Anthony Ashley, 1st Baronet of Wimborne St Giles
Encyclopedia
Anthony Ashley, 1st Baronet, PC
(1551 – 13 January 1628) was Clerk of the Privy Council (1584–1609), which was the most senior civil servant in the Privy Council Office. Ashley accompanied the fleet to Cádiz as a representative of the Queen. He distinguished himself by the capture of Cádiz
and was knighted by Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
at Cádiz after the capture of the city. Ashley sat in several parliaments, and was highly distinguished by favor of Queen Elizabeth I of England.
Ashley was the older brother of Sir Francis Ashley of Dorchester (born c. 1565). Sir Francis was the father-in-law of Denzil Holles, 1st Baron Holles
, one of five members of the Long Parliament
whom King Charles I
attempted to arrest in 1642. Sir Anthony Ashley inherited the family estates at Wimborne St Giles
on his cousin, Sir Henry Ashley III's death.
The first known Ashleys originally came from Wiltshire, England, where they were lords of the manor of Ashley, at a very early period. Benedict of Ashley was born around the year 1260 in Ashley Place of Wiltshire in England. He lived during the reigns of King Henry II and King Edward I. In ancient and medieval times, the concept of surnames as we know them today, was not very well developed. An individual either took the name of the village where they lived (this would generally be the case for those starting with a "de"), or a derivative of their father's name, in the form of "fils de" (son of). The Ashley surname is taken from the name of the ancient ancestral homeland of Ashley in Wiltshire.
There were only a few castles and churches built in the 11th century. Most were built out of wood and consisted of a simple organic materials. Few from the time of Benedict survive today. The name of Benedict Ashley was recorded in medieval times, simply as the great great grandfather of Robert Ashley, who was the first Ashley to reside in Wimborne St Giles. He was the fifth great grandfather of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury.
Robert Ashley was married to Egidia Hamelyn, daughter of Sir John Hamelyn. Through this marriage, Ashley greatly increased his wealth, which included the ownership of a large family manor in Wimborne St Giles, East Dorset
. Ashley thrived, expanding his land and holdings under King Henry IV of England
. Ashley's two immediate successors, his son, Edmund Ashley (born c. 1425), and grandson, Hugh Ashley (born c. 1460), flourished as well. When Hugh Ashley died 29 April 1493, his estates transferred to his eldest son, Sir Henry Ashley I.
Sir Anthony Ashley of Wimborne St Giles was the son of Sir Anthony Ashley of Damerham
and Dorothy Lyte of Lytes Cary in Somerset
. Dorothy was the sister of Henry Lyte, the botanist
, and the sixth great aunt of Henry Francis Lyte
, curate at Brixham and writer of numerous hymns including Abide with Me
.
, against Portugal as Royal Commissioner
.
from French Huguenots, which geographically offered an advantageous place from which to prepare for an invasion of the British Isles
. Before dawn of the imminent Spanish invasion, Queen Elizabeth ordered the attack on the Spanish fleet anchored at Cádiz.
East Dorset noblemen and regular soldiers were commissioned by the monarch to supply troops, raising their quotas by indenture
from a variety of sources. A Commission of Array
was used to raise troops for a foreign expedition during this time, while various Militia Act
s directed that (in theory) the entire male population who owned property and lands over a certain amount in value, was required to keep arms at home and periodically train or report to musters. The musters were usually chaotic affairs, used mainly by the William Paulet, 3rd Marquess of Winchester
, Lord Lieutenant of Dorset
and other officers to draw their pay and allowances, while the troops used the musters as an excuse for drinks after their military drills.
On 13 June 1596 the English fleet set sail from Plymouth
to Cádiz. Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham
was the admiral commanding the English fleet, while the landing forces were under the command of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, Lord Thomas Howard, Sir Walter Raleigh
, Sir Francis Vere
, Sir Conyers Clifford
, and Sir George Carew
, each commanding a squad. The proceedings of the generals and councils were recorded for the Queen by Anthony Ashley, who as Clerk of the Privy Council
, was the most senior civil servant in the Privy Council Office
. Ashley accompanied the fleet to Cádiz as a representative of the Queen. Ashley distinguished himself by the capture of Cadiz
and was knighted by Essex at Cadiz after the capture of the city.
While some of the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury's biographers have made the mistake of claiming that Sir Anthony Ashley served as "Secretary to the Council of War
" to Queen Elizabeth, there was no such office in those days. However, Ashley did serve as Secretary to the Privy Council
during the reign of King James I.
, a Welsh supporter of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
, and conspirator in Essex's rebellion was officially reported to have smuggled home some prize India hides. Sir Anthony Ashley brought charges of pilfering in connection with the goods captured from the enemy were brought against him. He retaliated by accusing Ashley of far more serious offenses. On his return home, Ashley was charged with embezzlement, was imprisoned, and lived for some time in disgrace.
. Jane was the widow of Sir Thomas Cokayne of Ashbourne and High Sheriff of Derbyshire
. Sir Anthony and Jane were married about 1592 and had a daughter, Anne Elizabeth Ashley.
About 1620, Ashley's daughter, Anne, married John Cooper
of Rockbourne
. Through this marriage, as the only child and heir of the Ashley family, the Ashley estates at Wimborne St Giles were conveyed to the Cooper family. As a condition of their marriage, Ashley had stipulated that if the family ever attained the peerage, the title would be that of Ashley. This agreement was made prior to the succession of either Ashley as 1st Baronet of Wimborne St Giles or John Cooper as 1st Baronet of Rockbourne.
Sir John and Anne (Ashley) Cooper, in accordance with the agreement, became the parents of the celebrated statesman, Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury. While he was christened Ashley-Cooper, his siblings and their descendants remained Coopers.
Later in life, when Ashley inherited the Wimborne St Giles estate, he became a liberal benefactor of the parish. He rebuilt the parish church, and built and endowed alms houses for the relief of eleven senior citizens. He also introduced the cultivation of cabbages from Holland.
In 1622, two years after his wife, Jane, died from smallpox, Sir Anthony married 19-year-old Philippa Sheldon. Philippa was the sister of Elizabeth Sheldon, who was married to Christopher (Kit) Villiers, 1st Earl of Anglesey
, brother of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
. Through this marriage, Ashley cemented a political alliance with the most powerful man at court.
Ashley died in 1628. At the foot of his canopied tomb, located inside the parish church, is the kneeling figure of his only daughter Anne, who married Sir John Cooper of Rockbourne. She was the mother of Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper, later the first Earl of Shaftesbury.
After Ashley died, his wife Philippa went on to marry Carew Raleigh
, son of Sir Walter Raleigh
, while his daughter, Anne, inherited the family estates at Wimborne St Giles, then conveyed to her husband, Sir John Cooper, 1st Baronet
, of Rockbourne. Anthony Ashley-Cooper was seven years old when his grandfather died.
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
(1551 – 13 January 1628) was Clerk of the Privy Council (1584–1609), which was the most senior civil servant in the Privy Council Office. Ashley accompanied the fleet to Cádiz as a representative of the Queen. He distinguished himself by the capture of Cádiz
Capture of Cadiz
The Capture of Cádiz in 1596 was an event during the Anglo-Spanish War, when English and Dutch troops under Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex and a large Anglo-Dutch fleet under Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham, with support from the Dutch United Provinces, raided the Spanish city of...
and was knighted by Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, KG was an English nobleman and a favourite of Elizabeth I. Politically ambitious, and a committed general, he was placed under house arrest following a poor campaign in Ireland during the Nine Years' War in 1599...
at Cádiz after the capture of the city. Ashley sat in several parliaments, and was highly distinguished by favor of Queen Elizabeth I of England.
Ashley was the older brother of Sir Francis Ashley of Dorchester (born c. 1565). Sir Francis was the father-in-law of Denzil Holles, 1st Baron Holles
Denzil Holles, 1st Baron Holles
Denzil Holles, 1st Baron Holles PC was an English statesman and writer, best known as one of the five members of parliament whom King Charles I of England attempted to arrest in 1642.-Early life:...
, one of five members of the Long Parliament
Long Parliament
The Long Parliament was made on 3 November 1640, following the Bishops' Wars. It received its name from the fact that through an Act of Parliament, it could only be dissolved with the agreement of the members, and those members did not agree to its dissolution until after the English Civil War and...
whom King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
attempted to arrest in 1642. Sir Anthony Ashley inherited the family estates at Wimborne St Giles
Wimborne St Giles
Wimborne St Giles is a village in east Dorset, England, situated on Cranborne Chase seven miles north of Wimborne Minster which is north of Poole. The village has a population of 366 ....
on his cousin, Sir Henry Ashley III's death.
Ashley family
There were only a few castles and churches built in the 11th century. Most were built out of wood and consisted of a simple organic materials. Few from the time of Benedict survive today. The name of Benedict Ashley was recorded in medieval times, simply as the great great grandfather of Robert Ashley, who was the first Ashley to reside in Wimborne St Giles. He was the fifth great grandfather of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury.
Robert Ashley was married to Egidia Hamelyn, daughter of Sir John Hamelyn. Through this marriage, Ashley greatly increased his wealth, which included the ownership of a large family manor in Wimborne St Giles, East Dorset
East Dorset
East Dorset is a local government district in Dorset, England. Its council is based in Furzehill, near Wimborne Minster.The district was formed on 1 April 1974 by the merger of Wimborne Minster Urban District with part of the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Rural District and the Wimborne and Cranborne...
. Ashley thrived, expanding his land and holdings under King Henry IV of England
Henry IV of England
Henry IV was King of England and Lord of Ireland . He was the ninth King of England of the House of Plantagenet and also asserted his grandfather's claim to the title King of France. He was born at Bolingbroke Castle in Lincolnshire, hence his other name, Henry Bolingbroke...
. Ashley's two immediate successors, his son, Edmund Ashley (born c. 1425), and grandson, Hugh Ashley (born c. 1460), flourished as well. When Hugh Ashley died 29 April 1493, his estates transferred to his eldest son, Sir Henry Ashley I.
- Sir Henry Ashley I was married to Radegan Gilbert, daughter of Robert Gilbert of Somerset. Together, they had two sons, Henry II (his heir) and Anthony of Damerham. When Sir Henry Ashley I died on 1 March 1549, his son Henry II inherited the estate at Wimborne St Giles.
- Sir Henry Ashley II was married to Catherine Bassett, sister of Anne BassettAnne BassettAnne Bassett was an English courtier of the Tudor period, whose charms attracted the attention of King Henry VIII.-Family background:Anne was born in 1521, the fourth child of Sir John Bassett and Honor...
, both daughters of Sir John Bassett and Honor Grenville, Viscountess LisleHonor Plantagenet, Viscountess LisleHonor Grenville was an English lady-in-waiting during the reign of Henry VIII. Honor was the daughter of Sir Thomas Grenville of Stowe in Kilkhampton, Cornwall and his wife Isabella. She was the wife first of Sir John Bassett of Umberleigh, Devon and then second wife of Arthur Plantagenet, 1st...
. Sir Henry II was knighted at the coronation of Queen Mary and appointed ranger of Alice Holt ForestAlice Holt ForestAlice Holt Forest is a former royal forest in Hampshire, situated some south of Farnham, Surrey. Once predominantly an ancient oak forest, it was particularly noted in the 18th and 19th centuries for the timber it supplied for the building of ships for the Royal Navy. It is now planted mainly with...
. He was succeeded by his son, Henry Ashley III, who was gentleman pensioner to Queen Elizabeth. - Sir Henry Ashley III was married to Anne Burgh, daughter of Lord Thomas Burgh, 1st Baron BurghThomas Burgh, 1st Baron BurghThomas Burgh, 1st Baron Burgh or Borough , 1st Baron Borough of Gainsborough, also de jure 5th Baron Strabolgi and 7th Baron Cobham of Sterborough, was an English peer. He was knighted on Flodden Field in 1513 where he was one of the King's Spears . He was a Member of Parliament in 1529 and Lord...
. Sir Henry and Anne had three sons and four daughters. All seven children died without heirs, and the family estates passed to Sir Henry’s cousin, Sir Anthony Ashley of Wimborne St Giles.
Sir Anthony Ashley of Wimborne St Giles was the son of Sir Anthony Ashley of Damerham
Damerham
Damerham is a village and civil parish in Hampshire, England, located near to Fordingbridge. As well as being the location of notable Neolithic and Bronze Age barrows, Damerham was an important Anglo-Saxon manor mentioned in the will of Alfred the Great. By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086,...
and Dorothy Lyte of Lytes Cary in Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
. Dorothy was the sister of Henry Lyte, the botanist
Henry Lyte (botanist)
Henry Lyte was an English botanist and antiquary. He is best known for two works, A niewe Herball , which was a translation of the Cruydeboeck of Rembert Dodoens , and an antiquarian volume, The Light of Britayne , both of which are dedicated to Queen Elizabeth I.-Life:Henry Lyte was born at...
, and the sixth great aunt of Henry Francis Lyte
Henry Francis Lyte
Henry Francis Lyte was a Scottish Anglican divine and hymn-writer.-Youth and education:Henry Francis Lyte was born to Thomas and Anna Maria Lyte on a farm at Ednam, near Kelso, Scotland...
, curate at Brixham and writer of numerous hymns including Abide with Me
Abide With Me
The hymn tune most often used with this hymn is "Eventide" composed by William Henry Monk in 1861.Alternate tunes include:* "Abide with Me," Henry Lyte, 1847* "Morecambe", Frederick C...
.
Public life
Anthony Ashley was not born or raised expecting to inherit. His passion and pursuits focused on public employment. For many years, he had enriched himself in government service in support of the crown. He had served as Clerk of the Privy Council (1584–1609), and in 1589, he accompanied the failed Drake–Norris ExpeditionEnglish Armada
The English Armada, also known as the Counter Armada or the Drake-Norris Expedition, was a fleet of warships sent to the Iberian Coast by Queen Elizabeth I of England in 1589, during the Anglo-Spanish War...
, against Portugal as Royal Commissioner
Lords Commissioners
The Lords Commissioners are Privy Counsellors appointed by the Monarch of the United Kingdom to exercise, on his or her behalf, certain functions relating to Parliament which would otherwise require the monarch's attendance at the Palace of Westminster...
.
Capture of Cádiz
Ashley sat in several parliaments and was highly distinguished by favor of Queen Elizabeth. In April 1596, Spanish regiments took the town of CalaisCalais
Calais is a town in Northern France in the department of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sub-prefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's capital is its third-largest city of Arras....
from French Huguenots, which geographically offered an advantageous place from which to prepare for an invasion of the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
. Before dawn of the imminent Spanish invasion, Queen Elizabeth ordered the attack on the Spanish fleet anchored at Cádiz.
East Dorset noblemen and regular soldiers were commissioned by the monarch to supply troops, raising their quotas by indenture
Indenture
An indenture is a legal contract reflecting a debt or purchase obligation, specifically referring to two types of practices: in historical usage, an indentured servant status, and in modern usage, an instrument used for commercial debt or real estate transaction.-Historical usage:An indenture is a...
from a variety of sources. A Commission of Array
Commission of Array
A Commission of Array was a commission given by English royalty to officers or gentry in a given territory to muster and array the inhabitants and to see them in a condition for war, or to put soldiers of a country in a condition for military service...
was used to raise troops for a foreign expedition during this time, while various Militia Act
Militia Act
There have been many statutes known as Militia Act.* The King's Sole Right over the Militia Act 1661 - England* Militia Act of 1757, creating a militia to defend Britain during the Seven Years War...
s directed that (in theory) the entire male population who owned property and lands over a certain amount in value, was required to keep arms at home and periodically train or report to musters. The musters were usually chaotic affairs, used mainly by the William Paulet, 3rd Marquess of Winchester
William Paulet, 3rd Marquess of Winchester
William Paulet, 3rd Marquess of Winchester was the son of John Paulet, 2nd Marquess of Winchester and Elizabeth Willoughby. He married Agnes Howard, daughter of William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham and his first wife, Katherine Broughton.- Children :# Lord William Paulet, 4th Marquess of...
, Lord Lieutenant of Dorset
Lord Lieutenant of Dorset
The Office of the Lord Lieutenant was created during the reign of Henry VIII, taking over the military duties of the Sheriff and control of the military forces of the Crown. From 1569, there was provision for the appointment of Deputies, and in 1662 the Lord-Lieutenant was given entire control of...
and other officers to draw their pay and allowances, while the troops used the musters as an excuse for drinks after their military drills.
On 13 June 1596 the English fleet set sail from Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
to Cádiz. Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham
Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham
Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham , known as Howard of Effingham, was an English statesman and Lord High Admiral under Elizabeth I and James I...
was the admiral commanding the English fleet, while the landing forces were under the command of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, Lord Thomas Howard, Sir Walter Raleigh
Walter Raleigh
Sir Walter Raleigh was an English aristocrat, writer, poet, soldier, courtier, spy, and explorer. He is also well known for popularising tobacco in England....
, Sir Francis Vere
Francis Vere
Sir Francis Vere was an English soldier, famous for his career in Dutch service.He was the son of Geoffrey Vere of Crepping Hall, Essex, and nephew of John de Vere, 16th Earl of Oxford.-Military career:...
, Sir Conyers Clifford
Conyers Clifford
-Life:He was the eldest son of George Clifford, esq., of Bobbing Court in Kent, by his wife Ursula, daughter of Roger Finch. He served in the army sent under Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex to the siege of Rouen in 1591, being then a captain...
, and Sir George Carew
George Carew
George Carew was an English diplomat and historian.-Life:He was the second son of Thomas Carew of Antony and brother of Richard Carew. He was educated at Oxford and entered the Inns of Court before travelling abroad. At the recommendation of Queen Elizabeth I, who conferred on him the honour of a...
, each commanding a squad. The proceedings of the generals and councils were recorded for the Queen by Anthony Ashley, who as Clerk of the Privy Council
Clerk of the Privy Council (United Kingdom)
The Clerk of the Privy Council is a civil servant in the government of the United Kingdom. He or she is the most senior civil servant in the Privy Council Office....
, was the most senior civil servant in the Privy Council Office
Privy Council Office (United Kingdom)
The Privy Council Office provides secretarial and administrative support to the Lord President of the Council in his or her capacity of president of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council. The head of the Office is the Clerk of the Privy Council...
. Ashley accompanied the fleet to Cádiz as a representative of the Queen. Ashley distinguished himself by the capture of Cadiz
Capture of Cadiz
The Capture of Cádiz in 1596 was an event during the Anglo-Spanish War, when English and Dutch troops under Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex and a large Anglo-Dutch fleet under Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham, with support from the Dutch United Provinces, raided the Spanish city of...
and was knighted by Essex at Cadiz after the capture of the city.
While some of the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury's biographers have made the mistake of claiming that Sir Anthony Ashley served as "Secretary to the Council of War
Council of war
A council of war is a term in military science that describes a meeting held to decide on a course of action, usually in the midst of a battle. Under normal circumstances, decisions are made by a commanding officer, optionally communicated and coordinated by staff officers, and then implemented by...
" to Queen Elizabeth, there was no such office in those days. However, Ashley did serve as Secretary to the Privy Council
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
during the reign of King James I.
Imprisonment for embezzlement
After his return in August, Sir Gelli MeyrickGelli Meyrick
Sir Gelli Meyrick was a Welsh supporter of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, and conspirator in Essex's rebellion. He was executed for his part in it.-Life:...
, a Welsh supporter of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, KG was an English nobleman and a favourite of Elizabeth I. Politically ambitious, and a committed general, he was placed under house arrest following a poor campaign in Ireland during the Nine Years' War in 1599...
, and conspirator in Essex's rebellion was officially reported to have smuggled home some prize India hides. Sir Anthony Ashley brought charges of pilfering in connection with the goods captured from the enemy were brought against him. He retaliated by accusing Ashley of far more serious offenses. On his return home, Ashley was charged with embezzlement, was imprisoned, and lived for some time in disgrace.
Marriages and later life
Sir Anthony Ashley was married twice. His first wife was Jane Okeover, daughter of Philip Okeover of Okeover HallOkeover Hall
Okeover Hall is a privately owned Grade II* listed country house in Staffordshire. It is the family seat of the Okeover family, who have been in residence since the reign of William Rufus. The house lies at the border of Staffordshire and Derbyshire, which lies on the far side of the small River Dove...
. Jane was the widow of Sir Thomas Cokayne of Ashbourne and High Sheriff of Derbyshire
High Sheriff of Derbyshire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Derbyshire from 1568.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been...
. Sir Anthony and Jane were married about 1592 and had a daughter, Anne Elizabeth Ashley.
About 1620, Ashley's daughter, Anne, married John Cooper
Sir John Cooper, 1st Baronet
Sir John Cooper, 1st Baronet , was an English landowner in the counties of Dorset and Somerset. After earlier being knighted, he was created a Baronet in 1622....
of Rockbourne
Rockbourne
Rockbourne is a village and civil parish in the English county of Hampshire, close to Fordingbridge.-Overview:Rockbourne is a village of thatch, brick and timber houses, next to a stream now known as Sweatfords Water. The village consists chiefly of one street almost half a mile long. The church is...
. Through this marriage, as the only child and heir of the Ashley family, the Ashley estates at Wimborne St Giles were conveyed to the Cooper family. As a condition of their marriage, Ashley had stipulated that if the family ever attained the peerage, the title would be that of Ashley. This agreement was made prior to the succession of either Ashley as 1st Baronet of Wimborne St Giles or John Cooper as 1st Baronet of Rockbourne.
Sir John and Anne (Ashley) Cooper, in accordance with the agreement, became the parents of the celebrated statesman, Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury. While he was christened Ashley-Cooper, his siblings and their descendants remained Coopers.
Later in life, when Ashley inherited the Wimborne St Giles estate, he became a liberal benefactor of the parish. He rebuilt the parish church, and built and endowed alms houses for the relief of eleven senior citizens. He also introduced the cultivation of cabbages from Holland.
In 1622, two years after his wife, Jane, died from smallpox, Sir Anthony married 19-year-old Philippa Sheldon. Philippa was the sister of Elizabeth Sheldon, who was married to Christopher (Kit) Villiers, 1st Earl of Anglesey
Earl of Anglesey
The title of Earl of Anglesey was created twice in the Peerage of England. The first creation came in 1623 when Christopher Villiers was created Earl of Anglesey, in Wales, as well as Baron Villiers. He was the younger brother of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham and the elder brother of John...
, brother of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham KG was the favourite, claimed by some to be the lover, of King James I of England. Despite a very patchy political and military record, he remained at the height of royal favour for the first two years of the reign of Charles I, until he was assassinated...
. Through this marriage, Ashley cemented a political alliance with the most powerful man at court.
Baronet of Wimborne St Giles
On 3 July 1622, Sir Anthony Ashley was created 1st Baronet of Wimborne St Giles. However, his liveliest interests rested in the grandchild born to inherit the ancient possessions of his house. He made arrangements to have him christened, in deviation from custom, with the hyphenated surname of Anthony Ashley-Cooper.Ashley died in 1628. At the foot of his canopied tomb, located inside the parish church, is the kneeling figure of his only daughter Anne, who married Sir John Cooper of Rockbourne. She was the mother of Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper, later the first Earl of Shaftesbury.
After Ashley died, his wife Philippa went on to marry Carew Raleigh
Carew Raleigh (1605–1666)
Carew Raleigh or Ralegh , son of Sir Walter Raleigh, was an English politician. Born in the Tower of London during his father's incarceration, he was educated at Wadham College, Oxford...
, son of Sir Walter Raleigh
Walter Raleigh
Sir Walter Raleigh was an English aristocrat, writer, poet, soldier, courtier, spy, and explorer. He is also well known for popularising tobacco in England....
, while his daughter, Anne, inherited the family estates at Wimborne St Giles, then conveyed to her husband, Sir John Cooper, 1st Baronet
Sir John Cooper, 1st Baronet
Sir John Cooper, 1st Baronet , was an English landowner in the counties of Dorset and Somerset. After earlier being knighted, he was created a Baronet in 1622....
, of Rockbourne. Anthony Ashley-Cooper was seven years old when his grandfather died.