Philip Hoby
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Sir Philip Hoby Kt |
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Sir Philip Hoby, Hans Holbein the Younger
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| Born |
Philip Hoby 1505 Leominster, England |
| Died | 31 May 1558 (aged 52–53) Blackfriars, London |
| Resting place | Bisham church, Berkshire |
| Occupation | English diplomat |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Stonor |
| Parent(s) | William Hoby Catherine Forster |
Sir Philip Hoby (also Hobby or Hobbye) (1505 – 31 May 1558) was a 16th-century English Ambassador to the Holy Roman Empire and Flanders.
He was born probably at Leominster, England, the son of William Hoby of Leominster by his first wife, Catherine Forster. He was the half-brother of Sir Thomas Hoby. Philip Hoby became a diplomat, largely thanks to the support he gave to the Protestant Reformation during the reign of King Henry VIII. By 1540 he had married Elizabeth Stonor, daughter of Walter Stonor of Hawton, Nottinghamshire and Fenny Compton, widow of Sir William Compton and of Walter Walshe. They had no children.
He travelled to Spain and Portugal in the royal service. On 10 March 1538 he arrived at Brussels with the painter Hans Holbein the younger. Thomas Cromwell had sent them to make a portrait of Christina, Duchess of Milan for Henry VIII. The English resident in Brussels, John Hutton, had already obtained a portrait, but realising this portrait was not as perfect as one made by Master Haunce, "a man very excellent in makyng of phisanymies," he recalled his messenger. Hoby was introduced to a courtier of the Regent of the Netherlands, Lord Benedict Court, and they spoke together in Italian. Benedict, who was Grand Master of the Duchess' house, then made the arrangements for Holbein to have a sitting of three hours with the Duchess, where he "proved himself the master of his science." Hoby and Holbein departed the same night taking leave of the Duchess, (making a formal farewell), but not to the Lady Regent. Henry received the portrait of Christina on 18 March 1538 and was delighted.
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