Sidney Godolphin

June 15, 1645 (age 67)

Cornwall, England, United Kingdom

Godolphin held various household posts at the court of Charles II, represented the family borough of Helston in three parliaments (1663 - 1681), and also served on two diplomatic missions. In 1679 he began his long career in public finance as a member of the Treasury Board, having won the king's well-known commendation: "Sidney is never in the way and never out of the way. " Made a privy councillor in 1680 and a baron in 1684, Godolphin was one of the "Three Chits" (with the earls of Sunderland and Rochester) on whom Charles relied during his final years, Godolphin serving at the head of the Treasury in 1684 and 1685. Under James II, Godolphin's influence was eclipsed by that of the king's Catholic advisers and the unprincipled Sunderland. Nevertheless Godolphin was one of the few to remain loyal to James to the very last, taking no part in the Revolution of 1688. Despite this fact, his usefulness was recognized by James' successor, William III, who made him head of the Treasury Board (1690 - 1696) and subsequently (1700 - 1701) lord treasurer. In 1698 Godolphin's son married the daughter of the duke of Marlborough, and the two families dominated the court of Princess Anne, soon (1702) to become queen. With Anne's accession, Marlborough, as captain-general, conducted international negotiations and led the armies in the field during the War of the Spanish Succession against Louis XIV. Godolphin, as lord treasurer (1702 - 1710), had the equally important, if more prosaic, task of financing campaigns like the one which culminated in the victory at Blenheim (1704). By relying on long-term credit devices and on corporations like the newly founded Bank of England, and by cultivating close relations with the London business community, Godolphin succeeded in financing this successful war without endangering the public credit. Reared in the Tory tradition, Godolphin had to rely increasingly on the support of various Whig elements strongly represented in commercial and low church, non-Anglican circles. For this he was accused of "betraying" the Church of England by his Tory opponents, who were known as "Highflyers. " Determined to suppress such opposition, Godolphin and his Whig allies in 1710 unwisely impeached Dr. Sacheverell, a leading Highflyer. The trial, however, served rather to focus public discontent with eight years of war and war taxation; this discontent was skillfully used to discredit Godolphin and Marlborough in the queen's eyes and to dislodge them from their positions. Godolphin, who had been given an earldom in 1706, was dismissed in August 1710.

Sidney Godolphin

Edit Profile

also known as 1st Earl of Godolphin

politician statesman

Background

He was born on June 15, 1645 in England, the younger son of an old royalist Cornish family.

Career

Godolphin held various household posts at the court of Charles II, represented the family borough of Helston in three parliaments (1663 - 1681), and also served on two diplomatic missions.

In 1679 he began his long career in public finance as a member of the Treasury Board, having won the king's well-known commendation: "Sidney is never in the way and never out of the way. "

Made a privy councillor in 1680 and a baron in 1684, Godolphin was one of the "Three Chits" (with the earls of Sunderland and Rochester) on whom Charles relied during his final years, Godolphin serving at the head of the Treasury in 1684 and 1685. Under James II, Godolphin's influence was eclipsed by that of the king's Catholic advisers and the unprincipled Sunderland. Nevertheless Godolphin was one of the few to remain loyal to James to the very last, taking no part in the Revolution of 1688. Despite this fact, his usefulness was recognized by James' successor, William III, who made him head of the Treasury Board (1690 - 1696) and subsequently (1700 - 1701) lord treasurer. In 1698 Godolphin's son married the daughter of the duke of Marlborough, and the two families dominated the court of Princess Anne, soon (1702) to become queen. With Anne's accession, Marlborough, as captain-general, conducted international negotiations and led the armies in the field during the War of the Spanish Succession against Louis XIV. Godolphin, as lord treasurer (1702 - 1710), had the equally important, if more prosaic, task of financing campaigns like the one which culminated in the victory at Blenheim (1704).

By relying on long-term credit devices and on corporations like the newly founded Bank of England, and by cultivating close relations with the London business community, Godolphin succeeded in financing this successful war without endangering the public credit. Reared in the Tory tradition, Godolphin had to rely increasingly on the support of various Whig elements strongly represented in commercial and low church, non-Anglican circles. For this he was accused of "betraying" the Church of England by his Tory opponents, who were known as "Highflyers. " Determined to suppress such opposition, Godolphin and his Whig allies in 1710 unwisely impeached Dr. Sacheverell, a leading Highflyer. The trial, however, served rather to focus public discontent with eight years of war and war taxation; this discontent was skillfully used to discredit Godolphin and Marlborough in the queen's eyes and to dislodge them from their positions. Godolphin, who had been given an earldom in 1706, was dismissed in August 1710.

Achievements

Sidney Godolphin did much to stabilize British financial administration during the 20 years after the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

Membership

Parliament for Helston

Connections

On 16 May 1675 Godolphin married Margaret Blagge, daughter of Thomas Blagge, the pious lady whose life was written by John Evelyn in his book The Life of Mrs Godolphin.

Spouse:: Margaret Blagge

References

Sidney Godolphin: Servant of the State

Main Photo