Henry Sidney

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Sidney, Sir Henry (1529–86). Lord deputy of Ireland. Sidney, of Penshurst (Kent), was brought up with Prince Edward who was eight years younger, and on his accession was made a gentleman of the privy chamber. In 1551 he married the daughter of Northumberland. He backed Northumberland's attempted coup on behalf of Lady Jane Grey in 1553 but distanced himself in time to avoid disaster. Though Northumberland perished, Sidney still had Leicester as a brother-in-law and patron. In 1556 he accompanied Sussex to Ireland, acting as deputy in his absence. Elizabeth appointed him lord president of the marches in Wales in 1559, a post he held for the rest of his life. In 1565 he was given the Garter and sent back to Ireland as lord deputy. His first task was to deal with Shane O'Neill who was in rebellion, but who was assassinated in 1567. By 1571 Sidney had had enough of trying to pacify Ireland and resigned. But fresh rebellions led to his recall in 1575. This time the difficulty was expense, since Elizabeth was unwilling to accept that Ireland could not be subdued on the cheap. He was replaced in 1578. Though clearly an able man, his forward policy was never adequately supported. His son was the poet Sir Philip Sidney.

J. A. Cannon

Sidney, Sir Henry (1529–86), lord deputy 1565–7, 1568–71, 1575–8. In his first government Sidney planned colonization and centralization. He defeated Shane O'Neill, but earned the lasting hatred of Black Tom Butler of Ormond. Sidney's second deputyship was intended to consolidate the first. The attainder of Shane O'Neill was passed, giving the crown title to most of Ulster, but otherwise his parliament was frustrated by Old English opposition. Meanwhile his attempts to abolish coyne and livery, establish provincial presidencies, and promote colonies brought widespread rebellion. The big idea of Sidney's third government was ‘composition’. He achieved agreements in Connacht and Munster, but his high‐handed tactics with the Palesmen saw representations to the queen which rendered him a lame duck.

Sidney's administration has been presented as representing a new departure in the government of Ireland. In fact Sidney's reputation largely rests on effective propaganda: a bombastic memoir by himself, and the brilliant series of woodcuts of his third deputyship by John Derrick.

Hiram Morgan

Sidney, Sir Henry (1529–86). Lord deputy of Ireland. In 1551 Sidney married the daughter of Northumberland. He backed Northumberland's attempted coup on behalf of Lady Jane Grey in 1553 but distanced himself in time to avoid disaster. Though Northumberland perished, Sidney still had Leicester as a brother‐in‐law and patron. Elizabeth appointed him lord president of the marches in Wales in 1559, and in 1565 he was sent back to Ireland as lord deputy. His first task was to deal with Shane O'Neill who was in rebellion, but who was assassinated in 1567. By 1571 Sidney had had enough of trying to pacify Ireland and resigned. Fresh rebellions led to his recall in 1575. This time the difficulty was expense, since Elizabeth was unwilling to accept that Ireland could not be subdued on the cheap. He was replaced in 1578.