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 possessions in the Cape Verde Islands and the West Indies, had conducted an unofficial mission to the Shah with a view of enlisting the Shah's co-operation with the Christian princes against the Turk. Anthony's self-imposed misaion had ended in failure, and he had returned to Europe in the earllest years of the seventeenth century, leaving his brother behind in the Shah's service. Robert Shirley was a man of resource, and soon won his way to favour by the measures he introduced for the reorganization of the Persian army on European lines. In 1607 he had practically adopted a Persian domicile by marrying the daughter of a Circassian noble who was one of the Shah's principal officers. Henceforward his interests were closely identified with those of his adopted country.

In 1608 Robert Shirley was employed by the Shah on a diplomatic mission to the Court of King James. His appearance in London in Persian costume with his wife also wearing Oriental dress, created a mild sensation. He had a friendly reception at Court, which is the more surprising as Anthony Shirley had given an immense deal of trouble by his unauthorized diplomatic exercises, and the name of Shirley consequently was one which had no very pleasing sound in official ears at the period. Not only was the King very gracious to him, but Prince Henry paid him special honour by standing godfather to the son born to the ambassador during his sojourn in England.

After a prolonged stay in his native country, Shirley returned to Persia in 1615, only to receive from his royal patron instructions for a fresh mission to Europe—to Portugal and Spain in the first instance and later to England. For nearly thirteen years he represented the Shah in Europe, and he then set his face once more towards