Å Biography of Edward de Vere

Edward de Vere, also known as the Seventeenth Earl of Oxford was born April 2^nd, 1550. He was the only son of John de Vere by his second wife Margaret. Until his father’s death, Edward de Vere was known as Lord Bulbeck. His education consisted of attending Queens’ College, Cambridge and St. John’s College. He also received legal training at Gray’s Inn. Oxford was only 12 when father passed away. He became a royal ward and was under the guardianship of Sir William Cecil and his uncle Arthur Golding. During this time he learned French, Latin, how to dance, ride and shoot, appreciated music and literature. He also became very close with the Queen. Oxford took his seat in the House of Lords on coming of age (21) April 2^nd 1571. He married Cecil’s eldest daughter Anne that December. Their marriage produced three daughters, Elizabeth, Bridget and Susan, all of which married into nobility. During this time Oxford was not allowed to join the Navy as the Queen wanted his presence in her life. He was however allowed in 1575 to travel to Italy, France and Germany. In the court Oxford was well known for his short temper and violence. In 1579 he had a famous argument with Sir Philip Sidney on Whitehall tennis courts, calling him a ‘puppy’. In 1580 Oxford flirted with Catholicism but turned around to denounce a group of Catholics to the Queen. Being caught a Catholic would have been certain death but he did the right thing by turning others in to save his own life. However Oxford could not stay out of trouble long. He was sent to the Tower of London in 1581 after fathering an illegitimate child to Anne Vavasour. This pregnancy spurred a famous duel with Thomas Knyvet, Anne Vavasour’s uncle. Men on both sides were injured as a result. In 1586 Oxford’s life improved slightly by having the honour of being appointed a special commissioner for the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots and in 1588 volunteered to help repel the Spanish Armada. Oxford was a terrible son-in-law to Cecil so when Anne died June 6^th 1588 he saw no reason to help Oxford any more. Oxford went on to marry Elizabeth Trentham, a maid of honour to the Queen in aid of his finances and was granted an annual pension of 1000 pounds by the Queen. Despite his short temper and violent tendencies Oxford has 23 lyrical pieces tied to his name, most signed as EO or E of O, and has a total of 33 works dedicated to him. Both William Webbe (A Discourse of English Poetrie, 1586) and George Puttenham (The Arte of English Poetrie, 1589) ranked him first among Elizabeth's courtier poets. Throughout the 1580s de Vere maintained two theatre companies, Oxford’s Boys and Oxford’s Men. In 1604 Oxford died in June, probably from the plague and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Sources:

Lee, Sidney. Ed. “Dictionary of National Biography”. Vol. XX. Smith, Elder, & Co. London. 1909.

Goldstein, Gary. “Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford (1550-1604)”.  http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/deverebio.htm Accessed February 10, 2005.

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