CECIL

From Agepedia

CECIL, William (lord Burleigh). This eminent English statesman was son to Richard Cecil, master of the robes to Henry VIII, and was born at Bourne, in Lincolnshire, in 1520. He studied at St John's college, Cambridge, whence he removed to Gray's Inn, with a view to prepare himself for the practice of the law. Having earned on a successful controversy with two Irish priests on the subject of the pope's supremacy, he obtained the no tice of the king; and, being presented with the reversion of the office of custos brevium, was encouraged to push his fortune at court. Having married the sister of sir John Cheke, he was, by his brotherinlaw, recommended to the earl of Hertford, afterwards the protector Somerset. Having lost his first wife, he took for a second the daughter of sir Anthony Cooke, director of the studies of Edward VI; and, by his alliance with this lady, herself eminent for learning, still further increased his influence. He rose, in 1547, to the post of master of requests, and, soon after, to that of secretary. He endured, in this reign, some of the vicissitudes which befell his patron Somerset, but always recovered his standing, and, in 1551, was knighted, and sworn a member of the privy council. His declining to aid the proclamation of lady Jane Grey, secured him a gracious reception from queen Mary, although he forfeited his office because he would not . change his religion. In 1555, he attended cardinal Pole and the other commissioners appointed to treat for peace with France ; and, on his return, being chosen knight of the shire for the county of Lincoln, distinguished himself by opposing a bill brought in for the confiscation of estates on account of religious principles. His foresight led him into a timely correspondence with the princess Elizabeth, previously to her accession ; to whom, in her critical situation, his advice was exceedingly serviceable. On her accession, in 1558, he was appointed privy counsellor and secretary of state. One of the first acts of her reign was the settlement of religion, which Cecil conducted with great skill and prudence, considering the difficulties to be encountered. In foreign affairs, he showed much tact in guarding against the danger arising from the Catholic powers, and very judiciously lent support to the reformation in Scotland. The general tenor of Cecil's policy was cautious, and rested upon an avoidance of open hostilities, and a reliance on secret negotiation and intrigues with opposing parties in the neighboring countries, with a view to avert the dangers which threatened his own. This, upon the whole, was a course almost necessary, considering the situation of England, with a powerful, dissatisfied party at home, much dangerous enmity on the part of Catholic Europe, and an alliance existing between Scotland and France. On the suppression of the northern rebellion, in 1571, Elizabeth raised him to the peerage by the title of baron Burleigh, and, the following year, made him a knight of the garter. He is charged with being deeply engaged in fomenting the troubles which caused the flight of the imprudent and unhappy Mary Stuart into England; and, after the discovery of Babington's conspiracy, he never ceased urging her trial and condemnation. He endured, for a short time, the hypocritical resentment of Elizabeth at the execution of the queen of Scots, but, after a while, recovered his former credit. At the time of the threatened Spanish invasion, he drew up the plan for the defence of the country with his usual care and ability. But, soon after, losing his wife, to whom he was warmly attached, he became desirous of retiring from public business, and of leaving the field open to his son Robert, afterwards so celebrated as earl of Salisbury. He was persuaded, however, to keep his employment, and one of his latest efforts was to effectuate a peace with Spain, in opposition to the more heated councils of the earl of Essex. This great minister died in the bosom of his family, and in the possession of all his honors, in 1598, being then in his 77th year. He left behind him the character of the ablest minister of an able reign. How far the emergencies of the period ought to excuse a portion of his dark and crooked policy, it may be difficult to determine. But it is easy to decide, that almost every school of politicians, under similar circumstances, have countenanced similar laxity under the plea of expediency. The private character of Burleigh was highly regarded; for, although he failed not to improve his opportunities as a courtier, he always exhibited a probity which conciliated esteem. He possessed, in a high degree, the solid learning, gravity and decorum, which, in that age, usually accompanied elevated station. In his mode of living, he was noble and splendid, but, at the same time, economical, and attentive to the formation of a competent fortune for his family. His early occupation as a statesman precluded much attention to literature; but he is mentioned as the author of a few Latin verses, and of some historical tracts. A great number of his letters on business are still extant.