Letter to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, from the Council of State of the United Provinces

Digital Record

Identifier: VMSS457_I37_O1

Staff Only

Image of Letter to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, from the Council of State of the United Provinces

Dates

Creation: 1587 June 7

Creator

Leicester, Robert Dudley, Earl of, 1532?-1588 (correspondent, Person)
United Provinces of the Netherlands (correspondent, Organization)

Biographical / Historical

Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, (1532?–1588) was an English statesman and the favourite of Elizabeth I from her accession until his death. He was a suitor for the Queen's hand for many years. In 1564, Dudley became Earl of Leicester and, from 1563, one of the greatest landowners in North Wales and the English West Midlands by royal grants. Leicester was one of Elizabeth's leading statesmen, involved in domestic as well as foreign politics alongside William Cecil and Francis Walsingham. As patron of the Puritan movement, he supported non-conforming preachers but tried to mediate between them and the bishops of the Church of England. A champion also of the international Protestant cause, he led the English campaign in support of the Dutch Revolt (1585–87).

Biographical / Historical

United Provinces of the Netherlands or Dutch Republic, was a federal republic which existed during the Dutch Revolt until 1795.

Extent

1 folded sheet (3 pages) ; 32 x 41 cm folded to 32 x 20 cm

Language of Materials

French, Middle (ca.1400-1600)

Additional Description

General Note

Letter signed by Pierre l'Oyseleur de Villiers, Willem Roels, and another, for the Council of State of the United Provinces, with address to "Son Excellence" (the Earl of Leicester) on 3rd leaf. Written in French from The Hague, Netherlands, 7 June 1587. The portion of the letter by Villiers is a copy and is so headed. The Council of State is requesting the Leicester return to Holland to take up the command of the Dutch-English forces again. Leicester did so, later in June, but with a commission from Elizabeth to negotiate for peace with the Spaniards. This fell through, and Leicester finally left for good on November 10, after doing nothing. Villiers (1530-1590) was a noted Calvinist theologian, and a trusted aid (as a jurist and propagandist) for William the Silent. Roels (1550-1590) was a member of the Council.