ABSTRACT
The Sidneys had been carefully cultivating James VI since he was nine years old, when in 1575 Philip Sidney had sent, via Sir John Seton, his expressions of loyalty and desire to be of service to him. Twenty-eight years later Robert Sidney reaped the benefits of this political foresight. Within two months of his accession, James I created Robert as Baron Sidney of Penshurst (13 May). This honour highlighted the positive change in the Sidneys* fortunes following Elizabeth's death. As long ago as 1588, hopes of Robert being raised to this same title as a reward for his services in response to the Armada had been thwarted by the queen's obstinacy. At the christening of Princess Mary on 4 May 1605, Robert was again honoured by being raised to the rank of Viscount Lisle - another coveted title, descending through both the Dudley and Brandon sides of his family, which Elizabeth had also steadfastly denied him. While continuing to serve under James as Governor of Flushing until its final return to the Dutch in 1616, Lisle found it much easier to be an absentee office-holder, primarily because he was appointed on 13 May 1603 as Queen Anne's Lord Chamberlain, followed by his nomination in July 1604 as a member of her council.
