Sir Valentine Dale

Valentine Dale (died 1589) was an English jurist and diplomat.

He supplicated the university of Oxford in 1541 for the degree of B.A., but does not appear to have been admitted. He was, however, elected a fellow of All Souls' College in 1542 . In November 1545 he proceeded to the degree of bachelor of the civil law; and in 1550 he wrote from All Souls' College to Sir William Cecil, desiring his interest to procure for him the situation of official of the archdeaconry of York. Subsequently, he travelled in France, and at Orleans was created a doctor of civil law. Having more than once supplicated the university of Oxford for that degree, it is supposed that he was incorporated there in November 1552. On 14 January 1554 he was admitted a member of the College of Advocates at Doctors' Commons. He was a member of the House of Commons for Taunton in the parliaments of 21 October 1555, 20 January 1558, and 1559; later he was four times MP for Chichester (1572, 1584, 1586 and 1589). On 9 July 1562 he was incorporated LL.D. in the university of Cambridge.

In 1563 he was ambassador in Flanders, receiving his final despatch from the regent on 6 February. He was again sent to Flanders, in December 1563, to answer the complaints against England for lack of justice and for depredations. In the parliament of 8 May 1572 he sat for the city of Chichester, being at or about that time one of the masters of requests. On 15 February 1573 he was presented to the archdeaconry of Surrey. On 19 March 1573 he was appointed resident ambassador in France, where he continued till 1576. In the meanwhile (18 January 1574) he became dean of Wells. Between 1576 and 1580 he served on several important royal commissions and was Master of Requests (1576–1589). To the parliament which assembled on 23 November 1584 he was returned both for the city of Chichester and the borough of Hindon, Wiltshire, and elected to serve for Chichester.

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