Biography of Walter Mildmay 1521-1589

Paternal Family Tree: Mildmay

1572 Ridolphi Plot

1586 Trial of Mary Queen of Scots

Around 1521 Walter Mildmay was born to Thomas Mildmay (age 36) and Agnes Read at Moulsham. He was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge University [Map].

In or before 1540 [his father] Thomas Mildmay (age 55) and [his mother] Agnes Read were married.

In 1541 Walter Mildmay (age 20) was elected MP Lostwithiel.

Around 1545 Walter Mildmay (age 24) was appointed Surveyor General of the Court of Augmentations.

In 1546 Walter Mildmay (age 25) became a student at Gray's Inn.

On 22 Feb 1546 Walter Mildmay (age 25) was knighted.

In 1547 Walter Mildmay (age 26) was elected MP Lewes.

On 22 May 1547 Walter Mildmay (age 26) was knighted.

On 08 Sep 1549 [his son] Anthony Mildmay was born to Walter Mildmay (age 28) and [his future wife] Mary Walsingham (age 21). It appears from his widow’s provision for a memorial sermon to him, on the Nativity of Our Lady, 8th Sept, but in the year is unclear. To judge from the date of his entry to Peterhouse, it may have been 1549.

On 12 Nov 1549 Walter Mildmay (age 28) was ordered by the Privy Council to examine the Westminster Palace [Map] which had been in the custody of Edward Seymour 1st Duke Somerset (age 49).

In 1550 Walter Mildmay (age 29), John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland (age 46) and William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke (age 49) were directed to examine the accounts of the Royal Mint.

In 1552 Walter Mildmay (age 31) was granted Apethorpe Hall, Northamptonshire.

On 01 Mar 1553 Walter Mildmay (age 32) was elected MP Maldon.

On 05 Oct 1553 Walter Mildmay (age 32) was elected MP Peterborough.

Around 1555 [his son] Humphrey Mildmay was born to Walter Mildmay (age 34) and [his future wife] Mary Walsingham (age 27).

Before 05 Oct 1557 [his mother] Agnes Read died.

On 09 Jan 1558 Walter Mildmay (age 37) was appointed treasurer of the forces sent to the relief of Calais [Map].

On 20 Dec 1558 Walter Mildmay (age 37) was employed in preparing a census of the farms of the royal revenues.

On 28 Mar 1559 Walter Mildmay (age 38) was employed in compounding with those who refused knighthood.

On 29 Oct 1560 Walter Mildmay (age 39) was employed in directing the issue of a new coinage.

In Jan 1562 [his future brother-in-law] Francis Walsingham (age 30) and Anne Barne (age 29) were married.

In May 1563 Walter Mildmay (age 42) was employed in selling crown lands.

In 1566 [his future brother-in-law] Francis Walsingham (age 34) and Ursula St Barbe (age 34) were married.

On 29 Jan 1566 [his father] Thomas Mildmay (age 81) died.

After 21 Apr 1566 Walter Mildmay (age 45) was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer and Auditor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

In 1567 [his son] Anthony Mildmay (age 17) and [his daughter-in-law] Grace Sharington (age 15) were married. They lived at Apethorpe Hall, Northamptonshire.

After 28 Dec 1568 [his future brother-in-law] Edward Carey (age 28) and Catherine Knyvet Baroness Geneville Beaudasert (age 25) were married. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.

Before 1571 Walter Mildmay (age 50) and Mary Walsingham (age 42) were married.

Ridolphi Plot

In Jan 1572 Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk (age 35) was tried for high treason for his involvement in the Ridolphi Plot. Thomas Sackville 1st Earl Dorset (age 36) acted as judge.

George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 44) was appointed Lord High Steward for the trial.

Walter Mildmay (age 51) helped prepare evidence against Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk (age 35).

On 16 Mar 1576 [his wife] Mary Walsingham (age 48) died.

In Oct 1577 Walter Mildmay (age 56) and William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 57) visited Mary Queen of Scots (age 34) at Chatsworth House [Map] after she had announced that she had important secrets to reveal to Elizabeth.

On 23 Nov 1583 Walter Mildmay (age 62) purchased the site of Emmanuel College, Cambridge University for £550 and on 11 Jan 1584 obtained the Queen's licence to set up Emmanuel College there.

Trial of Mary Queen of Scots

Before 14 Oct 1586 Walter Mildmay (age 65) went to Fotheringay Castle, Northamptonshire [Map] to inform Mary Queen of Scots (age 43) of her forthcoming trial in which he subsequently took part as one of the special commissioners.

On 09 May 1589 [his former brother-in-law] Wymond Carey (age 52) and Catherine Jerningham (age 40) were married. There were no children. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.

On 31 May 1589 Walter Mildmay (age 68) died at Hackney. He is buried at St Bartholomew the Less with his wife [his former wife] Mary Walsingham.

Geoffrey Gates and Elizabeth Walsingham were married.

[his son] Humphrey Mildmay and Mary Capell were married.

[his daughter] Christian Mildmay was born to Walter Mildmay and Mary Walsingham.