Edward Stafford (diplomat)
| Edward Stafford | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1552 |
| Died | 5 February 1605 |
| Resting place | St. Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey, London, United Kingdom |
| Education | -St John's College, University of Cambridge -Pembroke College, University of Cambridge |
| Occupation | Diplomat, Member of Parliament |
| Years active | 1571–1605 (his death) |
| Spouse(s) | -Roberta Chapman (early 1570s–1578, her death) -Douglas Sheffield (née Howard) (1579–1605, his death) |
| Children | 3 (first marriage) 2 (second marriage) |
| Parent(s) | Sir William Stafford, Dorothy Stafford |
| Awards | Knighted 1583 |
Sir Edward Stafford (1552 – 5 February 1605) was an English Member of Parliament, courtier and diplomat to France during the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
He was involved in abortive negotiations for a proposed marriage between Elizabeth and Francis, Duke of Anjou.
After he was appointed ambassador to Paris in 1583, he took money from Henry I, Duke of Guise, in return for access to diplomatic correspondence. He also received money from a Spanish agent, Bernardino de Mendoza, and there is strong evidence that has convinced most historians that Stafford in return for the money passed on secrets to Spain. Further it was his duty to report to London intelligence he possessed on the formation of the Spanish Armada, but did not do so. The English counterspy Francis Walsingham was deeply suspicious but was unable to prove anything, and could not act as long as Stafford was protected by Lord Burghley. No action was taken against him by Elizabeth, although he was not given any posts of consequence after his recall in 1590. McDermott concludes, "The evidence of Stafford's treachery, though substantial, remains circumstantial, and the precise degree of his culpability is difficult to establish". Leimon and Parker are convinced of his guilt and add, " Equally damning is the misinformation about the nonexistence and false destinations of the Armada Stafford forwarded to England".
Stafford was born to Sir William Stafford of Chebsey, Staffordshire and Dorothy Stafford, his second wife.
After studying at St John's College, Cambridge and Pembroke College, Cambridge, Stafford was assisted by William Cecil, Lord Burghley and became a Member of Parliament for Mitchell in Cornwall (1571) and then for Heytesbury in Wiltshire (1572). He was a member of Elizabeth I's court from 1573, carrying Burghley's secret letters. His mother was Mistress of the Robes to Elizabeth I from 1564, which assisted Stafford's position.
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