Edward Chichester, 1st Viscount Chichester facts for kids

Edward Chichester (died 1648) in Eggesford Church, Devon. He wears a viscount's coronet.

The family crest of Chichester of Eggesford.

Edward Chichester, 1st Viscount Chichester (born in 1568 – died on July 8, 1648) lived in Eggesford, Devon. He was an important leader in Ireland, serving as the Governor of Carrickfergus and the Lord High Admiral of Lough Neagh.

Who Was Edward Chichester?

Edward Chichester was the third son of Sir John Chichester (died 1569). His family lived in Raleigh, near Barnstaple, Devon. His mother was Gertrude Courtenay (1521–1566). Edward was the younger brother of Arthur Chichester, 1st Baron Chichester of Belfast (1563–1625). Arthur was famous for founding the city of Belfast.

Edward's Important Roles

Edward Chichester became a knight in 1616. After his brother Arthur passed away in 1625, Edward was given special titles in his memory. He became Baron Chichester of Belfast and Viscount Chichester of Carrickfergus. Both of these places are in County Antrim, Ireland. These titles were part of the Peerage of Ireland, which is a system of noble ranks.

Edward took over his brother's large land holdings and important jobs. He continued to be the Governor of Carrickfergus and the Lord High Admiral of Lough Neagh. In 1634, he joined the Irish House of Lords, which was a part of the Irish Parliament.

Edward's Family Life

Edward Chichester was married two times.

First Marriage

A plaster shield from 1608 at Ruxford Barton, Devon. It shows the initials "EC" and "AC" for Edward Chichester and his first wife, Anne Copleston.

A closer look at the Chichester shield at Ruxford. It shows the family crests of Chichester, Copleston, and de Reigny.

In 1605, he married Anne Copleston (1588–1616). She was the only daughter and heir of John Copleston of Eggesford. Edward and Anne had several children:

• Arthur Chichester, 1st Earl of Donegall (1606–1674) was their oldest son.
• Col. John Chichester (died 1647) was a Royalist during the English Civil War. He married Mary Jones.
• Lt-Col. Edward Chichester (born 1611) also fought as a Royalist in the English Civil War. He married Elisabeth Fisher.
• Elizabeth Chichester was their oldest daughter. She married Sir William Wrey, 2nd Baronet (1600–1645). Her son, Sir Chichester Wrey, 3rd Baronet (1628–1668), was also a Royalist.
• Mary Chichester was their younger daughter. She married Thomas Wise, and later John Harris.

Second Marriage

After 1616 and before 1626, Edward married Mary Denham. A stone at Eggesford Barton with the initials "E.C.M. 1626" shows this marriage.

Death and Burial

Lord Chichester passed away on July 8, 1648, at his home in Eggesford, Devon. He was buried there.

Edward's Monument

The monument for Edward Chichester (1568–1648) and his wife Anne Copleston (1588–1616) in Eggesford Church, Devon.

A shield from Edward Chichester's monument. It shows the Chichester family crest combined with the Copleston family crest.

Stone statues of Edward, 1st Viscount Chichester, and his wife Anne Copleston in Eggesford Church, Devon.

Edward Chichester has a beautiful monument in Eggesford Church, Devon. It is located on the north wall of the church. His family home, Eggesford House, used to stand nearby but was taken down in 1824.

The monument features stone statues of Edward and his first wife, Anne. Above them are two stone tablets. One tablet describes Edward and Anne, their children, and their death dates. It also mentions that their son Arthur, the Earl of Donegall, finished the monument.

Another tablet on the wall nearby is a memorial to Anne Copleston's parents, John Copleston and Dorothy Biston. Dorothy's father, Sir George Beeston (died 1601), was a naval captain. He commanded a ship called the Dreadnought against the Spanish Armada in 1588. He was even knighted at sea!