Tom I m a novice at this and am just now figuring out how to use my Talk page Yes my view is that Lord Burghley did not take financial advantage of Oxford and other royal wards In fact a book of Lawrence Stone s as I recall demonstrates that Lord Burghley put the Earl of Rutland a royal ward on his feet again financially through his management of Rutland s affairs during Rutland s wardship Lord Burghley was a good friend of Rutland s stepmother The wardship system was a cash cow for the Tudor monarchy and although Lord Burghley doubtless profited from his position as Master he did not take financial advantage of his royal wards In particular since this article is about Oxford Lord Burghley did not take financial advantage of Oxford during his wardship The financial benefit of Oxford s wardship went to Leicester as I ve demonstrated from historical documents in my article in Brief Chronicles Nina Green205 250 205 73