Anthony Mildmay facts for kids
Sir Anthony Mildmay (died 1617) was an important person in England during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. He lived at Apethorpe Palace in Northamptonshire. He worked as a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country. He also served as an ambassador in Paris, France, in 1597.
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Who Was Sir Anthony Mildmay?
His Family Background
Anthony Mildmay was the oldest son of Sir Walter Mildmay. His father was a very important person. Sir Walter was the Chancellor of the Exchequer for Queen Elizabeth I. This job meant he managed the country's money. Sir Walter also started Emmanuel College, Cambridge, a famous university. Anthony's mother was Mary Walsingham. She was the sister of Sir Francis Walsingham, another powerful person in the Queen's government.
Sir Anthony's Career
Early Life and Education
Anthony Mildmay studied at Peterhouse, Cambridge, which is part of Cambridge University. When Queen Elizabeth I visited the college in 1564, he gave a speech that was very well received. Later, in 1579, he joined Gray's Inn, a place where people studied law.
Working for the Government
Sir Anthony held several important jobs. He was the Sheriff of Northamptonshire twice, in 1580 and 1592. A sheriff was like a chief law enforcement officer for the county. He also became a Member of Parliament (MP) several times. He represented Newton in 1571. Then he represented Wiltshire from 1584 to 1586. Later, he was an MP for Westminster in 1597.
Ambassador to France
In 1596, Anthony Mildmay was made a knight. This meant he was given the title "Sir." He was then chosen to be the Ambassador to France. An ambassador is a country's official representative in another country. His job was to represent England to King Henry IV of France.
However, his time as ambassador was a bit difficult. Some people, including the French King, found Sir Anthony to be a bit cold or unfriendly. King Henry IV wasn't pleased with his style. Sir Anthony returned home later that year. He was asked to go back to France in 1598, but he said no.
His Family Life
In 1567, Sir Anthony Mildmay married Grace Mildmay. She was the daughter of Sir Henry Sharington from Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire. They had one child, a daughter named Mary Mildmay. Mary later married Francis Fane, 1st Earl of Westmorland. Their son was Mildmay Fane, 2nd Earl of Westmorland.
Death and Burial
Sir Anthony Mildmay passed away on September 11, 1617. He was buried in St Leonard's Church in Apethorpe. There is a large, beautiful marble monument there. It has statues of him and his wife. A portrait of Sir Anthony Mildmay can still be seen at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
