William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (1520-1598 CE) was Elizabeth I of England's most important minister for much of her reign (1558-1603 CE). Lord Burghley was Secretary of State for both Edward VI of England (r. 1547-1553 CE) and Elizabeth. He also served the latter as Lord Treasurer from 1572 to 1598 CE and, unlike many great statesmen of the Tudor period, he never seriously fell out of favour with his monarch. Amassing huge wealth and having lived in the impressive Burghley House which still stands today, Lord Burghley died in 1598 CE. He had dominated the political stage across five decades and then retired to the wings having created an enduring noble lineage for his descendants.
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Definition
Timeline
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1520 - 1598Life of William Cecil, Lord Burghley.
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1541William Cecil, Lord Burghley, marries his first wife, Mary Cheke.
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25 Dec 1546William Cecil, Lord Burghley marries his second wife, Mildred Cooke.
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1547William Cecil, Lord Burghley joins the government of Edward Seymour, the Duke of Somerset.
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1548William Cecil, Lord Burghley is appointed the Secretary of State.
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1550Willam Cecil, Lord Burghley joins the Privy Council of Edward VI of England.
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1558 - 1572William Cecil, Lord Burghley is the Secretary of State for Elizabeth I of England.
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1561William Cecil, Lord Burghley is appointed the Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries.
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Feb 1571William Cecil is made Baron Burghley by Elizabeth I of England.
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1572 - 1598William Cecil, Lord Burghley is the Lord Treasurer of Elizabeth I of England's government.
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Jun 1572William Cecil, Lord Burghley is made a member of the Order of the Garter.
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Aug 1598William Cecil, Lord Burghley dies.
