George Bowes (soldier) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids George Bowes
Died	20 August 1580 Streatlam
Buried	Barnard Castle
Spouse(s)	Dorothy Mallory Jane Talbot
Issue	Sir William Bowes six other children
Father	Richard Bowes
Mother	Elizabeth Aske

Sir George Bowes (born 1527 – died 20 August 1580) was an important English military leader. He was known for his loyalty to Queen Elizabeth I during a difficult time in English history.

Who Was Sir George Bowes?

Sir George Bowes was born in 1527. He was the third son of Richard Bowes and Elizabeth Aske, but he was the oldest son who lived to adulthood. He had four brothers and seven sisters. One of his sisters, Margery, married a famous Scottish religious leader named John Knox.

Early Life and Marriages

When George was just 14 years old, he married Dorothy Mallory. Her father was Sir William Mallory. This marriage helped him connect with an important family.

Later, after Dorothy passed away, George married Jane Talbot. She was the daughter of Sir John Talbot. This second marriage further strengthened his ties with powerful families, including the Shrewsbury family.

A Career in Military Service

George Bowes started his military career early. In 1549, he was already leading 100 cavalry soldiers during a war with Scotland. His skills and leadership were quickly noticed.

Marshal of Berwick

In 1558, he became the Marshal of Berwick-upon-Tweed. This was a very important job. Berwick was a key border town between England and Scotland. The Marshal was in charge of defending the town and keeping peace on the border.

In 1560, he was made a knight by the Duke of Norfolk. This meant he was now called "Sir George Bowes." Soon after, he left his role as Marshal and moved to his home at Streatlam Castle.

Escorting Mary, Queen of Scots

In 1568, Sir George was given a special task. He had to escort Mary, Queen of Scots, from Carlisle to Bolton Castle. Mary was a prisoner at the time. Sir George treated her with great respect and kindness. She even wrote to him later as a friend.

Facing the Northern Rebellion

In 1569, a big challenge arose for Queen Elizabeth I. Some powerful noblemen in the north of England started a rebellion. This event was called the Rebellion of the Northern Earls. They wanted to remove Queen Elizabeth from the throne.

Sir George Bowes remained completely loyal to the Queen. He stayed at his home in Streatlam, even though it was close to where the rebels were gathering. Many people in the area disliked him for his loyalty, but he stood firm.

Defending Barnard Castle

Sir George watched the rebels closely and sent important information to the Queen's forces. As the rebellion grew, he moved to Barnard Castle. This castle belonged to the Queen, and Sir George was its steward. He gathered soldiers and local gentlemen to defend it.

The rebels attacked Barnard Castle. Sir George and his men held out for eleven days. Even though he feared some people inside the castle might betray him, he managed to surrender on honorable terms. He marched out with 400 men and joined the Queen's main army.

Punishing the Rebels

After the rebellion was put down, Queen Elizabeth ordered that the leaders be punished. Sir George Bowes was given the difficult job of carrying out these punishments as the provost marshal. He followed the Queen's orders, and his actions were praised by the Queen's chief commander.

Later Life and Legacy

After the rebellion, Sir George received some land grants, though they were not very valuable. He also served as a Member of Parliament for Knaresborough in 1571 and for Morpeth in 1572. In 1576, he became the high sheriff of Durham.

In 1579, he returned to Berwick to help his brother, Robert Bowes, who was also a diplomat. Sir George stayed there for almost a year before returning to Streatlam. He passed away in 1580.

His oldest son, William Bowes, became his heir. Another son, George Bowes, became known for looking for gold in Scotland. Sir George Bowes is remembered as a brave and loyal commander who played a key role in protecting Queen Elizabeth's throne.