Sir Ralph Sadler or Sadleir (1507 – 30 March 1587) 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.
Ralph Sadler was born in Hackney, Middlesex, the elder son of Henry Sadler, a minor official in the service of the Marquess of Dorset and Sir Edward Belknap. Henry Sadler was originally from Warwickshire, but later settled in Hackney. Ralph had a brother, John, who commanded a company at the Siege of Boulogne in 1544.
At around seven years of age, Sadler was placed in the household of Thomas Cromwell, later Earl of Essex, where he received an excellent education. He was taught to read and write, becoming fluent in French, Latin and Greek, and acquired a working knowledge of the law. He proved to be not only intelligent and resourceful but also capable of great feats of horsemanship and was skilled at falconry.
Roger Ascham compared Sadler's appearance in terms of complexion, countenance and beard to Duke Maurice, although the Duke was taller. Sadler is also represented by his tomb effigy at Standon, and he may have been painted by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1535.
Sadler began his career as secretary to Thomas Cromwell and went on to serve four Tudor monarchs. During his long career in royal service, he held many offices, including:
Clerk of the Hanaper 1535–1587
Gentleman of the Privy Chamber by May 1536
Ambassador to Scotland 1537, 1540, 1542
Jointly (with John Godsalve, Gregory Railton and Francis Kempe) prothonotary, Chancery 1537 – 1587?
Principal Secretary April 1540 – April 1543
Privy Councillor 1540–1553, 1566–1587
Master of the Great Wardrobe 1543–1553
Justice of the Peace Hertfordshire 1544–1547, 1558/59 – 1561, Gloucestershire 1547, Hertfordshire 1562–1587
Chamberlain or receiver, Court of General Surveyors by 1545
Commissioner for Musters, Hertfordshire 1546, loan 1546, 1562, goods of churches and fraternities 1550, relief, Hertfordshire and London 1550, ecclesiastical causes 1572
Steward of Hertford and Constable of Hertford Castle December 1549 – 1554, 1559–1587
Warden of the East and Middle Marches 1559–1560.
Custos rotulorum Hertfordshire. by 1562 – 1587