Bevil Skelton

Bevil Skelton (1641 - 1696) was a British foreign envoy and diplomat.

Probably descended from the Skeltons of Armthwaite Castle, Cumberland, Bevil Skelton began his career as a colonel in the British Army. Secretary to Charles II and knighted by James II, he was sent abroad to Holland as James' envoy. It was, by all account, not a sucsessful posting; Sir Bevil was a vain, haughty and weak man, whose hatred of the Dutch was legendary and he quickly 'rendered himself the contempt of the Hollanders.'

Recalled to England, he was then sent to France in much the same capacity. It was the hope of James to make an ally of France against the Dutch, who he feared would aid William of Orange if he attempted to usurp James's crown. Louis XIV, however, was well aware of the English King's intention, and declared that, was an attmept by England made to poison France against the Dutch, 'he would act as if his own crown was attacked.' James was forced to publicly deny the charge of insincerity towards Holland, and hastened to find a scapegoat - his envoy, Bevil Skelton, became that man.

Recalled once more to England, Skelton was imprisoned in the Tower, but released soon after and made lieutenant of the Tower on November 26, 1678. The Glorious Revolution, only a few months later, shortly deprived him of this office. Skelton married Frances Sewster, widow of Sir Algernon Peyton.

References

• James Granger, A biographical history of England, from the Revolution to the end of George I's reign (1806), ISBN 0548603200