Walsingham, Sir Francis

Walsingham, Sir Francis an eminent English statesman, was born at Chiselhurst, in Kent, in 1536. He was ambassador to the court of France from 1570 to 1577, during which time the Massacre of St. Bartholomew occurred. Here he learned much of the part which Mary Stuart took in the intrigues of that dreadful plot, and acquired a deep and abiding hatred towards her. He went as ambassador to Scotland in 1583, and in 1586 became one of the commission for the trial of Mary Queen of Scots. He afterwards became chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, and remained such until his death, April 6, 1590.