Edward Horsey

Nothing is known of his early life or education but he may have fought as a soldier of fortune on the continent and been part of an embassy to France in 1551.

Edward Horsey was reported for spreading a rumour in Dorset of a revolt against Mary and her consort Philip II of Spain in July 1555, and met with other malcontents in London shortly afterwards, becoming involved with the Throckmorton plot.

He went into exile in France in March 1556 and was part of the Dudley conspiracy to overthrow the monarchy, with his brother Francis.

In France, Edward Horsey married an unknown French woman and met Robert Dudley, who later became Earl of Leicester.

He was then formally pardoned for his part in the conspiracy against Philip and Mary, and named Captain of the Isle of Wight in the summer of 1565.

He supervised the refurbishment of the island's defences against the expected Spanish invasion, including the repair of Carisbroke castle and West Cowes fort.

Edward was a long time friend of the Earl of Leicester and gave the bride, Lady Douglas Sheffield, away in her secret marriage to him in 1573.

By 1580 Edward Horsey was living at Great Haseley manor near Arreton on the Isle of Wight with Cowsebel Mille, who he would have married except that he had a wife in France.

His alabaster and marble monument with effigy survives in St Thomas's Church, Newport, with his arms displayed above.