William Aylesbury facts for kids

William Aylesbury (born around 1612 or 1615 – died August 24, 1656) was an English person known for his work as a translator and an administrator. He lived during a time of great change in England.

Who Was William Aylesbury?

William Aylesbury was born in England, either in 1612 or 1615. His father was Sir Thomas Aylesbury, a successful businessman and a strong supporter of the king. His mother was Anne Denman, who came from a wealthy family in Retford, Nottinghamshire. William was baptized in St Margaret Lothbury in London.

William was the oldest of six children. His siblings included Frances, who later married Edward Hyde, a very important figure in English history. He also had sisters named Anne and Barbara. Two other siblings, Thomas and Jane, likely passed away when they were young.

Early Life and Education

At the age of 16, in 1628, William began his studies at Christ Church, Oxford, one of England's famous universities. He was a "gentleman commoner," which meant he paid extra to have special privileges. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1631 when he was just 19 years old. This was quite young for such an achievement back then.

Working for Important People

Even though William came from a wealthy family, he took on an important job. King Charles I asked him to be a tutor and guide for the young Duke of Buckingham and his brother, Lord Francis Villiers. William traveled with them through France and Italy, helping them learn and grow.

In 1640, William was living in Paris. He wrote letters to his brother-in-law, Sir Edward Hyde, sharing his worries about the political situation in England. He was concerned about the decisions being made by the Long Parliament, which was the government at the time.

William returned to London in 1641. He introduced his former students, the Duke of Buckingham and his brother, to King Charles I at Oxford. The King promised William a position in his royal household, but this promise was never fulfilled. William continued to work for the Duke of Buckingham as his agent until the king's supporters, known as royalists, were defeated.

A Passion for Translation

During his meeting with King Charles I, the King encouraged William to continue a translation project. William knew Italian well and had started translating a book called History of the French Civil Wars by Enrico Caterino Davila. Over the next few years, this translation became his main focus.

William often traveled between England, Paris, and Rome while working on his translation. His friend, Sir Charles Cotterell, helped him a lot with this project. Even with his own political problems, King Charles I read through the entire manuscript before it was printed.

The translated book was published in 1647. It was titled The Historie of the Civil Warres of France, written in Italian by H. C. Davila. Translated out of the originall. It was dedicated to the King.

Challenges and New Beginnings

When the English Civil War began and King Charles I faced difficulties, William sought safety with his father. They first went to Amsterdam and then to Antwerp. William also looked after his sister, Lady Hyde, during this challenging time.

By 1650, William had to return to England. His family's property had been taken away, leaving him without money. He moved near Oxford and relied on the kindness of his friends.

In early 1656, William found a new opportunity. He became the secretary to Major-General Robert Sedgwick, who had just been appointed Governor of Jamaica. William then left England for the last time. He played an active role in governing the island for a few months.

William Aylesbury passed away on August 24, 1656. A letter sent after his death described him as a very helpful person in important government matters. It said his advice to both the army and the fleet was valuable, and his absence would be greatly missed.

William's translation of Davila's book was published again in 1678. This new edition included a preface by Sir Charles Cotterell, who mentioned his own significant help in creating the original translation.