William Ashby (died 1593) facts for kids

William Ashby, also known as Asheby, was an important English politician and a diplomat. He lived a long time ago, in the 1500s, and was sent to Scotland to represent England. He passed away in 1593.

Ashby's Career and Education

William Ashby was born into a family in Leicestershire, England. He was the second son of Everard Ashby. He went to some very famous universities, including Peterhouse at Cambridge and Christ Church at Oxford. He also studied in Paris, France. In 1575, he studied law at the Middle Temple in London, which is a place where lawyers are trained.

Ashby became a Member of Parliament (MP), which means he was elected to help make laws for England. He represented the area of Grantham in 1586 and Chichester in 1593. His nephew, Robert Naunton, also became an MP and even went with Ashby to Scotland.

Ashby's Time in Scotland

From 1588 to 1590, William Ashby served as England's ambassador in Scotland. An ambassador is like a special messenger or representative from one country to another. His job was to keep England's Queen Elizabeth I informed about what was happening in Scotland and to help with important discussions between the two countries.

Ashby's letters from Scotland often talked about several key things. He followed the news about ships and sailors from the Spanish Armada, a huge Spanish fleet that tried to invade England. He also kept track of the plans for King James VI of Scotland to get married, either to Catherine de Bourbon or Anne of Denmark. In late 1589, Ashby reported to important English leaders, Francis Walsingham and William Cecil, about King James VI sailing to Norway to meet Anne of Denmark. Ashby also had some disagreements with another English person living in Scotland, Thomas Fowler.

Ashby arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 17, 1588, with a small group of helpers. He wrote to his superiors about his money arrangements, even mentioning that he could get a loan from a Scottish merchant named George Bruce of Carnock.

Spanish Armada Survivors

During the time of the Spanish Armada crisis, Ashby made a big promise to King James VI of Scotland. He offered a large yearly payment and even an English dukedom (a high noble title) if James would support England. However, the actual payment, known as the "English subsidy," was usually less.

While in Scotland, Ashby became friends with a French diplomat named Claude de l'Isle de Marivaux. Claude was trying to convince King James VI to marry Catherine de Bourbon, the sister of the French king, Henry of Navarre. Claude left Scotland in September 1588, carrying a letter from Ashby. In this letter, Ashby mentioned news about a Spanish Armada ship that had crashed near the Isle of Mull.

Ashby heard that 18 Spanish sailors who survived the explosion and fire from that ship arrived in Edinburgh in November 1588. Later, about 200 more survivors from the flagship El Gran Grifón, which crashed on Fair Isle, also arrived. Ashby even wondered if an English warship could stop these survivors as they crossed the Forth in fishing boats.

Some of the Spanish survivors who reached Edinburgh were important, like a nephew of the Duke of Medina Sidonia. These important Spaniards were welcomed by some Scottish nobles. By March 1589, Ashby thought it would be best to let the Spanish sailors leave Scotland freely. He believed their presence could help those in Scotland who supported Spain and the Catholic religion.

On June 1, 1589, an English ship called the Vanguard arrived in the Forth, followed by other English ships. A few days later, some English sailors went into Edinburgh to shop. Three of them got into a fight in a tavern, and one was stabbed. As they returned to their ship, they were attacked by a group of Spanish sailors, and another English sailor was killed. Ashby and the English ship captain, George Beeston, met with King James VI to ask for justice. King James VI gave gifts to Beeston and his officers.

Ashby also seemed to get along well with another French diplomat, François de Civille, who hoped they would stay in touch.

Royal Marriage and Stormy Weather

On August 28, 1589, Ashby learned that the marriage plans between King James VI and Anne of Denmark were successfully finished. Ashby was told to show that England supported this royal wedding. He knew that King James VI didn't have much money to fix up his palaces, so he suggested to England that now would be a good time to send James some money. This would make James grateful for a small cost.

On September 1, expecting Anne's arrival, Ashby asked Henry, Lord Scrope to gather food gifts for the wedding. A week later, Ashby noted that King James VI was waiting for his future queen at Seton Palace.

Ashby also wrote about the sad drowning of Jane Kennedy during a storm on the Forth. On October 8, 1589, Ashby described King James VI at Craigmillar Castle, still waiting for Anne of Denmark. He said James was "retired, and as a kind lover spends the time in sighing."

On October 10, two men arrived with a letter from Anne of Denmark. Ashby learned that Anne had been delayed five times by storms and would have to stay in Norway for the winter.

Ashby's letters, which described these sea incidents and "contrary winds" (meaning bad winds), and a mention of a "shipwreck" and "enchantments" that caused a storm, might have contributed to the fears about bad weather. These fears later led to witchcraft trials in Denmark and Scotland in 1591.

On October 15, Ashby reported that the Earl of Bothwell, who was in charge of Scotland's navy, was too sick to sail to Norway to get the queen. It was rumored that King James VI himself would make the trip. On October 21, Ashby wrote to King James VI, saying he was worried the king would take such a risk, acting "more like a passionate lover than a careful prince." He advised patience, saying nothing James did would bring the princess any sooner.

At the end of October 1589, Thomas Fowler wrote a long letter complaining about Ashby. Fowler claimed he had helped Ashby gain influence in Scotland. However, he believed Ashby had spoken against him to the king and to the Earl of Bothwell. Ashby's own letters show that he was working closely with Bothwell around this time.