Henry Danvers, 1st Earl of Danby facts for kids
Henry Danvers, 1st Earl of Danby (born June 28, 1573 – died January 20, 1644), was an important English soldier. He became a Knight of the Garter, which is a very special honor.
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Early Life and Military Career
Henry Danvers was born in Dauntsey, England, on June 28, 1573. He was the second son of John Danvers. When he was young, he worked for Sir Philip Sidney, another famous English figure. Henry went with Sir Philip to the Low Countries (modern-day Netherlands and Belgium). He was probably at the battle of Zutphen in 1586.
After Sir Philip Sidney died, Henry Danvers joined the army as a volunteer. He served under Maurice, Count of Nassau. When Henry was just 18, he was put in charge of a group of soldiers. He also took part in the siege of Rouen in 1591. For his brave actions there, he was made a knight by Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex.
A Difficult Time and Return to Favor
In 1594, a serious incident happened involving Henry Danvers and his brother Charles. There had been a long-standing disagreement between their family and the Long family. During this incident, Henry Long died. Because of this, Henry and Charles Danvers had to leave England quickly. They went to France and joined the French army.
The King of France, Henry IV of France, was very impressed by their bravery. He helped them get a pardon from Queen Elizabeth I. So, in 1598, the brothers were allowed to return to England. It took a few more years, until 1604, for the legal issues to be fully resolved.
Service in Ireland and Royal Honors
After returning to England, Henry Danvers served in Ireland. He worked under important leaders like the Earl of Essex. In 1599, he became a high-ranking cavalry officer. By 1602, he was a sergeant-major-general, a very senior position in the army in Ireland.
When King James I came to power, Henry Danvers was rewarded for his service, especially for his role in the victory at Kinsale in Ireland. In 1603, he was given the title of Baron Danvers. Even though his older brother Charles had been involved in a rebellion and lost his rights, Henry was still allowed to inherit his father's estates.
From 1607 to 1615, Henry Danvers served as the governor of a region in Ireland called Munster. In 1621, he was made the governor of the Isle of Guernsey for the rest of his life.
Later Life and Legacy
King Charles I gave Henry Danvers an even higher title. In 1626, he was made the Earl of Danby. Two years later, he became a member of the Privy Council, which was a group of important advisors to the King. In 1633, he received the special honor of becoming a Knight of the Garter.
Henry Danvers never married, so when he died, his titles ended. He passed away on January 20, 1644, at his home in Cornbury Park. He was buried in Dauntsey Church.
Oxford Botanic Garden
One of Henry Danvers' most lasting contributions was to the University of Oxford. In 1622, he gave five acres of land to the university. This land was used to create the Oxford Botanic Garden, a place for studying plants and medicine. He had a tall wall built around the garden.
The main entrance to the Oxford Botanic Garden is called the Danby Gateway. It was designed by Nicholas Stone and still has an inscription that mentions Henry Danvers' gift. He also left money in his will to help maintain the gardens.
Images for kids
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Henry Danvers, Earl of Danby in a portrait of the 1630s by Anthony van Dyck.
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Arms of Sir Henry D'Anvers, 1st Earl of Danby, KG
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The Danby gateway to the University of Oxford Botanic Garden built in 1633.
