Peter Wyche (Ambassador)
Encyclopedia
Sir Peter Wyche was a London merchant and English Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire
from 1627-1641.
(1554–1621) and Elizabeth Saltonstall, daughter of Sir Richard Saltonstall (1517–1600), Lord Mayor of London
.
He was knighted by King Charles I
on 16 December 1626. In 1627 he was appointed Ambassador
at Constantinople
and remained at that post until he returned to England in 1641. Sir Peter secured a reduction of duty on English cloth. His wife astonished the Sultana
by making a visit to the Sultan's harem. While in Constantinople he gave lodgings to the scholar and traveller Edward Pococke
. From December 1637 to August 1640, Pococke resided at the British embassy, where he acted as temporary chaplain to Sir Peter Wyche.
On his return to England in 1641 he became Privy Counsellor and Comptroller of the King's Household
. He was a signer of the King's Declaration of Abhorrence at the idea of making war upon his Parliament. His descendant, Sir Cyril Wyche, reported that Peter lent Charles I
£30,000.
He did not live to see the outcome of the English Civil War
, dying at Oxford where he was buried on 7 December 1643, in Christ Church Cathedral
, Oxford, England. Peter was buried in the south aisle of the Cathedral, where a splendid monument was erected to his memory.
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
from 1627-1641.
Career
Sir Peter was the sixth son of Richard Wyche (merchant)Richard Wyche (merchant)
Richard Wyche was a London shipowner and merchant. He was on the first Committee of Directors of the English East India Company, assisted in the formation of the North West Company in 1612, and was among the adventurers of the Muscovy Company. He died on 20 November 1621 and was buried at St....
(1554–1621) and Elizabeth Saltonstall, daughter of Sir Richard Saltonstall (1517–1600), Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
.
He was knighted by 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...
on 16 December 1626. In 1627 he was appointed Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
at Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
and remained at that post until he returned to England in 1641. Sir Peter secured a reduction of duty on English cloth. His wife astonished the Sultana
Sultana
Sultana may refer to:* "Sultâna", is the term used for the mothers of the Ottoman emperors if and only if the aforementioned mother of an ottoman emperor was acquired the title of "Valide Sultân"....
by making a visit to the Sultan's harem. While in Constantinople he gave lodgings to the scholar and traveller Edward Pococke
Edward Pococke
Edward Pococke was an English Orientalist and biblical scholar.-Early life:He was the son of clergyman from Chieveley in Berkshire, and was educated at Lord Williams's School of Thame in Oxfordshire and at Corpus Christi College, Oxford...
. From December 1637 to August 1640, Pococke resided at the British embassy, where he acted as temporary chaplain to Sir Peter Wyche.
On his return to England in 1641 he became Privy Counsellor and Comptroller of the King's Household
Comptroller of the Household
The Comptroller of the Household is an ancient position in the English royal household, currently the second-ranking member of the Lord Steward's department, and often a cabinet member. He was an ex officio member of the Board of Green Cloth, until that body was abolished in the reform of the local...
. He was a signer of the King's Declaration of Abhorrence at the idea of making war upon his Parliament. His descendant, Sir Cyril Wyche, reported that Peter lent 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...
£30,000.
He did not live to see the outcome of the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, dying at Oxford where he was buried on 7 December 1643, in Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is the name of many Anglican cathedrals around the world, and may refer to:-Canada:*Christ Church Cathedral , New Brunswick*Christ Church Cathedral , Quebec*Christ Church Cathedral , Ontario...
, Oxford, England. Peter was buried in the south aisle of the Cathedral, where a splendid monument was erected to his memory.
Family
Sir Peter married Jane Meredith (died 1660) daughter of Sir William Meredith, on 17 Apr 1627 in Hanworth Church, Middlesex, England. Right Honorable Sir Peter Wyche and Lady Jane had the following children:- Sir Peter Wyche (diplomat)Peter Wyche (diplomat)Sir Peter Wyche was an English diplomat and translator.He was one of the sons of Sir Peter Wyche and brother of Sir Cyril Wyche. He was educated at Exeter College, Oxford , Queens College, Cambridge and Trinity Hall, Cambridge and was admitted to the Inner Temple in 1649. He was knighted in 1660...
. - Sir Cyril WycheCyril WycheSir Cyril Wyche FRS was an English lawyer and politician.He was born in Constantinople, Turkey, where his father, Sir Peter Wyche, was the English Ambassador. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford with Bachelor of Arts in 1653. He received his Master of Arts in 1655 and his Doctor of Civil...
who was born in Constantinople and went on to become a Member of Parliament and President of the Royal SocietyRoyal SocietyThe Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
. - Tuscarene Wyche died before Nov 1656 in Aleppo, Syria. His mother was granted administration of his estate in November 1656.
- William Wyche died before 1660 in England. He died unmarried.
- Jane Wyche married John Granville, 1st Earl of BathJohn Granville, 1st Earl of BathJohn Granville, 1st Earl of Bath PC was an English royalist statesman, whose highest position was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland....
(29 Aug 1628 - 22 Aug 1701). - Shellet Wyche died young.
- Sophia Wyche died young.