Edward Horsey facts for kids

Sir Edward Horsey (born 1525 – died 21 March 1583) was an important figure in England during the reigns of Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. He was involved in some secret plans against Queen Mary, and later became a brave soldier, a diplomat (ambassador), and a respected member of Queen Elizabeth's royal court.

Edward was the oldest son of Jasper Horsey and his wife Joan. He had three brothers: Francis, George, and John. We don't know much about his early life or schooling. He might have been a soldier in other countries or part of an English group sent to France in 1551.

Sir Edward Horsey: A Life of Adventure

Early Life and Challenging Times

In July 1555, Edward Horsey was reported for spreading a rumor in Dorset about a rebellion against Queen Mary and her husband, Philip II of Spain. Soon after, he met with others in London who were unhappy with the government. He became involved in a secret plan known as the Throckmorton plot.

In March 1556, he went to live in France. There, he and his brother Francis joined another secret group called the Dudley conspiracy. This group wanted to overthrow the monarchy. They met with Henry II of France, who promised to help them. However, the plan was discovered and didn't succeed. Edward Horsey was declared an outlaw, meaning he had broken the law and was no longer protected by it.

While in France, Edward Horsey got married. He also met Robert Dudley, who later became the Earl of Leicester. Even after Queen Elizabeth I came to power, Horsey had to stay in France for a while. He sent reports to the English court about French "Sea Matters." By the summer of 1562, he was working as an agent for Queen Elizabeth's chief advisor, William Cecil, in Dieppe, France.

A Brave Soldier for England

In July 1562, Edward Horsey returned to England to report on the conflicts happening in France. Even though he was still technically an outlaw, he was given permission to bring French wines into England as a reward. He was then sent back to France to help organize the defense of the cities of Dieppe and Rouen. He led a group of soldiers into a battle near Harfleur.

When the Huguenots (French Protestants) surrendered Dieppe, Horsey served as a hostage as part of the peace agreement. He was eventually released. After this, he received an official pardon for his earlier involvement in the plot against Philip and Mary. In the summer of 1565, he was named Captain of the Isle of Wight. He was in charge of improving the island's defenses against a possible Spanish invasion. This included repairing Carisbrooke Castle and West Cowes fort.

As Admiral of Hampshire, Horsey was responsible for reporting any enemy ships or pirates. In December 1568, he captured several Spanish ships that were carrying valuable goods. The next year, he led a group of soldiers against rebels in the Northern Uprising. Until 1571, when it was stopped by the Privy Council, he helped the Sea Beggars (Dutch rebels) in the English Channel. In August 1571, he prepared a ship for the explorer Martin Frobisher. In the autumn of 1576, the Privy Council gave him permission to capture French pirates in the English Channel.

From 1577 onwards, Horsey worked on a project to make gunpowder with Cornelius Stephenson. He also became involved in plans to stop an expected Spanish invasion of Ireland.

Representing the Queen Abroad

Edward Horsey led important diplomatic missions for England. In 1568, he went to Flanders, and in 1573, he went to France. He negotiated on behalf of English merchants and spoke up for the Protestant people living under the King of Spain.

Then, in 1576, he was sent to meet Don John of Austria. His job was to calm down the situation with the rebellious Spanish Netherlands. Don John and the states agreed to terms, and for his success, Horsey was rewarded with a knighthood in December 1577. From then on, he was known as Sir Edward Horsey.

Life at Court and Public Service

Sir Edward was a long-time friend of the Earl of Leicester. He attended a private wedding for his friend, the Earl of Leicester, in 1573. He also carried out other tasks for Leicester and became a respected member of the Royal Court. He provided a ship for John Hawkins's trip to the West Indies. He was also listed as someone who promised to help fund Frobisher's attempted voyage to Cathay (China) but didn't end up paying.

In 1569, Horsey was appointed a justice of the peace for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, a role he held until his death. He became a Member of Parliament in 1571 for Southampton (where he had been made a citizen the year before). Then, in 1572, he became a Member of Parliament for the county of Hampshire. On 22 May 1572, he was named to committees that dealt with firearms. On 8 March, he joined a committee about Justices of the Forest. As Captain of the Isle of Wight, he was also appointed to committees dealing with ports and wines. He was made Keeper of Carisbrooke Park and Steward of Crown Lands on the island. From 1565, he was also a Commissioner for Piracy.

Later Years and Legacy

By 1580, Sir Edward Horsey was living at Great Haseley manor near Arreton on the Isle of Wight. He enjoyed hunting and is believed to have brought hares to the island. In November 1580, he hosted the Portuguese Ambassador, even though many people in his household were sick. He seems to have caught the plague shortly after but recovered. Around this time, he had appointed someone to help stop piracy, but their lack of care led to more pirate activity.

Sir Edward became ill again the following year and passed away in February 1583. His lands in Hampshire, Dorset, and Wiltshire went to his brother George. He was buried in March in Carisbrooke church. His beautiful monument, made of alabaster and marble, with a statue of him, can still be seen in St Thomas's Church, Newport. His family crest is displayed above it.

Images for kids

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  Monument with effigy of Sir Edward Horsey, St Thomas's Church, Newport