Bourne Archive: People: William Cecil
http://boar.org.uk/abiwxo1Marrat’sCecil.htm
Latest edit 27 Jul 2009
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 fortune 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 conciliated 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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