COTTINGTON, FRANCIS COTTINGTON, BARON (15 78-165 2 ), English lord treasurer and ambassador, was ap pointed English agent in Spain during the recall of the ambas sador, Sir Charles Cornwallis, from 1609 to 1611. In 1612, he became consul at Seville, and in 1616 ambassador to Spain, making in 1618 James's proposal of mediation in the dispute with the elector palatine. After Charles's accession Buckingham brought him into disfavour; but on the duke's assassination he regained his position, being made a privy councillor in 1628, chancellor of the exchequer in 1629, and two years later Baron Cottington of Hanworth, Middlesex. The unpopularity caused by his exactions as master of the court of wards and by his declaration that for the Scottish war the king might levy money without Parliament led him to give up the court of wards in 1641 and the chan cellorship of the exchequer in 1642. He rejoined the king in 1643, took part in the proceedings of the Oxford parliament, and was made lord treasurer, in Oct. 1643. He signed the surrender of Oxford in 1646 and, being excepted from the indemnity, retired abroad, joining Prince Charles at The Hague in 1648. He went to Spain to obtain help for the royal cause but, receiving no response, settled there and died on June 19, 1652.