Monson, William, Sir, 1569-1643

Epithet: Lieutenant-Colonel; of Add MS 39195

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000570.0x000350

Sir William Monson (1569-1643) began his naval career as a privateer, served in the English fleet sent against the Armada, and sailed with the Earl of Essex on the expedition to Cadiz. In 1604 he was named Admiral of the Narrow Seas by James I. A covert Roman Catholic, Monson received a secret annuity from Spain; when this came to light in 1616, he was briefly imprisoned in the Tower and dismissed from office. During the 1620s and 1630s his advice was sought concerning the establishment of a North Sea fishery, and he wrote a series of tracts on the history and state of the Navy.

From the description of Certain observations that are not worthy of the title of history that hapned too England since the year 1558 and before, circa 1640. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702198734

Epithet: of Broxbourne, county Hertfordshire

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000570.0x000351

William Monson was born in Lincolnshire, England, in the 1560s, the son of Sir John Monson (d. 1593) and his wife Jane. He and his brothers, Thomas and John, were raised in the Roman Catholic faith. William attended Oxford's Balliol College. His naval career began in 1585, when he joined the crew of a privateering vessel bound for Spain, and shortly thereafter, he took charge of several small vessels. In 1589, he traveled to the Canary and Azores Islands as the Earl of Cumberland's vice admiral, and in 1591 was promoted to flag captain. Spanish forces imprisoned him in Lisbon between 1591 and 1593, and, in 1596, he joined the service of Queen Elizabeth I. Monson won his own command in 1602. Following a distinguished career, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London for several months as a suspect in the 1616 murder of Sir Thomas Overbury. Following his release, he became a government consultant on the subject of fisheries and began to compose his six naval tracts. In 1637, he returned to public service as a member of the Council of War. He and his wife, Dorothy Wallop, had five children. He died on February 13, 1643.

From the guide to the William Monson Naval Tracts, Monson, William Naval Tracts, [17th Century?], (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)

Epithet: Admiral; of Sloane MS 2496

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000570.0x000357