Page "Denzil Holles, 1st Baron Holles" Paragraph 18

On 20 April 1661 he was created Baron Holles of Ifield in Sussex, and became henceforth one of the leading members of the Upper House.

Holles, who was a good French scholar, was sent as ambassador to France on 7 July 1663.

He was ostentatiously English, and a zealous upholder of the national honour and interests ; but his position was rendered difficult by the absence of home support.

On 27 January 1666 war was declared, but Holles was not recalled till May.

Pepys remarks on 14 November: " Sir G. Cartaret tells me that just now my Lord Holles had been with him and wept to think in what a condition we are fallen.

" Soon afterwards he was employed on another disagreeable mission in which the national honour was again at stake, being sent to Breda to make a peace with Holland in May 1667.

He accomplished his task successfully, the articles being signed on 21 June.

On 12 December he protested against Lord Clarendon's banishment and was nearly put out of the council in consequence.