Sir F was born in 1568, the second son of Sir Edward Gorges, a wealthy, extensive land owner and sheep farmer in Somerset. Sir Edward died a few weeks after Ferdinando’s birth. Sir Edward’s title and estates were inherited by Ferdinando’s elder brother, by four years, Edward. However, the boys’ mother controlled the estates until Edward came of age. Ferdinando, therefore, was brought up in a wealthy, privileged family, in Somerset at Nailsea Court, owned by his mother and close to the family seat of Wraxall Court.
The Gorges ancestry is extensive. They came to England in the 11th century following William I’s conquest. They were given land in Powerstock. The Gorges in succeeding generations were active, loyal supporters. They were both administrative and military servants of the monarch, in some cases rising to high office. However, they were, primarily, significant West Country landholders. They were seen as country gentry, rather than being politically ambitious. Successful land management with accumulation of extensive land holdings through acquisition and marriage were the sources of their wealth
Through marriage, the Gorges were related to the great and powerful – not least the Howards – A Gorges ancestor married a daughter of the Duke of Norfolk, Henry VIII’s queens, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were cousins. Sir Walter Raleigh is a cousin.
Ferdinando as second son was given a consideration in the Will of his father, which supported his education and life style until his majority. Birdcombe Court, a manor house with land holdings that produced significant income, was a part of that consideration but only until he was 21. Thereafter, ownership passed to the main estate and his brother.
Without a long term, income generating inheritance, he sought a career in the army.
Queen Elizabeth had been able to stay out of the wars that plagued the continent. There was, therefore, no need for a standing army. However, there were treaties that England had made to protect its continental interests. English militia were recruited and sent to support continental allies, these militia attracted gentlemen volunteers seeking a military career. Some volunteers, alternatively, sought to build their careers by joining allied armies in a mercenary role. In 1587, Ferdinando became a gentleman volunteer and joined a militia that had been sent by Elizabeth to help her Dutch allies defend the town of Sluis, an important Dutch port, from a Spanish army. England’s concern was that if the Spanish seized control of Sluis, it could become a base for the Armada that was known to be being prepared to invade England.
Ferdinando acquitted himself well, even though Sluis was eventually captured by the Spanish. Ferdinando was held a prisoner. He was not released until early 1589. Within two months of his release he had married Ann Bell, daughter of a major landowner. He could have followed the example of his family to become a wealthy farmer. However, he wanted to remain a soldier.
With the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, England was relieved from immediate concerns about a Spanish invasion. In 1589, Henry IV, a Protestant in all but name, became King of France. He requested and received financial and military support from Elizabeth in his attempts to defeat allies of Spain. A small expeditionary force was sent to support Henry IV. Included in that force was Ferdinando Gorges, now an experienced captain with a solid reputation. The campaign in 1589 was a rough, tough slog involving skirmishes, battles won and long marches in atrocious weather. However, by the end of the year, the remnants of that force were withdrawn to England.
Ferdinando returned to France in 1591 with a further expeditionary force under the command of Sir Roger Williams. He distinguished himself in a number of actions and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, He was made second in command to Sir Roger. Apparently, in one action at Noyon, Ferdinando was wounded and carried from the action by Henry IV himself.
It was at this time he met the Earl of Essex, an extraordinary, young, charismatic favorite of Queen Elizabeth. Essex had showed himself to be an inspiring and courageous leader. He attracted a swarm of young officers, including Ferdinando.
Essex led an English army in support of Henry IV. Sir Roger Williams’ force was a part of that army. At Rouen, they hoped to take the town from the allies of Spain through intrigue rather than force of arms. They were not successful. In spite of limited action, Essex knighted twenty four young officers, including Ferdinando. Essex had the right to do so but the worth of such honour was considered doubtful. Ferdinando was one of the few to have seen fighting and achieved a worthy reputation for competence and bravery. Subsequent opinion was that the young Earl was bartering knighthoods for loyalty.
Ferdinando in four years had risen from being an 18 year old, penniless, novice gentleman volunteer to a seasoned, married, wealthy lieutenant colonel with a knighthood.
After more fighting with the continuing siege of Rouen, where Ferdinando further distinguished himself, including thwarting the likely capture or death of Essex, he was transferred to command a company in Brielle, in the Netherlands in 1592. This appointment was financially rewarding to him, as he received all funds required to support the company. He paid operating expenses including the soldiers pay from the funds. He retained the balance not spent, as a benefit of the appointment. There was no military action involved. Although Ferdinando held the appointment until 1601, he rarely spent time in Brielle, preferring to be back in England, command being maintained by his subordinates.
In England, he was given the expectation that he would be appointed to a new position in the West Country. He was close to the court and undertook a number of specific services for the Queen while waiting for that position to be identified and confirmed. He developed his relationship with Essex. It was not until 1595 that his appointment as Governor of the fort at Plymouth was confirmed. His commission was to defend the fort and the adjacent St. Nicholas Island from England’s enemies.
Plymouth was deemed of vital importance, to be defended against invasion by the Spanish. The outer harbour and protected bays in the Sound could hold a massive armada set on invasion. Defensive fortifications, therefore, had to cover more than the town of Plymouth itself. Government funding was not sufficient. Local money had to be raised to build those fortifications. The local money came from merchants whose concern was the defense of their town. As threats of invasion grew and dissipated over the years, Ferdinando was caught in a perpetual battle to raise funds, build fortifications and find men to man the fortifications. It required leadership, diplomacy and persuasion to achieve anything. It meant he had to bear the brunt of the local citizens anger. It was a difficult appointment, epecially, as the local citizens wanted one of their own to be appointed governor. They wanted control. Queen Elizabeth, for the same reason, insisted on a royal appointment. The lack of money meant that Ferdinando had to dip into his own (his wife’s) financial resources to meet overdue construction costs. Money was rarely reimbursed, despite constant requests. With the result that, Sir F’s wealth, or more specifically, the wealth that came from his marriage was quickly spent.
Ferdinando was not only Governor of the Fort he was a commander of land forces. Those land forces were fractious with local affiliations and command. He had to deal with incompetence, poorly or untrained troops and the jealousy of subordinated local officers to his command. A constant stream of complaints and accusations were leveled at him and sent to his superiors in London.
On his own authority, he sent out spying missions to determine the plans and actions of the Spanish. On several occasions, the threats of invasion were sufficiently high to cause a flurry of activity from the government in London. The Earl of Essex, himself, came down to help prepare defenses against imminent invasion. The Spanish even spread rumors that Plymouth had been taken due to treachery on the part of the Governor. Plainly untrue, the rumours got nowhere.
Sir Ferdinando demonstrated repeatedly his intense patriotism and loyalty to the Crown. However, his involvement with the Earl of Essex and the Earl’s treasonous actions, almost destroyed him.
Essex had worked his way toward a position of enormous power and influence due to his intimate relations with Queen Elizabeth, as much as his obvious talents for leadership and intrigue. It was an odd relationship, swinging wildly between romantic intimacy and cold, suspicious anger. The Queen felt threatened by his youth, energy and power. She began to distrust his fitness to hold the positions he had attained. He was temperamental and unstable.
He was sent to Ireland to put down a revolt in 1599. His behaviour and rudeness to the Queen on his return resulted in his degradation. He was dismissed from attendance at court. The Queen had cut him from her presence and removed benefits which had provided him with enormous wealth.
Essex believed his enemies had caused this schism with his Queen. His young followers persuaded him that he was right. He must lead. They would follow. He convinced himself that the Queen was in danger and his enemies were dealing in treachery.
Out of the blue, Essex summoned Ferdinando to his home, Essex House, in London in January 1601. It was the first contact Ferdinando had had with Essex since 1599. Ferdinando immediately obeyed the order from his patron unaware of the undercurrents but knowing that Essex had lost favour with the Queen. As far as Ferdinando was concerned, Essex was still one of the most powerful men in the land.
Essex had great respect for Ferdinando’s military capabilities. He was a hardened, experienced, competent leader. Ferdinando was aggravated at the difficulties he was having in gaining what he thought was essential support in his role as defender of England’s south western coastline. He was owed large sums from the exchequer. He wanted Essex to return to favour. From that position Essex would be able to alleviate Sir Ferdinando’s problems in dealing with the Queen’s ministers.
Ferdinando quickly realised that there was seriously dangerous talk around Essex. He made Essex promise that he would not ask Ferdinando to do anything treasonous.
In February, there was a meeting of Essex’s senior followers including Ferdinando. Various plans were discussed to force a return of Essex to power. Ferdinando was horrified. He refused to condone any of the plans.
A week later, Essex received warning from the Queen’s Privy Council about his actions. He immediately sprang into action calling for all his followers to gather at Essex House. He was further informed that the Sheriff of London with a thousand followers would support him. Ferdinando was there and advised against an attack.
A message was delivered to Ferdinando at Essex House to meet Sir Walter Raleigh. With Essex’s approval a meeting was arranged between Sir Walter and Ferdinando alone in two rowing boats on the Thames. Sir Walter warned Ferdinando his involvement was known and he was in great danger. He should return to his duties in Plymouth immediately. He had been absent from his post without leave, an arrestable offence. Ferdinando told Sir Walter of the impending insurrection and told him to leave quickly as there was going to be an attempt on his life. They parted.
Ferdinando returned to Essex House and told Essex of the meeting.
The Privy Council sent a high level deputation to Essex House to demand an explanation. It included the Lord Chief Justice. Essex confined the deputation under lock and key. He decided to join forces with the Sheriff of London. He, with Ferdinando, and 200 followers armed with no more than rapiers set out. The authorities had been warned, Essex’s action declared a rebellion and road blocks were set up.. Essex was stopped and was not allowed to proceed. The Sheriff was not prepared to help. Ferdinando said that he would return to Essex House and release the Lord Chief Justice, who he would then accompany to deliver a message to the Queen. After he left there was a skirmish at the road block which achieved nothing except Essex’s followers drained away. Essex with what remained decided to go back to Essex House.
The Lord Chief Justice insisted that the full deputation be freed which Ferdinando agreed to and they all proceeded to the Queen’s court. Ferdinando’s attempt at negotiating a peaceful settlement was dashed as news came in that Essex had returned to Essex House and barricaded himself in with his followers. The militia had surrounded Essex House. It was now in a state of siege.
Essex surrendered. He and his followers were imprisoned, as was Ferdinando. Within 10 days of the revolt, the Earls of Essex and his closest supporter Southampton were put on trial. They were found guilty. Ferdinando was called to give evidence against both men. He recounted the meetings he had attended, what was said and who was there.
After those verdicts, the fate of the other followers, including Ferdinando hung in the balance. He was removed from his position as Governor of Plymouth Fort. He lost his position in Brielle. As a result of those losses he was ruined.
He was not brought to trial but remained a prisoner. He worked hard to refute the charges made against him. Accusations were made by Essex’s followers that Ferdinando was a government spy. He had by his actions and false testimony been the cause of Essex and Southampton being found guilty. Ferdinando defended himself against those accusations.
With the intercession of family and friends he was released from prison, a very sick and broken man, into the care of his brother Sir Edward,
Queen Elizabeth was unforgiving of all those associated with the Essex rebellion. It wasn’t until the accession of James I, that Ferdinando had the opportunity to seek reappointment as Governor of Plymouth Fort. The man appointed in his place, Sir John Gilbert, was both too inexperienced and too weak to deal with the issues that Ferdinando had managed before him. In addition, on his appointment, Sir John found that much of the armaments in the fort and on St Nicholas Island actually belonged to Ferdinando and that he was expected to purchase those armaments. This he had no means to do.
James I was happy to forgive and reinstate those who had lost their positions through the Queen’s disfavour, including Ferdinando. Sir John Gilbert was compensated for the loss of his position. To his evident relief, he handed the Governorship of the Fort back to Ferdinando, in 1603.