Biography of Henry Wotton 1568-1639

In 1568 Henry Wotton was born to Thomas Wotton.

On 11th January 1588 [his father] Thomas Wotton (age 66) died.

                    Letters of the Court of James I 1613. 29th August 1613. London. Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 21).
                
                    Yoa may please to remember how, in some of my former letters, I made mention of my Lord of Essex's (age 22) case, which was to rest in dependance till next term. But the king showed himself so affectionate in it, as the commissioners have been forced (to give his majesty satisfaction) to yield a more speedy hearing of it, which was done (though with little effect) upon last Wednesday. But it is believed generally that unless the commission be changed, the nullities which his majesty desireth will never be pronounced. For the Archbishop of Canterbury (age 50) and the Bishop of London (age 54), together with Dr. Bennet, and Dr. Edwards, who are like to have the greatest sway in deciding this controversy, are directly against it; insomuch as my Lord of Canterbury, being with his majesty at Windsor for some three or four days before the hearing, fell down upon his knees twice or thrice, to entreat his majesty that he might be dispensed with from being on the commission; which he would esteem a greater favour that all that he had received from him in being raised from a private condition, and in so short a space, to the highest dignity ecclesiastical. At the last hearing, my Lord of Rochester (age 26) stayed here in town, as is supposed, to hear the success, and rode presently past unto the king, [to acquaint] his majesty thereof, and showeth himself so passionate in this business only in favour [of the countess (age 23),] with whom a new match would be presently concluded, if the old one were now abolished.
                
                    Sir Thomas Overbury (age 32) is like to run a short course, being sick unto death1. The lieutenant of the Tower, and the physicians that were there about him, have subscribed their hands, that they hold him a man past all recovery.
                
                    Mr. Albert Morton (age 29), secretary of Sir Henry Wotton, is to be sent presently ambassador to the Duke of Savoy (age 51), and there [remain], which gives occasion of conjecture here that the old treaty of marriage is now [on foot] again; and that that other of France is like to fall to the ground. But in these [conjectures] haply it would be fit to be more sparing.
                
                    I received news lately from a gentleman, that heard it from Sir Ralph Winwood's (age 50) own mouth, that the States are resolved to make war upon the King of Denmark, if either our king will join them, or otherwise be [persuaded] to stand by a neuter. Their quarrel is, for that the King of Denmark hath imposed a grievous tax upon all merchandize that pass the Sound, and he hath in effect blocked up that passage: for it is held that of every three ships that pass, one falls by this means to his share, which is a thing intolerable.
                
                    The differences between them of the Religion in France are grown so violent as the deputies'-general have petitioned the queen, in the name of all the provinces, for liberty to hold a general assembly for [consideration] and pacification of them. But they find this request to be nothing pleasing, nor without great difficulty to be obtained, out of a jealousy the States hath that they may grow to new complaints and demands, after the example of the last assembly.
                
                    There hath been lately a proposition of marriage between the daughter of M. D'Ancre, and M. De Villeroy's grand-child, who is the heir of his house; there having been a former intention of matching her with the young Duke D'Elboeuf, which gives occasion of great jealousy and suspicion to M. De Guise and his faction, fearing by this news that M. De Yilleroy will be disjoined from them.
                
                    Note 1. He died on the 15th of September following, from poison, which Rochester and his countess had caused to be administered in his food.

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Before 12th January 1630 Henry Wotton and Jane Throckmorton were married.

On 12th January 1630 [his wife] Jane Throckmorton died.

In 5th December 1639 Henry Wotton died. He was buried at Eton College Chapel [Map]. See Samuel Pepys' Diary 1666 February 26.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 26th February 1666. Thence to the porter's, in the absence of the butler, and did drink of the College beer, which is very good; and went into the back fields to see the scholars play. And so to the chappell, and there saw, among other things, Sir H. Wotton's stone with this Epitaph Hic facet primus hujus sententiae Author:- Disputandi pruritus fit ecclesiae scabies¹. But unfortunately the word "Author" was wrong writ, and now so basely altered that it disgraces the stone.

Note 1. "Hic facet primus hujus sententiae Author:- Disputandi pruritus fit ecclesiae scabies" ie Here lies the first auctor of this maxim, an itch for disputation is the incurable disease of the church. Auctor means origininator. The carver of the inscription wrote author. The inscription ends "Nomen alias quære" ie Inquire his name elsewhere.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 26th February 1666. Before we went to Chappell this morning, Kate Joyce, in a stage-coach going toward London, called to me. I went to her and saluted her, but could not get her to stay with us, having company. At Eton [Map] I left my wife in the coach, and he and I to the College, and there find all mighty fine. The school good, and the custom pretty of boys cutting their names in the struts of the window when they go to Cambridge, by which many a one hath lived to see himself Provost and Fellow, that had his name in the window standing. To the Hall, and there find the boys' verses, "De Peste"; it being their custom to make verses at Shrove-tide. I read several, and very good ones they were, and better, I think, than ever I made when I was a boy, and in rolls as long and longer than the whole Hall, by much. Here is a picture of Venice hung up given, and a monument made of Sir H. Wotton's giving it to the College.

Biography of Henry Wotton 1568-1639

Ancestors of Henry Wotton 1568-1639