Robert Bowes (diplomat)
Robert Bowes (1535?–1597) was an English diplomat, stationed as permanent ambassador to Scotland from 1577 to 1583.
[edit] Life
The fifth son of Richard Bowes and Elizabeth Aske, he was educated at Queens' College, Cambridge.[1] He served under his father in the defence of the borders. In 1569 he was sheriff of the county palatine of Durham, and helped his brother, Sir George Bowes, to hold Barnard Castle against the rebel earls. Afterwards he was sent in command of a troop of horse to protect the west marches. In 1571 he was elected M.P. for Carlisle. In 1575 he was appointed treasurer of Berwick, and in this capacity had many dealings with the Scottish court.
In 1577 he was appointed ambassador in Scotland, where he had difficult tasks to perform: to counteract the influence of France, retain a hold on James VI, keep together a party that was favourable to England, and promote disunion among the Scottish nobles. In 1578 he managed by his tact to compose a quarrel between James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton and the privy council which threatened to plunge Scotland into civil war. In 1581 he was busily employed in endeavouring to counteract the growing influence of Esme Stewart, lord of Aubigné, over James VI. He witnessed the events which led to the raid of Ruthven and D'Aubigné's fall. He tried hard to gain possession of the casket letters, which after Morton's death were said to have come into the hands of John Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie, but his attempts failed.
He managed to procure his recall in 1583, but he still held the post of treasurer of Berwick, and was often employed on diplomatic missions in Scotland. Like his brother, Sir George, he worked at his own cost, and was rewarded by not much more than royal gratitude. Elizabeth held him at his post, and he died in Berwick in 1597. He married first Anne, daughter of Sir George Bowes of Dalden, and in 1566 Eleanor, daughter of Sir Richard Musgrave of Eden Hall.
[edit] References
- ^ Venn, J.; Venn, J. A., eds. (1922–1958). "Bowes, Robert". Alumni Cantabrigienses (10 vols) (online ed.). Cambridge University Press.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Bowes, Robert (1535?-1597)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
[edit] Further reading
- Joseph Stevenson (1842), The Correspondence of Robert Bowes, of Aske, Esquire
