Anthony Cooke
Encyclopedia
Sir Anthony Cooke was an eminent English
humanist
, scholar and tutor to Edward VI
, England's first ruler to be raised as a Protestant
.
, Essex
and Alice Saunders; and was a great-grandson of Sir Thomas Cook, draper, lord mayor of London 1462-3. Sometime before 1524 Anthony Cooke married Anne (d. 1553), daughter of Sir William Fitzwilliam (d. 1534) and Anne Hawes, and aunt of William Fitzwilliam
(1526–1599).
He served as High Sheriff of Essex
for 1545.
At his pupil's coronation Cooke was made Knight of the Bath. On 8 November 1547 he was returned to parliament for Lewes
, and in the same year was one of the visitors commissioned by the crown to inspect the dioceses of London, Westminster, Norwich, and Ely; the injunctions drawn up by him and his companions are printed in John Foxe
's Acts and Monuments. Two years later he served on two ecclesiastical commissions, of Protestant tendencies. In November and December 1551 he attended the discussion held between Roman Catholics and Protestants at the houses of Sir William Cecil and Sir Richard Moryson, and his public services were rewarded (27 October 1552) with a grant of land. On 27 July 1553 he was committed to the Tower of London
on suspicion of complicity in Lady Jane Grey
's movement.
After his release he went into self-imposed exile to avoid Mary's attempt to reintroduce Catholicism
. He travelled widely, spending most time in Strasbourg
where he was in contact with leaders of the Reformed faith, and returned following the death of Mary and the accession of Elizabeth I in 1558.
for Essex in 1572, but the work resulting from this post was performed by his steward, Francis Ram. He died on 11 June 1576, aged seventy, and was buried in St Andrew's, Romford
. There is an elaborate memorial to him in Romford parish church. This notes his "exceptional learning, prudence and piety”. However, a recent biographer (Marjorie McIntosh), describes him as “a strong protestant of a dark and unforgiving colour”.
He was one of the co-owners of Burton Dassett
in Warwickshire and conducted a lengthy, but ultimately unsuccessful legal campaign to block the sale of part of the estate to Peter Temple..
and four sons:
Cooke is particularly remembered because he educated his daughters, who were taught both Latin and Greek. Anne published translations from Italian and Latin and Elizabeth a translation of a Latin treatise on the sacrament.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
humanist
Renaissance humanism
Renaissance humanism was an activity of cultural and educational reform engaged by scholars, writers, and civic leaders who are today known as Renaissance humanists. It developed during the fourteenth and the beginning of the fifteenth centuries, and was a response to the challenge of Mediæval...
, scholar and tutor to Edward VI
Edward VI of England
Edward VI was the King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death. He was crowned on 20 February at the age of nine. The son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Edward was the third monarch of the Tudor dynasty and England's first monarch who was raised as a Protestant...
, England's first ruler to be raised as a Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
.
Background
Cooke was the son of John Cooke of Gidea HallGidea Hall
Gidea Hall was a manor house, located in Gidea Park, the historic parish and Royal liberty of Havering-atte-Bower, whose former area today forms the north eastern extremity of Greater London, England....
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
and Alice Saunders; and was a great-grandson of Sir Thomas Cook, draper, lord mayor of London 1462-3. Sometime before 1524 Anthony Cooke married Anne (d. 1553), daughter of Sir William Fitzwilliam (d. 1534) and Anne Hawes, and aunt of William Fitzwilliam
William Fitzwilliam (Lord Deputy)
- Early life :FitzWilliam was born at Milton, Northamptonshire, the eldest son of Sir William and grandson of William Fitzwilliam , alderman and sheriff of London, who had been treasurer and chamberlain to Cardinal Wolsey and who purchased Milton in 1506...
(1526–1599).
He served as High Sheriff of Essex
High Sheriff of Essex
The High Sheriff of Essex was an ancient High Sheriff title originating in the time of the Angles, not long after the invasion of the Kingdom of England, which was in existence for around a thousand years...
for 1545.
Royal teacher and Marian exile
Cooke was never officially described as tutor to Edward VI. It is now thought he may have been more a companion and guide than a formal teacher.At his pupil's coronation Cooke was made Knight of the Bath. On 8 November 1547 he was returned to parliament for Lewes
Lewes (UK Parliament constituency)
Lewes is a constituency located in East Sussex and centred on the town of Lewes. It is represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was a safe Conservative seat until 1997, but the Liberal Democrats have gained a strong foothold.-Boundaries:The constituency is...
, and in the same year was one of the visitors commissioned by the crown to inspect the dioceses of London, Westminster, Norwich, and Ely; the injunctions drawn up by him and his companions are printed in John Foxe
John Foxe
John Foxe was an English historian and martyrologist, the author of what is popularly known as Foxe's Book of Martyrs, , an account of Christian martyrs throughout Western history but emphasizing the sufferings of English Protestants and proto-Protestants from the fourteenth century through the...
's Acts and Monuments. Two years later he served on two ecclesiastical commissions, of Protestant tendencies. In November and December 1551 he attended the discussion held between Roman Catholics and Protestants at the houses of Sir William Cecil and Sir Richard Moryson, and his public services were rewarded (27 October 1552) with a grant of land. On 27 July 1553 he was committed to the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
on suspicion of complicity in Lady Jane Grey
Lady Jane Grey
Lady Jane Grey , also known as The Nine Days' Queen, was an English noblewoman who was de facto monarch of England from 10 July until 19 July 1553 and was subsequently executed...
's movement.
After his release he went into self-imposed exile to avoid Mary's attempt to reintroduce Catholicism
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He travelled widely, spending most time in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
where he was in contact with leaders of the Reformed faith, and returned following the death of Mary and the accession of Elizabeth I in 1558.
Later life
Cooke then served on several religious commissions, and sat as a knight of the shire for Essex in parliament in 1559 and again in 1563; but he took little or no further part in national affairs. He was appointed Custos RotulorumCustos rotulorum
Custos rotulorum is the keeper of an English county's records and, by virtue of that office, the highest civil officer in the county...
for Essex in 1572, but the work resulting from this post was performed by his steward, Francis Ram. He died on 11 June 1576, aged seventy, and was buried in St Andrew's, Romford
Romford
Romford is a large suburban town in north east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Havering. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan...
. There is an elaborate memorial to him in Romford parish church. This notes his "exceptional learning, prudence and piety”. However, a recent biographer (Marjorie McIntosh), describes him as “a strong protestant of a dark and unforgiving colour”.
He was one of the co-owners of Burton Dassett
Burton Dassett
Burton Dassett is a parish and shrunken medieval village in Warwickshire. Much of the area is now the Burton Dassett Hills country park. It was enclosed for sheep farming by Sir Edward Belknap at the end of the 15th century....
in Warwickshire and conducted a lengthy, but ultimately unsuccessful legal campaign to block the sale of part of the estate to Peter Temple..
Family
Cooke and Anne Fitzwilliam had five daughters:- MildredMildred CookeMildred Cooke, Lady Burghley was an English noblewoman, translator, and poet of the sixteenth century.-Life and work:Mildred was the eldest of the five daughters of Sir Anthony Cooke and Anne Fitzwilliam. She studied Latin and Greek, which she especially enjoyed translating...
(1524–1589), married William Cecil, 1st Baron BurghleyWilliam Cecil, 1st Baron BurghleyWilliam Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley , KG was an English statesman, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State and Lord High Treasurer from 1572... - ElizabethElizabeth HobyElizabeth, Lady Hoby was an English noblewoman...
(1527–1609), married Sir Thomas HobyThomas HobySir Thomas Hoby was an English diplomat and translator. He was born in 1530, the second son of William Hoby of Leominster, Herefordshire, by his second wife, Katherine, daughter of John Forden. He matriculated at St. John's College, Cambridge in 1546...
of Bisham AbbeyBisham AbbeyBisham Abbey is a Grade I listed manor house at Bisham in the English county of Berkshire. The name is taken from the now lost monastery which once stood alongside. Bisham Abbey was previously named Bisham Priory, and was the traditional resting place of many Earls of Salisbury...
and then John, Lord Russell - AnneAnne BaconAnne Bacon was an English gentlewoman and scholar. She made a lasting contribution to English religious literature with her translation from Latin of John Jewel's Apologie of the Anglican Church...
(1528–1610), married Sir Nicholas Bacon and became the mother of Francis BaconFrancis BaconFrancis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Albans, KC was an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist, author and pioneer of the scientific method. He served both as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England...
and Anthony BaconAnthony Bacon (1558–1601)Anthony Bacon was a member of the powerful English Bacon family who was also a spy during the Elizabethan era.-Early years, 1558-1580:... - Catherine (1530?-1583), married Sir Henry KilligrewHenry Killigrew (diplomat)Sir Henry Killigrew was an English diplomat and ambassador in the sixteenth century. He was several times employed by Elizabeth I in Scottish affairs and served as a member of the Council of States in the United Provinces in 1586 and 1587-1589....
- Margaret, (d.1558), a maid-in-waiting to Queen MaryMary I of EnglandMary I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from July 1553 until her death.She was the only surviving child born of the ill-fated marriage of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Her younger half-brother, Edward VI, succeeded Henry in 1547...
married Sir Ralph Rowlett in 1558
and four sons:
- Richard (abt 1531-1579), of Gidea Hall, married Anne Caunton. MP three times.
- William (abt 1533-1589), of Westminster, married Frances Grey from next-door at Pirgo. Their son acquired Highnam Court, Gloucestershire by marriage to Joyce Lucy of Charlecote.
- Sir Anthony (abt 1535-1604)
- Edward.
Cooke is particularly remembered because he educated his daughters, who were taught both Latin and Greek. Anne published translations from Italian and Latin and Elizabeth a translation of a Latin treatise on the sacrament.