August 4 – William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley

On this day in Tudor history, 4th August 1598, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, died in London aged seventy-six. He had been Elizabeth I's chief advisor.

Here are a few facts about Burghley:

• Burghley’s father was Richard Cecil, former Groom of the Robes, Constable of Warwick Castle and High Sheriff of Rutland.
• He was educated at St John's College, Cambridge, where he met men like John Cheke and Roger Ascham, and his first wife, Mary Cheke.
• He started his career by serving Edward Seymour, the Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector.
• He served Edward VI as Secretary of State.
• He served Elizabeth I as Secretary of State and her chief advisor. She called him her “spirit”.
• He was a Lincolnshire man and was buried at St Martin's Church, Stamford.

Click here to read more about this fascinating Tudor man.

Also on this day in Tudor history...

Image: A portrait of William Cecil, Baron Burghley, attributed to Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, National Portrait Gallery.