Edward Waterhouse facts for kids

Sir Edward Waterhouse (1535–1591) was an important English official. He worked for the Queen of England, Elizabeth I. Edward served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland from 1586 to 1589. He was also the Chief Secretary for Ireland twice, from 1566 to 1567 and again from 1568 to 1569.

He was born in Helmstedbury, Hertfordshire, England. Edward was the youngest son of John Waterhouse. His father was an auditor for King Henry VIII. Edward went to Oxford University when he was just twelve years old. After his studies, he joined the King's Court.

Edward's Career in Ireland

Edward Waterhouse started his career as a private secretary. He worked for Henry Sidney, who was the Lord Deputy of Ireland. They were good friends. Sidney trusted Edward with many important and secret tasks.

Land and Politics

Edward bought land in County Kildare, Ireland. He also became a freeman of Carrickfergus. This meant he had special rights in the town. He represented Carrickfergus in the Irish Parliament in 1585. He also helped the town get its official charter.

After Henry Sidney, Edward worked for Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex. The Earl was trying to set up new settlements in County Antrim. Essex also trusted Edward a lot. When the Earl was dying, he said goodbye to "Ned, my faithful friend."

A Trusted Official

Most English officials in Ireland thought highly of Edward. He was very charming. Queen Elizabeth I also liked him a lot.

However, some people in Ireland remembered him differently. He was involved in the case of Dermot O'Hurley. O'Hurley was the Archbishop of Cashel. He was executed on June 20, 1584, for his Roman Catholic faith. On the same day, Edward Waterhouse was knighted by Sir John Perrot. This was because Edward "dispended yearly more than a thousand marks."

Later, Archbishop O'Hurley was recognized as a blessed person. He was Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1992.

Rewards and Challenges

Edward received many rewards for his work. These included special rights and payments. One of the most profitable was being the bailiff of the River Shannon. This meant he managed the river.

The Queen became suspicious of all the favors he received. She called him to London in 1582. She wanted him to explain himself. Luckily, Edward had powerful friends in the Court. His charm also quickly won over Queen Elizabeth. He only lost his job as bailiff of the Shannon.

In 1586, Edward Waterhouse became the Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland. He held this position until October 1589. He also became a member of the Privy Council of Ireland. This was a group of important advisors.

He played a big part in talks about the "cess." This was a tax for keeping soldiers in the Pale. The Pale was an area of English control in Ireland. Many Anglo-Irish gentry strongly opposed this tax. It was eventually stopped. During the Desmond Rebellions, Edward served with the army in Munster.

Later Life and Family

Edward often said he had a "weak body." He retired to his estate in Woodchurch in Kent, England. He died there in 1591.

He was married three times. His first wife was Elizabeth Villiers. They divorced in 1578. His second wife was Margaret Spilman. She died in 1587. His third wife was Deborah Harlackenden. She outlived him.

Edward did not have any children. His grand-nephew, also named Edward, inherited his estate.

Edward Waterhouse is buried with his third wife, Deborah, in Woodchurch. In his family chapel in Hertfordshire, he put up a memorial for his second wife, Margaret. This showed his "dear love" for her.