Charles Cotterell facts for kids
Sir Charles Cotterell (born April 7, 1615 – died June 7, 1701) was an important English courtier and translator. A courtier was someone who attended the royal court. He was knighted in 1644. This happened after he became the Master of Ceremonies for King Charles I in 1641. This job meant he was in charge of all the formal events and visitors at the King's court.
He held this role until King Charles I was executed in 1649. After that, during a time called the English Interregnum (1649–1652), he lived in Antwerp. From 1652 to 1654, he worked as a steward for Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia in The Hague. In 1655, he became a secretary for Henry, Duke of Gloucester. He kept this job until the King returned to power in 1660, an event known as the Restoration.
After the Restoration, he continued as Master of Ceremonies for King Charles II until 1686. He also served as a Master of Requests from 1670 to 1686. This role involved handling petitions and requests made to the King. He was also a member of Parliament for Cardigan from 1663 to 1678.
Sir Charles Cotterell was also a talented translator. He translated French stories and historical books. He also translated a Spanish religious book called The Spiritual Year. He was part of a group of poets called the Society of Friendship. He was a close friend and advisor to one of its members, Katherine Philips. The group used special, old-fashioned names for each other. His name was Poliarchus.
Biography
Sir Charles Cotterell was born on April 7, 1615, in Wilsford, Lincolnshire, England. His parents were Sir Clement Cotterell and Anne Alleyne. His father, Sir Clement, also held important positions. He was a muster-master for Buckinghamshire and a groom-porter for King James I.
Charles Cotterell went to Queens' College, Cambridge in 1629. He studied there for a year but did not finish his degree. In June 1632, he traveled around Europe with his friends. Later, he returned to England and started working for the Earl of Pembroke in 1636. He served the Earl in court and military roles. He was knighted in Oxford in 1645.
In Oxford, Cotterell worked with William Aylesbury. They translated a book called Storia delle guerre civile by Davila. The King himself asked them to do this. The book was published in 1647. After King Charles I was executed in March 1649, Cotterell went into exile. He, his wife, and his older daughter went to Antwerp with Aylesbury and the Duke of Buckingham.
By 1652, Cotterell had moved to The Hague. He worked as a steward for Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia. During this time, he also finished translating Cassandre by La Calprenède. In September 1655, he stopped being a steward. He then became an advisor to the Duke of Gloucester. He even fought in three military campaigns in Flanders with the Duke.
On May 29, 1660, Cotterell returned to London with the royal family. He was officially made Master of Ceremonies again on June 5. He became good friends with Katherine Philips, a well-known poet. She was known as Orinda in her literary group. Cotterell became a very important person in her group. She gave him the name Poliarchus, from a character in a book called Argenis. Later, Cotterell took over her husband's seat in Parliament.
Sir Charles Cotterell left his Parliament seat on December 27, 1686. His son, Charles Lodowick, took his place. Sir Charles lived a quiet life in his final years. He passed away on June 7, 1701.
Family
In the summer of 1642, Charles Cotterell married Frances West. She was from Marsworth, Buckinghamshire. Frances passed away around 1657.
They had several children:
- Clement, their oldest son, died in a naval battle. This happened during the Battle of Solebay against the Dutch in 1672.
- Frances, their first daughter, died when she was young.
- Anne married Robert Dormer.
- Elisabeth (or Katherine), born in 1652, married Sir William Trumbull.
- Charles Lodowick (1654–1710) followed in his father's footsteps. He became the Master of the Ceremonies after his father.
Images for kids
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Painted in 1658 by Jan Mytens, this painting shows the Cotterell family. From left to right: Charles Cotterell (1615–1701), Frances (1614 – around 1657), baby Frances, Elizabeth (born 1652), Clement, and Charles Lodowick.
