Henry de Vere, 18th Earl of Oxford

Henry de Vere, 18th Earl of Oxford KB (24 February 1593 – June 1625) was an English nobleman, courtier, and soldier. He inherited one of England’s oldest earldoms in 1604, joining a prominent aristocratic family with centuries of influence in English politics and society. De Vere served at the court of , participating in ceremonial events, military campaigns, and diplomatic missions, reflecting the close connection between noble and royal service in early modern England. He was created a Knight of the Bath (KB) and married Lady Diana Cecil, though the couple had no children. Upon his death in 1625, the earldom passed to his second cousin, Robert de Vere, as the 19th Earl of Oxford.

Life He was born on 24 February 1593 at Stoke Newington, Middlesex, the only son of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, by his second wife, Elizabeth Trentham. He succeeded his father as earl on 24 June 1604.

He is said to have been educated at Oxford University. He was admitted a member of the Inner Temple in November 1604, and was created M.A. of Oxford on 30 August 1605. He was made a knight of the Bath on 3 June 1610, and keeper of Havering Park on 15 November 1611. In his youth, he had a reputation for debauchery. Lady Hatton was in fact obstructing Coke's plan to improve his standing at court, with Buckingham; she did this by claiming Frances was already promised to Oxford, and by placing Frances out of reach in houses of allies. This failed matchmaking laid the seeds of a future quarrel between Buckingham and Oxford, though the Villier's marriage for Frances went ahead in September 1617. Oxford returned to England in October 1618. On 22 May 1619 he was admitted to the hereditary office of Lord Great Chamberlain. Oxford was said to have stated that he 'hoped the time would come when justice would be free, and not pass only through Buckingham's hands'. For this statement, Oxford was sent to the Tower, and King James ordered his attorney-general to prosecute him in the Star Chamber. Oxford was kept a close prisoner for twenty months, despite repeated efforts by his friends to gain his release. He was finally freed on 30 December 1623 at the behest of Prince Charles and Buckingham himself, 'hoping to smooth the waters before the upcoming parliamentary session'.

Marriage

Immediately afterwards (1 January 1624) Oxford married Lady Diana Cecil, daughter of William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Exeter and Elizabeth Drury, a beauty who brought him a fortune of £30,000. Francis Bacon in his disgrace asked favours in an obsequious letter which he addressed to the Earl in the month of his marriage. Oxford declined a reconciliation with Buckingham.