Sir Edward Cecil

A grandson of William Cecil, Lord Burghley, Queen Elizabeth I’s principal minister, Edward Cecil entered military service in about 1596.

He served under Sir Francis Vere in the Low Countries, during the wars between the Dutch and Spanish. In 1601 he commanded a body of 1,000 men which successfully relieved Ostend from a Spanish siege, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I on his return. The following year he went on to serve as colonel of a regiment of English horse under the brilliant Dutch commander, Prince Maurice of Nassau.

Cecil was a favourite of George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, Lord High Admiral and, in 1625, Supreme Commander of an expedition against the coast of Spain. Cecil was appointed deputy in command of the expedition, with the grand title Lord Marshal and General of the Sea and Land Forces. Anticipating easy victory, the troops and fleet were reviewed by King Charles I at Plymouth before they set sail. The King also announced Cecil’s elevation to the peerage.

However, the 8,000-strong expeditionary force included many inexperienced and ill-equipped men, while the fleet was mostly merchant ships. It was Cecil’s first independent command and he was completely ignorant of naval affairs. Inevitably, the expedition against Cadiz proved disastrous and the remains of the force returned to Britain in disgrace.

Despite this failure, Cecil came to be regarded as an authority on military affairs. He was a member of numerous committees and councils of war, and was Governor of Portsmouth from 1630-38.

Generously donated by Captain & Mrs Stephen Roskill through the National Art Collections Fund.