WARRIOR-STATESMAN: An Interview with Sir William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke
We speak with the powerful Welsh lord who has served four Tudor monarchs with distinction.
RENAISSANCE WEEKLY: My Lord Earl, you've had an extraordinary career spanning the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary, and now Elizabeth. How have you managed to maintain your position through such turbulent times?
WH: [straightens in his chair, hand resting on his sword hilt]
Survival in these times requires three things, young scribe: loyalty to the Crown, pragmatism in politics, and the strength to back your decisions with steel if necessary.
I've served each sovereign faithfully according to their needs and the realm's welfare. When Henry needed a warrior, I fought in France. When Edward required guidance, I helped govern. When Mary demanded submission to Rome, I submitted. Now Elizabeth needs steady counsel, and I provide it.
A true nobleman serves the office, not just the person who holds it.
RW: Your rise from a younger son to Earl of Pembroke has been remarkable. What drove that ambition?
WH: [a slight smile crosses his weathered face]
Necessity, mostly. My father died when I was but nine years old, leaving me with little but the Herbert name and whatever I could make of it.
[voice hardening]
Some call me a "mad fighting fellow" - perhaps in my youth I was. I learned early that a man must seize his opportunities or watch others take them. When I entered the Earl of Worcester's service, I proved my worth through action, not words. Every office, every grant of land I've received, has been earned through service to the Crown.
RW: There are tales of your early adventures in France. Can you tell us about that period?
WH: [chuckles grimly]
Ah, the stories grow in the telling, don't they? 'Tis true I spent some years in King Francis's service as a young man. I learned much about warfare, about command, about how other nations conduct their affairs.
[pauses]
Whether I killed a man in Bristol before I left... well, that's between God and my confessor. What matters is that I returned to England with experience that has served my sovereign well.
My time abroad taught me that England's strength lies not just in our traditions, but in our ability to adapt and learn.
RW: Your loyalty to the Crown has sometimes required difficult choices. How did you navigate supporting Lady Jane Grey and then accepting Queen Mary?
WH: [face becomes stern, choosing words carefully]
A nobleman's first duty is to the lawful succession as established by the sovereign. When His Majesty Edward named Lady Jane as his heir, I supported that decision - my son Henry had married her sister Katherine, binding our families. But when it became clear that the realm favoured Queen Mary's claim... [shrugs] a wise man recognises when the tide has turned.
Mary proved a gracious sovereign to those who submitted properly. I served her faithfully in France, and she trusted me with Calais and the Welsh presidencies.
RW: Speaking of Wales, you wield enormous influence there. How do you view your role as a Welsh nobleman serving English monarchs?
WH: [leans forward with passion]
Wales is my heart, but England is my head.
I am the greatest lord in Glamorgan since Iestyn ap Gwrgan's time, and with that comes responsibility. Wales prospers when it is united with England under a strong Crown. I've brought advancement to my countrymen, opened paths for Welsh talent to serve at court.
[voice becomes proud]
When Welsh poets like Guto'r Glyn called upon me to lead Wales, they recognised that true leadership means building bridges, not burning them. My kinsmen serve in Parliament, my officers govern justly, my tenants prosper.
RW: Dr. John Dee has been providing counsel to various nobles. What's your relationship with the learned doctor?
WH: [expression becomes more thoughtful]
Ah, Dr Dee. A brilliant man, though I'll admit his methods sometimes... challenge conventional thinking.
[leans forward]
We work together on matters of importance to the realm - his mathematical mind and my practical experience complement each other well.
When he cast that chart for my son Henry's marriage to Lady Katherine Grey, I didn't much like his warnings, but... [grimaces] perhaps I should have heeded them more carefully. The man sees patterns others miss, I'll grant him that.
His work serves purposes beyond mere fortune-telling; navigation, military engineering, matters of state that require both learning and discretion.
RW: You've amassed considerable wealth and estates. What drives your continued service rather than retirement to enjoy them?
WH: [straightens with obvious pride]
Service is what gives wealth meaning. What use is Wilton House if it's not a base from which to serve the realm? My estates in Wales, my positions on the Privy Council, my role in the Welsh Marches - these aren't just honours, they're responsibilities.
[looks directly at interviewer]
Besides, retirement is for men who lack the stomach for the game. I've fought French cavalry, faced down rebellious nobles, and navigated the treacherous waters of four different reigns. Why would I retreat to my gardens when there's still work to be done?
RW: What do you see as your greatest achievement?
WH: [considers thoughtfully]
Building something lasting. When I'm gone, the Herbert name will remain strong, my family will hold their places, and Wales will be more prosperous and peaceful than when I began. I've helped stabilise the realm through some of its most dangerous transitions.
[voice becomes more personal]
My sons are established, my estates are well-managed, and my tenants know justice. A soldier's victory lasts a day; a statesman's work endures for generations.
RW: Any final counsel for young men seeking to make their mark?
WH: [fixes interviewer with a stern stare]
Learn to fight, but recognise when not to.
Master the art of reading men's characters and motivations.
Serve faithfully, but keep your own counsel.
And never forget - fortune favours the bold, but only if they're also prudent.
[slight smile]
And always remember that today's enemy may be tomorrow's ally, so conduct yourself with honour even in victory. The realm has need of strong men who can think as well as fight.
The Earl of Pembroke spoke with us at his London residence, his bearing still that of the soldier despite his advancing years. Throughout our conversation, his loyalty to the Crown was unwavering, though his pragmatic approach to politics was evident. His small dog, a constant companion, remained faithfully at his side - a touching reminder that even the mightiest lords value simple devotion.