Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu
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Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montague, by Hans Eworth
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| Born | 29 November 1528 |
| Died | 19 October 1592 (aged 63) West Horsley, Surrey |
| Noble family | Browne |
| Spouse(s) | Jane Radcliffe Magdalen Dacre |
| Issue | Anthony Browne Mary Browne Sir George Browne Thomas Browne Henry Browne Elizabeth Browne Mabel Browne Jane Browne |
| Father | Sir Anthony Browne |
| Mother | Alice Gage |
Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu (born November 29, 1528 – died October 19, 1592), was an important English nobleman during the Tudor period. He was a strong Roman Catholic, but he was always very loyal to the English Crown. Queen Elizabeth I trusted him greatly and thought he was very wise. He went on important trips to meet the Pope in Rome and leaders in Spain. Even though he disagreed with some new laws about religion, he always kept Queen Elizabeth's favor. He was also one of the people who helped decide the fate of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1587.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Career
Anthony Browne was the oldest of six sons. His father was Sir Anthony Browne, and his mother was Alice Gage.
In 1545, Anthony Browne became a member of Parliament for Guildford. The next year, he became a standard-bearer with his father. This meant he carried a special flag for the king. By 1547, he was working in the royal stables. He was also made a Knight of the Bath when King Edward VI was crowned.
Anthony Browne had traditional views. He supported Princess Mary, who later became Queen. Even though some people in King Edward VI's government didn't like his views, he was still re-elected to Parliament in 1547. When his father died in 1548, Anthony inherited a large estate. He was later given back his role as standard-bearer.
He served as Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex from 1552 to 1553. He was also elected to Parliament again for Petersfield in 1553.
Serving Queen Mary I
When Queen Mary I came to the throne in July 1553, Anthony Browne gained many important jobs in the royal household. He became the Keeper of Guildford Park. In 1554, he was made Master of the Horse for Queen Mary's husband, King Philip. This was a very important job. He also became a justice of the peace for Surrey and Sussex.
In September 1554, Anthony Browne was made a peer and given the title of Viscount Montagu. He then took his place in the House of Lords.
From February to August 1555, Viscount Montagu traveled to Rome. He was one of the English ambassadors who worked with Pope Julius III. Their goal was to bring Catholicism back to England. In October 1555, he became a Knight of the Garter. This is a very high honor. In 1557, he served as a military leader in France. He also joined the Privy Council in 1557. When Queen Mary died, he was one of the main people at her funeral.
Loyalty to Queen Elizabeth I
When Queen Elizabeth I became queen in November 1558, Viscount Montagu was removed from the Privy Council. He spoke out against the new religious laws in Parliament. He disagreed with changes that would make the Queen the head of the church. He also opposed closing religious houses that Queen Mary had reopened.
Even though he disagreed with these religious changes, Viscount Montagu remained loyal to Queen Elizabeth. She continued to favor him because he was careful and trustworthy. He went on important diplomatic trips to Spain in 1560 and 1565.
Viscount Montagu was one of the wealthiest noblemen in Sussex. He was appointed as a Lord Lieutenant of Sussex in 1569. Around this time, he and his son-in-law, Henry Wriothesley, 2nd Earl of Southampton, were mentioned in connection with a rebellion in the north. However, they were not punished, showing Queen Elizabeth's trust in them.
In 1571, Viscount Montagu was mentioned in connection with the Ridolfi Plot. This was a plan to replace Queen Elizabeth with Mary, Queen of Scots. Despite this, he continued to show his loyalty to the Queen.
When war started with Spain in 1585, Viscount Montagu was removed from his Lord Lieutenant position. However, the next year, he proved his loyalty again. He was one of the nobles who tried Mary, Queen of Scots. In 1588, he helped defend England against the Spanish Armada. He led a group of horsemen, along with his son and grandson.
In August 1591, Queen Elizabeth honored Viscount Montagu by visiting his home, Cowdray House, for six days. He entertained her grandly. In return, she made his second son, George Browne, and his son-in-law, Robert Dormer, 1st Baron Dormer, knights.
In 1590, Viscount Montagu and his daughter Mary tried to arrange a marriage for Mary's son, Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton. They wanted him to marry Elizabeth de Vere. However, Henry did not like the match and paid a large sum of money to avoid it.
Viscount Montagu died at his home in West Horsley, Surrey, on October 19, 1592. He had been ill for a while. He was buried at Midhurst in Sussex. His tomb is made of marble and alabaster. It shows him kneeling and his two wives lying down. In 1851, his monument was moved to St Mary's parish church in Easebourne, Sussex.
Family
Anthony Browne married twice.
His first wife was Jane Radcliffe. She was the daughter of Robert Radcliffe, 1st Earl of Sussex. They had twins:
- Anthony Browne (born July 22, 1552 – died June 29, 1592). He married Mary Dormer. Anthony died before his father, so he never became Viscount. The title passed to his son, Anthony-Maria Browne.
- Mary Browne. She married three times: first to Henry Wriothesley, 2nd Earl of Southampton, then to Sir Thomas Heneage, and finally to William Hervey, 1st Baron Hervey.
Jane died in childbirth on July 22, 1552, after giving birth to the twins.
Viscount Montagu then married Magdalen Dacre (died April 8, 1608) before December 10, 1558. She was the daughter of William Dacre, 3rd Baron Dacre of Gilsland. They had three sons and three daughters:
- Sir George Browne (died April 1615). He married Elizabeth Lawe.
- Sir Henry Browne. He married Anne Catesby and later Elizabeth Hungate.
- Thomas Browne.
- Elizabeth Browne (died 1631). She married Robert Dormer, 1st Baron Dormer.
- Mabel Browne. She married Sir Henry Capel.
- Jane Browne. She married Sir Francis Lacon.
Images for kids
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The Three Brothers Browne, by Englsh painter Isaac Oliver, 1598. L to R: His grandsons John Browne, Anthony Maria Browne, William Browne, Burghley House Collections.
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Mary Dormer/Browne or Elizabeth Dormer/Browne as widows, c. 1592 or c. 1616, oil-on-panel (35 × 29 inches)
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