Charles Wyndham (1638–1706) facts for kids
Sir Charles Wyndham (born 1638, died 1706) was an important English politician. He was a member of the Whig party. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for many years. An MP is someone chosen to represent people in the government. He worked in the English Parliament from 1679 to 1701.
Sir Charles's Family
Charles Wyndham was born in 1638. His exact birth date isn't known. But we know he was baptised on April 2, 1638. He was the fourth son of Sir Edmund Wyndham and Christabella Pyne. Christabella was special because she was the wet nurse for the future King Charles II. A wet nurse is a woman who breastfeeds and cares for another's child. She was also known as a very beautiful woman.
The Wyndham family was very old and respected. They had been important in Norfolk and Somerset for over 200 years. Many family members served in the House of Commons. This is where laws are made. Sir Edmund, Charles's father, was an MP. So were his brothers, Sir Francis, Sir Hugh, and Thomas.
The Wyndhams were Royalists. This means they strongly supported Kings Charles I and Charles II. Sir Francis, who was a colonel, even helped King Charles II escape after a battle.
After the English Civil War ended, the family went to live abroad. Charles Wyndham served as a Page of Honour to King Charles II. This was when the King was living away from England. Charles served him until 1660.
Sir Charles's Career
Charles Wyndham continued his work at the royal court after the King returned to England. This return was called the Restoration. He worked for King Charles's wife, Queen Catherine. He was a "sewer of the queen's chamber" until 1669. This was a role helping to serve the Queen. Later, he became a Gentleman Usher of the Privy Chamber. This meant he was an attendant to the King or Queen. He held this role from 1687 to 1694.
In 1661, he joined the army. He became a Cornet in the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues). A Cornet was a junior officer who carried the troop's flag. Charles Wyndham was made a knight on September 15, 1662. He became a lieutenant in 1667. Then, he was a captain from 1685 to 1689.
Wyndham served as an MP for Southampton from 1679 to 1689. He served again from 1689 to 1698. He then represented St Ives from 1698 to 1701.
He was very popular as an MP in Southampton. People liked him because he stood up for the rights of tenants. Tenants are people who rent land or property. He fought for their rights against their landlords. His family's coat of arms can still be seen on a shield on the city's Bargate.
Personal Life
On June 19, 1665, Charles Wyndham married Jamesina Young. Her father was James Young of Winchester. Through Jamesina's uncle, John Young, Charles inherited Cranbury Park. This was a large estate in Hursley. Interestingly, the famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton lived there later in his life.
Sir Charles Wyndham passed away on July 22, 1706. He was buried at Hursley Church. He did not have any sons. His wife, Jamesina, died on May 31, 1720. She was buried next to her husband at the church.
