Cylchgronau Cymru

gMtfiraltfjjia (HamlrrOTk THIRD SERIES, No. XLIL—JULY, 1865. XU \ I \ NOTES ON THE PERROT FAMILY. (Continued from p. 132.) Eobert Earl of Essex was a generous patron of Sir Robert, and hence may have arisen his connexion with Penelope Perrot, the Earl's niece; or the marriage may have previously taken place, and led to the patron¬ age. Sir Robert was of an ancient Suffolk line, and began his public life as part of the suite (perhaps the secretary) of his uncle, William Ashby of Loseby, the queen's ambassador to Scotland. He became public orator at Cambridge in 1594. The Earl of Essex next procured him an appointment in France in 1595-96, which, on the disgrace of the Earl, he resigned, returned to Cambridge, and was proctor in 1601. Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, made him, first, Master of Requests, and next Surveyor of the Court of Wards. He was knighted in 1615, and two years afterwards became Secretary of State to James I. In 1620-21 he was sus¬ pended from his office, but wrote to Villiers requesting his dismissal might be put off until after his wife's con¬ finement, as, from her nervous temperament, serious consequences might result from any shock. This request was complied with, and his removal did not take place till the following January, after the birth of his only son, whom he called James in honour of the king. In 1623 he was appointed Master of the Courts and Liveries, which post he resigned in March 1634-35, shortly before 3rd sek., vol. xi. 16