Fanshawe, SIR RICHARD

Fanshawe, SIR RICHARD, was born at Ware Park, Hertfordshire, in 1608, studied at Jesus College, Cambridge, and afterwards entered the Inner Temple, but found law distasteful, and went abroad to study languages. On the outbreak of the Civil War he took part with the king, and while with him at Oxford met and married in 1644 the lively and brave Anne Harrison (born 1625), with whom he lived in the most complete happiness throughout life. In 1648 he became treasurer to the navy under Prince Rupert, in 1651 was taken prisoner at the battle of Worcester, and on Cromwell's death withdrew to the Continent. After the Restoration he was appointed ambassador at the courts of Portugal and Spain, but was superseded by Lord Sandwich early in 1666, and before his return died suddenly at Madrid on the 26th June of the same year. His devoted wife carried his body to England for burial in Ware church, had much difficulty in recovering but a part of her husband's arrears of salary and money expended in the king's service, and survived till 1680. Fanshawe's works include The Faithfull Shepheard (1647), a translation from the Italian of Guarini; Selected Parts of Horace (1652); and The Lusiad, or Portugal's Historicall Poem (1655), a translation from Camoens. Lady Fanshawe's charming Memoir of her husband was first printed by Sir Harris Nicolas in 1829.