Henry Lee of Ditchley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Lee
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Sir Henry Lee by Antonis Mor, 1568
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| Born | March 1533 |
| Died | 12 February 1611 |
| Spouse(s) | Anne Paget |
| Children | John Lee Henry Lee Mary Lee |
| Parent(s) | Sir Anthony Lee Margaret Wyatt |
Sir Henry Lee was an important person in the court of Queen Elizabeth I of England. He was known as the Queen's Champion and was in charge of the royal weapons as the Master of the Armouries. He lived from March 1533 to February 12, 1611.
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Sir Henry Lee's Family History
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Henry Lee was born in a place called Kent in March 1533. His grandfather was Sir Robert Lee. Henry's father was Sir Anthony Lee from Quarrendon, Buckinghamshire. His mother was Margaret Wyatt. Margaret was the daughter of Sir Henry Wyatt. She was also the sister of a famous poet named Sir Thomas Wyatt.
Henry had three younger brothers: Robert, Thomas, and Cromwell. Cromwell Lee was known for creating an Italian-English dictionary. Henry also had an older half-brother named Sir Richard Lee.
Sir Henry Lee's Important Roles
Sir Henry Lee became Queen Elizabeth I's champion in 1570. This meant he would perform in special events for the Queen. In 1580, he was put in charge of all the Queen's weapons and armor as the Master of the Armoury. He kept this job until he died.
As the Queen's Champion, Sir Henry created the Accession Day tilts. These were exciting jousting tournaments held every year on November 17th. This day celebrated the Queen's coronation, when she became Queen. These tilts were a very important court festival in the Elizabethan times.
In 1590, Sir Henry retired from being the Queen's Champion. A big celebration was held for him. Poems were written and set to music by John Dowland for this special event.
In 1597, he received a very special honor. He was made a Knight of the Order of the Garter. This is one of the highest honors in England. The next year, in 1598, he helped start Aylesbury Grammar School.
Sir Henry was also a Member of Parliament (an MP) for Buckinghamshire. He served in this role in 1558, 1559, 1571, and 1572.
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Like many important people back then, Sir Henry had his portrait painted. In his picture, his sleeves have designs of armillary spheres. These symbols often represent wisdom. They were also a special symbol he used as the Queen's champion. His sleeves also had "lovers knots." These designs, along with the spheres, showed his love for learning and his loyalty to the Queen. He also wore several rings on his arm and around his neck.
Sir Henry built a large estate called Ditchley in Oxfordshire starting in 1583. He asked an artist to paint the famous Ditchley Portrait of Queen Elizabeth. This painting shows the Queen standing on a map of the British Isles. One of her feet rests near Ditchley. This was to remember her visit to Sir Henry Lee's home there. It's said that he later refused to host the Queen a second time because it was too expensive!
King James VI and I and his wife, Anne of Denmark, visited Ditchley on September 15, 1603. They came with a French ambassador and a duke.
Three special suits of armor were made for Sir Henry Lee. They were created by the famous Greenwich armoury. Drawings of these armors still exist today. Parts of his armor can still be seen. One suit is in the hall of the Armourers and Brasiers company in London.
Sir Henry Lee passed away on February 12, 1611.
Sir Henry Lee's Family Life
Sir Henry Lee married Anne Paget on May 21, 1554. Anne was the daughter of William Paget, 1st Baron Paget. Henry and Anne had two sons, John and Henry, but both died when they were very young. They also had a daughter named Mary. Mary died young, likely in 1583.
Anne, Sir Henry's wife, was buried in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, on December 31, 1590. There is a monument to her in St. Mary the Virgin, Aylesbury.
After his wife's death, Sir Henry had a close relationship with Anne Vavasour. She had been one of the Queen's Ladies in Waiting. Queen Anne of Denmark visited Sir Henry at his lodge near Ditchley in 1608. She even spoke with Anne Vavasour. A few days later, the Queen sent Anne Vavasour a valuable jewel. Sir Henry was very happy to see his "sweet-heart so graced."
Sir Henry also had a cousin named Captain Thomas Lee. Thomas was a soldier who sometimes got into trouble. Sir Henry tried to help him. However, Thomas Lee later died in 1601 because he was involved in problems with the Earl of Essex.
Sir Henry's heir, who was also his cousin, became the first Baronet Lee of Quarendon.
Images for kids
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Suit of armour belonging to Sir Henry Lee
