John Herbert (secretary of state)

Herbert was the son of Matthew Herbert of Swansea and was descended from an illegitimate son of William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke. Herbert may have been educated at Christ Church, Oxford, although this is questioned. He was admitted an honorary member of the College of Doctors of Law in November 1573 and awarded an MA. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Civil Law by the University of Oxford in 1587. In 1588, he was elected MP for Gatton. He was elected MP for Christchurch in 1593 and MP for Bodmin in 1597. He was knighted in 1602. In 1604 he was elected MP for Monmouthshire and sat until 1611. Herbert was of Neath Abbey. He died in Cardiff aged 67 on 9 July 1617, having fought a duel with Sir Lewis Tresham two months earlier. He is buried in St John the Baptist Church, Cardiff. Herbert married Margaret Morgan, daughter of William Morgan of Cefn Coch. ==French embassy of 1598==

Herbert, Sir Robert Cecil, and Thomas Wilkes were chosen as ambassadors to France in January 1598 to discuss peace with France and Spain. Wilkes died soon after arrival at Rouen. Cecil and Herbert lodged at a house of the Duke of Montpensier in Paris, and subsequently travelled south to meet Henry IV of France at Angers in March. They had their final audiences with the king at Nantes and the Duke de Bouillon gave Cecil a locket with the king's portrait. They sailed home to Portsmouth from Ouistreham, a port near Caen, in the Adventure commanded by Sir Alexander Clifford. ==References==