Sir Henry Danvers Biography

Born at Dauntsey, second son of Sir John and Lady Elizabeth.

Spent his youth as a page to Sir Philip Sydney.    Wikipedia biography

Accompanied Sir Philip Sidney to the Low Countries (Holland)

Probably present at the battle of Zutphen when Philip Sidney died.

At 13 Henry took part in Sir Philip Sidney's funeral procession. The coffin.

Matriculated at Christ Church College, Oxford.

Appointed Company Commander at age eighteen.

Captain of the English Foot.

Took part in the siege of Rouen.

Knighted.

Killed Henry Long.

Fled overseas with his brother Charles and joined French army.

Captain of a man-of-war.

Served with distinction in the French Army.

Pardoned for killing Henry Long and returned to England.

Served in Ireland under the Earl of Essex and Baron Mountjoy.

Lieutenant General of the Horse.

Promoted to Captain of the Horse (Ireland).

Attainted.

Governor of Armagh.

Took part in the Battle of Kinsale under the command of Lord Mountjoy.

Sergeant-Major-General of the Army in Ireland.

Created Baron of Dauntsey by King James I.

Restored as heir to his father.

Created Lord President of Munster.

Keeper of St James's Palace.

Ranger and Launder of Wichwood Forest.

Sold Lord President of Munster to Earl of Thomond for £3,200.

Took up residence at Cornbury Park. Location

Granted Rangership of Cornbury Park.

Appointed Captain and Warden of Castle Cornet.

Appointed Governor of Guernsey for life by King James I.

Keeper of St James's House.

Provided £5000 (£3.5m today) to build the Botanic Gardens at Oxford.

Commissioned Peter Paul Rubens to paint a self-portrait.

Presented self-portrait of Rubens to the Prince of Wales (Charles I).

Created Earl of Danby by King Charles I.

Sworn in as Privy Councillor.

Steward and Receiver of the Honour of Pickeringleigh.

Constable (Governor) of Pickering Castle.

Master of the Game.

Grand Master of Freemasons.

Restored Dauntsey Church.

Founded a hospital at Malmesbury.

Founded the school at Dauntsey.

Built earliest known classical facade on to Cornbury Park (the south wing).

Gave the living of Kirkdale to the University of Oxford.

Councillor of Wales.

Created 434th Knight of the Garter by King Charles I.

Full-length Portrait of a Garter Knight by Anthony van Dyck.

Presented letter to King Charles I opposing Ship-money.

Will signed. Henry's health deteriorated in his later years.

Commissioner of the Regency.

Justice of the Peace of County Wiltshire.

Charles I gave Cornbury Park to Henry Danvers "forever".

Died at Cornbury Park.

Marble tomb in Dauntsey Church.