Thomas Edmondes facts for kids
Sir Thomas Edmonds (born 1563 – died 1639) was an important English diplomat and politician. He worked for three different rulers: Queen Elizabeth I, King James I, and King Charles I. For many years, he held a very important job as the Treasurer of the Royal Household, managing the money for the royal family.
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Who was Sir Thomas Edmonds?
Thomas Edmonds was born in 1563. He was the fifth son of Thomas Edmonds, who lived in Plymouth in Devon and Fowey in Cornwall. His father was a tax collector in Plymouth. His mother was Joane de la Bere.
Sir Thomas Edmonds's Career
Sir Thomas Edmonds started his career at the royal court. He was helped by another person named Sir Thomas Edmonds, who worked for Queen Elizabeth I. He learned a lot about politics from Sir Francis Walsingham, a very famous spy master. Even though he was a small man, people respected him greatly and called him "the little man."
Early Diplomatic Roles
In 1592, Queen Elizabeth I sent Edmonds to France. His job was to help with matters concerning the King of Navarre and the Protestants, who were French Protestants. He stayed in this role until 1596. Then, the Queen made him her "secretary of the French tongue," meaning he was an expert in French affairs. He returned to Paris in 1597.
In 1597, he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Chippenham. However, since he was still abroad, someone else voted for him. By 1600, he was England's ambassador in Brussels. He also helped with a peace meeting in France. In 1601, he joined the Privy Council, a group of royal advisors. Soon after, he went back to Paris as a minister. He was also elected as an MP for Liskeard in 1601.
Working for King James I
King James I made Thomas Edmonds a knight in 1603. This was a great honor. In 1604, he became an ambassador to Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor, a powerful ruler in Europe. While he was still abroad, he was elected as an MP for Wilton. He also gained the right to become the Clerk of the Crown later, a job that involved important legal documents.
He returned to Brussels as an ambassador in 1609. From 1610, he served as the ambassador to France for seven years. This was a very important role, as France was a key country for England.
Later Career and Royal Service
In 1616, Sir Thomas Edmonds became the Comptroller of the Royal Household. This meant he helped manage the royal household's daily operations. In 1618, he was promoted to Treasurer of the Royal Household. He held this high position until he died.
He continued to be elected as a Member of Parliament. He represented Bewdley in 1621, Chichester in 1624, and Oxford University in 1625. In 1628, he was an MP for Penrhyn. His last diplomatic mission was in 1629. He went back to France as a special ambassador to confirm a peace treaty.
Retirement and Family Life
After his long career, Sir Thomas Edmonds retired to Albyns in Essex. This was a large estate he received from his wife. It is believed that the famous architect Inigo Jones helped rebuild the house there. Sir Thomas Edmonds passed away on September 20, 1639.
Marriages and Children
Sir Thomas Edmonds married twice. His first wife was Magdalen Wood (who died in 1614). She was the daughter of Sir John Wood, a royal official.
They had several children, including:
- Sir Henry Edmonds, who inherited his father's estate.
- Isabella Edmonds, who married Henry West, 4th Baron De La Warr.
- Frances Edmonds, who married Robert Mildmay.
His second wife was Sarah Harington (1565-1628). She was the daughter of Sir James Harington. Sarah had been married three times before. Her portraits were painted by famous artists like Isaac Oliver and Cornelius Johnson.
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