William Harborne

William Harborne of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (c.1542–1617) was a diplomat, businessman, and English Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, appointed by Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Previously only the French had enjoyed this privilege, which was granted to Harborne in 1580 following negotiations with Sadrazam Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, and correspondence between Queen Elizabeth I and the Sultan.

[3][4] Harborne played a key role in preventing the Ottoman Empire from supporting Catholic Spain in the war with Protestant England that was taking place at the time.

The ambassador departed in August 1588 and was succeeded by Sir Edward Barton, by which time trade had begun to thrive and the post was one of the most powerful positions in the English foreign service.

[8] The Plaque reads: Behold a dead mans howse who full of dayes Retirde here from the world; desert and praise Should sitt uppon his grave in vertuous strife This to instruct and that to wright his life Heires spare your cost; he needs no tombe in death Who Embassied for Queene Elizabeth His next will be when at the generall dome God sends his sovle to fetch his bodye home" Harborne wrote:[8] Harborne married Elizabeth, daughter of Anthony Drury of Besthorpe, Norfolk on 16 September 1589.