Sir Ralph Sadler or Sadleir PC, Knight banneret was an English statesman, who served Henry VIII as Privy Councillor, Secretary of State and ambassador to Scotland. Sadler went on to serve Edward VI. Having signed the device settling the crown on Jane Grey in 1553, he was obliged to retire to his estates during the reign of Mary I. Sadler was restored to royal favour during the reign of Elizabeth I, serving as a Privy Councillor and once again participating in Anglo-Scottish diplomacy. He was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in May 1568.
Portrait of a Man (Sir Ralph Sadler?), 1535, Workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger
Sutton House, Hackney, was built in 1535 by Sir Ralph Sadleir
Mary of Guise discussed politics with Ralph Sadler in her Presence Chamber at Linlithgow Palace
Ralph Sadler left Edinburgh for the safety of Tantallon Castle
Secretary of State (England)
In the Kingdom of England, the title of Secretary of State came into being near the end of the reign of Elizabeth I, the usual title before that having been King's Clerk, King's Secretary, or Principal Secretary.
Richard Foxe, King's Secretary 1485 to 1487
William Cecil, Lord Burghley, a Secretary of Queen Elizabeth