Arlington, Henry Bennet, 1st earl of
Arlington, Henry Bennet, 1st earl of (1618–85). Having fought for the crown in the Civil War, the future foreign minister of Charles II represented him at Madrid during Cromwell's alliance with France against Spain. Bennet believed in Anglo-Spanish friendship even if this conflicted with the Portuguese alliance strengthened through Charles II's marriage in 1662: like all future members of the ‘cabal’ Arlington was the inveterate foe of that marriage's promoter, Clarendon. Financially dependent on office, he was weak in ameliorating Anglo-Dutch relations, though in 1666 he married a Dutch wife. Distrustful of France, as secretary of state Bennet was similarly flaccid in falling in with Charles II's French policies. Neither conscience (he professed himself a catholic on his death-bed) nor better judgement prevented his contriving Charles's first secret treaty of Dover with Louis XIV in May 1670. He was granted a barony in 1665 and promoted to an earldom in 1672. Disgraced as secretary in 1673, Arlington became an Admiralty commissioner, and assisted in withdrawing the garrison at Tangier. Latterly he played the ‘Maecenas’ at his seat at Euston (Norfolk).
David Denis Aldridge
More From encyclopedia.com
Catherine De Medici , Catherine de' Medici
Catherine de' Medici
Catherine de' Medici (1519-1589) was a Machiavellian politician, wife of Henry II of France, and later rege… Catherine De Medici , Catherine de' Medici
Catherine de' Medici
Catherine de' Medici (1519-1589) was a Machiavellian politician, wife of Henry II of France, and later rege… Charles I (england) , Charles I (1600–49), king of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1625–49). Charles was the second son of James VI and Anne of Denmark. Born in Scotland,… Treaty Of Troyes , Treaty of Troyes
Troyes, treaty of, 1564. At her accession in 1558, Elizabeth inherited from Mary a war against France in which Calais, a 200-year-ol… Charles Vii (france) , The French king Charles VII (1403-1461) ruled from 1422 to 1461. His reign witnessed the expulsion of the English from France and the reestablishment… Valois (french Royals) , The ruling dynasty of France during much of the Renaissance, the Valois gained the throne in 1328 when the last king of the Capetian dynasty died wit…
About this article
Henry Bennet 1st earl of Arlington
All Sources -
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Henry Bennet 1st earl of Arlington