BENNET, HENRY, 1ST EARL OF ARLINGTON, second son of Sir John Bennet, Kt, Dawley, Middlesex, and Dorothy, dau. of Sir John Crofts, Kt, Saxham, Suffolk; b.; at school under Osbaldeston (Evelyn, Diary, s. v. 10 Sep 1677); Christ Church, Oxford, matr. 6 Nov 1635, aged 15, Canoneer Student 1636 - still 1642; BA 1639; MA 1642; DCL 28 Sep 1663; joined Royal Army as volunteer at outbreak of Civil War; received lifelong scar on nose in skirmish at Andover; travelled in France and Italy; secretary to the exiledJames, Duke of York, 1654; knighted at Bruges Mar 1656/7; envoy of Charles II at Madrid Jun 1658 - Apr 1661; Keeper of Privy Purse 2 Aug 1661 - Oct 1662; Secretary of State, Southern Dept., 2 Oct 1662 - 11 Sep 1674; Privy Councillor 15 Oct 1662, resworn 21 Apr 1679; MP Callington Feb 1663 - Mar 1664/5; cr. Baron Arlington 14 Mar 1664/5; concluded the Triple Alliance 1668; a member of the Cabal Ministry; arranged the secret Treaty of Dover 1670; cr. Earl of Arlington 22 Apr 1672; KG 15 Jun 1672; impeached in House of Commons for his evil advice to the King, 15 Jan 1674, but a motion for his removal from office was rejected; Lord Chamberlain from 11 Sep 1674; Postmaster-General 28 Jun 1677; Lord Lieut., Suffolk 12 Mar 1681 - 6 May 1685; lived latterly on his estate at Euston, Suffolk; m. 1666 Isabella, dau. of Louis de Nassau, Lord of Beverwaert; d. 28 Jul 1685. DNB.