William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke (died 1570) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Pembroke
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The young William Herbert wearing Greenwich armour. Portrait at the National Museum in Cardiff.
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| Born | c. 1501 |
| Died | 17 March 1570 |
| Title | 1st Earl of Pembroke |
| Spouse(s) | Anne Parr Anne Talbot |
| Children | 3 (including Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke) |
| Parent(s) | Sir Richard Herbert Margaret Cradock |
William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke (around 1501 – 17 March 1570) was an important person during the Tudor period in England. He was a nobleman, a politician, and a close advisor to the king. He served three different English monarchs: Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary I, and Elizabeth I.
William Herbert was the son of Sir Richard Herbert and Margaret Cradock. His father was a son of an earlier Earl of Pembroke, William Herbert.
Early Life and Rise to Power
William Herbert was known for being very ambitious and having a strong, sometimes fiery, personality. As a young man, he worked for the Earl of Worcester. After a serious incident in Bristol, he had to leave England and went to France.
In France, he became a soldier for King Francis I. He quickly gained a reputation for being brave and skilled in battle. The French king liked him and recommended him to King Henry VIII of England. Henry VIII also valued him and gave him many rewards and honors. For his service, Herbert received important lands like Wilton, Remesbury, and Cardiff Castle. This made him a wealthy and powerful man.
Herbert's first wife, Anne Parr, was the sister of Queen Catherine Parr, who was Henry VIII's sixth wife. Because of this connection, Herbert's influence grew even more after his sister-in-law married the King. He was made a knight in 1544. By 1544, Henry VIII had given him Wilton Abbey and other lands. Herbert then tore down the old abbey and built the first Wilton House in its place. This house is still the home of his family today.
Becoming an Earl
After King Henry VIII died in 1547, William Herbert became a guardian to the young King Edward VI. Herbert was a very important person during Edward's reign. Both of the powerful leaders, Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset and John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, wanted his support. Herbert decided to support Northumberland. After Somerset lost power, Herbert gained some of his lands.
In 1549, he was made a Knight of the Garter, which is a very high honor. On October 10, 1551, King Edward VI made him Baron Herbert of Cardiff. The very next day, he was made the 1st Earl of Pembroke.
Herbert's oldest son, Henry, married Lady Catherine Grey in May 1553. This was on the same day that Catherine's sister, Lady Jane Grey, married Northumberland's son.
After King Edward VI died, Herbert first supported Northumberland's plan to make Lady Jane Grey queen. However, when it became clear that Lady Mary Tudor would become queen, Herbert quickly changed his support. He even ended his son's marriage to Catherine Grey. Herbert managed to stay in Queen Mary I's favor. He helped her by stopping Wyatt's rebellion, a revolt against her rule.
During a war with France (1551–1559), Herbert led the English army that was sent to help Spain. His troops arrived too late for a major battle, but they helped capture the city of St. Quentin. Pembroke was considered Queen Mary's most effective military leader. He continued to serve under Queen Elizabeth I until 1569.
William Herbert was known for his strong personality. One writer, John Aubrey, said that Herbert "could neither read nor write" but had a special stamp for his name. Aubrey also wrote a funny story about Herbert and the nuns at Wilton Abbey. When the Catholic religion returned under Queen Mary, the nuns came back to the abbey. Herbert supposedly knelt to them, saying he was sorry. But when Queen Mary died and Protestantism returned, he supposedly kicked them out, telling them to "goe spinne!"
Herbert was also said to have a very close bond with his pet dog. Aubrey wrote that when Herbert died, his dog would not leave his master's body. The dog then became sad and died under the funeral carriage. Herbert's dog can be seen in the portrait of him from 1567.
Family Life
William Herbert was married twice.
- His first wife was Anne Parr. She was the younger sister of Queen Catherine Parr, who was King Henry VIII's last wife. William and Anne had three children:
- Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke (around 1539–1601). He was the oldest son and inherited his father's title. He married three times and had children, including William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke and Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke.
- Sir Edward Herbert (1547–1595). He also had children.
- Lady Anne Herbert (1550–1592). She married Francis, Lord Talbot. They did not have any children.
- His second wife was Anne Talbot. She was the daughter of George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury. They did not have any children together.
Death
William Herbert died on 17 March 1570, at Hampton Court. He was buried on 18 April 1570 in Old St Paul's Cathedral in London, where his first wife, Anne Parr, had also been buried. Sadly, his grave and monument were destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Today, a modern monument in the cathedral lists him as one of the important people whose graves were lost.
Images for kids
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The young William Herbert wearing Greenwich armour. Portrait at the National Museum in Cardiff.
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Arms of William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke (Herbert of Ewyas, Herefordshire)
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William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke in 1567
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Quartered arms of Sir William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke, KG
