Sir Henry Sidney

• References:
  • The Image of Ireland, John Derricke, London, 1581.
    • This describes the recent campaign by Sir Henry Sidney against the rebel Rory Og O'More (forced to submit 1575, executed 1578). Sir Henry Sidney was still alive when this book was pub.
    • It was repub in facsimile, Edinburgh, 1883.
    • One source said this book was "dedicated to Sir Philip Sidney", though can't see that on title page.

Lady Mary's father Northumberland was the main figure behind the plan to make Lady Jane Grey Queen after Edward VI,
Edward VI died Thur 6th July 1553, Greenwich Palace, London, age 15, he is said to have died in the arms of his friend Sir Henry (age 23), Sir Henry witnessed his will,
Lady Mary Dudley brought the news of Edward VI's death to her sister-in-law Lady Jane Grey on Sun 9th July, and took her with her to Syon House, she was proclaimed Queen on Mon 10th July,
Sir Henry took little part in it, being still in mourning for his friend Edward VI, he deserted their cause early (though he sheltered the Dudleys at Penshurst after their fall),
Lady Mary's father was executed 1553 and her brother 1554,
he inherited Penshurst Place 1554,

Vice-treasurer of Ireland 1556-9 (under Queen Mary, despite his involvement with Lady Jane Grey), he took the young Hugh O'Neill (the future rebel) to England 1559, K.G. 1564, Lord Deputy of Ireland 1565-71 (under Elizabeth I), "By far the ablest of Elizabeth's able band of Irish governors." [R.F. Foster, Modern Ireland 1600-1972, 1988], he pioneered the first deliberate attempts at colonisation in the 1560s, he established the boundaries of Co.Roscommon and Co.Clare 1565, major rebuild of Dublin Castle 1565-78, entertained Elizabeth I at his property at Otford, Kent (see map) in 1573, Lord Deputy of Ireland 1575-8, his reports on Ireland are an important source, Rory Og O'More of Leix was forced to submit to him at Kilkenny Cathedral 1575, and was later executed 1578, his brothers-in-law Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex and Sir William Fitzwilliam were Lord Deputy etc. at similar time,

declined a Barony,
at Penshurst he laid out the main (flat, open) Italian Garden 1580s,
died 5th May 1586, Ludlow, Shropshire, age 56 yrs,
see [DNB],
Lady Mary died 1586,
had issue:

1. Sir Philip Sidney,
   the soldier, statesman, courtier and poet,
   born Penshurst, 29th Nov 1554.

2. Margaret Sidney,
   born c.July 1556,
   died 7th Apr 1558, age 1 ¾ [grave, Penshurst chapel].

   
   

3. Lady Mary Sidney (see here),
   the poet and translator,
   born 27th Oct 1561, Ticknall Place, Bewdley, Worcestershire,
   mar 1577 to Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke and had issue.

   
   

4. Sir Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester, born 1563.

5. Thomas Sidney

Grave of Margaret Sidney (who died as a child 1558), Penshurst chapel.
Photo 1998.
See larger and full size.

Detail of above.
See larger and full size.

Images from 1581

Sir Henry Sidney.
Detail from above.

Irish rebels' heads on pikes over the gate of Dublin Castle.
Detail from above.

Castle St, Dublin, looking W into the town and towards Christ Church Cathedral.
Dublin Castle was in the SE corner of the old town.
Detail from the above.
This Dublin is entirely lost. Not a single house in Dublin survives from this time.

Sir Henry Sidney returning to Dublin triumphant after his campaign against the Irish rebels.
He is being received by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen.
See larger and full size.
Bitmap from Edinburgh University Library.

Sir Henry Sidney.
Detail from above.

Detail from above.
"O Sydney worthy of triple renown, For plaguing the traitors that troubled the crown."

Send me additions and corrections to this site Updates (please include your name and contacts): Send me a file from your computer: If you don't understand this form, use the long version. Or just email me. Enter this password: