Walter Buckler facts for kids

Sir Walter Buckler (who sometimes spelled his name Bucler) was an important person in England during the 1500s. He worked as a diplomat, which means he represented his country in other nations. He was also a close helper to Princess Elizabeth, who later became Queen Elizabeth I. Before that, he was a private secretary to Catherine Parr, who was the sixth wife of King Henry VIII. Sir Walter Buckler died sometime between 1554 and 1558.

Who Was Walter Buckler?

Walter Buckler was the second son of John Buckler. His family lived near Radipole and Weymouth, Dorset. He had an older brother named John. He also had a sister, Edith. Edith married John Wolley. Their son, Sir John Wolley, later became a Latin secretary for Queen Elizabeth I. This shows that the Buckler family had connections to important people in the royal court.

Walter Buckler's Education and Early Career

Walter Buckler was a very smart student. He studied in France at the University of Paris. He also studied in England at the University of Oxford. In 1525, he earned his Master of Arts degree from Oxford. He became a Fellow at Merton College, Oxford.

He was also appointed as a Canon at Cardinal College. This college was started in 1525 by Thomas Wolsey, a powerful church leader. After Wolsey lost his power, the college changed its name. It became King Henry VIII's College in 1532. Walter Buckler continued to be a Canon there. In 1534, he earned another degree, a Bachelor of Divinity. Even though he studied theology, he did not become a priest.

Working as a Diplomat

Walter Buckler spent time in Paris between 1534 and 1536. He helped supervise the education of young English students there. For example, he helped James Bassett, the son of Lady Lisle, when James was studying in Paris. Buckler also helped Lady Lisle with other things, like getting a special diamond brooch made.

Later, Buckler traveled to Venice in Italy. In 1539, he carried a letter from the English ambassador in Venice, Edmund Harvel, to Thomas Cromwell in England. Harvel praised Buckler, saying he was a good person and very smart. He said that all the learned people in Venice admired Buckler's knowledge. Buckler continued to travel between Venice and Paris, helping with important messages.

Supporting the Protestant Reformation

Walter Buckler was a strong supporter of the Protestant Reformation. This was a big religious movement in Europe. In 1545, King Henry VIII sent Buckler on a special mission to Germany. He went with Christopher Mont. Their job was to try and create an alliance between England, the German princes, and the King of Denmark. This alliance would have been against the Pope. The mission was not successful, and Buckler returned to England in December 1545. However, many Protestants in Germany were sad to see him leave. They believed he could help unite them with King Henry VIII.

Working for the Royal Family

Buckler also worked for Catherine Parr, King Henry VIII's sixth wife. In 1544, he was called "Mr Buckler, the Queen's secretary." As a reward for his service, the King gave him Wye College in Wye, Kent. This college had been a religious institution. It was given to the Crown when many monasteries were closed down. One condition of the gift was that Buckler had to pay for a good schoolmaster to teach the students at the college. He did not keep the property for long. In 1546, he sold Wye College to his brother-in-law, Maurice Denys.

Wye College, Kent, acquired by Buckler after the dissolution of the monasteries

In 1547, Walter Buckler was knighted. This happened just two days after King Edward VI became king. During King Edward's reign, Buckler joined the household of Princess Elizabeth. He lived with her at Hatfield, Hertfordshire, starting in 1550. In 1552, he became her chamberlain. This meant he was in charge of her household. A book from 1551 to 1552 shows Elizabeth's signature on every page, along with Walter Buckler's signature. In 1553, he was replaced as chamberlain. The reason for this change is not known.

Walter Buckler's Marriage

Effigy of Sir Walter Buckler's wife, Katherine Denys, Church of St Mary the Virgin, Fairford

Walter Buckler married Katherine Denys. She was a widow whose first husband was Sir Edmund II Tame. Katherine's family was also important. Her father was Sir William Denys, who was the Sheriff of Gloucestershire. Katherine had two brothers, Sir Walter Denys and Sir Maurice Denys, who also worked at the royal court.

They got married around 1546. Walter Buckler and Katherine Denys did not have any children together. After Walter Buckler died, Katherine married again to Roger Lygon. Katherine died in 1582.

Death and Burial

Sir Walter Buckler died at Fairford, Gloucestershire. This was the place his wife, Katherine, had inherited from her first husband. He was buried in the local church, St Mary the Virgin. This church was built by Katherine's first husband's family.

For a while, people were unsure about the exact year Walter Buckler died. Some thought he might have been appointed to Queen Elizabeth I's special council in 1558. However, records show that he had already passed away before Queen Elizabeth became queen. His wife, Katherine, had remarried by 1554. In that year, Queen Mary I and King Philip gave land to Roger Lygon and "Katherine Buckler, late wife of Walter Buckler, deceased." This proves he died before 1554.

Images for kids

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  Fairford, Gloucestershire, where Sir Walter Buckler lived and was buried.

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  Fairford Church, where Walter Buckler and his wife Katherine are buried.

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  Effigies of Katherine Denys and her third husband, Roger Lygon, in Fairford Church.