"The Russel family (say Britton and Brayley,) may date the era of
their greatness to a violent storm, which happened about the year
1500, on the coast of Dorset; a county which appears to have been the
birthplace of their ancestors, one of whom was Constable of Corfe
Castle, in the year 1221. Philip, Archduke of Austria, son of the
Emperor Maximilian, being on a voyage to Spain, was obliged by the
fury of a sudden tempest, to take refuge in the harbour of Weymouth.
He was received on shore, and accommodated by Sir Thomas Trenchard,
who invited his relation, _Mr. John Russel_, to wait upon the
Archduke. Philip was so much pleased with the polite manners and
cultivated talents of Mr. Russel, who was conversant with both the
French and German languages, that on arriving at court, he recommended
him to the notice of Henry VII., who immediately sent for him to his
palace, where he remained in great favour till the king's death. In
the estimation of Henry VIII. he rose still higher; by that monarch he
was made Lord Warden of the Stannaries, Lord Admiral of England and
Ireland, Knight of the Garter, and Lord Privy Seal, and on the 9th of
March, 1538, created Baron Russel, of Cheneys, in the county of Bucks,
which estate he afterwards acquired by marriage. At the Coronation
of Edward VI. he officiated as Lord High Steward, and two years
afterwards, in the year 1549, was created Earl of Bedford. He died in
1554, and was buried at Cheneys, where many of his descendants have
also been interred," &c. &c.
"Henry VII. (says Pennant,) often resided at Baynard Castle, and from
hence made several of his solemn processions. Here, in 1505, he lodged
Philip of Austria,[7] the matrimonial King of Castille, tempest-driven
into his dominions, and showed him the pomp and glory of his capital."