; but he was soon liberated; and in 1551 was
reinstated in his office, and admitted to a higher share of favour than before.
He was knighted and sworn a member of the privy-council. So warily did he steer
amid court factions, that the fall of his patron Somerset did not shake him; and his personal
influence with the young king caused him to be treated with regard and
deference even by the haughty Northumberland. He used great caution with
respect to taking part in the disposition of the crown by the dying prince in
favour of lady Jane Grey; and on Edward’s decease, he excused himself from drawing
up the proclamation, declaring that the lady’s accession, and from writing an
justification of her title, in both which dangerous tasks Northumberland would
have engaged him. This conduct secured him a gracious reception from Queen
Mary; and though his refusal to change his religion caused him to forfeit his
office, yet he was appointed one of the delegates to bring over cardinal Pole to England. In 1555 he attended the
cardinal and other commissioners who went to the continent to treat of a peace
with France.
On his return, he was chosen to represent the county of Lincoln
in parliament: and he honourably distinguished himself in opposing a bill
attempted to be brought in for confiscating the estates of fugitives on account
of religion. His foresight led him into a timely correspondence with princess Elizabeth, to whom his counsels were of great use
in her critical situation. She gratefully acknowledged his services on her
accession, in 1558; and in the first formation of her ministry, appointed him privy-counsellor
and secretary of state, it is to the honour of both, that
this confidential connection was only dissolved by death.
One of the first acts of the new reign in which Cecil took
the lead was the settlement of religion, an arduous business, conducted with
great prudence and moderation. The recovery of the coin from its state of
debasement was another important concern in which he engaged with success. As
to foreign affairs, it was his great object to guard against the dangers
impending from the catholic powers; and the protection of the reformed religion
in Scotland
was a point he justly thought of the highest consequence to this end. He was
one of the commissioners who effected the convention
of Leith and the treaty at Edinburgh
so advantageous to English interest; as a reward for this service, the post of
master of the wards was conferred upon him in 1561.
In the suppression of the northern rebellion he displayed all
the resources of his wisdom and policy; and such was the sense Elizabeth entertained
of his services on that occasion, that she raised him to the peerage in 1571,
by the title of Baron of Burleigh; and the next year made him knight of the
Garter, and raised him to the post of lord high treasurer.
At the time of the threatened Spanish invasion lord Burleigh drew up the plans for defence, and his eldest
son served on board lord Howard’s fleet. Not long after, the loss of his
beloved wife threw him into a state of melancholy, which made him desirous of
retiring from public business, especially as his son Robert began to stand
high, in the queen’s favor. He was persuaded however, to keep his employments;
and to the very last he exercised his usual industry in fulfilling the various
duties of his station, and was still regarded as at the head of Elizabeth’s counsellors.
One of his latest efforts was to effectuate a peace with Spain, which he
thought might be obtained on good terms; and when this measure was vehemently
opposed by the high spirited earl of Essex, who expected to acquire fame and
credit in the conduct of the war, lord Burleigh, without replying, pointed out
to him in a prayer-book the words “Men of blood shall not live out half their
days”. This great minister, in the possession of all that could render old age
happy and honourable, died in the bossom of his family in 1598, having passed
his seventy seventh year,
The character of Cecil is in a manner identified with that of
the long reign, the counsels of which he had so great a share in directing. The
consummate prudence and steady resolution by which the many dangers and
difficulties of that period were avoided, and a state of unprecedented
prosperity was finally attained, mark out the spirit of Elizabeth’s ministry, of which Cecil may be
reckoned the soul, Without any thing that indicates
genius, he had all that wisdom of experience, that knowledge of mankind. the patience, and indefatigable application, which fit a man
for the management of great and complicated affairs, and ensure final success.
If his politics were in some instances dark and crooked, they were perhaps such
as peculiar emergencies rendered in some degree necessary, and certainly well
suited the disposition of his mistress, to whom he was ever a most faithful
servant. In his private character, he was enough of the courtier to maintain
and improve the advantages offered him by circumstances, yet with a fund of
probity which comciliated esteem. He had the solid learning, the piety, the
gravity, and decorum, which in that age usually accompanied elevated stations.
His manner of living was noble and splendid, yet regulated by such a spirit of
true economy, that he raised a considerable fortune,
through not more that might very reasonably be acquired from the great posts he
so long occupied. His early and constant occupations as a statesman did not
allow him to shine in any other capacity; yet he is mentioned as the author of
a few Latin verses, and moral and historical tracts. A great number of his
letters on business are still extant.
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