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Sir James Croft (1517 – 4 September 1590) was born to Sir Richard and Lady Catherine (Herbert) Croft, a prominent family in Herefordshire, Wales. There is no direct record of exactly when that was, but in The House of Croft of Croft Castle, O. G. S. Croft states that the year was 1518. This is consistent with the indenture taken on 4 March 1562 following the death of Sir James' father on January 1 of that year which notes that “James Croft is son and heir and 44 years of age.”

Croft had an older brother, Richard, who died young leaving Croft as the eldest surviving son. He also had three younger brothers, Thomas, John and Edward, and three sisters, Joyce, Ann and Sybill. Around 1540, Croft married Alice Warnecombe, the daughter of Richard Warnecombe and the widow of William Wigmore and moved into her manor. They had three sons (Edward, John and James) and four daughters (Eleanor, Margaret, Jane and Frances). Alice died in 1573 and Croft married Catherine Blount but they had no children.

By the time Croft died on 4 September 1590, he had served four monarchs: Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I in a variety of roles, served as Lord Deputy of Ireland, been arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London, participated in Wyatt’s Rebellion for which he received a death sentence, was forgiven and went on to serve as comptroller for Elizabeth I. Croft was buried in the Chapel of St. John the Evangelist in Westminster Abbey, but no monument or inscription marks the location.

Shortly after Croft's death, Augustine Vincent wrote of him, “obiit pauperrimus miles” (died a very poor soldier). That he had financial problems is consistent with the times. The Tudor monarchs did not have the financial means to pay for a professional bureaucracy. Instead, they offered prestige and royal favor to members of the nobility and greater gentry who would serve them for little or no pay. That meant that, like other officials of the court, Croft had to both cover the expenses of each office that he held and to maintain the lifestyle appropriate for a person of his rank. In his autobiography, Croft tells of mounting debts, steadily increasing with each new office with his only hope being that of increased royal favor and the rewards which would come with it.

Croft's life has been summarized in remarkably different ways. The 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica states that Croft was "all his life a double-dealer". In stark contrast, the 18th century historian, David Lloyd, wrote a rather lengthy tribute to Croft saying, in part, that he died "in good favour with his prince, sound reputation with all men, for three infallible sources of honour: i. That he aimed at merit more than fame: 2. That he was not a follower, but an example in great actions: and, 3. That he assisted in the three great concerns of government." [THIS NEEDS MORE]

The Early Years (1542 - 1544)
The overlapping military and political paths that Croft's life would take were evident as early as 1542. In that year, he was charged with raising a force of 37 men at Shobdon, a village about four miles from Croft Castle. That included making sure the men had artillery and were equipped for war. That same year, he sat in Parliament’s House of Commons as a junior Knight of the Shire for Herefordshire. Presaging the turbulence that was the pattern for all of Croft's life, Parliament ended in 1543 without him having been paid the £7 due him. In response, Croft brought a successful "action” against the person who was supposed to pay him. When he still hadn’t been paid when the next session of Parliament was dissolved in March of 1544, Croft petitioned the Chancellor of Parliament for payment. Unfortunately for Croft, the Chancellor died barely a month later and Croft never got his money or heard anything more about it. In addition to his Parliamentary duties in 1543, Croft served aboard the flagship of Sir John Dudley, the lord admiral.

Boulogne, France (1544 – 1550)
During the prorogation of Parliament in 1544, Croft and two of his brothers, John and Edward, were among the 40,000 troops sent to France as part of a planned joint English/Spanish invasion of France. The original plan was for troops from each country to converge on Paris, but Henry VIII, "seduced by the prospect of conquest," decided to first capture the port towns of Boulogne and Montreuil. Croft and his brothers were assigned to the siege of Boulogne, and although it was successful, Croft lost his right arm and both of his brothers were killed.

Croft was appointed water bailiff for Boulogne in December of 1544 with four men reporting to him, and in March of 1546, he was made under-marshal having previously been released from his role as water bailiff apparently due to the elimination of that position. There doesn't seem to be any record of what responsibilities Croft had as an under-marshal, but they may have included serving on the Council of Boulogne as evidenced by his name appearing as a signatory on Council correspondence as early March of 1546. Croft appears to have taken on additional responsibilities later in that year as he is identified as vice-marshal in a September commission authorizing him and others " ... to hear and determine according to the laws of the county of Guisnes all causes criminal and civil arising within the towns of Upper and Lower Boulogne, and the castles or fortifications called le Olde Man, Bolenberge and le Citidel”.

It seems that relations between the English and French in and around Boulogne were friendly despite the English occupation of a French town. The coronation of Edward VI in 1547 was celebrated with festivities that included both French and English troops. Jousts between officers from the two countries were featured with Croft serving as a “padrino” or leader of the challengers. In addition, Croft and other English officers entertained, and were entertained by, their French counterparts.

The siege of Boulogne occurred while England was also at war with Scotland, a war that became known as the "Rough Wooing" and had been going on for some time. Haddington, Scotland, was an important English stronghold, and when the English general in charge of the troops there was captured, Croft was sent to fill the vacancy. He was known to "serve the King very well and in places of credit” and as "a man most meet to supplie the place." Some years later, Holinshed reflected on Croft's time at Haddington writing that Croft "bare himself so worthilie, as if I should not be suspected of flatterie, for that he liveth yet, and in such credit (as the world knoweth) I might moove myself matter to saie rather much than sufficientlie inough in his due and right deserved commendation." England withdrew from Haddington in September of 1549 and Croft was sent back to Boulogne as “Generall of the Fotemen". That proved to be short-lived as in late December 1549, Croft and some 3,000 other officers and troops were sent to the marches of Calais, France to defend the English position there.

February of 1550 saw the end of fighting with the signing of a peace treaty between England and France. Croft returned home and was named to the council of marches in Wales, serving as vice-president.

Ireland (1551-1552)
As rumors of a French invasion of Ireland circulated in January of 1551, the Privy Council decided to send troops to Ireland under the leadership of Lord Cobham. Croft was sent to prepare the way for Cobham with instructions to assess England's military position in Ireland and make recommendations as to needed improvements. Before Cobham left England, however, fears of an imminent invasion lessened and his instructions were rescinded. On 11 April 1551, and “upon goode consideracions, it was determyned ... that the saied Sir James Crofte shall" replace Sir Anthony St. Leger as Lord Deputy of Ireland Croft's responsibilities increased significantly. His instructions from the Privy Council were the same as those given to St. Leger.

Responsibilities
Militarily, Croft continued to be responsible for the protection of Ireland from incursions by France and, with the threat of an imminent French invasion gone, Scotland. This included ensuring that ports and other key locations were reinforced with controls for goods and people entering and leaving through them “foreseeing as well how they and every of them may be best reduced to good obedience, and how they may be after best guarded, victualed, and to what purposes the same and every of them may best serve.” “ To apply all that he may to have the havens and ports into our hands, that the customs and profits coming of them may come to our hands, and that no man land there but such as shall appear to be our friends and subjects.”

Troops were to be "well furnished with armour and all sorts of weapons, and the horsemen well horsed and expert in riding" and all equipment had to be properly accounted for and tracked to make sure there were sufficent numbers of “bows, arrows, pikes, javelins, spades, shovels, helfes for bills and mattocks, spades, elm for mounting of ordnance, powder, shot, hakes [axes], barquebursiers and other necessaries for war." Troops could include Irishmen, but no more than "the number of ten in every band of a hundred."

Efforts to unify Ireland under English control continued. At the time, that only existed in the Pale, two small strips of land along the eastern coast north and south of Dublin. The counties of Offaly, known as O'Conour's country, and Leix, O'More's country, were close to being aligned with England, but the rest of Ireland consisted of clans which fought each other as well as the English. Of particular importance was Leinster, an area adjacent to the Pale and controlled by the Cavernaugh, Toole, and Byrne clans.

As the king's representative in Ireland, Croft was responsible for making sure that England's laws were properly administered "to give straight order for the punishment of offenders; to favour the obedient; to redress wrongs." He was also responsible for overseeing the proper administration of the crown's properties with all "rents and profits truly paid into the receipt of our Exchequer." This included finding and managing timberlands "for making of ships," ensuring that farms and other properties covered by English grants continued to be controlled by England after the expiration of those grants, and also ensuring that mines were well-managed as well as searching "for the mines of alum."

Croft was also charged with supporting the promotion of Protestantism in Ireland which for ages had "considered, and industriously represented as a fief of the pope." But Henry VIII had declared himself, and not the pope, head of the church of Ireland just as he had with respect to the church of England. Despite the strong opposition from a majority of the Irish, Croft was to continue to "set forth God's service, according to our ordinances" in English, where possible. Where insufficient numbers of people understood English, it was "to be translated truly into the Irish tongue, till such time as the people may be brought to understand the English. He was also to protect church property, and to continue with having inventories made "in every parish of such goods, ornaments, jewels, and bells, of chantry or free chapel lands, and of all other lands given to any church."

Croft faced significant challenges in trying to promote Protestantism. One was John Dowdal. While he was Lord Deputy, St. Leger had insisted on Dowdal being appointed to replace the deceased archbishop of Armagh. Unfortunately for Croft, Dowdal's "devotion to Rome outweighed his gratitude either to the throne or to his patron," and he was scornful of the Protestant liturgy by which "every illiterate fellow might be enabled to read Mass.".

Croft also had to deal with English soldiers such as the garrison at Athelone which pillaged "the famous church of Clonmacnoise, tearing away the most inoffensive ornaments, books, bells, plate, windows, furniture of every kind" leaving the shrine of Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, one of the 12 Apostles of Ireland, "a hideous monument of sacrilege." Looting by soldiers was probably due to England's lack of financial support for its efforts in Ireland. For example, Croft had been promised 1,000 new troops, but was not given the funds to pay them. He and his senior officers "begged and borrowed till both credit and provisions were well-nigh exhausted" knowing that "soldiers unpunctually paid could not but be dangerous."

Ulster
The affairs of Ulster next engaged the attention of Croft. The Scots had lately made themselves supreme from the Giant's Causeway to Belfast; and it was determined to attack them there, and, if possible, to capture the island stronghold of Rathlin, whither the MacDonnells had transported all the cattle and horses taken bythem in their late raid. ... The Lord Deputy himself went by land through the country of several Irish chiefs, of whose intelligence Chancellor Cusack, who tells the story, formed a favourable opinion. Some of them joined the expedition. ... a sudden reflux wave lifted CufFe's boat high and dry on to the rocks. The men, about twenty-five, were slain on the spot, the officers taken and held by James MacDonnell as pledges for the return of the goods taken from him about Glenarm, and for the release of his brother Sorley Boy, who was a prisoner in Dublin. Croft was obliged to yield on both points, and the whole expedition ended in failure. Most of the chiefs of Ulster, who feared the Scots more than they hated the English, paid their respects to Croft at Carrickfergus, and were glad to submit their grievances to his arbitration.

Ulster was the most turbulent part of the country, and was kept so by constant incursions of Scots, who aided the native chieftains against English troops or Irish farmers who were under English protection.

took vigorous measures to pacify Cork;

On the 10th of June, the Privy Council noted that Croft was "in the remote parts, beginning to set justice and law in good hand where they were unknown.”

[SCOTS]

Although Croft's time in Ireland has been described as having "effected little beyond gaining for himself the reputation of a conciliatory disposition," one historian has written that because of Dowdal, who had elevated the  Romish  party  in  Ireland and  been particularly offensive and alarming to the English ministry, the first care of the new deputy was to labour by persuasion and address, to soften his opposition, and reconcile him to the new regulations of public worship."

The seruices of sir James Croftes, maie well bee vnderstoode, if you loke into the siege of Bullein : the warres of Scotlande, and the troublesome affaires of Irelande, where he was lorde deputie. And who that looketh depely in the mannagyng of those matters, shall mstely of hymself, yeelde due honoure to the persone that hath taken these paines, without the reporte of my penne, or further publishyng of the same.

One thousand of the soldiers which the Council had decided should be sent to Ireland had landed, but as was often the case in similar situations, money to pay the troops was not forthcoming.

Went to Ireland to superintend the fortification of the Munster coast. On 23 May 1551 Croft was appointed lord deputy of Ireland in succession to Sir Anthony St. Leger; took vigorous measures to pacify Cork; recommended the ‘plantation’ of the turbulent parts of Munster; attacked without much success the Scottish invaders of Ulster; raised the value of the debased currency; and sought to introduce the protestant liturgy by persuasion rather than by force.

Croft also had the responsibility of recommending Bishops to vacant sees. (34)

Croft was directed to put the seaports of Munster and Ulster into a defensible state; but the English Government showed a bad example, for though Argyle was plotting in the North and MacCarthy in the South, the artillery was sent over in charge of a clerk only. MacCarthy was to be apprehended if possible, and also George Paris, who was 'a common post between Ireland and France,' sailing in French ships which were to be overhauled in search of him. When the thousand men who had been promised arrived at Cork there was no money to pay them. Croft and his advisers begged and borrowed till both credit and provisions were well-nigh exhausted in the barren wilds of West Cork. Soldiers unpunctually paid could not but be dangerous, and there was no sort of justice to be obtained in the country districts. 'If in England,' said Crofts, using an apt illustration, ' the place of justice were appointed only at Dover, I think no man doubts but the people would soon grow out of order’. A thorough reform in the official circle, head and members, was necessary before any great improvement could be expected in the people. Before leaving Cork, Croft did what he could to secure local justice by drawing up regulations for maintaining the peace of the district under Desmond's general superintendence, not greatly differing from those already supposed to be in force, but with a clause which shows how the Puritan spirit was working. The Earl and those joined in authority with him were to have a special care to 'set forth divine service according to the King's proceeding, and diligently to look for the punishment of harlots, for which purposes they may call for the bishops and ministers within their circuit, giving them warning of their duties to see them punished according to the orders taken in that behalf.’

MacCarthy More, who had submitted, was required with his clansmen to swear allegiance to Edward VI as King, and also as 'supreme head of the Church in England and Ireland, and clearly to renounce the Bishop of Rome and all his authority and take his 'oath on the Bible ' to obey all laws, civil and ecclesiastical, set forth by the King and his successors. Archbishop Browne, having got rid of St. Leger, was loud in praise of his successor's activity, who was the first governor to visit Baltimore (Ballagheyntymore). But the King blamed Croft for visiting Baltimore at all, since he had not the power to do anything there. Ref: Ireland Under the Tudors, Vol. I, pages=359-363

The King to the Lord Deputy of Ireland. Minute (in Petre's handwriting) of a letter from the King to the Lord Deputy of Ireland [Sir J. Croft], requiring him to delay bis coming thence, until the King's further pleasure be signified unto him. Desiring him also to send unto the Council a full opinion of the whole state of that realm, and of such things as require present consideration. Endorsed: — **M. from the King to the L. Deputy of Ireland. 29 Nov. 1552." Minute from the Privy Council to the Lord Deputy of Ireland [Sir J. Croft], signifying the King's pleasure for his continuance in Ireland for a few weeks longer, for certain weighty considerations. (Here follow two lijies in cipher,) Instructing him to make some convenient excuse for this delay in his return, and on no account to let it be known that it is owing to this order from them. Urging the speedy return of the messenger, with his opinion on the articles sent herewith. In case he should meet the messenger on this side, he is to continue his journey towards the King. Hisorical Manuscripts Commission. Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Most Hon. The Marquis of Salisbury, K.G. Part I. London, 1883 pp. 103 and 104

At this time the King granted leave of absence to Croft, whom he apparently intended to send back ; but the O'Connors became uneasy, and Sir Henry Knollys was sent to stop the Lord Deputy. The clouds blew over, and Croft was able to go before the end of the year, leaving the government to Cusack and Chief Justice Aylmer. ... Sir James Croft bears a fair character among Irish governors. He did nothing very striking, nor did he contribute much towards a final pacification ; but he was considered a just man, and he made no personal enemies. He was at least no bigot, for he received warm praise from Archbishop Browne, ... It was, however, decided that St. Leger should return to Ireland in his stead. Sir Anthony's government had been cheap, and not ineffectual. During the last five years of Henry's reign there had been a small annual surplus ; but since his death there had been a constantly growing deficit, which could only be met by increasing the taxation of the obedient shires, by employing Irish soldiers almost exclusively, and by maintaining such troops as were necessary at free quarters upon the country. Miserable expedients certainly; but the English Government could devise nothing better, and they were determined to keep down the expenses. It was resolved not to increase the existing force of 2,024, and to make no attempt at a thorough conquest. Bagwell, Richard. Ireland under the Tudors, Vol. I. London, 1885. pp. 378–379

Wyatt's Rebellion
In late 1553, Croft became involved with Thomas Wyatt and others in a rebellion against Mary I who had recently ascended to the throne. Mary was known to be devoted to the Catholic faith, and many feared she would restore the pope as the head of the Church of England and reverse the liberalized religious policies put in place by her father, Henry VIII and continued under by his successor, Edward VI. Mary had “bitterly disapproved of the changes made in the form of worship” by her father, and “regarded the cause of the pope as her own”. Fears of a return to a strict papal religion were heightened by her pending marriage to Prince Philip of Spain who was considered “the most powerful and the ‘most Catholic’ sovereign in Europe”. The likelihood of a marriage to Philip also raised fears that “England would be drawn into Philip's wars and become a mere province of the Habsburg Empire”. In addition, stories of the torture and cruelty endured by prisoners of the Spanish Inquisition were well known, and there were even those “who had suffered from the rack of the inquisitors” themselves.

Mary assumed the throne in July 1553 and on August 18 she issued a proclamation that was a major step toward reestablishing papal authority as it “strictly forbade Protestant preaching”.[14] This not only confirmed the fears of Protestants, it raised the concern of most Catholics who were opposed to Rome and did not want “to have the pope at the head of the English church again”.[15]

The Protestant reformation, which began under the reign of Henry VIII, had led many of the English to move away from the strict papal religion. Mary I was returning England to it and outlawing all aspects of Protestantism. In addition, she was considering marriage to Prince Philip of Spain servicesstrict papal religion

and later as senior knight in every Parliament from 1563 until 1589. Other diplomatic roles were to follow in later years. While in Parliament, Croft served on a wide variety of committees such as one on curriers (tanners), and the Statute of Artificers (an attempt to deal with labor shortages, inflation, poverty, and general social disorder), felonies in Wales and the wearing of caps on the Sabbath day. It was at Parliament that Croft met Sir John Dudley, senior knight for Staffordshire and future Duke of Northumberland. Dudley’s favor and patronage were to shape Croft's career for a number of years, and his son Robert, queen Elizabeth's earl of Leicester, was to first be Croft's great friend and later his great foe.