Sir Arthur Darcy

Governor 1534-1536
Sir Arthur Darcy

The memorial to Sir Arthur Darcy at Aldgate Church, London

Sir Arthur Darcy's main claim to fame is that, having been appointed Governor on the death of Sir Anthony Ughtred he had only held the office for a short time when he sold the office to Lord Vaux, who was anxious "to obtain so good a post".

Lord Vaux exchanged a valuable property in Northamptonshire with Darcy for the appointment, without even consulting or advising King Henry VIII, who, when he was solicited to confirm the bargain, is reported to have told him plainly that "he would not trust the keeping of such an Island as Jersey into the hands of a man who could not keep his own lands".

His Majesty, however, gave Lord Vaux permission to transfer the office to any third party who should meet with his Royal approval, and also to receive a sum in recompense. The result was that Sir Edward Seymour, then Viscount Beauchamp, and afterwards Duke of Somerset, became the purchaser.

Sir Arthur was clearly not interested in the job of Governor, only its income, and in the short time he held office he appointed Thomas Handgatte (1535), Matthieu Thompson and Robert Raymond (1536) his Lieutenants.