Corbet Kynaston facts for kids

Corbet Kynaston (born January 28, 1690 – died June 17, 1740) was an English politician from Hordley, Shropshire. He was a member of the Tory Party and served in the House of Commons (the main part of the British Parliament) from 1714 to 1740. He supported the Jacobite cause, which meant he believed that the Stuart family should be the rightful kings of Britain. Because of these beliefs, he sometimes had to leave the country to avoid being arrested.

Early Life and Family

Corbet Kynaston was the oldest son of John Kynaston and his first wife, Beatrice Corbet. His mother passed away in 1703. Through his mother, Corbet inherited several estates, which are large areas of land and property, in Shropshire around 1710.

When he was younger, Corbet was a key figure in a large procession in Shrewsbury. This procession was for a famous preacher named Dr. Sacheverell.

Corbet Kynaston's Political Journey

In 1713, Corbet Kynaston decided to run for a seat in Parliament for the area of Shrewsbury. His father was a strong supporter of the Tory party in that area, which helped Corbet. He didn't win the election at first, but after a review of the votes (called a petition), he was declared the winner on March 14, 1714. He became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Shrewsbury. During this time, he wasn't very active in Parliament and isn't recorded as speaking much.

Facing Challenges and Plots

Corbet Kynaston was re-elected as an MP for Shrewsbury without anyone opposing him in 1715. However, in September 1715, he was one of six MPs ordered to be arrested. They were accused of being involved in a secret plan connected to a Jacobite attempt to invade Britain. To avoid arrest, Corbet left the country. He even left behind pictures of the Duke of Ormonde, a Jacobite leader, at his home. He reportedly gave out many of these pictures to encourage people to support the Jacobite cause.

He eventually gave himself up on January 9, 1716, but was released soon after. Corbet was a strong opponent of the Whig government, which was the ruling party at the time. He voted against them in every recorded vote and continued to be involved in Jacobite secret activities.

Later Political Years

Corbet Kynaston was re-elected in 1722. However, he lost his seat in Parliament on April 9, 1723, after another petition against him. He tried to become an MP for Shrewsbury again in 1727 but was defeated by Sir John Astley. Sir John Astley was also a Tory, but he had won a large sum of money from Corbet in a lawsuit. This lawsuit was about financial dealings related to the South Sea Company, a large trading company.

To avoid paying Sir John Astley, Corbet went to France. He stayed there until his father passed away in 1733. After his father's death, Corbet made an agreement with Astley. He then returned to politics and was elected as an MP for Shropshire in 1734, alongside Astley. He continued to vote against the government. In 1739, he became the mayor of Oswestry but passed away while still in office.

His Final Years and Legacy

Corbet Kynaston died on June 17, 1740, at the age of 50. He was unmarried. He passed away at Shelvock, Ruyton-XI-Towns, Shropshire, and was buried on June 21 at Moreton Corbet.

Corbet had significant money problems, leaving behind many debts. Because of these debts, an Act of Parliament was passed to allow his estates to be sold to pay off what he owed. His town mansion in Shrewsbury, called Broom Hall, was later bought and turned into the Salop Infirmary hospital, which opened in 1745. His estates eventually went to his half-brother, Edward Kynaston.