Clement Edmondes facts for kids

Sir Clement Edmondes (around 1568–1622) was an important English government official and politician. He served in the House of Commons, which is like a part of today's Parliament, at different times between 1609 and 1622.

Early Life and Education

Clement Edmondes was the son of Sir Thomas Edmondes from Shrawardine, Shropshire. His father worked for Queen Elizabeth I's royal household.

In 1585, Clement went to All Souls College, Oxford. He started as a clerk or chorister, which meant he might have helped with records or singing. By 1589, he became a Fellow of All Souls, a kind of academic position.

He later lived in a park at Castle Hedingham. This might mean he worked for a powerful noble family there.

His Writings

In 1600, Clement Edmondes published a book called Observations, upon the Five First Bookes of Caesar's Commentaries. This book was about the first five parts of Julius Caesar's famous writings on the Gallic Wars. The next year, he published another similar book about the sixth and seventh parts.

He dedicated his work to his "honourable friend" Sir Francis Vere, a famous military leader. Clement Edmondes had even been present at the battle of Nieuwpoort and mentioned the sieges of Ostend (1601–1604) and Grave (1602) in his books. This shows he had a good understanding of military history and events of his time.

Career in Government

In 1601, Edmondes got a job as an Assistant Remembrancer for the City of London. A Remembrancer was an official who kept track of the city's important records and dealings, especially with the King. He later became the main Remembrancer, earning a salary of £100.

In 1608, he helped with important talks about a loan from the City of London to King James I.

Working for the King

On August 13, 1609, he was appointed a Clerk of the Privy Council. The Privy Council was a group of close advisors to the King. When he left his job as Remembrancer, the City of London gave him 40 "angels" (a type of gold coin) to buy a cloak as a thank you.

In November 1609, Edmondes was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Carnarvon in Wales.

In 1613, he became the Muster Master General. This was an important role that involved organizing and inspecting soldiers.

Diplomatic Missions

In 1615, he was sent on a special mission to the Netherlands. His job was to investigate how the East India Company (English) and the Dutch East India Company could work together better in their trade. He later wrote a detailed, but unpublished, report about the Netherlands.

He was knighted on September 29, 1617, which meant he was given the title "Sir."

Investigating the Fens

In 1618, Sir Clement Edmondes was sent to the fens, which are marshy areas, to report on conflicts over draining the land. He spent time studying the rivers and suggested that the Commissioners of Sewers (officials in charge of drainage) should make sure their rules were followed. He also recommended they start by clearing the outlets of the River Nene and River Welland.

In 1621, Edmondes was elected as an MP again, this time for Oxford University. However, he didn't take much part in the debates in Parliament. He was appointed a Secretary of State, a very high government position, but he sadly died before he could start the job. He passed away from apoplexy (likely a stroke) in 1622. He was buried at Preston Deanery, near Northampton, where he had bought a manor house in 1620.

Family Life

Sir Clement Edmondes married Mary Clerk in 1598. Mary was the daughter of Robert Clerk of Grafton, Northamptonshire. She also worked as an attendant for Lady Stafford, a noblewoman.