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Book Section: Brennan, MG (2015) Henry Sidney (1641-1704), Earl of Romney, and Robert Spencer (1641-1702), Second Earl of Sunderland. In: Hannay, MP, Brennan, MG and Lamb, ME, (eds.) The Ashgate Research Companion to the Sidneys, 1500-1700. Volume 1: Lives. Ashgate Research Companions . Ashgate Publishing Limited , 169 - 176. ISBN 978-1-4094-5038-2

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[email protected] https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/ © Copyrighted Material HenrySidney earlofRomneyandRobertSpencer SecondearlofSunderland

www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com MichaelgBrennan

Henry Sidney and the House of Orange

ThecrucialroleofColonelHenrySidneyearlofRomneyfromduringthesin supportingtheclaimsoftheHouseofOrangeandWilliamiiitotheenglishthroneisnow often underestimated and merits reassessment in May Colonel Sidney the fourth survivingandyoungestsonofRobertSidneysecondearlofLeicesterandDorothyPercywww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com SidneyCountessofLeicesterledaninfantryregimentintheBritishexpeditionaryforce toFlandersThesecircumstancesprovidedhimwithanopportunitytobegincultivatinga lastingfriendshipwiththeProtestantWilliamiiiPrinceofOrangethefuture KingWilliamiiiThetimewasripefortheactivefosteringofAngloDutchrelationsbecause onnovemberWilliamhadmarriedPrincessMarydaughterofJamesDukeofyork andtherebybecamealikelycandidatefortheenglishthroneifhisfatherinlawwasexcluded becauseofhisCatholicismHenrySidneyspersonalcontactswiththeprincewerejudgedso promisingthatinJunehewasappointedasenvoyextraordinarytotheStatesgeneral oftheUnitedProvinceswithabrieftomaintainadefensivealliancewiththeDutchagainst FranceSidneyfamilyconnectionsprovedcrucialtothispoliticalappointmentsinceithad beenengineeredlargelythroughtheinuenceoftwocloseassociateshisownnephewand coevalRobertSpencerfromsecondearlofSunderlandandtheprecedingenglish envoy at The Haguewww.ashgate.com Sir William www.ashgate.com Temple www.ashgate.com who was the grandson of Sir Philip Sidneys trusted secretary during the s William Temple and the nephew of Henry HammondformerlyRectorofPenshurst HenrySidneysrelationshipwithWilliamiiiPrinceofOrangeourishedduringthe nexttwodecadesandhebecameavaluableconduitfordiplomaticnegotiationsbetween the english and Dutch The two men often dined and hunted together and Sidney was treatedbytheprinceandhisfamilyasatrustedcondantOnAugustforexample heaccompaniedWilliamonapoignanttriptoviewtheforticationsofZutphenSidney Diary where his greatuncle Sir Philip Sidney had received his mortal wound in SeptemberAnothertypicalreferenceinoneofhisleersdatedDecember recordshowthateveningthePrinceandPrincessofOrangeandPrinceofHanoverdo me the honour to come to my house They shall have music and dancing and the best entertainmenticangivethemDiary www.ashgate.comThislevelofpersonalintimacybetweenHenrySidneyandPrinceWilliamiiiwasalso www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com founded upon a century of mutual respect and friendship between the Sidneys and the © Copyrighted Material

© Michael G. Brennan (2015) From Margaret P. Hannay, Michael G. Brennan, and Mary Ellen Lamb (eds), The Ashgate Research Companion to The Sidneys, 1500–1700: Volume 1: Lives, published by Ashgate Publishing. See: http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9781409450382 © Copyrighted Material

THE ASHGATE RESEARCH COMPANION TO THE SIDNEYS, 1500–1700: VOLUME 1

HouseofOrangeTheprincesgreatgrandfatherWilliamitheSilentPrinceofOrange hadhopedintomarryhisdaughterMarieofnassautoHenrySidneys greatuncleSirPhilipSidneywhoduringtheearlyshadbeenkeentojoinWilliam ismilitaryforcesPhilipsyoungerbrotherRobertSidneyservedasgovernorofFlushing fromuntilandwhenhiseldestsonandheirWilliamwasborninnovember LouisedeColignyPrincessofOrangethefourthandlastwifeofWilliamihadstoodas godmotherforthechristeningFiftyyearslaterHenrySidneysolderbrotherAlgernonsee ScoARCsoughtinlateamilitaryappointmentintheforcesofWilliamiiPrince ofOrangeinadvanceoftheprincesmarriageonMaytoMaryHenrieaStuartthe PrincessRoyalandeldestdaughterofKingCharlesiWhenaddressingtheDutchAssemblywww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com atTheHagueinAugustHenrySidneywasjustiablyproudtorecall

iamverygladtobeemployedinaserviceofsogreatimportancetoboth nationsandishallnotfailtocontributeallmyendeavourstowardsitand your Lordships having had so many of my family engaged formerly in employmentsherewillihopetakeitasanearnestofmyowngoodaection totheserviceoftheStateDiary

OnJanuaryHenrySidneyalsocrypticallynotedinhisdiarythatMonsieurZulestein wasmarriedDiaryaneventthatprovidedyetanotherSidneyfamilyconnection sinceWilliamFrederickvannassauvanZuylesteinlaterearlofRochfordmarriedJane WrothaMaidofHonourtoMaryPrincessofOrangeandthedaughterof HenryWrothanephewofHenrySidneysauntLadyMaryWrothwww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com FollowingthedeathofKingCharlesiiinFebruaryHenrySidneycrossedonce againtotheLowCountriesinthefollowingnovemberandrenewedhisfriendshipwiththe PrinceofOrangeandhisProtestantwifePrincessMaryBytheyearoftheglorious Revolution when the prince was poised to invade to support his claim to the throneHenrySidneywasrmlyestablishedashischiefintermediarywithsupportersin englandHewasprominentinthedraftingoftheformalleerthenalversionwasinhis handthatwasdeliveredtoWilliamonJuneinvitinghimtocrossovertoengland gilbertBurnetwhowasthenservingasWilliamspersonalchaplainrecordedthatSidney wasthemaninwhosehandstheconductofthewholedesignwaschieydepositedbythe princesownorderBishop Burnet’s HistoryHelandedwiththeprinceatTorbayon novemberashisseniorcommandingocerintheeldwiththerankofmajorgeneral fortheHouseofOrangeslargelypeacefulclaimingoftheenglishthrone HenrySidneyprosperedduringthereignofKingWilliamiiiandonCoronationDaywww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com AprilwascreatedBaronMiltonandViscountSidneyofSheppeyinhewas appointedasaPrivyCouncillorFirstgentlemanoftheBedchamberandLordLieutenant andViceAdmiralofKentfollowedbytheWardenshipoftheCinquePortsandConstable of Dover Castle along with generous royal grants of extensive lands in ireland Most prominently he occupied the public and symbolic role of one of the kings most experiencedmilitarycommandersechoinghisfamilysproudtraditionofroyalmilitary service stretching back to the distinction achieved by his greatgreatgrandfather Sir WilliamSidneyattheBaleofFloddenDuringsummerheservedduringthe irishcampaignculminatinginhisparticipationattheBaleoftheBoyneandtheSiegeof LimerickinMayhewasnamedduringWilliamiiisabsenceinFlandersasoverall commanderofallfootregimentsandinMarchwasappointedasLordLieutenantof irelandwherehisbrotherPhilipthirdearlofLeicesterhisfatherRobertthesecondearl andhisgreatgrandfatherSirHenrySidneyhadallheldhighoceseeWarkentinwww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com ARC McgowanDoyleARCRecalledtoenglandinhewaschosenasMastergeneral © Copyrighted Material 170

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HENRY SIDNEY, EARL OF ROMNEY, & ROBERT SPENCER, SECOND EARL OF SUNDERLAND

oftheOrdnanceakeypostinrelationtobothnationalsecurityandWilliamiiismilitary plansontheContinentinMayhewaspromotedtotherankoflieutenantgeneraland createdrstearlofRomney BynowinhismidftiesHenrySidneyretiredfromactiveeldservicebutremained prominentinmilitaryprocurementandpageantryHetookaleadingroleintheLondon celebrationsfollowingtheenglishtriumphattheSiegeofnamurandthesigning oftheTreatyofRyswickwhichconcludedthenineyearsWarandwhichhadbeen managedbyhisnephewRobertSpencerThisperiodmarkedtheapogeeoftheroyalcourt careersofbothHenrySidneyandRobertSpencerandtheywerenamedtogetheramong theLordJusticestogovernthecountryduringWilliamiiisabsenceinHenrySidneywww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com remainedonintimatepersonaltermswiththekingaccompanyinghimonthreeseparate visits to The Hague between and King William iii died on March on SeptemberofthesameyearRobertSpencerdiedofheartfailureandwassucceededas thirdearlofSunderlandbyCharlesc.hisonlysurvivingsonTheaccessionof QueenAnneeectivelyendedHenrySidneyspubliccareerandhediedofthesmallpoxon April

Education, Continental Travel, and Court Careers of Henry Sidney and Robert Spencer

HenrySidneysdistinguishedcourtcareerduringthelastquarteroftheseventeenthcenturywww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com ofteninterlinkedwiththatofhisnephewandcoevalRobertSpencerearlofSunderland withwhomhehadgrownupasachildHowevereventhoughSidneyandSpenceras notedwerenamedtogetheramongthoseappointedintogovernthecountrywhile WilliamiiiwasabroadtheirearliercareersduringthereignsofCharlesiiandJamesiihad sometimestakendivergentpathsLetusnowlookbackintimetoexaminetheirshared childhood youth and early court experiences and in particular their sometimes starkly contrastingpersonalaliationswithJamesiiandWilliamiii HenrySidneywasbornduringhisfathersParisembassyinspringandhisnephew RobertSpencerwasalsobornatParisonthefollowingSeptemberTheyweretobecome lifelongfriendsandcourtassociatesdemonstratingyetagainthepoliticalpotencyofSidney family networks see Brennan ARC Robert was the eldest surviving son of Henrys sisterDorothywhohadbeenwidowedwhenherroyalisthusbandHenrySpencerrst earlofSunderlandwaskilledinagedtwentytwoattheBaleofnewburyThetwowww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com boyswereeducatedtogetheratPenshurstunderthechargeofThomasPierceanejected fellowofMagdalenCollegeOxfordAspoliticalconditionsgrewuncertaininthey weresentwithPiercetobroadentheireducationbytravelingontheContinentwherethey stayeduntilCharlesiisrestorationwascertainTheywereabroadagainformuchoftherst halfofthesRoberttraveledextensivelythroughFrancewithWilliamPennlaterthe founderofPennsylvaniaSpainSwierlandanditalyonlyreturningbrieytoenglandin Henrywasinitalyagainformostofwithaculturedgroupofyoungenglishmen includingHenrySavileSidneygodolphinWilliamTrumbullandhisnephewSunderland When both young men nally returned to england in their court careers began in earnestTheyweretoprovethemselvestwoofthemostadaptablepragmaticandshrewd courtiers of their generation even if they tended occasionally to overstretch themselves bothonthepersonalandpoliticallevelsandexpresseddieringpoliticalandroyalloyalties www.ashgate.comRenownedforhisgoodlooksandsocialcharmsHenrySidneysecuredapositionas www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com groomoftheBedchambertoJamesDukeofyorkandwassoonappointedasMasterof © Copyrighted Material 171

© Michael G. Brennan (2015) From Margaret P. Hannay, Michael G. Brennan, and Mary Ellen Lamb (eds), The Ashgate Research Companion to The Sidneys, 1500–1700: Volume 1: Lives, published by Ashgate Publishing. See: http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9781409450382 © Copyrighted Material

THE ASHGATE RESEARCH COMPANION TO THE SIDNEYS, 1500–1700: VOLUME 1

the Horse to the dukes wifeAnne the daughter of Charles iis chief minister edward HydeearlofClarendonUnfortunatelyhisirtatiousrelationshipwiththeduchessled tohisdismissalandheisknowntohavehadliaisonsatthisperiodwithotherwomen includingAnneTempleandgraceWorthleybywhomhehadanillegitimate sonHenrySidneyDiaryxxviixxxvByhewasreducedtoacceptingacommission in a regiment under the command of his older brother Robert Sidney in the UnitedProvincesAfterafailedaempttogainaparliamentaryseatinhereturned toFranceinthefollowingyearHewasthereagaininthistimetodeliveramessage ofcondolencefromCharlesiioverthedeathofLouisXiVsdaughterMarieThérèseStill ambitiousforaformalpresenceattheenglishcourtHenrypurchasedinthepositionwww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com ofMasteroftheRobestherebygaininghisrstmajorpostattheroyalcourt Robert Spencers court career also began in when he returned to england and marriedAnnedaughterofgeorgeDigbyearlofBristolwhomhehadpreviouslycourted inbutthensuddenlyedabroadwhenamarriagewasarrangedApparentlynow happily married Robert and Anne took up residence at the familys seat at ThisunionbroughtRobertintousefulcontactwithhisbrotherinlaw georgeSavileearlofHalifaxwhoinhadmarriedRobertssisterDorothySpencer see Akkerman ARC and also with the Dukes of york and Monmouth ThroughhiswifesfamilyhewasonfriendlytermswithHenryBennetearlofArlington CharlesiisformeragentatMadridandhisSecretaryofStateArlingtonsponsored his introduction to diplomatic aairs arranging for him to be sent in to Louis XiV tooerCharlesiisthanksafterthesigningoftheTreatyofDoverinthefollowingyear SpencerwenttoMadridasanenvoyextraordinarywiththedicultbriefofaemptingtowww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com preventanHispanoDutchallianceagainsttheFrenchAlthoughthismissionachievedlile withArlingtonspatronagehesecuredtheenglishambassadorspostatParisinTaken convenientlyillinMarchwhenabouttodepartonyetanothertaxingandexpensive embassytoColognehewasabletoshedhisdiplomaticdutiesandmovebacktoLondon wherehesecuredapositionasagentlemanoftheBedchamberBythistimeArlingtonhad fallenfromroyalfavorbutSpencerdeftlysecuredthepersonalsupportofCharlesiisthen mostinuentialmistressLouisedeKéroualleDuchessofPortsmouthHeregularlyacted asaverbalintermediarybetweenthekingandtheduchessandassistedingainingroyal assentinfortheennoblingofhersonasDukeofRichmondHeundertooktwoother brief diplomatic missions to the court of Louis XiV in before achieving genuine politicalpotencyinFebruarywhenCharlesiiappointedhimashisSecretaryofState ofthenorthernDepartment HenrySidneysfatherRobertsecondearlofLeicesterdiedonnovemberandwww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com hiswillprovidedgenerousprovisionforbothHenryandAlgernonseeScoARCto thedetrimentoftheireldestbrotherPhilipnowthirdearlofLeicesterwhohadfallenout withhisfatherinAprotractedchancerycaseensuedwithHenryresidingatPenshurst andAlgernonatLeicesterHouseinLondonTheaftermathofthePopishPlotinand thebeginningsoftheexclusionCrisisinfocusingontheproblemsoftheprobable successionofCharlesiisCatholicbrotherJamesplacedHenrySidneyandRobertSpencer attheveryheartofgovernmentalintriguesSunderlandwasactiveintryingtoplacatethose mosthostiletoaCatholicsuccessionnotablytheearlofShaftesburyandledanaemptto gainsupportforaschemeoflimitationsunderwhichJamesasaCatholickingwouldvow toupholdtheChurchofenglandandrespecttheauthorityofParliamentHenrySidney was simultaneously continuing to court the trust of William iii Prince of Orange and now considered it imperative that William should either personally come to england or declarepubliclyhisclaimtotheenglishthroneSunderlandspublicsupportforthesecondwww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com exclusionBillinlateledtohisowntemporaryexclusionfromroyalfavorhowever © Copyrighted Material

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HENRY SIDNEY, EARL OF ROMNEY, & ROBERT SPENCER, SECOND EARL OF SUNDERLAND

bySeptemberhehadregainedaseatonthePrivyCouncilandhewasagainnamedas SecretaryofStateonJanuary intheaftermathoftheRyeHousePlotwhichwassupposedlyplannedtomurderboth Charles ii and his brother and heir James Duke of york Henry Sidneys elder brother AlgernonwasexecutedonTowerHillonDecemberAlthoughhisnephewRobert SpencerhaddistancedhimselffromthetrialHenrySidneywasallowedtoburyAlgernons bodyatPenshurstandtoinherithisestateSunderlandsinuenceatcourtwasstillverymuch intheascendantduringandhewaspoisedtobecomechiefministerwhenCharlesii unexpectedly died on February Although his personal contacts with James had diminishedduringtheexclusionCrisishisskillfulmanipulationoftheHouseofCommonswww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com toensureitssupportforthenewkingrapidlygainedhimroyalfavorandheretainedhis postasSecretaryofStateRenownedforhistimeservinganddoubledealingKenyon andregardedasthemostpoliticalanimalinlateStuartenglandSpecktwokeyelements facilitatedSunderlandspoliticalsurvivalandprosperityunderJamesiiUnencumberedby anystrongreligiousconvictionshereadilywentalongwithplansforthereestablishment oftheChurchofenglandButhewasalsoreadytocultivatethemostardentCatholicfaction ratherthanmoremoderateelementscalculatingthattheirintimacywouldpropelhimmore rapidlyintothekingsinnermostcircleSecondlythroughhisundoubtedpersonalcharms hewassoonabletoexertastronginuenceoverJamesiisqueenMaryofModena inthekingentrustedSunderlandwithpresidingoverthebrutallegalrepression of the Monmouth Rebellion led by Judge Jereys who had sent his uncle Algernon to executionandSunderlandrewardedJereysbypersuadingJamestoappointhimasLord ChancellorWiththeearlofHalifaxdismissedfornotsupportingtherepealoftheTestandwww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com HabeasCorpusActSunderlandbecamethemostpowerfulmanatcourtwhenhesucceeded himasLordPresidentDuringmidSunderlandcompletedhispoliticalmetamorphosis bysecretlyconvertingtoCatholicismfollowedbythepublicconversionofhiseldestson RobertinAprileverthedeftcourtierthelaerconversionmeantthathecouldnow show more sympathy towards moderate Catholics and nonconformists by lending his fullsupporttotheroyalDeclarationofindulgencefortolerationofworshipofApril FollowingthebirthofasonJameslatertheOldPretendertoJamesiiandMaryon JuneSunderlandpubliclydeclaredhisearlierconversiontoCatholicism WhenrumorsescalatedinthefollowingSeptemberthatWilliamwaspoisedtoinvade bothKingJamesandSunderlandhastilysoughttoforgebondsofsupportwiththeformerly despisedAnglicanToriesButwhenstormsturnedbackWilliamsrstinvasionforceinmid OctoberJameswasfuriousathavingbeenpersuadedtograntconcessionstotheAnglicans andpromptlysackedSunderlandasthescapegoattoplacateCatholicresentmenttowardswww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com thepolicyofappeasementFollowingWilliamssuccessfullandingatTorbayonnovember SunderlandimmediatelysoughtrefugeinCatholicFrancebutwasspurnedbyLouisXiV andinsteadspenttherestofthemonthraisingfundsforhisexileabroadTothesurpriseof manyatcourtSunderlandandhisProtestantwifenallyedtoRoerdamalthoughhis wifesoonreturnedtoenglandonDecemberwiththemanuscriptofaLeertoaFriend inLondonforanenglishprinterHenrySidneyscopyinSunderlandshandisBLAdd MSfolswhichsimultaneouslydefendedSunderlandsdealingswithJames iiandlavishlypraisedthenewkingWilliamiiiTheCountessofSunderlandreturnedto RoerdaminJanuarybutherhusbandwasarrestedandbrieyimprisonedbefore his resourceful wife engineered his freedom by appealing to Williams consort Mary TheywereabletoreturntoenglandinApriltoresideontheirAlthorpestatesand SunderlandquietlyresumedhisseatintheHouseofLordsinJanuaryWhenJames fromhisexileinFrancepointedlyexcludedSunderlandfromhisProclamationofPardonwww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com inAprilhewasabletooerhisabsoluteallegiancetoWilliamandhistacitlygiven © Copyrighted Material

© Michael G. Brennan (2015) From Margaret P. Hannay, Michael G. Brennan, and Mary Ellen Lamb (eds), The Ashgate Research Companion to The Sidneys, 1500–1700: Volume 1: Lives, published by Ashgate Publishing. See: http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9781409450382 © Copyrighted Material

THE ASHGATE RESEARCH COMPANION TO THE SIDNEYS, 1500–1700: VOLUME 1

adviceonthemanagementofparliamentaryandcourtaairsgrewsteadilymoreinuential HecontinuedtoexertconsiderableinuencebehindthescenesandonAprilwas appointedLordChamberlain HisopponentsatcourthoweversoughthisresignationinthefollowingDecemberand althoughthekingwasunwillingtoallowhimtostepdownheneveragainperformedthe dutiesofthisoceHewasalsocaughtupduringinanunpleasantscandalsurrounding hisJacobitesoninlawtheearlofClancartywhohaddesertedhisrstwifeSunderlands daughterelizabethandreturnedtoirelandtoliveasaCatholicandmarryforasecond timeonlytothenabandonthissecondmarriageandtoreturntoenglandtoreclaimhis rstwifeSunderlandseldestsonCharleshadhimthrownintonewgatePrisonandthiswww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com messyaairwasnallysolvedbythedepartureabroadofClancartyandelizabethtolive ingermanyonaroyalpensionBynowSunderlandpreferredtospendmostofhistime onhisAlthorpestatesalthoughhereturnedtoLondoninDecemberforthesecond marriageofhissonCharlesinthefollowingJanuarytoLadyAnneChurchillthedaughter oftheearlofMarlboroughwhomhisuncleHenrySidneyhadknownwellfromvisitsto TheHaguewithWilliamiiiDuringthersttwoyearsoftheeighteenthcenturySunderland wasinuentialinthenegotiationsfortheActofSelementthatledtotheaccessionof theHouseofHanoverinbutashishealthrapidlyfailedhediedonSeptember

Diary and Correspondence of Henry Sidney

www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com inatwovolumeeditionwaspublishedoftheDiary of the Times of Charles the Second by theHonourableHenrySidneyAfterwardsEarlofRomneyeditedbyRobertWillisBlencowe whichalsocontainedselectionsfromhiscorrespondencewithhissistertheCountessof Sunderland and other prominent court gures Henry Sidneys diary covers the period JuneJanuaryandBlencowetranscribedandinterspersedwithleerswithin itstextatappropriatedatesSamplesofSidneysoutgoingcorrespondencefromthisperiod includeleersaddressedtoWilliamiiiPrinceofOrangeJamesDukeofyorkthefuture KingJamesiiArthurCapelearlofessexWilliamSavileViscountHalifaxandSidneys nephewRobertSpencerearlofSunderlandCopiesofotherleersfromSidneyinclude thosesenttoedwardConwayearlofConwayLaurenceHydelaterearlofRochester Sidney godolphin later earl of godolphin and the Welsh lawyer and diplomat Sir LeolineJenkins Blencowe includedwww.ashgate.com samples www.ashgate.com of incoming www.ashgate.com correspondence from Henry Sidneys sister thewidowedDorothySidneySpencerDowagerCountessofSunderlandseeAkkerman ARC the earl of Sunderland and his countess Anne Digby Spencer the Duke of yorkgeorgeSavileearlofHalifaxJamesButlerearlofOrmondealsoknownastheearl of Ossory Ralph Montagu later Duke of Montagu Laurence Hyde the politician and diplomatWilliamHarbordHerbertSidneygodolphinJohnMounstevenSecretarytothe earlofSunderlandWilliamSavileSirWilliamTemplegilbertSpencerstewardtoHenry SidneysfatherthesecondearlofLeicesterthediplomatSirRichardBulstrodeSirHenry CapellaterBaronCapelofTewkesburySirgabrielSylviusChamberlaintothePrinceof OrangeSirLeolineJenkinsandWilliamPennAshorterconcludingselectionofleers covers the period February June with correspondence to Henry Sidney from HansWillemBentincklaterearlofPortlandthediplomatSirRobertSouthwellthePrince ofOrangetheCountessofSunderlandPrincessAnnelaterQueenAnnethedaughterof JamesiiCharlesdeSchomberglaterDukeofSchombergBishopgilbertBurnetandthewww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com earlandCountessofSunderland © Copyrighted Material

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HENRY SIDNEY, EARL OF ROMNEY, & ROBERT SPENCER, SECOND EARL OF SUNDERLAND

AlthoughthesetwoearlyVictorianvolumesstillremainaninvaluableprimarysource forthelifeandpoliticalcareerofHenrySidneymanyotherrelevantmanuscriptdocuments arenowknownandthereisapressingneedforaneweditionofhiscorrespondenceThere isalsoagoodcasetobemadefortheundertakingofwhatwouldbetherstbooklength biography of this shrewd and ambitious individual Henry Sidneys reputation is still a maerofhistoricalcontroversyasisdemonstratedbytheconcludingparagraphofDavid HosfordsexcellentODNBarticleexplaininghowhe

hasbeenthesubjectofwidelydivergentviewsaboutbothhiscapacityand character Macaulay dismissively described him as incapablewww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com ignorant www.ashgate.com and dissipated in turn Macaulay seems to have been inuenced by Jonathan Swifts disparaging references one diering only slightly from the other to the eect that Romney was an idel drunken ignorant rake withoutsenseorhonourThomasBrucesecondearlofAilesburyhardly afriendlywitnesstookamuchmorecharitableviewofhischaracterwhile JohnMackycalledhimthelinchpinoftheplanningeortfortherevolution amanofhonourandhonestywhoservedWilliamtothebestofhisability BothBurnetsHistoryandthesupplementtothatworkprovideanevenfuller portraititiscertainlyoneofanindividualwithawsbutalsoremarkablefor hiseventemperstraightdealinggoodjudgementandaknackforgaining thetrustofothers

AwiderangeofothersignicantitemsfromHenrySidneyslifeandcorrespondencearewww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com nowpreservedatThenationalArchivesKewandattheCentreforKentishStudiesinthe Sidneyfamilysprivatearchivebutgenerallythesedocumentshavenotbeenutilizedin previousassessmentsofhispoliticalimportanceApartfromBlencowesintroduction to his DiaryandDavidHosfordsinformativeentryintheODNBthereisstillnosubstantial study of the life and public career of Henry Sidney earl of Romney His posthumous reputation remains controversial but through his personal friendship with the Prince of Orangeandhisundoubteddiplomaticskillsitmaybearguedthathedidmorethanany othermemberoftheSidneyfamilytodenethefutureoftheBritishmonarchyforhisown andsucceedinggenerations

Bibliography www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com

Manuscript Sources

British Library, London AddMSextractsfromcorrespondence AddMSfolspersonalpapers AddMSSdiarycorrespondenceandpersonalpapers AlthorpPapersAddMSS Centre for Kentish Studies, Maidstone UAACeFOT UCeepersonalpapers

www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com

© Copyrighted Material 175

© Michael G. Brennan (2015) From Margaret P. Hannay, Michael G. Brennan, and Mary Ellen Lamb (eds), The Ashgate Research Companion to The Sidneys, 1500–1700: Volume 1: Lives, published by Ashgate Publishing. See: http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9781409450382 © Copyrighted Material

THE ASHGATE RESEARCH COMPANION TO THE SIDNEYS, 1500–1700: VOLUME 1

TheNationalArchivesKewTNA ADM CSP PC SP

Primary and Secondary Sources

Brennan Michael g The Sidneys of Penshurst and the Monarchy,www.ashgate.com 1500–1700 www.ashgate.com Aldershot www.ashgate.com Ashgate BurnetgilbertBishop Burnet’s History of His Own TimeedMRouthvolsOxfordOxford UP HosfordDavidHenrySidneyFirstearlofRomneyODNB. KenyonJPRobertSpencerEarlofSunderlandrptAldershotAshgate MacaulayTBThe History of England From the Accession of James IIedCHFirthvols LondonMacmillan Sidney Henry Diary of the Times of Charles the Second by the Honourable Henry Sidney, AfterwardsEarlofRomneyIncludinghisCorrespondencewiththeCountessofSunderland andOtherDistinguishedPersonsattheEnglishCourttowhichareAddedLeersIllustrative of the Times of James II and William IIIedRobertWillisBlencowevolsLondonHenry Colburn SpeckWARobertSpencerSecondearlofSunderlandwww.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com www.ashgate.com ODNB. SwiftJonathanThe Prose Works of Jonathan SwiftedHDavisvolsOxfordBlackwell

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