Christopher Windebank

Christopher Windebank (born 1615), was an Englishman who lived in Madrid and worked as guide and interpreter for English ambassadors.

Biography

Christopher who was born in 1615 was a son of Sir Francis Windebank, (later Secretary of State to King Charles I).^[1] He was a demy of Magdalen College, Oxford, from 1630 to 1635.^[2]

He was then sent to Madrid "to understand that court",^[1] and lived for a time with the English ambassador, Sir Arthur Hopton. In 1638 he made an imprudent marriage, which cost him his post, and on 5 August 1639 Hopton suggested that his wife should be placed in a convent. Subsequently, being "a perfect Spaniard and an honest man",^[1] he was found useful as a guide and interpreter by English ambassadors at Madrid.^[3]

Notes

1. Pollard 1900, p. 165.
2. Pollard 1900, p. 165 cites Bloxam, Reg. v. 124–7.
3. Pollard 1900, p. 165 cites Clarendon, Rebellion, ed. Macray, bk. xii. § 103 note.

References

Attribution

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Pollard, Albert Frederick (1900). "Windebank, Francis". In Lee, Sidney. Dictionary of National Biography. 62. London: Smith, Elder & Co. pp. 162–166.