Edmund Dudley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edmund Dudley
Edmund Dudley (right), along with Henry VII of England (centre), and Sir Richard Empson (left)
Born	c. 1462
Died	17 August 1510 Tower Hill, London
Cause of death	Decapitation
Resting place	Blackfriars, London
Known for	English financial officer
Notable work	The Tree of Commonwealth
Spouse(s)	Anne Windsor Elizabeth Grey
Children	Elizabeth Lady Stourton John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland Sir Andrew Dudley Jerome Dudley
Parent(s)	Sir John Dudley of Atherington Elizabeth Bramshott

Edmund Dudley (born around 1462 or 1471/1472 – died 17 August 1510) was an important English official. He managed money for King Henry VII. He was a main member of the Council Learned in the Law, which helped the king with money matters. He also served as the Speaker of the House of Commons. After King Henry VII died, Edmund Dudley was put in the Tower of London. He was executed the next year for a serious crime against the king. While he was waiting, he wrote a book called The Tree of Commonwealth. Edmund Dudley was also the grandfather of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. Robert Dudley was a close friend of Queen Elizabeth I.

Edmund Dudley's Career

Edmund Dudley was the son of Sir John Dudley. His family came from Atherington, West Sussex. He studied at Oxford University and then became a lawyer. King Henry VII noticed him. It is said he became a Privy Councillor (a royal advisor) when he was only 23.

Helping the King

In 1492, Edmund Dudley helped make a peace deal with France called the Peace of Etaples. He also helped the king control powerful nobles who were breaking laws. He and his friend, Sir Richard Empson, were key members of the Council Learned in the Law. This was a special group that collected money owed to the king. They also made people promise to pay by using special agreements. King Henry VII was very interested in these money matters. He watched Dudley and Empson's work closely.

Political Roles and Wealth

Dudley was elected to Parliament. He represented Lewes in 1491. Then he represented Sussex in 1495. In 1504, he became the Speaker of the House of Commons. This meant he led the meetings in Parliament. While collecting money for the king, Dudley also became very rich himself. He bought land in different parts of England. In 1509, a list of items in his London house mentioned "window curtains." This is one of the earliest times curtains were noted.

Downfall and Execution

When King Henry VII died in April 1509, Edmund Dudley was arrested. He was accused of a serious crime against the new king, Henry VIII. The official reason was that he had told his friends to gather weapons if the old king died. But the real reason was that many people disliked him. They thought he had been too harsh when collecting money for the king.

Dudley was found guilty and prepared to escape from the Tower of London. However, he changed his mind. He thought he would be forgiven because Parliament did not confirm his guilt right away. While in prison, he wrote his will. But on 17 August 1510, Edmund Dudley and his friend Empson were executed. This happened at Tower Hill in London.

The Tree of Commonwealth

While he was in prison, Dudley tried to get the new King Henry VIII to like him. He wrote a book called The Tree of Commonwealth. In this book, he wrote about how a king should have strong power. It is not known if the king ever read the book. Several copies of the book still exist today. One early copy was likely ordered by Dudley's son, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland. Another copy was made in 1563 for his grandson, Robert Dudley.

Family Life

Edmund Dudley was married two times.

First Marriage

Around 1494, he married Anne Windsor. She was the sister of Andrew Windsor, 1st Baron Windsor. They had one daughter:

• Elizabeth Dudley (born around 1500). She married William Stourton, 7th Baron Stourton.

Second Marriage

Between 1500 and 1503, he married Elizabeth Grey. She was born around 1480. Her father was Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Lisle. Edmund and Elizabeth had three sons:

• John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland (1504–22 August 1553)
• Andrew Dudley (around 1507–1559)
• Jerome Dudley (died after 1555)

See also

In Spanish: Edmund Dudley para niños