William Eure facts for kids

Sir William Eure of Bradley was an English nobleman who was involved in politics and sometimes caused trouble. He lived during a time when England and Scotland were separate kingdoms, and his actions sometimes caused concern for Queen Elizabeth I.

Who Was Sir William Eure?

William Eure was born into an important English family. His father was William Eure, 2nd Baron Eure, a noble title. William also had an older brother, Ralph Eure, 3rd Baron Eure. It's easy to get him mixed up with his nephew, also named William Eure, who later became the 4th Baron Eure.

Family Disputes and Legal Troubles

The Eure family was known for being traditional landowners in their area. They were also a Catholic family. William Eure and other family members had some serious disagreements with Thomas Posthumus Hoby and his wife. The Hoby family were newer to the area and followed a different religion. These arguments led to legal problems and court cases.

Working on the Scottish Border

William Eure was employed by Peregrine Bertie, 13th Baron Willoughby de Eresby, a powerful lord. His job was to work near the border between England and Scotland. This was an important and sensitive area because the two countries often had tensions.

A Secret Meeting with the King

In November 1600, William Eure traveled into Scotland. He went with his servant, Clement Armorer. There, Sir Robert Ker arranged for William Eure to meet King James VI of Scotland. This meeting happened at the house of Sir George Home in a place called Spott. It was a secret meeting, held late at night.

Facing Serious Accusations

Robert Carey, an English official, found out about this secret meeting. He reported it to Sir Robert Cecil, a very important advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. When questioned, William Eure first denied that he had met King James VI. Later, he admitted that he had a "long talk" with the Scottish king.

Cecil was especially worried because Eure had lied at first. This made the situation seem even more suspicious. William Eure was arrested and sent to the Tower of London. He was suspected of being disloyal to Queen Elizabeth I.

Why Was It a Problem?

William Eure's older brother, Ralph, was very worried about his arrest. He feared it could harm their family's reputation. Scottish officials also tried to help William Eure. They wanted to make it clear that King James VI had not done anything wrong.

Queen Elizabeth I made a statement in May 1601. She emphasized that the main problem was William Eure's denial. He had lied to his superiors at Berwick about meeting the Scottish king.

William Eure was one of a few English gentlemen who visited Scotland before the two countries were united under one king. These visits often caused alarm among English diplomats and border officials. Another person who did this was Edmund Ashfield.