Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Sidney
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Sidney c. 1588. At the top left is inscribed his Latin motto: Inveniam Viam Aut Faciam ("I shall find the way or make it")
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| 1st Earl of Leicester | |
| Reign | July 1618 - 13 July 1626 |
| Successor | Robert Sidney |
| Born | 19 November 1563 |
| Died | 13 July 1626 (aged 62) |
| Noble family | Sidney |
| Spouse(s) | Barbara Gamage Sarah Blount |
| Issue | Sir William Sidney Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester Henry Sidney Philip Sidney Lady Mary Wroth Catherine Sidney Philippa Sidney Barbara Sidney Dorothy Sidney Elizabeth Sidney Bridget Sidney |
| Father | Henry Sidney |
| Mother | Mary Dudley |
Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester (born November 19, 1563 – died July 13, 1626) was an important person in England during the time of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. He was the second son of Sir Henry Sidney. Robert Sidney was a politician, a supporter of the arts, and a poet. His mother, Mary Sidney, was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I. She was also the sister of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, who was a close advisor and friend to the Queen.
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Robert Sidney's Early Life and Career
Robert Sidney went to school at Shrewsbury and Oxford University. After his studies, he traveled around Europe for several years between 1578 and 1583.
In 1585, he became a member of parliament for Glamorganshire. That same year, he went to the Netherlands with his older brother, Sir Philip Sidney. There, he fought in the war against Spain under his uncle, Robert Dudley. Robert Sidney was at the Battle of Zutphen where his brother, Philip, was badly hurt. He stayed with his brother until he passed away.
Serving as Governor of Flushing
Robert Sidney visited Scotland in 1588 for a diplomatic mission. He also went to France for a similar reason in 1593. In 1588, he was made governor of Flushing, an important town in the Netherlands. He spent a lot of time there, helping with the war efforts.
In 1595, he sent his business manager, Rowland Whyte, to the English court. Whyte's job was to ask for more supplies for Flushing. He also sent Robert Sidney news about what was happening at court, including political gossip. Whyte's letters are very helpful for historians today.
Return to England and Royal Service
In 1603, when King James I became king, Robert Sidney returned to England. King James quickly made him a noble, giving him the title of Baron Sidney of Penshurst. He was also appointed as the chamberlain (a high-ranking official) to the queen, Anne of Denmark.
Sidney helped manage the queen's lands and income. He handled letters from local agents and worked on a plan to make the park at Nonsuch Palace bigger. This was to make it a better home for the queen.
In 1605, Sidney received another title, becoming Viscount Lisle. In August 1605, he planned to visit Vlissingen, but a storm forced his ship to land in Spanish territory. Some people at the English court thought he might have planned to go there to betray the English fortress. However, Sidney was able to prove his innocence.
He kept in touch with other important people, like William Trumbull. In September 1614, he wrote to Trumbull about the queen's health, saying she had "much troubled with paines in her legs and feet." In August 1615, he went with Queen Anne to Bath. His daughter Catherine and her husband joined them there, as Catherine was seeking medical advice.
In May 1618, he wrote to Sir Thomas Lake, the king's secretary. He shared news about the queen's thoughts on reducing household expenses. She told him she would obey the king in all things. She also said she knew nothing about household matters and would not get involved.
In July 1618, Robert Sidney became the Earl of Leicester. This title had been held by his uncle, Robert Dudley, who died in 1588. Sidney inherited some of his uncle's property. He wrote to his wife, saying that their new high rank was thanks to Queen Anne of Denmark.
In September 1618, he was ill. Doctors Henry Atkins and Théodore de Mayerne treated him at Hampton Court, at the request of Queen Anne.
Robert Sidney's Family Life
Robert Sidney was married two times.
His first wife was Barbara Gamage. She was known for her beauty and inherited a lot of money. Barbara was the daughter of John Gamage, a gentleman from Glamorgan. Robert and Barbara had eleven children together:
- Sir William Sidney (died 1613), their oldest son, who passed away before his father and was never married.
- Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester, who became the next Earl after his father.
- Henry Sidney
- Philip Sidney
- Mary Sidney, also known as Lady Mary Wroth. Like her father, she was a poet. The famous writer Ben Jonson dedicated his play The Alchemist to her in 1612.
- Catherine Sidney, who married Sir Lewis Mansel.
- Philippa Sidney, who married Sir Sir John Hobart, 2nd Baronet.
- Barbara Sidney, whom her father lovingly called "Little Bab."
- Dorothy Sidney
- Elizabeth Sidney
- Bridget Sidney
His second wife was Sarah Blount. She was the daughter of William Blount and the widow of Sir Thomas Smythe. Robert and Sarah did not have any children together.
Robert Sidney's Love for Arts and Poetry
Robert Sidney was a man of good taste and supported writers and artists. His elegant way of life at his country home, Penshurst Place, was even praised in poems by Ben Jonson. Robert Sidney also supported musicians. He was the person to whom Robert Jones dedicated his First Booke of Songes and Ayres (1600). He was also the dedicatee of A Musicall Banquet (1610), a collection of music put together by Robert Dowland, the son of the famous composer John Dowland. Sidney had agreed to be the godfather to John Dowland's son. A Musicall Banquet even starts with a dance piece by John Dowland called Syr Robert Sidney his Galliard.
For a long time, people didn't know that Robert Sidney was also a poet, even though his brother was one of the most famous poets in English history. In the 1960s, his personal notebook of poems was discovered. This notebook, now kept in the British Library, is the largest collection of poems from the Elizabethan period written entirely by the poet himself.
Images for kids
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Arms of Gammage of Coity Castle, Glamorgan.
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Heraldic impression of arms of Robert Sidney in one of 55 books purchased by the Bodleian Library with his donation in 1600 of £100.
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Quartered arms of Sir Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester, KG.
