The Tudor Society

April 4 – William Strachey, a shipwreck and Mildred Cecil

On this day in Tudor history, 4th April 1572, writer and historian William Strachey was born in Saffron Walden in Essex, England.

Strachey's account of the 1609 shipwreck of the Sea Venture in a hurricane was used as a source for William Shakespeare's "The Tempest".

Find out more about Strachey, how he was marooned for a year, and why he died in poverty in this video:

Here's a link to find out more about Strachey's signet ring - https://historicjamestowne.org/selected-artifacts/stracheys-ring-2/

Also on this day in Tudor history, 4th April 1589, Mildred Cecil, Lady Burghley, wife of William Cecil, Lord Burghley, died. Mildred was an accomplished and influential woman in her own right and I pay tribute to her in this video:

You can see photos of Mildred and Anne's tomb at https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/mildred-cecil-lady-burghley

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April 4 – William Strachey, a shipwreck and Mildred Cecil