Anthony Marten facts for kids
Anthony Marten (born around 1542 – died August 1597) was an English writer and an important person at the court of Queen Elizabeth I. He worked closely with the Queen during a very exciting time in English history.
Anthony Marten was the son of David Marten. He studied at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, a famous university. After his studies, he joined the royal household, which was the group of people who worked for the Queen.
Working for the Queen
Anthony Marten held many different jobs for Queen Elizabeth I. In 1570, he was the Queen's "sewar," which meant he helped serve food at royal meals. Later, he became her steward, managing parts of the royal household.
From 1579 to 1586, he was the bailiff of Ledbury, a town in Herefordshire. This job involved managing land and collecting taxes for the Queen. In 1588, Queen Elizabeth gave him a lease for a house in Richmond.
She also made him the Keeper of the Royal Library at the Palace of Westminster. This was a job for life, and he was in charge of the Queen's books. He also became a royal cup bearer. This important role allowed him to have a special business deal. He was given the only right to export tin from England. This meant he had a "monopoly" on tin exports, which was a very profitable business.
His Writings
Anthony Marten wrote two important books around the time of the Spanish Armada in 1588. The Spanish Armada was a huge fleet of ships sent by Spain to invade England.
In his writings, Marten used strong comparisons. He described England as a "new Israel." This made England seem like a special, chosen country. He also compared Philip II of Spain, the King of Spain who sent the Armada, to Sennacherib. Sennacherib was an ancient king known for attacking Israel in the Bible. Marten's books were meant to encourage English people to defend their country.
His published works include:
- An exhortation, to stirre up the mindes of all her majestie's faithfull subjects, to defend their countrey (1588).
- A second sound, or, Warning of the trumpet unto judgment, wherein is proved that all the tokens of the latter day are not onelie come, but welneere finished (1589).
- A Reconciliation of All the Pastors and Cleargy of the Church of England (1590).
