Dudley North, 3rd Baron North facts for kids

Dudley North, a nobleman from the 1600s

A portrait of Dudley North from 1615

Dudley North, 3rd Baron North (born 1581, died 16 January 1666) was an important English nobleman and politician. He lived during a time of big changes in England, including the English Civil War.

Who Was Dudley North?

Dudley North became the 3rd Baron North when he was 19 years old. He took over this important title from his grandfather, Roger North. Dudley studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, which is a famous university. In 1599, he married Frances Brocket.

Life at Court and Adventures

Dudley loved to travel and explore. He visited Italy and even took part in a military campaign in the Netherlands in 1602. When he returned to England, he became a well-known person at the royal court. He was good at sports, writing poetry, and playing music. He even became friends with Prince Henry, the king's son.

Discovering Special Springs

In 1606, Dudley North made an interesting discovery. While traveling from Eridge to London, he found some natural springs at a place called The Pantiles in Royal Tunbridge Wells. He believed the water from these springs helped him feel better when he was sick. Soon, these springs became very famous, and people visited them hoping to improve their health. He also told people about the springs in Epsom, which also became popular.

Dudley North's Political Life

Dudley North was also involved in politics. He supported an expedition to Guyana in 1619, which was led by his brother, Roger North. When his brother left without permission, Dudley was briefly put in prison.

Supporting Parliament

Later, in 1626, Dudley North joined a group of nobles in the House of Lords who agreed with the ideas of the House of Commons. When the English Civil War began, he chose to support the Parliament against the King. He was part of important committees in the House of Lords. For example, he helped decide the case of William Laud, a powerful religious leader.

Dudley North also served as the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, which meant he was the King's representative in that area. He was one of the few nobles who continued to attend meetings in the House of Lords during the war. After the war, he retired to his home in Kirtling, Cambridgeshire. He passed away in 1666, leaving behind his daughter Dorothy and two sons. His elder son, also named Dudley, became the 4th Baron North.

Dudley North's Writings

Dudley North was also a writer. He wrote a book called A Forest of Varieties, which was published in 1645. This book was a collection of his essays and poems. A new edition of his book was released in 1659.