Biography of William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley 1520-1598

Paternal Family Tree: Cecil

Maternal Family Tree: Jane Heckington 1587

1547 Battle of Pinkie Cleugh

1551 Edward VI's 14th Birthday

1553 My Device for the Succession

1564 Elizabeth I's visit to Cambridge University

1566 Elizabeth I's visit to Oxford University

1571 Ridolphi Plot

1571 Triple Wedding

1586 Trial of Mary Queen of Scots

1587 Execution of Mary Queen of Scots

1603 Death of Queen Elizabeth I Accession of James I

1603 Knighting at Theobalds House

Before 1520 [his father] Richard Cecil (age 25) and [his mother] Jane Heckington were married.

On 13 Sep 1520 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley was born to Richard Cecil (age 25) and Jane Heckington at Bourne.

Around 1530 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 9) educated at The King's School, Grantham [Map].

Around 1532 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 11) educated at Stamford School, Lincolnshire.

In May 1535 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 14) educated at St John's College, Cambridge University [Map].

In 1541 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 20) educated at Gray's Inn.

In 1541 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 20) and Mary Cheke were married.

On 05 May 1542 [his son] Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter was born to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 21) and [his wife] Mary Cheke.

In Feb 1543 [his wife] Mary Cheke died.

On 21 Dec 1546 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 26) and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 20) were married.

Battle of Pinkie Cleugh

On 10 Sep 1547 an English army commanded by Edward Seymour 1st Duke Somerset (age 47) defeated a Scottish army commanded by James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran (age 31) and Archibald Douglas 6th Earl Angus (age 58) at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh at Musselburgh.

The English army included John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland (age 43), Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 47), Miles Partridge and Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth (age 22). John Thynne (age 32) and Edmund Brydges 2nd Baron Chandos (age 25) were knighted.

William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 26) accompanied Edward Seymour 1st Duke Somerset (age 47).

John Forbes 6th Lord Forbes (age 82), Christopher Coningsby (age 31) and Edward Clere were killed.

John Thynne (age 32) was knighted after the battle.

The Scottish army included John Gordon 11th Earl Sutherland (age 22) who commanded the Rearguard and Gilbert Kennedy 3rd Earl Cassilis (age 32). John Stewart, Robert Douglas (age 41), John Livingston, Thomas Hamilton of Priestfield and Hugh Montgomerie were killed. John Hay 4th Lord Hay was captured but soon released.

Malcolm Fleming 3rd Lord Fleming (age 53) was killed. His son James Fleming 4th Lord Fleming (age 13) succeeded 4th Lord Fleming. Barbara Hamilton Lady Fleming by marriage Lord Fleming.

Robert Graham Master of Montrose was killed.

In 1548 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 27) was appointed Master of Requests.

In Nov 1549 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 29) was imprisoned at Tower of London [Map].

On 04 Jun 1550 Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester (age 17) and Amy Robsart (age 17) were married at Sheen Palace [Map]. King Edward VI of England and Ireland (age 12) and William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 29) attended. He the son of John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland (age 46) and Jane Guildford Duchess Northumberland (age 41).

On 05 Sep 1550 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 29) was appointed Secretary of State.

Diary of Edward VI. 06 Sep 1550. Mr. Wotton gave up his secretaryship, and mr. Cicil (age 29) toke it.3

Note 3. "Septr. V. This daye mr. William Sicile (age 29) was sworne secretarye in stede of mr. Wotton, by the King's ordre appointed stiU to remaigne of the counsaill." (Council Book.)

In Apr 1551 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 30) was appointed Chancellor of the Order of the Garter.

Edward VI's 14th Birthday

Henry Machyn's Diary. 11 Oct 1551. The xj day of October wher creatyd [at Hampton [Map]] curtte my lord marqwes Dorsett duke of Suffolk (age 34); the yerle of Warwyke duke of Northumburland (age 47); [the earl] of Wyllshere (age 68) created the marqwes of Wyncha[ster; sir] Wylliam Harbard (age 50) made lord of Cardyff, and after the yerle of Penbroke; and knyghtes mad the sam time, sir William Syssyll (age 31), secretery, knyght, and M. Hare Nevylle knyght, [sir William] Sydney knyght, and M. Cheke, the kynges scollmaster.

Note. Creation of new peerages. The intended creation of the dukes of Northumberland and Suffolk, the marquess of Winchester, and the earl of Pembroke, was made known to the Privy Council on the 4th Oct. 1551, as thus recorded in their minutes: "This daye the lord chamberlen together wth the lord chamberlen (sic), beinge sente from the kinge to the lordes, declared on his majesties behalfe, that, for asmuch as the lord marques of Dorset hath lately opened to his highness the occasyones of his inhabilletie to serve in the place of generall warden of the marches towardes Scotlande, and therefore besought his majestie to call him from that place; his majestie, thinkinge the same lord marques' suite reasonable, and mindinge not to leave such a rowme of importance unfurneshed of an able personage, hath resolved both to revoke the said marques from that offyce, and to appointe the earle of Warwicke in his steed, who for his greate experience, and namly in those partes, his highnes taketh to be moste meeteste for that rowme. And hath further determyned, as well to th'ende that the said earle of Warwicke may the rather be had in the estymacione he deserveth for his digneties sake, as for that also his majestie thinketh necessarye, the noble houses of this his realme being of late much decayed, to erect other in their stead by rewardinge such as have alredye well served, and maye be therby the rather encowraged to contynewe the same, to call both his lordship and other noble personages to hier estates and digneties; and therfore hath appointed to advaunce firste the said earle of Warwicke to the degree of a duke; the lorde marques Dorsett, as well for his service sacke as for that he is lyke by waye of maryage to have claime to the tytle of duke of Suffolke, his highnes is pleased to call to that degree; the lord treasuror nowe earl of Wiltesheir to the degree of a marques; the master of the horse [sir William Herbert] to the degree of an earle; which his majesties mynd and determenacion his highnes pleasure is shalbe gon through with all, and these personages to be created on Sondaye nexte; to the assistance whereof his majestie willeth that such of the lordes and nobles as shalbe thought needfull, to be presente," &c. (MS. Harl. 352, f. 188b.)

Note. The three new knights. Mr. Sidney (age 69) and Mr. Neville (age 31) had been made gentlemen of the privy chamber on the 18th April 1550, and Mr. Cheke held the same appointment. (King Edward's Diary.) Sir Henry Neville (age 31) was the first settler at Billingbere of his name and family. He married Frances (age 9), only daughter and heir of sir John Gresham (age 33), and died July 13, 1593.

In 1553 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 32) was elected Knight of the Shire Lincolnshire.

In 1553 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 42) and [his sister-in-law] Anne Cooke (age 26) were married.

On 19 Mar 1553 [his father] Richard Cecil (age 58) died at Canon Row. He was buried at St Margaret's Church, Westminster [Map].

My Device for the Succession

On 15 Jun 1553 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 32) signed My Device for the Succession.

Edward Rogers (age 55) was present.

In 1555 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 34) was elected Knight of the Shire Lincolnshire.

In 1555 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 34) built at Burghley House.

In May 1555 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 34) accompanied Cardinal Reginald Pole (age 55) at Calais [Map].

Around 1556 [his daughter] Frances Cecil was born to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 35) and [his wife] Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 30).

On 05 Dec 1556 [his daughter] Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford was born to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 36) and [his wife] Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 30).

On 13 Sep 1557 [his former brother-in-law] John Cheke (age 43) died.

In 1558 Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper (age 47) was appointed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal following Elizabeth I's accession. He was supported in the appointment by his brother-in-law William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 37).

On 27 Jun 1558 Thomas Hoby (age 28) and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Cooke (age 31) were married.

On 27 Jun 1558 Ralph Rowlett of London and St Albans (age 45) and [his sister-in-law] Margaret Cooke were married.

On 03 Aug 1558 [his sister-in-law] Margaret Cooke died.

In or before 1559 [his brother-in-law] Richard Cooke (age 29) and Anne Caunton (age 32) were married.

In 1559 [his son] William Cecil was born to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 38) and [his wife] Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 33).

In 1559 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 38) was elected Knight of the Shire Lincolnshire.

In 1559 [his son] William Cecil died.

In Feb 1559 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 38) was elected Chancellor Cambridge University.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 29 May 1560. The xxix day of May toke ther gorney [journey] into Skotteland master Syssell (age 39) secretore and master docthur Wattun (age 45) my (unfinished).

In 1561 [his son] William Cecil died.

In 1561 [his son] William Cecil was born to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 40) and [his wife] Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 35).

In Jan 1561 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 40) was appointed Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 09 Feb 1561. The ix day of Feybruary dyd pryche at Powlles crosse [Map] master Pylkyngtun (age 41), electyd byshope of Durram, and ther was my lord mare (age 65) and the althermen and my lord Robart Dudley (age 28) and master secretore Sysselle (age 40), and dyvers odur of the quen('s) consell; and after to my lord mare to dener.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 13 Jun 1561. The sam nyght the Quen('s) (age 27) grace whent from the Charterhowse by Clarkyne-welle over the feldes unto the Sayvoy unto master secretore Sysselle (age 40) to soper, and ther was the consell and mony lordes and knyghtes and lades and gentyll-women, and ther was grett chere tyll mydnyght, and after here grace ryd to my lord North('s) (age 65) to bed at the Charter-howse.

Henry Machyn's Diary. Jul 1562. The .. day of July was christened the dowther of Wylliam Harve (age 52) aleas Clarenceux king of armes, in the parryche of sant Brydes, the godfather Cordall master of the rolles knyght, and the godmothers my [his sister-in-law] lade Bacon (age 35) my lord keper('s) (age 51) wyff, and my [his wife] lade Sysselle (age 36) [Note. Sister of Anne Cooke (age 35)] wife of ser Wylliam Sysselle (age 41); and after unto master Clarenshux('s), and ther was a grett bankett as I have sene, and wassail, of epocras, Frenche wyne, Gaskyn wyne, and Reynys [wine,] with grett plente, and all ther servandes had a banekett in the hall with dyvers dyssys [dishes].

In 1563 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 42) was elected Knight of the Shire Northamptonshire.

On 01 Jun 1563 [his son] Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury was born to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 42) and [his wife] Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 37).

On 17 Sep 1563 Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland (age 36) died. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His son Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland (age 14) succeeded 3rd Earl of Rutland, 14th Baron Ros Helmsley. Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland (age 14) became a ward of Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 30) and was specially under the charge of William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 43).

On 01 Jul 1564 [his daughter] Elizabeth Cecil was born to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 43) and [his wife] Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 38).

Elizabeth I's visit to Cambridge University

In Aug 1564 Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 30) visited Cambridge University accompanied by William Howard 1st Baron Howard (age 54) and William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 43). William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 43) was created Master of Arts: Cambridge University.

John Astley (age 57) was created Master of Arts: Cambridge University.

On 10 Aug 1564 Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland (age 15) was created Master of Arts: Cambridge University.

In 1565 Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 31) was entertained at Blackfriars Friary, Stamford [Map] by William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 44).

Around 1565 Unknown Painter. Portrait of William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 44). His right-hand is holding the Lord Treasurer Staff of Office.

In or before 1566 [his son] Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter (age 23) and [his daughter-in-law] Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter (age 17) were married.

Elizabeth I's visit to Oxford University

Around Aug 1566 Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 32) visited Oxford University. William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 45) was created Master of Arts: Oxford University.

On 25 Feb 1571 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 50) was created 1st Baron Burghley. [his wife] Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 45) by marriage Baroness Burghley.

Ridolphi Plot

On 29 Aug 1571 Norfolk's secretaries William Barker and Robert Higford entrusted to Thomas Browne, a Shrewsbury draper, what was purported to be a bag of silver coin for delivery to Laurence Bannister, one of Norfolk's officials in the north of England. Browne grew suspicious of the bag's weight, opened it, and discovered 600 pounds in gold from the French ambassador, destined for Scotland on Mary's behalf, and ciphered letters. Because he knew Norfolk was under suspicion, Browne reported his find to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 50), the Secretary of State. Higford and Barker were interrogated, the letters were partly deciphered, and a search for the cipher key at Howard House uncovered a ciphered letter from Mary Stuart hidden under a doormat.

1571 Triple Wedding

On 16 Dec 1571 a triple wedding was celebrated at Whitehall Palace [Map] ... with Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 38) present ...

Edward Dudley 4th Baron Dudley (age 46) and Mary Howard Baroness Dudley (age 23) were married. She by marriage Baroness Sutton of Dudley. The difference in their ages was 23 years. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.

[his son-in-law] Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford (age 21) and [his daughter] Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford (age 15) were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. He the son of John de Vere 16th Earl of Oxford and Margery Golding Countess of Oxford.

Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester (age 21) and Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester (age 25) were married. She by marriage Countess Worcester. She the daughter of Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon and Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon (age 60). He the son of William Somerset 3rd Earl of Worcester (age 45) and Christina North Countess of Worcester. They were third cousin once removed.

In 1572 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 51) was appointed 356th Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 38).

In 1572 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 51) was appointed Lord High Treasurer.

In Oct 1577 Walter Mildmay (age 56) and William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 57) visited Mary Queen of Scots (age 34) at Chatsworth House [Map] after she had announced that she had important secrets to reveal to Elizabeth.

On 03 Oct 1579 [his brother-in-law] Richard Cooke (age 49) died.

On 04 Oct 1581 Henry Wriothesley 2nd Earl of Southampton (age 36) died. His son Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton (age 7) succeeded 3rd Earl of Southampton. His wardship was sold by the Queen to her kinsman, Charles, Lord Howard of Effingham (age 45), for £1000. Howard then transferred his wardship to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 61).

On 26 Feb 1582 [his son-in-law] William Wentworth (age 27) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Cecil (age 17) were married.

On 28 Feb 1584 Thomas Moryson was nominated a Bencher at Gray's Inn by William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 63).

After 1585 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 23) (attributed). Portrait of William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 64). His right-hand is holding the Lord Treasurer Staff of Office.

Trial of Mary Queen of Scots

Execution of Mary Queen of Scots

Calendars. 28 Feb 1587. Paris [Map]. Bernardino De Mendoza (age 47) to the King (age 59). Note. Assumed to be the Spanish King Philip II.

The English ambassador sent the confidant (i.e., Charles Arundel (age 54)) to me this morning to say that as it was so important that your Majesty (age 59) should be informed instantly of the news he had received last night from England, that he sent to tell me of it, and openly to confess me his anxiety to serve your Majesty (age 59). He offered himself entirely through me, in the assurance that your Majesty (age 59) would not order him to do anything against the interest of his mistress the Queen (age 53), who however, he could plainly see, had not long to live now that she had allowed the execution of the Queen of Scotland (deceased). It happened in this way. The Lord Treasurer (age 66) being absent through illness, the earl of Leicester (age 54), Lord Hunsdon (age 60), Lord Admiral Howard (age 51) and Walsingham (age 55), had represented to the Queen (age 53) that the Parliament would resolutely refuse to vote any money to maintain the war in Holland, or to fit out a naval force to help Don Antonio, unless she executed the Queen of Scotland (deceased). Under this pressure she consented to sign a warrant, as they called it, that the Parliament might see, but which was not to be executed, unless it were proved that the Queen of Scotland (deceased) conspired again against her life. As Secretary Walsingham (age 55) was ill this warrant was taken to the Queen (age 53) for her signature by Davison (age 46), and after she had signed it she ordered him not to give it to anyone unless she gave him personally her authority to do so. Davison (age 46), who is a terrible heretic and an enemy of the Queen of Scotland (deceased), like the rest of the above-mentioned, delivered the warrant to them. They took a London executioner and sent him with the warrant to the justice of the county where the Queen of Scotland (deceased) was. The moment the justice received it, on the 8th [NOTE. Appears to be a typo; original says 18th], he entered the Queen of Scotland's (deceased) chamber with Paulet (age 54) and Lord Grey (age 46), who had charge of her, and there they had her head cut off with a hatchet in the presence of the four persons only. The Queen (age 53) orders her ambassador to inform this King (age 59) of it, and assure him, as she will more fully by a special envoy, that the deed was done against her will, and although she had signed the warrant she had no intention of having it carried out. She cannot avoid blaming herself for having trusted anyone but herself in such a matter. The ambassador is begging earnestly for an audience and is keeping the matter secret until he tells the King. In order that no time may be lost in informing your Majesty, I send this special courier in the name of merchants, by way of Bordeaux, whence he will go post to Irun; and as God has so willed that these accursed people, for His ends, should fall into "reprobrium sensum," and against all reason commit such an act as this, it is evidently His design to deliver those two kingdoms into your Majesty's hands. I thanked the ambassador in general terms for his offer, saying that I would give an account thereof to your Majesty. As I have formerly said, it will be most advisable to accept it, and pledge him to give us notice of any machinations here and in England against us. He reports that the fitting out of ships continues but in no greater number than he previously advised, although the rumour is current here that there would be 60 English, besides the Hollanders, but that the crews, etc. were not raised and no time fixed for the departure. The ambassador says he will have full information on the point when a gentleman of his has arrived whom he had sent to England to gain intelligence, as Cecil only writes now to say that the execution of the Queen of Scotland has been against his will, as he, the ambassador knew; and that the King, her son, was in great danger of suffering a similar fate. The execution was known in London on the 20th when the executioner returned, and great bonfires had been lit for joy all over the countryside. They did not even give her time to commend her soul to God. .

On 10 Mar 1587 [his mother] Jane Heckington died.

On 03 Sep 1587 Edward Fitton (age 39) passed his patent for 11,515 acres in the counties of Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford; the speculation proved to be not so profitable as he had anticipated, and on 19 Dec 1588 he wrote to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 66) that he was £1,500 out of pocket through it, and begged that his rent might be remitted on account of his father's twenty years' service and his own.

On 05 Jun 1588 [his daughter] Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford (age 31) died. She was buried at the Chapel of St Nicholas, Westminster Abbey [Map]. She shares a monument with her mother [his wife] Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 62). The monument rises to twenty-four feet, and is constructed of various coloured marbles, after a design of the Corinthian order. The Latin inscriptions, which are very long, were written by Lord Burleigh (age 67) himself, and set forth the varied accomplishments and the virtues of the two ladies who are represented in effigy in the lower part of the monument. The figure of Lord Burleigh (age 67), in his robes, and in a kneeling attitude, appears in the upper part of the monument.

In 1589 [his son] Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury (age 25) and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Brooke (age 25) were married.

On 04 Apr 1589 or 05 Apr 1589 [his wife] Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 63) died. She was buried at the Chapel of St Nicholas, Westminster Abbey [Map].

After 1590 Unknown Painter. Portrait of William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 69). His left-hand is holding the Lord Treasurer Staff of Office.

In 1591 [his former son-in-law] Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford (age 40) sold Hedingham Castle [Map] to his father-in-law William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 70) in trust for his three daughters Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby (age 15), Bridget Vere Baroness Norreys Rycote (age 6) and Susan Vere Countess Montgomery (age 3) by his first wife [his daughter] Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford.

In 1592 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 71) was appointed Master Dublin University.

On 04 Aug 1598 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 77) died. His son [his son] Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter (age 56) succeeded 2nd Baron Burghley. He was buried at St Martin's Church, Stamford [Map] with a large free-standing Elizabethan Period monument under the north chapel arch, in coloured marbles with a figure on tomb chest under an arched canopy supported on paired columns. Attributed to Cornelius Cure. The emblem of the Knights of the Garter on William's left shoulder. Leg Garter. In his right-hand he is holding the Lord Treasurer Staff of Office; originally white.

The inscription one the monument is on contained within three panels: two on the south (Chancel) side, and one on the north (Chapel) side.

Sacred to God most good and great, and to memory. The most honourable and far renowned Lord William Cecil, Baron of Burghley, Lord High Treasurer of England, President of the Court of Wards, knight of the most noble order of the Garter, Privy Counsellor to the most serene Elizabeth, Queen of England, &c., and Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, under this tomb awaits the second coming of Christ: Who for the excellent endowments of the mind, was first made Privy Counsellor to Edward the sixth, King of England; afterwards to Queen Elizabeth: under whom being intrusted with the greatest and most weighty affairs of this kingdom, and above all others approved, in promoting the true religion, and providing for the safety and honour of the commonwealth; by his prudence, honesty, integrity, and great services to the nation, he obtained the highest honours: and when he had long enough to nature, long enough for glory, but not long enough to his country, quietly fell asleep in Christ. He had two wives: [his former wife] Mary, sister of Sir John Cheeke, knight, of whom ie begat one son, Thomas (age 56), now Baron of Burghley; and [his former wife] Mildred, daughter of Sir Anthony Cooke, knight, who bore to him Sir [his son] Robert Cecil (age 35), knight, Privy Counsellor to Queen Elizabeth and President of the Court of Wards; [his daughter] Anne, married to Edward, Earl of Oxford (age 48); and [his daughter] Elizabeth (age 34) to William Wentworth, eldest son of Baron Wentworth.

Mary Cheke: she was born to Peter Cheke. In 1541 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley and she were married. In Feb 1543 Mary Cheke died.

Elizabeth Cecil: On 01 Jul 1564 she was born to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley. On 26 Feb 1582 William Wentworth and she were married.

Death of Queen Elizabeth I Accession of James I

Diary of Anne Clifford 1603. 24 Mar 1603. About 10 o’clock King James was proclaimed in Cheapside by all the Council with great joy and triumph.1 I went to see and hear. This peaceable coming-in of the King was unexpected of all sorts of people. Within two or three days we returned to Clerkenwell again. A little after this Queen Elizabeth’s corpse came by night in a barge from Richmond to Whitehall, my Mother (age 42) and a great company of ladies attending it, where it continued a great while standing in the Drawing Chamber, where it was watched all night by several lords and ladies, my Mother (age 42) sitting up with it two or three nights, but my Lady would not give me leave to watch, by reason I was held too young. At this time we used to go very much to Whitehall, and walked much in the garden which was frequented by lords and ladies, my Mother (age 42) being all full of hopes, every man expecting mountains and finding molehills, excepting Sir R. Cecil (age 39) and the house of the Howards, who hated my Mother (age 42) and did not much love my Aunt Warwick. About this time my Lord Southampton (age 29) was enlarged of his imprisonment out of the Tower. When the corpse of Queen Elizabeth had continued at Whitehall as the Council had thought fit, it was carried with great solemnity to Westminster,2 the lords and ladies going on foot to attend it, my Mother (age 42) and my Aunt of Warwick being mourners, but I was not allowed to be one, because I was not high enough, which did much trouble me then, but yet I stood in the church at Westminster to see the solemnities performed. A little after this my Lady and a great deal of other company as Mrs Eliz. Bridges (age 25), Lady Newtin, and her daughter Lady Finch (age 43) [?], went down with my Aunt Warwick to North Hall, and from thence we all went to Tibbalds to see the King who used my Mother (age 42) and aunt very graciously, but we all saw a great change between the fashion of the Court as it is now and of that in the Queen’s time, for we were all lousy by sitting in the chamber of Sir Thomas Erskine (age 37). As the King came out of Scotland, when he lay at York, there was a strife between my Father (age 44) and Lord Burleigh3 (who was the President,) who should carry the sword, but it was adjudged on my Father’s side because it was an office by inheritance and so it lineally descended to me. From Tibbalds the King went to Charterhouse, where Lord T. Howard (age 41) was created Earl of Suffolk, and Lord Mountjoy (age 40) Earl of Devonshire, and restored Lords Southampton (age 29) and Essex (age 12), who stood attainted, likewise he created many barons, among which my uncle Russell (age 43) was made Lord Russell of Thorney, [sic] and for knights they were innumerable. All this spring I had my health very well. My Father (age 44) used to come to us sometimes at Clerkenwell but not often, for he had at this time as it were wholly left my Mother (age 42), yet the house was kept still at his charge.

Note 1. The first time that King sent to the Lords in England, he gave command that the Earls of Northumberland (age 38), Cumberland (age 44), Lord Thomas Howard (age 41), and Lord Mountjoy (age 40) should be added to the Council.

Note 2. Queen Elizabeth’s funeral was on Thursday, April the 8th.

Note 3. A dispute between George Earl of Cumberland (age 44), and the Lord Burleigh.

1603 Knighting at Theobalds House

On 07 May 1603 during his journey south King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 36) stayed at Theobalds House, Hertfordshire as a guest of William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley.

King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 36) knighted:

Gervase Helwys (age 41)

John Leventhorpe 1st Baronet (age 43)

Michael Stanhope (age 54).

Thomas Bisshopp 1st Baronet (age 50).

Vesta Monumenta. 1741. Plate 1.70. A painting of a session of the Court of Wards and Liveries at a point in time during the many years that William Cecil, Lord Burghley, held its mastership. Those included in the picture are: George Goring died 1594 and Thomas Seckford died 1587. The engraving indicates the painting was commissioned by Charles Lennox 2nd Duke Richmond (age 39).

Survey London Volume 4 Chelsea Part II. More's estate was granted to Sir William Paulet [See Patent Roll, I Edward VI., pt. 3.] (first Marquess of Winchester): it was inherited by his son the second Marquess, and in 1575 passed to Gregory Fiennes, Lord Dacre of the South, and his wife Anne - the foundress of those charming almshouses, Emmanuel Hospital, Westminster, now destroyed - who was a daughter of the Marchioness of Winchester by her former husband, Sir Robert Sackville. Baroness Dacre, who died in 1595, left the house to Lord Burleigh, who is said to have lived here, and he was followed by his youngest son, [his son] Sir Robert Cecil, afterwards Earl of Salisbury, who took possession in 1597. It is to Cecil's passion for building, which was not exhausted until he had parted with his fortune in completing Hatfield, that we owe the earliest representations on paper of the house at Chelsea. In his Chelsea Old Church Mr. Randall Davies published a reproduction of a beautiful plan of the Chelsea Estate, preserved among the Hatfield papers, and the present writer in some further research among Lord Salisbury's MSS. found five plans to a larger scale, all of which have reference to Cecil's schemes for rebuilding Sir Thomas More's house. For a detailed examination of these plans, the reader is referred to the Architectural Review of March and May, 1911, but by the courtesy of the proprietors of the Review, the reproductions are included here.

Brief Lives: William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley 1520 1598. Cecil, lord Burleigh: Memorandum, the true name is Sitsilt, and is an ancient Monmouthshire family, but now come to be about the size c of yeomanry. In the church at Monmouth [Map], I remember in a south windowe an ancient scutcheon of the family, the same that this family beares. 'Tis strange that they should be so vaine to leave off an old British name for a Romancy one, which beteere Mr Verstegan did putt into their heads, telling his lordship, in his booke, that they were derived from the ancient Roman Cecilii. The first lord Burley (who was Secretary of Estate) was at first but (a) country-schoole-master, and (I thinke Dr. Thomas Fuller sayes, vide Holy State) borne in Wales. I remember (when I was a schooleboy at Blandford) Mr. Basket, a reverend divine, who was wont to beg us play-dayes, would alwayes be uncovered, and sayd that 'twas the lord Burleigh's custome for (said he) here is my Lord Chanceller, my Lord Treasurer, my Lord Chief Justice, &c., predestinated'. 'He made Cicero's Epistles his glasse, his rule, his oracle, and ordinarie pocket-booke ' (Dr. J. Web in preface of his translation of Cicero's Familiar Epistles.

John Russell and Elizabeth Cooke were married. The difference in their ages was 26 years; she, unusually, being older than him. He the son of Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford and Margaret St John Countess Bedford.

Royal Descendants of William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley 1520-1598

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom x 2

Queen Consort Camilla Shand x 1

Diana Spencer Princess Wales x 11

Ancestors of William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley 1520-1598

Great x 2 Grandfather: Philip Cecil

Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Cecil

GrandFather: David Cecil

Father: Richard Cecil

GrandMother: Alice Dicons

William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley

GrandFather: William Heckington

Mother: Jane Heckington