Jean Scheyfve facts for kids

Jean or Jehan Scheyfve (around 1515 – July 13, 1581) was an important official. He was the Chancellor of Brabant, which meant he led the government in the Duchy of Brabant. This was from 1557 to 1579. Before that, he worked as an ambassador for Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, in England. He was there from May 1550 to October 1553.

Early Life and Education

Jean Scheyfve was the son of Jean Scheyfve and Jeanne de Berchem. He went to Leuven University and earned a degree in law. This means he became a doctor of law.

In 1541 and 1542, he served as an alderman in Antwerp. An alderman was like a city council member. In 1545, he became the Burgomaster, which is like the mayor of Antwerp. Later, in 1548, he joined the Brussels Privy Council. This was a group of trusted advisors to the ruler.

Serving as Ambassador to England

Scheyfve lived in England as an ambassador. He worked for Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. He served at the courts of two English rulers: Edward VI and Mary I of England. His letters mostly talked about trade and business. They rarely mentioned religious disagreements in England.

Scheyfve arrived in London in May 1550. He thought his job would only last three months. Being an ambassador in London was not seen as a great job back then.

Scheyfve and Princess Mary

King Edward VI once wrote about Scheyfve in his journal. On September 5, 1551, Scheyfve asked the King for something. He wanted Princess Mary, the King's sister, to be allowed to attend Mass. He also wanted her household staff back.

King Edward refused Scheyfve's request. The King said he was acting within English law. Scheyfve's boss, Charles V, had not even asked him to make this request yet.

Scheyfve wrote a detailed letter to Charles V on September 12. He explained everything that happened. Princess Mary had felt forced to let go of her chaplains (religious leaders). Scheyfve first spoke to the Earl of Warwick. Warwick then spoke to King Edward VI, who was now old enough to make his own decisions.

Edward refused Mary's request to hear Mass with her ladies. Scheyfve said that other officials had promised Charles V this would be allowed. But they denied it. Mary's three household servants would not be rehired either. Scheyfve had to tell Mary not to practice the Catholic religion openly.

The Princess Elizabeth

In November 1550, Scheyfve heard a rumor. He heard that Lord Warwick might divorce his wife. Then, he might marry Princess Elizabeth.

In January 1551, Scheyfve learned that other ambassadors had visited Elizabeth. He asked if he could do the same. The King's officials said they would ask Edward. But they later told Scheyfve that Edward was busy with Elizabeth. So Scheyfve left, saying he would try another time.

In June 1551, Scheyfve heard about a plan for Elizabeth to marry. She might marry the Duke of Enghien from France. A quick portrait of Elizabeth was sent to France. In July, there were more rumors. People thought Elizabeth might marry the Duke of Aumale or the Prince of Denmark. In March 1552, Scheyfve heard Elizabeth refused to marry the Earl of Pembroke.

News of Sebastian Cabot's Voyage

On April 10, 1553, Scheyfve wrote about a voyage. It was planned by the explorer Sebastian Cabot. Three ships would sail north from Harwich through the "Frozen sea" to "Camchina." The goal was to trade English cloth for spices.

Scheyfve talked to Cabot. He told Cabot that China should belong to the Holy Roman Empire. Cabot replied that he wanted to meet Charles V. He wanted to talk about working for the Empire. A month later, Scheyfve discussed this voyage with a Portuguese messenger.

Cabot did not sail on these ships himself. He kept talking about working for Charles V. Charles V sent an offer to Cabot on the day King Edward VI died. Because of the King's death, Scheyfve could not tell the English court about the offer.

King Edward VI's Illness

Scheyfve's letters describe King Edward VI's illness. On May 12, Scheyfve reported that the King had a lung tumor. He also had ulcers. By the end of May, the King was getting weaker every day. People did not expect him to live. They thought it was the same sickness that killed his half-brother.

In June, people in London were told the King was better. But Scheyfve knew these rumors were not true. The nobles were getting ready for a power struggle. There were rumors that Edward had been poisoned. Edward was shown to a crowd from a window on June 27.

On July 4, Scheyfve heard about the King's will. It named Lady Jane Grey as his heir. On July 7, Scheyfve and three colleagues were sure Edward had died. The ambassadors were officially told of the King's death on July 10.

Queen Jane and Queen Mary

The four Imperial ambassadors supported Princess Mary's cousin, Charles V. On July 10, 1553, they heard Princess Mary had been declared Queen in Norfolk. This news made Jane's mother and the Duchess of Northumberland cry.

The ambassadors were careful not to communicate with Mary. They did not want to make people suspicious of her. Officials told the ambassadors their job ended when Edward died. But the ambassadors argued it had not. They said they would leave on July 20.

On July 19, Mary was declared Queen. London celebrated. Officials then asked the ambassadors to stay in London.

Charles V called Scheyfve and his colleagues back on September 14, 1553. He named Simon Renard as their replacement in England. Renard was later trusted to discuss Mary's marriage to Philip II of Spain.

Later Career and Retirement

After returning from England, Scheyfve went back to his job as a privy councillor. He became Chancellor of Brabant on February 17, 1557.

In 1566, during the Iconoclastic Fury, Calvinists took control of 's-Hertogenbosch. This was a major city in Brabant. Scheyfve tried to talk with them. But for several weeks in 1567, he was held hostage in the city.

He did not agree with the Duke of Alva's actions during the Dutch Revolt. In 1576, he supported the Pacification of Ghent. This was a plan to bring peace to the Low Countries. When peace efforts failed, he retired as chancellor on November 26, 1579.

A collection of his letters was published in 1580. These letters were about a disagreement he had with Cardinal Granvelle. In 1575, Scheyfve asked a sculptor, Jacques Jonghelinck, to make a portrait medal of him. The medal shows him wearing armor with the word "danger."

Jean Scheyfve died in Antwerp on July 13, 1581. He was buried in Antwerp Cathedral.

Family Life

Jean Scheyfve's family symbol was a red shield with a gold top. On the gold top were three black wolf heads. This same family symbol was painted on a famous artwork. It was on the Adoration of Magi painting by Hieronymus Bosch. This painting was ordered by an earlier family member, Pieter Scheyfve.

Scheyfve married Genevieve van Hoogelande. She died on June 10, 1580. They had several children, including:

• Marguerite Scheyfve, who married Christophe d'Assonleville. He was a lawyer and advisor.
• Marie Scheyfve, who married Simon de Longin.
• Maximilian Scheyfve
• Edward Scheyfve

Sources

• Responces de Messire Iehan Sceyfve Chevalier, Seigneur de Sainct Aechtenrode, Ottenborch, Nethene etc., iadis Chancellier du Brabant sur certaines lettres du Cardinal de Granvelle, Corneille de Bruyn, Antwerp (1580)
• De Beer, Joseph, Jean Scheyfve, bourgmestre d'Anvers, chancelier de Brabant et ses deux médailles, 1575, Antwerp (1950)