Ralph Winwood

Sir Ralph Winwood (c. 1563 - October 27, 1617), English politician, was born at Aynhoe in Northamptonshire and educated at St John's College, Oxford.

Related Topics:
1563 - October 27 - 1617 - English - Politician - Aynho - Northamptonshire - St John's College, Oxford

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In 1599 he became secretary to Sir Henry Neville (c. 1564-1615), the English ambassador in France, and he succeeded Neville in this position two years later, retaining it until 1603. In this year Winwood was sent to The Hague as agent to the States-General of the United Provinces, and according to custom he became a member of the Dutch council of state. His hearty dislike of Spain coloured all his actions in Holland; he was anxious to see a continuance of the war between Spain and the United Netherlands, and he expressed both his own views and those of the English government at the time when he wrote, "how convenient this war would be for the good of His Majesty's realms, if it might be maintained without his charge."

Related Topics:
1599 - Sir Henry Neville - France - The Hague - United Provinces - Spain - United Netherlands

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In June 1608 Winwood signed the league between England and the United Provinces, and he was in Holland when the trouble over the succession to the duchies of Jülich and Cleves threatened to cause a European war. In this matter he negotiated with the Protestant princes of Germany on behalf of James I.

Related Topics:
1608 - Jülich - Cleves - Protestant - James I

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Having returned to England Sir Ralph became secretary of state in March 1614 and a member of parliament. In the House of Commons he defended the king's right to levy impositions, and other events of his secretaryship were the inquiry into the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury and the release of Raleigh in 1616. Raleigh was urged by Winwood to attack the Spanish fleet and the Spanish settlements in South America, and the secretary's share in this undertaking was the subject of complaints on the part of the representatives of Spain. In the midst of this he died in London. It can hardly be doubted, says Gardiner, that, if he had lived till the following summer, he would have shared in Raleigh's ruin. One of Winwood's daughters, Anne (d. 1643), married Edward Montagu, 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton, and their son was Ralph Montagu, 1st Duke of Montagu.

Related Topics:
Secretary of state - House of Commons - Sir Thomas Overbury - Raleigh - South America - Gardiner - Edward Montagu, 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton - Ralph Montagu, 1st Duke of Montagu

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