Anthony Standen (spy) facts for kids
Sir Anthony Standen (born around 1548 – died unknown), also known as Pompeo Pellegrini, was an English spy and a Catholic who lived outside England. He was hired by Sir Francis Walsingham and gave important information about Philip II of Spain's plans for the Spanish Armada.
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A Spy at the Scottish Court
Anthony Standen was described as a "goodly tall fair man with flaxen hair and beard." In 1565, he traveled to Scotland. He became an equerry, or a stable master, for Mary, Queen of Scots and Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. Mary even had special bedding made for him around the time of her wedding in July 1565.
His younger brother, also named Anthony, became a cupbearer at the queen's table. Both brothers received payments as members of the Scottish court in 1566. However, the English government was not happy about the Standen brothers being in Scotland without permission.
In October 1565, an English sailor named Anthony Jenkinson sailed to Scotland. His secret mission was to block the port of Leith. This was to stop supplies from France reaching Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary sent Anthony Standen and his brother to Jenkinson's ship. They brought gifts for Elizabeth I and the ship's captain.
Helping Mary, Queen of Scots
Standen later wrote that he helped Queen Mary during a very dangerous time. This was when her secretary, David Rizzio, was murdered. Standen said he escaped with Mary to Seton Palace and Dunbar Castle. Other loyal escorts also helped Mary and Darnley get to safety.
Standen also claimed that Mary, Queen of Scots, said he was the first Englishman to show respect to her newborn son, Prince James. She supposedly said this because he had "saved his life."
Adventures in Europe
Mary, Queen of Scots, sent Standen to Charles IX of France. He received money from the Cardinal of Lorraine. His younger brother, Anthony, was held prisoner in England for a year. In 1570, Standen was believed to be involved in a plan to invade England.
Later, in 1576, he was forced to leave Antwerp by Philip II of Spain. From 1582, Standen worked for Mary, Queen of Scots, in Florence, Italy. In 1587, he began working for Francis Walsingham, a famous English spymaster. He was in Spain, sending back important reports about the preparations for the Spanish Armada. This information was very helpful to England.
In 1583, Standen wrote to Archbishop James Beaton and John Lesley, Bishop of Ross. He hoped to return to Scotland and serve James VI. He also suggested that the Grand Duke of Tuscany's daughter, Eleanor de' Medici, might be a good bride for King James.
In 1590, Standen was in prison in Bordeaux, France. Anthony Bacon helped him by paying his debts, which allowed him to return to England.
Later Life and Imprisonment
In 1603, Standen was asked to travel to Florence and Venice. His mission was to announce that James VI and I had become King of England. In Venice, he gave the Doge a letter from King James and a portrait of the King. He received a valuable gold chain in return.
Standen then went to Rome. He was supposed to collect religious items like rosaries and beads for Anne of Denmark, King James's wife. The hope was that these gifts would encourage Anne to become Catholic and help England return to the Catholic faith.
However, Standen's letters about these plans were discovered. He was arrested and put in the Tower of London in January 1604. The Venetian ambassador, Nicolò Molin, heard that an English agent had tricked Standen into giving up his letters.
King James sent Michael Balfour to Italy to investigate Standen's actions. Standen was released from the Tower in August 1604 after Balfour returned.
In 1605, Standen received permission from the King to travel again. In 1606, he was in Rome. He explained that he had been imprisoned for bringing religious items to Anne of Denmark. He said that Anne had helped him get released. He also mentioned that Anne enjoyed hearing the Venetian ambassadors speak Italian.
In August 1606, Anne of Denmark wrote a letter supporting Standen. He was still in Rome in 1615.
Images for kids
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Edinburgh Castle, where Standen served Mary, Queen of Scots.
