Dudley Carleton

, Son of Anth. Carleton of Baldwin Brightwell near Watlington in Oxfordshire Esq was born there, 10. March 1573. became a Student of Ch. Ch. under the tuition of Mr. (afterwards Dr.) John King an. 1591. or thereabouts, took the degrees in Arts, that of Master being compleated 1600. being then returned from his travels. Afterwards he went in the quality of a Secretary to Sir Ralph Winwood into the Low Countries, where being very active when K. James resigned the Cautionary Towns to the States, added thereby experience to his learning. In 1610. June 25. he received the honour of Knighthood from K. James at Windsore, who sent him (a)(a) Lib. certific. in Offic. Armorum, J. 8. fol. 32. b. Embassador Ordinary to the States of Venice, where he remained five years, and from thence Extraordinary to Emanuel Duke of Savoy, where he continued half an year; and after Ord. Embassador to the States of the Vnited Provinces, where he was resident 10 years. Towards the latter end of K. James he was made Vicechamberlain of the houshold, which office he holding in the Reign of K. Ch. 1. his commission was renewed by that King for the latter part of that 10 years. Afterwards, that time being terminated, he was sent Embassador Extraordinary at two several times to the most Christian K. Lewis the 13. and likewise Embassador Extraordinary to the aforesaid States of the Vnited Provinces. In the 2. of K. Ch. 1. he was made Baron of Imbercourt in Surrey, and the next year being accompanied by Sir Will. Segar Knight, then Garter K. of Arms, went into Holland and there presented the Garter to Henry Pr. of Aurange, or Orange, with the Ensigns of that most noble Order thereunto appertaining. In the 4. Car. 1. he was created Viscount Dorchester in Oxfordshire, and upon the 18. Dec. the same year, he was constituted one of his Majesties Principal Secretaries of State, in which office he continued to the time of his death. He was a person that understood several Languages well, as also the Laws, conditions, and manners of most States in Europe. He was an exact Statesman, understood the intregues of State well, yet just in his dealings, and beloved by most men, who much missed him after his death. He hath written,

Balance, pour peser en toute equité & droicture la Harangue faite n’agurees en L’assemblée des illustres & puissans Seignoures Messeigneurs les Estats generaux des Provinces unies du pais bas, &c. Printed 1618. qu.

Harangue faite au counseile de Messrs. les Estats generaux des Provinces Vnies, touchant le discord & les troubles del Eglise & la police, causes par la doctrine d’Arminius, 6. Oct. 1617. stil. nov. Printed with the former. Besides these Speeches he hath extant Various Letters in the Cabala, or Scrinia sacra. Lond. 1663. fol. Various Letter’s to George Duke of Bucks, in Cabala, or Mysteries of State. Lond. 1654. qu. and lastly, Several French and Latin Letters to the learned Ger. Jo. Vossius, printed in Ger. Jo. Vossii & Clarorum Virorum ad eum epistolae. Lond. 1690. fol. published by Paulus Colomesius. Besides these, he hath also Several Speeches in Parliament, an. 1626. &c. One or more of which you may see in the first vol. of Joh. Rushworths Collections, p. 358.

Memoires for dispatches of political affaires relating to Holland and England, and 1618. with several propositions made to the states. MS.

Particular observations of the military affaires in the Palatinate and the Low Countries, an. 1621. and 1622. MS.

Letters relating to State affairs written to the King and Viscount Rochester, from Venice, an. 1613: MS. He paid his last debt to nature in his house situated within the City of Westminster on the 15 day of Febr. between 10. and 11.1631-2. of the clock at night in sixteen hundred thirty and one, and was buried in the Chappel of S. Paul on the north side of the Abbey Church, dedicated to S. Peter within the said City. Over his grave was soon after erected against the east Wall, a well composed plain Monument of black and white Marble, with a half canopy supported by dorick Pillars, with the image of a man in his robes of estate, and Viscounts Coronet, leaning on a Pedestall, all formed of the like black and white marble. He left behind him a Nephew of both his names, who was admitted Scholar of Kings coll. in Cambridge, 1614. and had the degree of Master of Arts of that University confer’d upon him during his absence in the Low Countries, being then Secretary to his Uncle, while he was Embassador there. In 1629. March 1. he received the honour of Knighthood from his Majesty at New-Market, and in 1637. he was made one of the Clerks of the Councel.